Not long after the Wen family proposed marriage, it was almost time for Da Bao's wedding. Since the New Year was approaching, Lin He figured they wouldn't be coming to the shop these few days. After instructing the shop assistants and maids to look after the store well, she brought Chen'er back home.

Back at home, since the next day was Da Bao's wedding day, the house was bustling with activity. Things were set up both inside and outside the courtyard, and the relatives and servants kept moving about non-stop. Although they weren't being overly extravagant, a wedding still involved a great deal of preparation.

Seeing Lin He return, Madam Huang eagerly asked her to go look at how Da Bao's new room was decorated, saying Lin He had a better eye for these things than they did. Lin He went to Da Bao's room. The space was festive and joyous everywhere, with red 'Xi' characters pasted on every wall, as if afraid people wouldn't know a wedding was taking place here. Moreover, the adjoining side rooms had been tidied up immaculately, likely having been prepared for Da Bao's nuptials long ago.

Lin He looked around Da Bao's room, deeming it satisfactory. She then walked towards the courtyard. In the yard, Hong Xia and the others were chatting while helping with some tasks. The women seemed quite happy together. Seeing Lin He emerge, Hong Xia smiled and said, "The two girls are back! Are you tired from looking after the shop in town?"

"Not at all. We hired plenty of people to work at the shop; Chen'er and I just stop by to observe. Aren't you, Auntie, and the others tired from helping out at my home? With so many maids around, you all should stop working and sit down to rest," Lin He replied with a smile.

"Heh heh, it's fine. This girl is thoughtful. What work are we doing? The few of us women are just gossiping here," Hong Xia returned.

"Exactly. Girls should be thoughtful. Look at He'er and Chen'er, such good girls. Look at my boy; he's so mischievous. He's already grown up, but he still zips around everywhere. I wish I could give him a good beating every day. Look, he's disappeared again right now. He's already a grown man, yet so thoughtless," Hong Yun complained good-naturedly about her son.

"Don't just talk about your son. Even my two girls are quite naughty. How many girls are as good as He'er? She’s beautiful, sensible, and fortunate. My little Fang is already this old and still doesn't know how to do anything," Hong Xia added with a chuckle.

Hearing Hong Xia and Hong Yun, Madam He chimed in, "Yes, boys are too unruly. Raising daughters is better; daughters are obedient and closer to their mothers."

Lin He sat down nearby, listening to their laughter and chatter. Such an atmosphere was truly rare, especially when Madam He was present. It was even rarer for all the women of the extended family to gather and chat about everyday matters so happily.

Lin He noticed that Madam He had genuinely changed a lot these past few times, not like she was pretending. Her willingness to come and help at her house today was sincere. While she wasn't exceptionally outstanding, at least unlike before when she would either not come or just show up feigning activity—standing here and looking there without helping—today was distinctly different. Perhaps people truly could change, provided they were willing. Looking at Madam He was a very clear example.

Lin He also pitched in for the whole day after returning. It wasn't that she was busy, but there were many household matters, and people constantly came asking this or that, leaving her no idle time. By evening, Lin He was truly tired. She originally planned to rest early after dinner, but after the meal, Er Niu and Madam Huang asked everyone to come to their room, saying they had something to discuss.

After dinner, the entire family gathered in the parents' room. Madam Huang and Er Niu exchanged a look, and Madam Huang began, "He'er, Ning Xuan's family sent people to propose marriage the other day. All the betrothal gifts are listed here. I've placed everything in your own courtyard for you to keep. When you marry, you can take it all as part of your dowry. Here is the gift money as well; you handle that too." Madam Huang handed some items to Lin He.

Lin He took them and was startled. Did Wen Ning Xuan's family have to be this extravagant? The betrothal gifts and money alone could buy so many things. No wonder so many people were eager to marry their daughters to wealthy families. This amount of wealth could likely sustain an ordinary family for generations. The Wen family's level of respect truly surprised Lin He.

Since Lin He and the others weren't present the day Uncle Wen came to propose, and Lin He had been in town and hadn't returned, Wen Ning Xuan had only mentioned that his father had come to propose, without specifying the details of these items, so Lin He herself was unaware.

Truthfully, Lin He had no real concept of these things. She thought the proposal was merely a formality, a box to check. Looking at the list, Lin He could imagine that when Uncle Wen arrived to propose that day, it must have caused quite a stir.

Madam Huang continued, "He'er, your matter is settled. Boss Wen said the exact wedding date will be set after you reach the age of capping [Ji Ji]. You still have some time until then, so we'll discuss it later. However, you are now the future daughter-in-law of the Wen family. In the future, try not to show your face unnecessarily. Large aristocratic families are different from our humble households; they likely place great importance on propriety. It wouldn't be good if others gossiped later."

Lin He nodded, acknowledging the statement. Her mother had said similar things several times before. It was easy enough to agree verbally; whether she truly listened would depend on the actual circumstances.

After finishing with Lin He, Madam Huang turned to Da Bao and said, "Da Bao, you are getting married tomorrow; you'll have a wife soon. You must live your life well from now on and forget about past matters. When you bring Yun Qi back, you must treat her well, or I won't stand for it."

Da Bao and Lin He both looked up at Madam Huang. What she said seemed to carry an underlying meaning. Had his father told her about Da Bao's past affairs? But it didn't matter now; it was all in the past anyway.

Madam Huang stared at Da Bao, raising her voice slightly, "Da Bao, did you hear what I said?"

Da Bao finally snapped out of his daze and nodded, indicating he had heard.

Silence filled the room for a moment before Er Niu spoke up again, "Da Bao, your wife will be entering the household tomorrow. Your mother and I have discussed this over the past few days; we need to clarify the household matters. Before Yun Qi moves in, the division of assets must be clear. Don't get any strange ideas. We aren't trying to push your wife away; these are rules. After all, we have many children in this house, and your parents must treat everyone fairly."

"Father, just say what you need to say. What could I possibly object to? What are you talking about?" Da Bao complained softly.