"My child, how can we be the same? This is something you must take to heart. If He'er and the others aren't back today, were you planning to just wait until I informed you about the wedding before returning?" Madam Huang also stepped out, speaking to Da Bao with a hint of dissatisfaction.

Da Bao remained silent. Lin He smiled and interjected, "Mother, Father, where are the prospective wives you found for Eldest Brother? I haven't even seen her yet. When can I meet my future sister-in-law?"

Upon hearing Lin He mention the girl, Madam Huang’s face lit up with joy. "Yun Qi is truly a wonderful girl. She's beautiful, with a well-proportioned figure; you can tell she’s someone who knows how to manage a household. Moreover, she knows some medicine! I never expected to find such a good match. It must be fate; we looked at so many girls before, and Da Bao wasn't interested in any of them, but this one is genuinely excellent."

Lin He listened to Madam Huang's words and could only summarize her meaning in one word: this girl was perfect, perhaps unmatched within a hundred li. But what practical use were these qualities her mother praised? Since when was the standard for choosing a wife simply being beautiful? However, since Lin He hadn't met the girl herself, she naturally couldn't argue against Madam Huang, but she still smiled and said, "Mother, when marrying a wife, we seek a virtuous lady. The most important thing is good character; there's no need to dwell too much on the rest."

Lin He actually intended this statement to remind Madam Huang to look closely at a person's character, but Madam Huang didn't grasp Lin He's underlying meaning. She thought Lin He was simply agreeing with her, praising the girl's character, and replied, smiling, "Yes, this girl’s character is indeed good. She's gentle and refined; she looks like a good girl."

Lin He felt a touch of helplessness. Did her mother think her eyes were sharper than X-rays? Could character really be seen at a glance? Lin He glanced at Da Bao, who was sitting nearby. It was evident that Da Bao somewhat disagreed with Madam Huang’s assessment. Da Bao spoke up, "Mother, let's not talk about that for now. He'er hasn't even met Yun Qi. Don't you think we should find a time to invite Yun Qi over?"

"Oh, right, He'er hasn't met Yun Qi. That's fine. The matchmaker was just here yesterday asking when our family plans to propose. I'll have the matchmaker invite Yun Qi's mother over tomorrow to discuss the arrangements, and then He'er can see her," Madam Huang said, still smiling.

Lin He nodded, then noticed Zi Qing standing silently nearby for quite some time. She greeted Madam Huang and called Zi Qing into her room. First, she inquired about the status of the ointment workshop. Zi Qing reported, "Miss, nothing unusual at the ointment workshop. I’ve been watching things very closely these past few months, so rest assured."

"Good. I am always at ease with Zi Qing handling things. You’ve worked hard these past few months. Let Zi Yu watch things for a few days, and you can rest with me," Lin He said with a smile.

Zi Qing nodded. Zi Yu, who had been standing by, left. It was still morning, and the ointment workshop was bustling. Zi Qing was not one to sit idle. Seeing the bundle Lin He had brought back still sitting there, she began helping Lin He unpack while saying, "Miss, you must have had a tiring trip. When will the factory site over there start operations? When do you plan for us to move?"

"That's not urgent. The renovations on the building there likely won't be fully complete before the New Year. Once it's done, it will still take some time before we move. By the way, Zi Qing, while I was away, did anything significant happen at home?" Lin He asked.

As Zi Qing unpacked the bundle, she recounted all the major and minor events that had occurred at home during Lin He’s absence. Her account was remarkably detailed, covering the visits from the family of the prospective sister-in-law, Yun Qi, the parents' preparations for the proposal, and everything that happened on the day of the viewing.

Additionally, Zi Qing mentioned Madam He's situation. Upon learning about Madam He, Lin He felt a surge of surprise. She hadn't expected Madam He to show such spine this time, preferring near death outside to returning to this household. It was truly unexpected, and Lin He was eager to see what Madam He looked like now.

Regarding Yun Qi's visit for the viewing, after Zi Qing finished narrating, Lin He asked, "Zi Qing, what do you think of this Yun Qi, based on what you observed?"

"Miss, if you want me to tell the truth, I can’t quite place her immediately. She doesn't seem inherently bad, nor exceptionally good. This Miss Yun Qi doesn't seem like a shrewd or clever person; she seems a bit naive, always sticking close to her mother since arriving. She rarely speaks, at most offering a smile. I can't quite read her. However, her mother, she is quite forceful, and her words are sharp and mean. Even the two Elder Aunts disliked her."

Hearing Zi Qing’s account, Lin He formed a clearer picture. Zi Qing’s words were entirely trustworthy, and Zi Qing would not mix in any subjective bias; she reported things exactly as they were. It seemed there was a considerable divergence from what Mother had described. Still, since Mother said they could meet, there was still a chance to learn more.

Lin He stayed home for several days. During this time, relatives like Hong Yun and Hong Xia frequently visited, claiming they came to hear about the interesting tales from Lin He’s travels. Grandmother Zhao also paid a visit once. However, Zhou Shi never came. Madam Huang mentioned that since the last incident, Zhou Shi had been visiting much less, saying she feared running into Zhao Shi there, so she usually finished her work during the day and returned home. Furthermore, the matters concerning Zhou Shi and Li Ping were currently set aside; Madam Huang said they would revisit the issue later, and Zhou Shi herself agreed.

One day, Lin He and Madam Huang were in the courtyard. Lin He was teaching Chen'er his characters while Madam Huang embroidered nearby. Suddenly, Zi Qing entered with great excitement, announcing, "Madam, Miss, we have guests! Master Wen and Madam Wen have arrived; their carriage is at the gate."

Madam Huang paused upon hearing Zi Qing’s words, then became extremely happy. "Zi Qing, quickly, send someone to summon the Master back! He'er, let's go to the gate to welcome Boss Wen and his wife in."

Lin He’s cheeks flushed slightly upon hearing Zi Qing’s announcement, wondering if this person was being too eager; she had only been back a few days. Nevertheless, she followed Madam Huang toward the entrance. Indeed, they saw Boss Wen and Madam Wen standing at the gate. Boss Wen looked delighted to see Lin He emerge, smiling broadly at her. Lin He quickly invited them in and introduced them to her mother. Boss Wen greeted Madam Huang with great courtesy. Madam Huang, having never met someone of Boss Wen’s stature, was somewhat flustered, unsure what to say, and merely sat quietly beside them.

Madam Wen, on the other hand, had not spoken a word since entering the gate. Although a smile graced her face, it was a distant, polite smile—completely different from when Lin He first met her. However, Lin He's own feelings toward her had shifted this time. Last time, because she was Uncle Wen’s wife, Lin He respected her out of respect for Uncle Wen. But this time, she was here as Wen Ning Xuan’s mother, and Lin He now knew that Madam Wen didn't treat Wen Ning Xuan as kindly as her own son. Consequently, Lin He no longer felt that previous warmth; she treated her as a distant elder, maintaining politeness with a careful distance. (To be continued)