The Old Madam Huang looked at Lin He, a smile playing on her lips as if she knew exactly what Lin He was amused by. She gave Lin He a playful glance of mock reproach before heading out, calling back, "He'er, while you watch the maids prepare the midday meal, I'll pop over to your Third Aunt's place to discuss this matter with her."

Lin He acknowledged her with a sound and continued to bend over her embroidery.

Within a few days, everyone in the household knew about the arrangement, and they were all happy for Old Madam Zhou. Li Ping even made a trip home, and his mother was overjoyed to hear he was getting married. She insisted that Li Ping send over all the proper etiquette gifts required.

Since it was a widow remarrying, a lavish celebration was out of the question. However, Li Ping’s family still held a banquet. Because the distance was so great, the Lin He family only sent those of Er Niu’s generation. Lin He and the others did not attend.

They later heard from Er Niu and the others that Li Ping had taken the matter very seriously and made the event quite lively. Furthermore, when they attended, they were seated at the main guest table, and the hosts introduced them as relatives of Old Madam Zhou, which certainly gave Zhou Shi much face.

Li Ping’s mother seemed like an amiable person. When Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun went over, the elder treated the two children very kindly, speaking to them in a soft, gentle voice. She clearly wasn't someone difficult to get along with, suggesting that Zhou Shi’s decision to marry Li Ping was extremely correct.

On the wedding day, Er Niu and his group stayed the night. They returned the next day, and Er Niu brought Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun back with him. He explained that Zhou Shi and Li Ping would stay home for a few days to attend to Li Ping’s mother, and then they would all return together to work.

Old Madam Huang returned, smiling broadly. "He'er, we’ve done a great kindness," she said. "You should have seen Little Shan's mother these past few days—she’s truly ecstatic. I haven't seen her that happy in years."

Lin He smiled, believing her completely. Some things were simply irreplaceable by anything else; for instance, a companion in bed. No matter how well things were at home or how dutiful the children were, they could never fill that void.

Once Zhou Shi's affairs were settled, the busy farming season was nearly over. Da Bao had already sent word through an intermediary, saying that Wen Ningxuan had finished setting up everything at the factory and needed Lin He to bring the personnel over as soon as possible, along with any tools that could be moved.

After a few days of waiting, Zhou Shi and Li Ping returned. As soon as she was back, Zhou Shi came straight to Lin He’s courtyard, bringing many things—items made personally by Li Ping’s mother, which she insisted be delivered as a token of gratitude for the Lin He family’s care for both Li Ping and Zhou Shi over the years.

Though the gifts weren't of great monetary value—just some local specialties from their home region—they clearly conveyed the elder woman's sincere feelings. Old Madam Huang accepted them happily without any pretense, saying the old lady was being far too polite.

Lin He looked at Zhou Shi. She was wearing a bright red dress, likely the one worn for the wedding, and her hair was styled into a bun secured by a silver hairpin. Her cheeks were flushed with a delicate blush from shyness, and her complexion seemed fairer. A radiant smile of happiness illuminated her face. Lin He felt that after enduring so many years, Zhou Shi had finally found her happiness, reinforcing Lin He’s belief that one needed to fight for things; with determined effort, an opportunity would eventually arise.

A few days later, Zhou Shi and Hong Xia finalized the handover of their duties. Lin He then began preparing for the factory’s relocation. She had already arranged for Da Bao and Wen Ningxuan to send several carts from the town to transport the belongings, as the ointment workshop had a considerable amount of equipment that their household carriages couldn't possibly manage.

As for the ointment workshop staff, there were currently eight maids working. These girls would all move with them. For the women who had been making soap, originally about ten including Zhou Shi and Hong Xia, only half chose to relocate this time; the others said they couldn't leave their families behind.

However, having this many remaining experienced workers was slightly surprising to Lin He. She hadn't expected many to agree to move to town, as it meant long separations from their families, and many women during this era preferred not to work away from home. Those who stayed were the very first group she had recruited, with the exception of Aunt Xu, whose family situation made it truly impossible for her to leave. Still, Lin He felt it was beneficial to retain so many skilled hands, preventing a scenario where the newly relocated factory would be staffed entirely by novices unable to perform the tasks.

The first day was spent moving all the supplies. On the second day, Lin He and her group were set to pack and depart. Lin He anticipated staying down there for quite some time because new recruits would need training at the ointment workshop, and she wouldn't feel secure unless she supervised them daily. Furthermore, Wen Ningxuan had already secured a school for Xiao Bao during this period. Xiao Bao, Chen'er, and the two Da Xiongs would all be moving with her, meaning Lin He would likely be returning home less often in the future.

As dusk approached while they were packing in the room, Cai Qing, Old Madam Huang's attendant, arrived. "Miss," she said, "the Eldest Madam and her younger daughter-in-law have come. They say they wish to work at our house and are waiting in the courtyard now. Madam asked you to go out."

Lin He paused to consider. The Eldest Madam’s younger daughter-in-law must mean Dong Yu. Dong Yu wanting to work for her was certainly unexpected. He Shi accompanying her meant this was not a request that could be easily refused. Her ointment workshop certainly couldn't accommodate someone like Dong Yu, so her mother should have simply turned them away—why did she need to go out?

Thinking this over, Lin He walked toward the courtyard. Indeed, He Shi was pacing in the yard while Dong Yu stood quietly beside her. Lin He hadn't seen Dong Yu since Qing Shan had chased her out, almost half a year ago. Rumor had it that Dong Yu had been very well-behaved recently, living quietly on her own and never venturing out, only entrusting He Shi to take the embroidery she made to the market for sale.

He Shi stood up when she saw Lin He emerge. "Ah, He'er is out," she said with a smile. "Auntie has a favor to ask of you. Your mother said only you could settle this matter."

"What is it? Auntie, please sit down," Lin He replied, adopting an innocent smile.

"It's like this," He Shi began somewhat sheepishly. "I heard you were moving the factory premises the other day. I originally planned to come help you move, but with so many children at home, I couldn't get away. I was just about to bring Dong Yu to assist, but your mother said everything was packed and that we came too late. So, about this matter..."

"It’s alright, Auntie. It wasn't that much, and with so many people here, a few trips finished the job. But your household must be busy lately too," Lin He said gently. "You have your eldest grandson to look after every day, and Mao Mao needs attention too. You can't manage everything yourself, so don't worry about us."

"Hehe, yes, it is busy, but it’s a happy sort of busy. When I look at my eldest grandson, no matter how tired I am, I feel joy. Finally, I have a grandson to hold! You don't know, my eldest grandson looks exactly like Qing Shan when he was little—so smart!" He Shi laughed happily.

"Mmm, he must take after Qing Shan; he is his son. Your elder sister-in-law's family is doing so well now, they have everything. I also heard Yu'er gave birth recently—that’s wonderful news! Yu'er’s child must be a few months old by now?" Old Madam Huang chimed in with a smile.