As dusk settled, everything was prepared, and Lin He taught Ziyu and the other maids how to roast the items, instructing them on when to add the seasonings and how to control the heat. At first, no one understood what they were doing, leading to a clumsy mess—some food was undercooked, others burned. They wondered what was so appealing about this method of cooking. However, before long, the aroma of roasting meat filled the courtyard, making everyone’s mouths water.

The entire evening was quite lively throughout the large courtyard. Initially, only Lin He and Wen Ningxuan were eating the cooked food. While the maids, including Ziyu, weren't overly reserved around Lin He, they were quite wary of Wen Ningxuan. Lin He kept encouraging them to eat, and only Ziyu took a few bites. It wasn't until Lin He ushered Wen Ningxuan inside that the others dared to eat to their hearts' content.

Eventually, everyone was so full they could burst, only stopping when they truly couldn't eat another bite. Seeing that there was still plenty of food left, Lin He asked Ling Xiao to take the rest over to the people in the other courtyard. Wen Ningxuan also had several people in his courtyard, including two young servants, and Ling Xiang was present that day as well.

Several more days passed. The weather on this particular day was excellent. Although the temperature was still somewhat low, there was no strong wind, and a faint sun shone. Lin He was in high spirits, laughing and chatting with the maids in the courtyard. As noon approached, Ziyu and the others went down to prepare the meal. Lin He was leaning back in a chair inside the room when she suddenly heard voices outside, vaguely recognizing Xiao Bao’s sound. Lin He suspected she was just bored lately, perhaps hallucinating from homesickness. But soon, the voices became distinctly clearer, with several shouts coming from the courtyard gate: “Eldest Sister, Eldest Sister.”

Lin He opened her eyes and hurried out to the courtyard. Sure enough, Chen’er and Xiao Bao were standing there, and Ling Xiao stood by the gate behind them, with Wen Ningxuan watching her and smiling. Seeing Lin He appear, Chen’er and Xiao Bao immediately rushed forward, shouting happily, “Eldest Sister.”

Only then did Lin He understand what Wen Ningxuan had meant a few days prior when he said she wouldn't be bored in a few days. She hadn't realized that Wen Ningxuan had secretly brought Chen’er and the others over to surprise her. Given that Wen Ningxuan had been injured recently, and the weather was a bit cold, Lin He hadn't pressed the matter, worried it would be inconvenient for Chen’er and the others to go out. She hadn't expected Wen Ningxuan to remember all along.

Lin He smiled at Wen Ningxuan as she ushered Chen’er and Xiao Bao inside, wrapping her arms around them. Both children were delighted to see her and chattered non-stop. Chen’er said, “Eldest Sister, I thought Big Brother wouldn’t have time, and no one would bring us, but Brother Xuan sent someone to fetch us. Brother Xuan is so kind.”

“Yes, Eldest Sister, Mother originally wasn’t planning to let us come, saying there was too much happening at home, and Big Brother is getting married soon and wouldn’t have time to send us. I also think Brother Xuan is really wonderful,” Xiao Bao added.

Lin He smiled and said, “Mmm, I didn’t even know he went to fetch you. Were you tired from the carriage ride?”

“Not tired at all! The people Brother Xuan sent treated us so well. The carriage was much more comfortable than our own. We stayed in inns at night and could sleep in the carriage during the day; we weren't tired at all,” Xiao Bao interjected eagerly.

These two little ones, after being brought over by someone else, kept affectionately calling him Brother Xuan. Lin He smiled, stroked Xiao Bao’s head, and said, “Well, it’s good that you weren't tired. After we eat lunch, we’ll rest a bit, and then Eldest Sister will take you out to play on the street, alright?”

Upon hearing Lin He, Xiao Bao immediately jumped up and skipped towards the courtyard exit. Lin He turned to Chen’er and asked, “Chen’er, how are Mother, Father, and Big Brother? Is everything alright at home lately?”

“Mother and Father are well, but they really miss you and want you to come back. Big Brother said he’ll only set the wedding date after you return. Mother and Father have been quite happy during this time, but they are very busy; there’s so much work to do at home every day. As for Big Brother, I don’t think he’s very happy. Everyone says marrying a wife should be a joyful thing, but Big Brother doesn't seem happy at all,” Chen’er mused as she spoke.

“Do you know why Big Brother is unhappy? Did Mother and Father talk to him about the girl he’s marrying, and did he agree to it himself?” Lin He continued asking.

“I think so. Big Brother went to see her himself, but when he first came back, he didn’t agree right away. Then Mother said they couldn't delay any longer, and I don't know what happened, but Big Brother finally consented. But Mother says that future Eldest Sister-in-law is very nice. However, I think she’s not as good as the former Sister Chun’er. The Eldest Sister-in-law has visited our home a few times, but she never talks to us. And her mother—her voice is so loud, I don’t like her at all. Xiao Bao doesn’t like her either. Every time they come, Xiao Bao and I hide in the house,” Chen’er said, wrinkling her brow.

Hearing Chen’er’s words deepened Lin He’s worry. Children don’t lie; their words are simple, yet they directly reflect their feelings about others. But Chen’er and the others had just arrived, and this wasn't the time to dwell on such things. Lin He smiled, patted Chen’er’s head, and said, “You little girl, the Eldest Sister-in-law hasn’t even arrived yet, and you’re already gossiping. People will laugh at you for being a bossy little sister-in-law. Quick, go ask Ziyu to help you wash your hands; it’s almost time to eat.”

Saying this, Lin He walked out of the courtyard with Chen’er. Ziyu was just preparing to call them to dinner. When they reached the small dining hall, Wen Ningxuan and Xiao Bao were laughing heartily together. Lin He hadn't realized how familiar Wen Ningxuan and Xiao Bao had become, and this fellow Wen Ningxuan seemed quite good at amusing children.

When Lin He and Chen’er approached, they realized the two had been discussing Xiao Bao’s toys, like Chinese checkers. Xiao Bao was claiming his skills had improved significantly and insisted that Brother Xuan had to play with him that evening, promising he would win. Wen Ningxuan laughed and agreed.

Lin He said with a smile, “Alright, even if you want to win, you must eat first. We can talk after the meal.”

After dinner, Xiao Bao and Chen’er urged Lin He to take them out to the street. Lin He looked at Wen Ningxuan and said, “Chen’er and Xiao Bao have just arrived, and there are many things I haven't prepared. I need to take them downtown this afternoon. Have Ling Xiao go with us.”

“Mhm, I’ll go with you all. I already promised Xiao Bao I’d go out with him to the street,” Wen Ningxuan said, smiling at Xiao Bao.

“Yes, Eldest Sister, Brother Xuan promised me he’d go with us to the street,” Xiao Bao confirmed.

Lin He replied, “If you’re busy, you don’t need to accompany me. They’ll be staying here for several days anyway. Today is just about buying a few necessities for them. You can keep them company another time when you’re free.”

“It’s fine; I can spare an afternoon. Ling Xiao and I will accompany you both,” Wen Ningxuan insisted.