"Sigh, you stubborn girl, you’re going to be the death of me. You’ve been with me all these years, how have you not picked up even a tiny bit of my ways? Back when I first married your father, within months I had taken over the entire household. Even your grandmother couldn't argue with me when it came to money matters," Yunqi's mother declared with a hint of pride.

Yunqi murmured softly, "Mother, how could I ever compare to you?"

"Forget it. Asking you to manage so many things all at once, I suppose you can’t handle it. Let's keep it simple then. Figure out exactly how the monthly allowance for your household is calculated, and see if it’s the same for you and He’er. If it’s not right, you need to speak to your mother-in-law. And hold tightly to the money you have; save up some private funds. You know how to do that, right?" Yunqi’s mother raised an eyebrow, looking at Yunqi.

Yunqi still wasn't entirely sure how to 'hold tightly' to money as her mother described, but she dared not say she didn't know again, lest she be scolded to death. Besides, this shouldn't be difficult; Da Bao gave her money every month, she just needed to save it.

Seeing Yunqi agree, Yunqi’s mother nodded and said she wanted Yunqi to accompany her around town. This trip was to procure some things for the upcoming festival, and she also needed gifts for some relatives. Speaking of gifts, Yunqi’s mother added, "Yunqi, I probably don't need to buy pastries, right? I can just pick some up from the shop. It’s your family’s shop, so it should be fine for me to take some pastries?"

"Mm, it's fine. Da Bao even mentioned yesterday that he wanted to send some over for the Mid-Autumn Festival. I’ll tell him when he gets back," Yunqi thought that since the family wasn't large, the gifts were mostly for her maternal grandmother’s side anyway, so letting her mother take a couple of boxes back would suffice, especially since Da Bao had already planned on giving gifts.

Only then did Yunqi’s mother nod in satisfaction, saying she would speak to Da Bao about it when he returned.

Meanwhile, Lin He returned to the pastry shop and didn't go back to the kitchen. She sat by a table in the courtyard watching Wen Ningxuan paint. Wen Ningxuan sketched while joking, "He'er, you hold the status of a little sister-in-law here. If you hadn't married me sooner, you’d be the Second Young Mistress in my family, and you could manage things however you pleased."

Lin He glanced at Wen Ningxuan with a smile, knowing he was referencing what Yunqi’s mother had just said. Lin He didn't mind; whether she was a sister-in-law or a Second Young Mistress, she always acted for the good of the family, and she had a clear conscience.

If Yunqi could truly take over these responsibilities, and if she herself could dedicate her focus to the family's welfare, Lin He would gladly take the chance to rest every day. Who enjoyed being constantly overworked? She had been exhausted for years, never having a moment of true ease.

Lately, ever since Zi Qing left, Lin He felt especially drained, perhaps because of the recent surge in tasks—from relocating the factory to the approaching Mid-Autumn Festival—there had been no respite. It was genuinely exhausting. She concluded that Zi Qing couldn't be kept away from her side for too long.

Lin He mused, then asked Wen Ningxuan, "Who have you arranged to manage things in Qinghe County? Zi Qing has been there for several months now. When will you recall her to me? It was much easier when Zi Qing was here to help."

"Ling Xiao and the others are all there. I figured Zi Qing’s arrangements over there should be nearly complete. Why don't I have someone check? If everything is settled, we can have Zi Qing return with Ling Xiao; Ling Xiao is due back in a few days too," Wen Ningxuan looked up at Lin He as he spoke.

Lin He reclined in the rocking chair nearby. Hearing Wen Ningxuan’s words, she said, "Mm, if you can pull her back, have her return as soon as possible. Zi Qing handles everything here for me perfectly, and Zi Yu can also be by my side. Since Zi Qing left, Zi Yu has been swamped too. It always feels unnatural when they are both away from me."

"Mm, I'll arrange for her to return with Ling Xiao in a few days. During this time, should I assign a few people to watch the ointment workshop for you, and have Zi Yu attend to you?" Wen Ningxuan looked at Lin He’s fatigued expression, his heart aching for her.

"No need. The fifteenth of the eighth month isn't far off now. Once this rush is over, Zi Qing should be back, and things should ease up then. With Ling Xiao and the others not back from your side, the only trustworthy hands coming and going are those two young servants, Shunzhu and Shuncai; they aren't made of iron either," Lin He said with a smile.

"Understood, then I will ensure Ling Xiao and the others return as early as possible," Wen Ningxuan didn't press her and nodded in agreement.

Wen Ningxuan spent the entire morning there drawing until he had finished all the necessary designs for the gift boxes. Lin He had Da Bao send someone to take them for processing. Seeing that it was getting late, she called Wen Ningxuan to return to the residence for a meal. However, Wen Ningxuan mentioned he had matters at the silver shop and left immediately after finishing the drawings.

Lin He didn't detain him and returned to eat with Da Bao. When they got back to the courtyard, Yunqi’s mother was still there. Seeing Lin He and Da Bao return, she seemed not to hold a grudge about the morning's earlier exchange and greeted them warmly: "Da Bao, He'er, you're back! Quickly, Yunqi has the maids prepare the meal; we can eat now."

Yunqi leading the maids to cook? This statement surprised Lin He and Da Bao. Since Yunqi married into the family, she likely had never set foot in the kitchen; Yunqi apparently disliked such tasks. Could her mother’s presence today have changed something?

Still, Lin He said nothing, just smiling, "Very well, Auntie. Let's eat together. You are our guest, yet you're still taking the trouble to host us; that’s truly improper of us."

As Lin He and the others walked into the dining room, they indeed saw Yunqi directing the maids in setting the table. Seeing them enter, she smiled and said, "Da Bao, He'er, come eat quickly."

Lin He responded cheerfully and took her seat. During the meal, Lin He observed Yunqi. Today, Yunqi spoke more than usual, seeming more sensible than before, even occasionally serving dishes to Da Bao and Chen'er, who sat next to him. After doing these things, she would glance at her mother's expression.

After watching for a while, Lin He understood the situation well enough: Yunqi’s mother was clearly trying to push Yunqi into taking over the management of the household, demanding she handle everything at home. Yunqi was reluctant to do these chores, but with her mother present, fearing reproach, she was compelled to comply.

At the dinner table, everyone engaged in some light conversation. Da Bao said, "Mother-in-law, since you've come to town, please stay with Yunqi for a few days. Let Yunqi take you around sightseeing; it's rare for you to visit."

"Yes, it is rare. I'd like to stay for a few days, but I can't leave household matters unattended. Plus, the festival is approaching, and many things still need preparation. Yunqi accompanied me to the street this morning to purchase some items, and I’ll take some pastries before heading back this afternoon," Yunqi’s mother replied with a smile.

"Returning this afternoon? I'll have someone send you back by carriage. Also, for the Mid-Autumn Festival, Da Bao and I have prepared some pastries and things for you to take back to the family. I'll have someone bring them over after we finish eating," Da Bao also said with a smile.

"Yes, Mother, didn't you say you wanted some pastries? Perfect, just ask Da Bao, and he can have them sent over for you later," Yunqi chimed in alongside him.