Lin He watched Mrs. Huang try to signal Yun Qi a few times, but Yun Qi remained completely unresponsive, causing Mrs. Huang’s expression to sour slightly. Lin He found it rather amusing; usually, her mother didn't care much for such matters—she wouldn't even manage the household finances—yet now she was nitpicking her new daughter-in-law. It was easy to see why people said a daughter-in-law only found her footing after decades of marriage; once she had one, there had to be some outlet for her frustrations.

Looking toward Mrs. Huang, Lin He deliberately raised her voice and called out to Ziyu, “Ziyu, let’s go tidy up the courtyard. We never finished putting everything away last night.” Lin He made sure her voice carried.

Da Bao glanced at Lin He, who gave him a subtle look. Da Bao also stood up and said, “Yes, I’ll go help tidy up as well.”

Once they were outside, Lin He spoke to her elder brother, “Big Brother, didn’t you see Mother’s face? Did you forget to tell Sister-in-law last night? The initial cash gift for a new bride is supposed to be handed over to Mother for safekeeping. Sister-in-law probably doesn’t know this custom; you should remind her.”

Da Bao, being a man, barely remembered such details. He replied, “I drank a bit too much last night and fell asleep before I could even mention it. I’ll call Yun Qi out right now to give the money to Mother.” With that, Da Bao hurried back into the room.

Lin He was stunned by Da Bao’s words. Drank a bit too much last night? That was their wedding night! How could he drink so much? Did they even consummate the marriage? Looking at them now, it didn't seem like they had. Big Brother was truly something else. In these times, consummating the marriage on the first night was a very big deal. If it became known that the knot wasn't tied, people would say the husband was dissatisfied with the wife. What was Big Brother thinking? Still, Lin He just shook her head; no matter how capable she was, she couldn't help with this particular matter.

Shaking her head, Lin He went to the courtyard to check on Ziqing and Ziyu cleaning up. Later, Da Bao must have made Yun Qi hand over the money. Lin He noticed that not long after, Mrs. Huang emerged from the main hall, a smile playing on her lips, continually praising how sensible Yun Qi was. Lin He smiled wryly.

Because Da Bao’s wedding had been rushed, the entire household had been busy preparing for it. However, the New Year was fast approaching, and many essential preparations for the festival remained undone. Mrs. Huang hadn't mentioned organizing them, likely because she hadn't fully transitioned out of the mindset that Lin He was still managing the household affairs.

Arriving in the courtyard, Lin He said, “Mother, the New Year is in a few days. Have you managed the arrangements? We need to settle the wages for the long-term laborers and the maids before the New Year, as the laborers are due to leave tomorrow.”

Hearing Lin He’s words, Mrs. Huang finally remembered everything. She smacked her forehead and lamented, “Goodness, yes! If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have completely forgotten. I didn’t even realize the New Year was so close! Er Niu, quickly calculate the laborers’ wages, and the maids’ wages too. And for the New Year, we always have to give the laborers some gifts. Oh dear, the New Year goods haven’t been bought yet—which task should we tackle first? I’m so anxious!” Mrs. Huang began pacing in place as she spoke.

Er Niu looked at Mrs. Huang’s flustered state and said with a touch of helplessness, “He’er, why don’t you take charge again this year? You manage alongside your mother for a year. Look at her; she doesn't even know where to begin with so many things. She can’t handle it all alone. Help her for one more year, and let her observe beside you.”

Lin He had anticipated this outcome; she understood her mother well. Just as Lin He was about to agree, she noticed Yun Qi sitting silently in the courtyard, watching her. Lin He smiled at Yun Qi and said, “Sister-in-law, perhaps you could work with Mother on the preparations? Do you usually manage these things at home?”

Yun Qi shook her head. “I don’t handle these matters. My mother manages everything in our family. Mother said it’s improper for a daughter to manage affairs while living at home; those duties fall to the mother-in-law.”

Yun Qi’s words were delivered lightly, seemingly without any particular aim, yet they undeniably put Mrs. Huang on edge. Mrs. Huang immediately spoke up: “Yun Qi, the daughters in your family don’t manage the house? In our family, my daughter manages everything, always has. I am in charge here now, and if I want her to manage, even someone else wouldn't necessarily have the skill to take over.”

She then deliberately addressed Lin He: “He’er, you will manage the household again this year. As long as you are here, you will help your mother run this house. Come inside now, help your father calculate the accounts for the laborers.”

Yun Qi, hearing Mrs. Huang’s tone, seemed momentarily agitated and perhaps confused, looking as though she truly didn’t realize her words had offended Mrs. Huang. She simply froze there, offering no reply.

Lin He looked from Mrs. Huang to Yun Qi, feeling stuck in the middle. Whether Yun Qi had intended her comment to be pointed, Lin He couldn't quite judge. Yun Qi didn't appear to be a sharp-witted person, but that last statement seemed directed against Lin He’s role in managing the household. Although Lin He felt a twinge of discomfort, she didn't want friction on her sister-in-law’s very first day, especially with Big Brother involved.

Lin He glanced at Da Bao, who stood awkwardly nearby. Lin He sighed and called out, “Big Brother, why don’t you go help Father with the laborers’ accounts? I’ll go with Mother to look at the New Year preparations. Sister-in-law, since it’s your first year, there are likely things you’re unfamiliar with; why don’t you come along too? We can discuss it together.”

Da Bao agreed and headed toward Er Niu’s room. Yun Qi, however, smiled at Lin He when she was called. “No need, I don’t understand these things. You and Mother can discuss it.”

Lin He nodded, not pressing Yun Qi, and walked toward Mrs. Huang’s room. Upon entering, she heard Mrs. Huang berating Da Bao: “Da Bao, how do you discipline your wife? On her very first day, she already can’t tolerate the younger sister-in-law in the house? And she implies that I was wrong to let He’er manage the household? I never realized Yun Qi was such a capable person.”

When Lin He entered, seeing Da Bao looking thoroughly distressed by Mrs. Huang’s tirade, she smiled and intervened, “Mother, look at you. It’s not as serious as you make it sound. Sister-in-law only spoke casually; she didn’t mean anything by it. You’re overthinking things. It’s her first day here; forget all that. If you keep saying this, people will call you a wicked mother-in-law, and that won’t be good.” Lin He said this while laughing lightly.

Seeing Lin He’s demeanor, Mrs. Huang let out a chuckle. “You wicked girl! I’m defending you, and you turn around and call me a wicked mother-in-law? You always like to overthink things when there’s nothing going on, and now that someone is challenging you, you claim I’m the one overthinking!”

Lin He sat beside Mrs. Huang and linked her arm, smiling. “Mother, I know you care for me, but Sister-in-law probably truly didn’t mean anything today. She wouldn’t come in when I called her just now, did she? And didn’t you often say she was a sensible child before? She wouldn’t do something like that, would she?”

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