"Really? Where? Is it far from home? Did Brother Xuan find the school for me?" Da Bao asked happily upon hearing Lin He's words.

"Yes, Brother Xuan will bring you to school tomorrow. You need to remember the way well; from then on, you'll have to walk to school by yourself, no one will escort you anymore," Lin He said, smiling.

"I know! I don't want anyone to escort me. I'm already this big; why would I need someone to walk me to school?" Xiao Bao declared with an air of importance.

"Ha, little one, it will be hilarious if you don't know the way home tomorrow. I won't let Eldest Sister send anyone to fetch you back tomorrow," Chen Er teased Xiao Bao while eating.

"Do you think I'm like you, unable to tell east from west once I step out? I said I can come back on my own, just wait and see tomorrow."

"Then I'll wait at home and see what time you return tomorrow."

"Hehe, these two only know how to bicker. Ignore them. He'er, Ning Xuan has helped us quite a bit this time. He's been overseeing the factory matters, and he sorted out Xiao Bao's schooling too. We must thank him properly. Bring Ning Xuan over for dinner tomorrow; I'll cook a few extra dishes," Mrs. Huang also said with a smile.

Mrs. Huang's smile finally eased the atmosphere at the dinner table; none of them seemed tense anymore, and Da Bao's expression brightened somewhat. Yun Qi, however, remained unchanged, silently eating her meal without uttering a sound.

Lin He chuckled, saying, "Mother, it's nothing. It's such a small matter; why thank him? He knows to come for a meal when he's free; don't worry about it."

"Indeed, these things are what a future son-in-law does. Otherwise, how could we have married off our daughter to someone so easily?" Da Bao teased Lin He as well.

Da Bao's remark brought smiles to everyone at the table. Lin He shot Da Bao a playful glare, and Mrs. Huang chimed in with a laugh, "Hehe, I am truly satisfied with our family's future son-in-law. He is good to our He'er and always puts his heart into helping our family. Even though he’s the young master from a prominent family, he puts on no airs at all. I say our He'er has good judgment."

"Mother, why bring that up now?" Lin He said, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Hehe, I won't mention it anymore. Let's all eat. After dinner, we'll go out for a stroll. I haven't been to the town in ages. I want to go and get your father a new set of clothes, something for autumn. His sleeves from last year are already threadbare," Mrs. Huang said with a smile.

"Yes, okay. Then Da Sao and I will go out with you later," Lin He said, giving Da Bao a meaningful look.

Da Bao sat next to Yun Qi and nudged her hand. Yun Qi, being quite sharp, immediately reacted and said, "Yes, Mother, Da Bao and I will go out with you later."

Mrs. Huang looked at Yun Qi, then nodded after a pause, accepting the suggestion. After the family finished eating and the maids cleared the dishes, Mrs. Huang sat by the table and said, "Yun Qi, my tone was a bit harsh earlier; please don't take it to heart. However, you were indeed in the wrong. Think about it; you are the eldest daughter-in-law of our Lin family. When I am old, this household will be handed over to you two to manage."

"You are still young and don't understand the difficulties of managing a household. If you don't plan carefully how to live, it will be hard for the family to manage. You see that we have some income now, but with such a large family, expenses for food, clothing, and daily necessities all require money. A family must always have some savings for unexpected needs."

"Although household expenditures are currently divided, you cannot spend so lavishly. You and Da Bao must build up some savings, otherwise, Da Bao won't be able to pursue whatever he wishes to do in the future."

"I am telling you clearly now: the money allocated to each of you monthly for expenses is what you must use for your purchases and needs. The family will not provide extra funds. Chen Er and Xiao Bao, you must listen too. I will hold most of your money; the pocket money I give you should not be squandered either, because if it’s spent, it’s gone."

Mrs. Huang's speech left everyone present stunned, including Lin He, who wondered when her mother had become so thorough about finances. Her words sounded like those of a seasoned financial expert. Lin He secretly smiled, thinking that after managing the household for a while, her mother had made some progress; her advice was indeed accurate.

After Da Bao snapped back to attention, he forced a smile and said to Mrs. Huang, "Mother is right to teach us; we will be more careful in the future and won't do this again." He then nudged Yun Qi.

Yun Qi also bowed her head and said, "Mother, I will not buy things recklessly again."

Mrs. Huang looked at Da Bao and then at Yun Qi, nodding in satisfaction before calling for Da Xiong and leaving. After Mrs. Huang left, Yun Qi sat in the room for a while before returning to her own quarters. Once both of them were gone, Lin He finally spoke to Da Bao, "Big Brother, what happened today? How did Mother find out that Big Sister-in-law bought so many things?"

Da Bao let out a helpless laugh and glanced toward Chen Er, saying, "It's all this little rascal Chen Er's fault. She was bored and went to play in Yun Qi's room. She saw a pretty silver hairpin on Yun Qi's table and asked where Yun Qi bought it. Yun Qi immediately said she liked it and offered to give it to her. Once Chen Er took it, she went to show off to Mother, saying how many beautiful things Yun Qi had bought and that she wanted to buy some too. Mother then went straight to Yun Qi's room and saw everything Yun Qi owned."

Chen Er, overhearing Da Bao, stuck out her tongue and interjected, "Hey, Big Brother, don't blame me. I didn't know Mother would scold Big Sister-in-law! I just said it casually. How was I to know Mother would be so fierce? Mother is also to blame. Big Sister-in-law only bought a few things; why scold her so harshly? Big Sister-in-law is a grown woman; does she still need to be managed like this?"

Lin He found it strange. How did Mother know about Yun Qi's purchases so quickly? It turned out to be this troublemaker. She tapped Chen Er's head and said, "You just won't change your ways. Seeing others have nice things, you want them too. You see how Mother scolded Big Sister-in-law today? It would be good if you get properly disciplined by your mother-in-law when you marry someday! Not only do you waste money, but now you've caused such a big fuss. Don't you know what words should be said and what should not?"

Chen Er, seeing Lin He's serious face, dared not speak and sat quietly in her chair. Da Bao laughed and said, "Don't blame her; she’s just a child who doesn't know any better. Let her be; it’s not a major issue anyway."

Lin He glanced at Chen Er again, then turned back to Da Bao, saying, "Big Brother, when you go back to your room later, comfort Big Sister-in-law. She must be feeling down after being scolded by Mother like that today. Also, discuss this matter with her: money that needs to be spent should be spent, but one must maintain balance. Big Sister-in-law doesn't understand many things; you need to teach her as well. Don't rely on Mother to teach you everything; if Mother teaches, there will definitely be conflict in the household."