"Mother, it's only been a few months, why the rush? Many couples don't have children for a year or two after marrying. Besides, Big Brother and Sister-in-law are still so young; having children is bound to happen eventually," Lin He said soothingly.

Hearing Lin He's words, Madam Huang nodded silently. "Mmm, He'er, you're right. They are young, there's no need to rush. However, I do need to find a time to talk to Dabao and Yunqi about this, tell them to try harder and aim to conceive this year."

Madam Huang got up again, presumably off to do something. Lin He felt a touch speechless. Was her mother so desperate for a grandchild that she would actually go and discuss this with her eldest son and daughter-in-law? She truly said whatever came to her mind.

Whether Madam Huang actually spoke to Dabao and the others remained unknown, but the very next morning, Er Niu arrived in town by the express cart. Lin He and the others hadn't seen Er Niu for a while and gathered around him, asking how he was managing alone back home. They insisted he stay in town for a few extra days this time before returning.

Er Niu refused, saying the Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan Jie) was in a couple of days, and he wanted to get all the necessary festival items in town today so he could return tomorrow morning, as there was plenty of work waiting for him at home.

Lin He smiled helplessly. This father of hers simply acted like the CEO of a major corporation, constantly busy overseeing the hired hands and guarding their fields. She truly had no way to manage him, but as long as he was happy, she'd let him have his way; it was good for older people to have something to focus on.

Er Niu didn't linger inside for long; he went out with Madam Huang to purchase things. In truth, there wasn't much to buy—mainly joss paper and similar items. Foodstuffs would have to be bought in town on the day of the Ghost Festival. The weather was still rather warm at this time of year, and buying perishable goods too early would risk spoilage.

As the Ghost Festival neared, on the afternoon of the fourteenth of the seventh month, Lin He and Dabao led the rest of the family back home, taking the women from the ointment workshop with them as they too were given time off for the festival.

Upon arriving home, Madam Huang and Er Niu immediately urged Dabao and the others to start folding the joss paper. They mentioned that they had already dried the paper weeks ago, just waiting for Dabao and Xiaobao to return to do the writing.

Lin He hadn't been back for over two months. Looking at the familiar surroundings in her own courtyard, she felt a deep sense of attachment. Although the residence in town was nice, this house was ultimately built with the money Lin He had earned through her own hard work, and the entire family had lived here for many years; there was a profound emotional connection to it.

Not long after Lin He and her group returned, Madam Zhao and Madam Zhou heard the news and came over to Lin He's courtyard for a chat. When Madam Zhou arrived, Lin He noticed Li Ping standing by the courtyard gate, but Li Ping didn't enter; instead, he walked toward the hired hands' quarters.

Lin He smiled. That couple seemed to be living quite well. Madam Zhou looked much healthier and had gained a bit of weight too. Madam Zhao came into the courtyard, looked over some of the items the Lin family had prepared, and smiled, "Your family has been doing well these years, you must prepare more things. In the future, your ancestors will surely bless your entire household with peace and stability."

"Mother, what are you saying? 'Your family'? Aren't we all one family? These are our ancestors, and they will bless all of us," Madam Huang replied with a smile.

"Mmm, Second Daughter-in-law is right, we are one big family. I'm at this age now, I don't know how many more years I have left in this world, so I don't need any blessings for myself. I just hope you descendants live well. This year has been good too; you've bought a house in town, getting better year by year. As for the eldest branch, ever since Yuemei gave birth to a boy, their family has been harmonious. He Shi hasn't caused trouble and has become much more filial to us old folks. She often brings the boy over for a chat. As for the third branch, Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun are grown up and can work now. And Xiaoyun's mother has found a good match; their family's life is better now too. Look, she’s even pregnant!" Madam Zhao said with a beaming smile.

"Xiaoyun's mother, you're pregnant? Since when? Why didn't you tell me?" Madam Huang asked Madam Zhou with pleasant surprise.

Madam Zhou shyly touched her belly. "I only found out a few days ago, and I hadn't had a chance to tell you yet."

"Mmm, you aren't young anymore. Be careful of your health and don't overwork yourself," Madam Huang advised warmly.

"Yes, be careful. If you feel anything wrong with your body, have Xiaoyun call me," Madam Zhao chimed in with instruction.

"Yes, I'm home these days too. If you need anything, you can find me. If I'm not around, go find Mother," Madam Huang added.

Madam Zhou nodded and smiled at them. She felt that this recent period had been the happiest of her life in many years. Li Ping doted on her and was good to the children, never showing any resentment about them not being his biological offspring. Furthermore, her former mother-in-law, Madam Zhao, treated her much better than before, truly caring for her like a mother cares for a daughter. With life turning out this way, Madam Zhou felt that all the suffering of the past years had been worth it. She had never wished for her family to be rich and noble; just to live a good life was enough. She was truly, deeply content now.

Lin He listened from the side and was genuinely happy for Madam Zhou. Her pregnancy was indeed good news. Since both she and Li Ping were remarried, having a child would further solidify their bond. It made sense that Li Ping had walked Madam Zhou to the gate just now; he was probably worried because she was pregnant.

Madam Zhao then turned to Madam Huang. "Second Daughter-in-law, how is Dabao's wife? They've been married for over half a year now, any news on conception?"

Madam Huang shook her head. "Not yet, I'm anxious about it too."

"Mmm, tell them to hurry up. Your branch of the family should have a child soon," Madam Zhao said.

Madam Huang nodded, promising to urge them. The women sat together, chatting about various household matters, covering all sorts of small talk until it was nearly dusk before they left.

The entire family celebrated the Ghost Festival together in lively fashion. On the sixteenth, everyone except Madam Huang and Er Niu rushed back to town. Dabao's pastry shop needed staff, as did Lin He's ointment workshop. The younger children needed to attend school, and though Chen'er insisted on staying, she eventually went along. After Madam Huang sent the children off, the formerly bustling courtyard became strikingly quiet.

Madam Huang sighed. Ah, this was how it was. The children were growing up one by one, each needing to leave their parents to lead their own lives. In the future, only these two old folks would be left guarding this courtyard.