Chen'er frowned as she looked at Lin He, pondering for a moment before speaking, "Big sister, it's only fun when you're here. What's the point of me staying alone in such a big, empty courtyard?"

"How are you alone? Isn't Big Sister-in-law still here?"

"Big Sister-in-law dislikes talking, and she can't do anything around the house. I'm afraid we won't even have food to eat. She doesn't know needlework, and if I don't know how to do something and can't find anyone to ask, I’d rather go back with you. Xiaobao and Dayuan will be at home there."

"If you're going to come back with me, let's be clear first: I probably won't be coming into town for a while. Don't you dare follow me. Ziqing is gone, and there's no one to manage the ointment workshop at home; I have to stay and oversee it," Lin He asked, looking at the smiling Chen'er.

"I know, Big Sister. I'm still coming back with you. I'll go pack my things." Chen'er turned and left with a slight pout.

Lin He recalled Chen'er's words. The girl was sharp; indeed, once she left, along with Ziyu and Zihuan, only Big Sister-in-law and the maid Zisu would remain at home.

Zisu was a maid bought last year, still quite young. When she first arrived, she helped in the ointment workshop. Only after Yunqi came did she follow Yunqi and was also not very skilled at cooking. Lin He worried they genuinely wouldn't have food. But she couldn't hire a cook just for Yunqi's sake. Lin He decided she would ask Elder Brother tomorrow; if things were dire, perhaps Big Sister-in-law could spend some time at the pastry shop instead.

The very next morning, Wen Ningxuan arrived with his people. When Ziqing left, she had cried to Lin He and Ziyu for quite a while, making both of them tear up too. Lin He hadn't realized the girl Ziqing was so sentimental.

After Ziqing and the others departed, Lin He and her group planned to return after breakfast. Lin He brought up the issue to Dabao. Dabao thought for a moment and suggested perhaps Yunqi could stay at the pastry shop for a while, and if she became restless, they could arrange to send her back later. Lin He thought this was acceptable and didn't press the matter.

During breakfast, Lin He noticed Dabao seemed to have something to say. He looked at her several times, his mouth moving, but he didn't voice it. Lin He finally asked directly, "Elder Brother, just say what you need to. We are all family here."

"He'er. There is something you need to resolve. Think about your ointment workshop; you or Ziqing and the others always have to supervise it. Have you considered what will happen to your workshop after you marry? You'll certainly take Ziqing with you, right? Who will manage it then? You can't keep running back home every other day, can you?" Dabao finally asked, hesitating slightly.

"That's right, He'er. Dabao is correct. You need to start making arrangements for this matter, depending on your plans. If you intend to keep the ointment workshop at your family home, you'll need to find two new people to manage it, or else you must consider relocating the entire operation," Wen Ningxuan added, following up.

"About that… I haven't quite decided. I was thinking of maybe leaving Ziqing behind to manage things here, since she's been in charge when I’m away anyway," Lin He said, feeling a bit embarrassed that Dabao had brought up her marriage in front of Wen Ningxuan.

"I don't think that will work. Look at Ziqing; she’s only been gone a few months, and she's crying like this this morning. If you don't let her accompany you in your dowry, I don't know if she’ll manage to live," Dabao said, exaggerating slightly.

In truth, Lin He had considered the very issue Dabao raised, but she found it difficult to bring up herself. Although she had built the ointment workshop from the ground up, suddenly moving it upon her marriage might make her parents and brothers feel uncomfortable, as if she were severing ties completely with her birth family. Moreover, relocation was a massive undertaking, and Lin He was reluctant to cause that much trouble. Thus, she kept the matter simmering, planning to take things as they came; if necessary, she could just have Ziyu manage things at home.

"Then Elder Brother, what do you suggest? Do we really have to move? If we move, where would we relocate to? And if the ointment workshop moves, what about Uncle Li’s wooden boxes?"

"I suggest you move it here to the town. Finding a place in town is easier, and it’s closer to Ningxuan’s home. Even after you marry, you can still come to check on it anytime. Plus, you already have a house here in town, making visits to your parents convenient. As for Uncle Li, that’s even simpler; they can just arrange for deliveries every couple of days. We have a carriage, and the distance isn't far," Dabao mused after some thought.

"Moving just the ointment workshop would be manageable, but the soap production is more difficult. We hired local village women initially for convenience, and they all live at home. If we move to town, those village women probably won't be able to come, not even our eldest aunt or Sanniang. What about them?" Lin He looked at Dabao, slightly troubled.

"That’s true. I didn't think that far ahead immediately. But I believe these problems can be solved one by one. It’s better to move the ointment workshop to town. As for lodging, didn't you build factory buildings and housing over in Qinghe County? You can build them here too. If those women are willing to continue working, invite them; if not, that’s unavoidable. These things are bound to change sooner or later; you can’t accommodate everyone forever," Dabao analyzed logically.

Lin He knew Dabao had a point. Such an arrangement would indeed be better. Furthermore, building the factory closer to town would simplify fetching supplies and picking up goods from the shop, unlike their current location where the road was poor and the carriage trip would consume time. Also, a factory setup would appear more formal. If the village women were unwilling to relocate to town, she could simply purchase a few maids to work instead.

"Well, He'er, think it over carefully. I’ve just offered my suggestions; what to do specifically is up to you. It’s getting late, and I need to open my shop. Go back and tell Mother that Big Sister-in-law will be returning in a few days." With that, Dabao took Yunqi and left.

Lin He also prepared to leave with Ziyu. Wen Ningxuan offered to escort her, but Lin He thought he must be busy, so she took the carriage back with Ziyu.

In the carriage, Ziyu also remarked, "Miss, I think Young Master Dabao's suggestion is quite good. Putting other things aside, after you marry, even if Big Sister is willing to help look after the ointment workshop at home, what will Master Wen think? He might feel you are still too attached to your maternal family. Although his household doesn't lack these things, it still gives people something to gossip about. Once married, you must be mindful of these matters. There are many women in the Wen household, and rumors spread easily."

Lin He looked at Ziyu. The maid's words were truly practical. Some matters indeed needed proper resolution. Moreover, if she remained married and something happened at the ointment workshop, it might implicate her family. It truly was better to move the production elsewhere.