The very next morning, Lin He and Da Bao took the carriage back home. Upon their arrival, before breakfast was even served, Madam Huang saw that Da Bao and the others had returned so quickly. When Da Bao mentioned he had settled all the shop affairs for the month and would be staying home, Madam Huang was overjoyed, declaring him her dutiful, filial son.

The rest of the household was equally delighted. Da Bao hadn't spent much time at home over the years, and when he occasionally did return, he was usually barraged with questions from his parents. Chen'er and Xiao Bao were especially thrilled, announcing they would finally have their elder brother to play with.

Madam Huang tapped Chen'er on the head. "All you think about is playing! Do you think you can keep playing this year? You must remember your eldest sister is marrying out next year. Once she's gone, I'll find someone to arrange your engagement. This year, you need to stay home and diligently learn embroidery from your eldest sister. Though your needlework has improved somewhat, you still need to study and practice more. You must have a skill that people recognize."

Chen'er rubbed her head. "Mother, please stop hitting my head so much. I think I’m not as clever as Big Sister; all this tapping has just made me duller. If you keep tapping, I’ll turn into an idiot, and if I can't marry out, I'll just stay home, and you and Father will have to support me every day. And then there’s no need to even mention embroidery."

Chen'er's words made everyone in the courtyard burst into laughter. Madam Huang scolded playfully, "Look at this naughty girl! Now her mind is working so fast. If you can't marry out, you can stay here and work as a maid. You’ll have to do everything; do you think you’ll get to live like the young mistress? Anyone can play the role of a young mistress."

Chen'er puffed out her cheeks and declared, "Mother, you are so biased! You only favor Big Sister and dislike me, always calling me slow. I am not slow at all! Ask Big Sister—the pouches I made are beautiful! I made them for Big Sister's dowry. My embroidery is better than many people's now."

Chen'er’s boasting sent everyone into fresh fits of laughter. Xiao Bao chimed in with a smile, "That's right. Second Sister only knows how to make pouches and silk scarves. I think she plans to only use pouches and scarves in the future."

Chen'er shot a look at Xiao Bao and tapped him lightly on the head. "Everyone else is joining in, and you, a junior, are speaking ill of your sister! If I can’t marry out later, you’ll have to support me, and you already agreed to that."

Xiao Bao playfully hit Chen'er back, and the two began chasing each other in circles around the courtyard. Lin He smiled and called Chen'er over. "Yes, Chen'er's needlework has improved quite a bit, but you still need practice. Mother is right; if you don't master one exquisite craft, you'll have nothing. Since you don't seem interested in learning other things, stick with embroidery."

Chen'er nodded; she always listened to what her eldest sister said. Madam Huang, smiling from the side, added, "Breakfast is ready; hurry up and eat, or the food will get cold."

Everyone got up to go inside to eat. Lin He lagged slightly behind, with Da Bao and Yun Qi bringing up the rear. Lin He saw Da Bao walk up to Yun Qi and softly call out, "Come on, let's go eat." Yun Qi nodded in response and stood up.

After the family finished their meal, Er Niu went to see the hired hands. Since the first lunar month was over, the long-term laborers had all arrived, and Er Niu went to assign them tasks. Uncharacteristically, Da Bao gave no instructions to anyone else. Instead, he took Yun Qi out, saying it was market day in Huayu Town and he wanted to take her to look around. Madam Huang couldn't stop smiling. "Yes, go early, wander around more. Buy Yun Qi whatever she likes."

Lin He set up a large embroidery frame in the courtyard with Chen'er, intending to work on a screen. Watching Madam Huang’s happy expression, Lin He laughed, "Mother, you’re drooling."

Madam Huang didn't react at first, then wiped her mouth, realizing Lin He was teasing her. She said playfully, "You little rascal, even teasing your own mother! Now that Da Bao is back, it seems he’s finally thought things through. Not only is he willing to stay home, but he's also become much more considerate of Yun Qi. He'er, what did you say to Da Bao?"

"What I said is not the most important thing; it mainly depends on Elder Brother understanding things himself. Now you don't have to worry so much, Mother. Elder Brother and Sister-in-law have a good relationship; you’ll be holding a grandchild soon enough," Lin He teased Madam Huang.

Hearing Lin He’s words, Madam Huang chuckled heartily. "I love hearing that! Everyone in the family is rushing me. Your grandmother even mentioned the other day that she expects to hold Da Bao's child by the end of this year. Look, Da Bao isn't much younger than Qingshan. Qingshan’s Maomao is already four, and they're about to have two more children! I’ve been longing to be a grandmother for ages."

Lin He smiled and shook her head. The elders were all the same; they caused too much worry. The couple had only been married a few days, and already they were aiming to have a child by year's end, as if marriage was solely for the purpose of producing heirs. It put too much pressure on people. However, Lin He did forget that in ancient times, marriage was largely centered on continuing the family line.

Madam Huang continued, "Oh, and your Grandma mentioned the other day that Yue Mei and Dong Yu from your Elder Cousin Qingshan's family are due to give birth any day now. Why hasn't there been any news these past few days? It should be any day now. I wonder if they’ve delivered yet. I should go over and see."

"Who can say exactly when childbirth happens? It could be a few days early or a few days late. If they’ve delivered, someone will definitely come and notify you," Lin He said while embroidering the screen.

"That’s true, but they are family, so I should still go take a look. When your paternal aunt and maternal aunt are free this afternoon, I’ll ask them to go with me. Your paternal aunt is much better than before too; we can't ignore them. Childbirth is a major event."

"Mm, then you should go take a look."

Madam Huang watched Lin He working on the large screen frame and asked, "Are you embroidering a screen now? Have you decided what to embroider? Hurry up and start. I was thinking, after you finish this, it would be best if you embroider more items like this to give as gifts when you go to the Wen family. Doesn't Ning Xuan’s family have a grandmother as well?"

"Can't we just buy gifts? Embroidered work is sold everywhere; why do you need me to do it myself? Embroidering one screen will take several months. Even if I didn't eat or sleep, it would take two or three months. Mother, do you really intend for me to be a sheltered young lady who never steps outside her door?" Lin He looked at Madam Huang and asked with a smile.

"You child, you always say Chen'er is sharp-witted, but when it comes to yourself, you forget. What you embroider yourself is definitely different from what you buy. They are Ning Xuan's family; since you are going there, you need to try and win them over. If nothing else, you should present handmade embroidery to Old Madam Wen and Madam Wen. First, it shows them how capable you are, and second, it shows them you have thoughtfulness. Even if you don't think of yourself, think of Ning Xuan—let them know his wife is capable," Madam Huang said softly.