He finished speaking, then handed Lin He a rosewood box inlaid with purple satin. Lin He took it and said, “You’re really leaving next month? Let me know the exact day, and I’ll have Chen’er and Xiao Bao come to see you off.”

Xiao Mo didn't answer at first. After a long pause, he suddenly asked, “If it were Second Brother telling you he was leaving for this long, would you say the same thing?”

“Xiao Mo, I—”

Before Lin He could finish, Xiao Mo interjected, “No need to say more. I know in your heart that Second Brother and I can never be compared. It was impossible before, so what about now? You are already Second Brother’s future wife; I suppose the next time I see you, I’ll have to call you Second Sister-in-law.”

Although Lin He had mentally prepared herself after Xiao Mo’s last conversation with her, she knew the carefree days between her and Xiao Mo could never return. But the sheer despondency in Xiao Mo’s tone today made Lin He terribly sad; she truly couldn't bear to see him so unhappy.

Lin He lowered her head and remained silent. Xiao Mo stared at the top of her head for a long time before reluctantly tearing his gaze away. He quickly adopted a lighter tone. “He’er, this small residence of yours is quite unique. It’s comfortable sitting here too. I’m not leaving until next month, so I still have time to visit this place more often this month. If I come, you have to cook for me, okay? Once I’m in the capital, I won’t get to taste your cooking for a long time.”

Lin He managed to compose herself internally as well. Hearing Wen Ningmo’s words, she looked up and smiled, “Of course. The Mid-Autumn Festival has already passed. Zi Qing should be back in a few days. Once she’s here to watch the unguent workshop for me, I’ll be home most of the time. You can come anytime; I’ll make whatever you want.”

Xiao Mo smiled back at Lin He. He leaned back in his chair. Over there, Chen’er walked over, carrying her needlework—several pouches, silk scarves, and a few pieces of clothing. She presented them to Xiao Mo as if showing off a treasure. “Brother Xiao Mo, look at everything I’ve made recently! My embroidery has improved quite a bit, look!”

Xiao Mo picked them up and examined them, smiling. “Hmm. There has definitely been progress, but you still have a long way to go compared to your eldest sister. You need to practice more. When I return, you should be able to make full clothes!”

“Brother Xiao Mo, you’ll be gone for several years. By the time you return, I might have made lots of clothes! Why do you have to go for so long? Can you come back sooner?” Chen’er said, sounding slightly unhappy.

Xiao Mo laughed at Chen’er’s words and patted her head. “Okay. If you study embroidery diligently, Chen’er, I’ll come back as soon as your skills catch up to your eldest sister’s.”

Chen’er immediately nodded. “Deal! Brother Xiao Mo, you must remember that. If you break your promise, I’ll send Brother Xuan to drag you back!”

Xiao Mo burst into laughter and agreed to Chen’er’s pact.

After Xiao Mo left, he never visited again. Later, Lin He heard from Wen Ningxuan that Xiao Mo headed straight for the capital only a few days after leaving Lin He’s house. Though his family urged him to stay longer, he refused.

In truth, Lin He knew that Xiao Mo’s visit that day was a farewell. Everything he said afterward was just meant to soothe her worries. From her past life to this one, Lin He had never felt she owed anyone anything, but here, she truly felt indebted to Xiao Mo—a debt she had no way to repay.

After Xiao Mo departed, time quickly advanced into October. The weather was already turning cold. Nothing pressing was happening at the family home, so Madam Huang and Er Niu decided to stay in town for a while. With Old Man Qin and Li Ping watching the house, Er Niu was initially reluctant to leave, yet he worried about the children in town. In the end, he consented to Madam Huang’s wishes and traveled with her.

It turned out to be quite a coincidence that Madam Huang and Er Niu arrived just as they were visiting. As Madam Huang and Er Niu were chatting with Lin He in the courtyard about trivial household matters, a maid announced that Sister Zi Qing was back. Lin He instantly jumped up from her stool. Zi Qing was already walking into the courtyard and, seeing Lin He, approached happily, calling out, “Mistress, I’ve returned.”

Lin He had been eagerly awaiting Zi Qing’s return. She had expected her back after the Mid-Autumn Festival, but Zi Qing had sent a message saying that the people she was training at the other location were not yet fully proficient, and she felt uneasy leaving them for another two months. Lin He understood Zi Qing’s sense of responsibility and hadn’t pressed her, agreeing that she could return once things were settled there.

After Zi Qing greeted the family members one by one in the courtyard, Lin He told her to rest for a while and that they could discuss matters once she was refreshed.

Seeing how delighted Lin He was, Madam Huang smiled and remarked, “He’er, you are happier now that Zi Qing is back than when your father and I arrived. This girl is dearer to you than your own parents.”

“He’er, look at your mother,” Er Niu chuckled. “She’s feeling slighted by Zi Qing now. He’er, you saw us at the fifteenth of the eighth month, but Zi Qing has been gone for almost half a year. It must be worrying for you, having a young girl off there by herself.”

Madam Huang gave Er Niu a mock-angry look. “Look at your father, always teasing me. I was just saying it casually. Ah, Zi Qing is truly a good girl. Having her and Zi Yu helping you inside and out keeps you from being overworked. Those two sisters are certainly capable.”

Lin He nodded. “Yes, now that Zi Qing is back, I can finally rest.”

Madam Huang nodded, then paused as if a thought just struck her, suddenly blurting out, “He’er, do you know? Your paternal aunt is pregnant again.”

“Ah? Aunt?” Lin He asked, quite surprised.

“Yes, it was at the end of last month, during the break from your unguent workshop. Your paternal aunt came back to our courtyard and was chatting with us. She said she wasn't feeling well. We initially thought she was sick, but when we called the physician, he said she was pregnant,” Madam Huang explained.

“But the doctor previously said that wasn’t possible! How could she be pregnant again? Did your paternal uncle say anything about it? I went to the unguent workshop the other day, and I didn’t hear anyone mention it,” Lin He still struggled to process the news.

“Well, why would they tell you, an unmarried girl? Your paternal uncle didn’t say much; he was happy for your aunt. But there’s nothing to worry about; your aunt isn’t the sort to burn her bridges. Her life improved because of Da Mao back then. Just because she’s pregnant now, does that mean she won’t want Da Mao anymore? Besides, we don’t even know if the baby is a boy or a girl yet,” Madam Huang mused for a moment before speaking.

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