"Yes, He'er, there shouldn't be any issue. Your paternal aunt and your maternal aunt won't say anything. Big Cat is your paternal aunt's son anyway; regardless of whether your paternal aunt gives birth to a boy or a girl this time, you don't need to worry about these things," Er Niu chimed in from the side.

Lin He nodded. If this matter could be kept quiet for a while longer, given her paternal aunt's personality, things certainly wouldn't change, and it wouldn't affect Big Cat either. Besides, this has been going on for so long, and Big Cat's father's family hasn't noticed anything, so there shouldn't be any trouble.

"I'm afraid that in a little while, your paternal aunt will have to tell you herself. Her belly will be showing then, and she won't be able to work in the ointment workshop anymore. You'll need to find someone new to take over the work," said Madam Huang.

"Mmm, that's fine. The ointment workshop can manage with one less person; we have enough staff right now," Lin He replied, nodding.

Thinking of other things, Madam Huang spoke up again, "Oh, right, your grandmother asked me to ask you about the matter of finding someone for your maternal aunt. Did you put in a word for her? It's been several months, and there's still no news. Your maternal aunt isn't getting any younger. Your grandmother means for you to find someone for her quickly so she can still have a child or two. If it gets any later, she'll be too old, and it will be hard to find someone."

"Mother, this kind of thing can't be rushed. Besides, I'm home all day; I don't know many people. Wait until Eldest Brother returns; ask him. He does business outside and knows lots of people," Lin He said softly.

"Yes, look at me, my head's muddled. I'll ask Da Bao properly when he gets back. Oh, right, where is Yun Qi?" Madam Huang looked around and asked.

"She went out with Eldest Brother this morning and hasn't returned yet. Maybe she went out for a stroll on the street. She should be back soon," Lin He said, glancing around as she didn't see Yun Qi.

"This Yun Qi, what is she wandering around the street for so early in the morning? I hope she doesn't start buying things randomly again. We've finally gotten this girl Chen'er a bit better, and now we have such a spendthrift daughter-in-law coming in. Really," Madam Huang muttered quietly.

"Mother, are you talking about me? I haven't been out buying things recently. I haven't been to the street more than a few times since I arrived. And you still call me a spendthrift," Chen'er said from the side, sounding displeased.

"Look at this girl, I just said one thing, and she has so much to say. You said this girl has become sensible, but where is she sensible? She still needs proper discipline," Madam Huang said with a smile.

Chen'er shot a glance at Madam Huang and sat silently to the side. Madam Huang looked at Lin He, leaned closer, and asked, "He'er, your sister-in-law's belly hasn't moved yet; it's been almost a year. I wonder if something is wrong. Why don't I take her to see a doctor later to check her pulse?"

"Mother, wouldn't that be improper? Why check someone's pulse when they are perfectly fine? Besides, if you suddenly take her to a doctor, it might make your sister-in-law feel uncomfortable," Lin He said to Madam Huang.

"That's right. Mother, if you want to take her, think of a better way. Just saying you suspect something is wrong with her health will make her feel awful," Er Niu followed up on Lin He's words.

Madam Huang considered this and agreed. She looked at Er Niu, then at Lin He, and after a pause, said, "How about this: when Yun Qi gets back later, I'll say my body feels unwell. He'er, have someone invite a doctor over. Then I'll casually mention it and ask the doctor to check all of our pulses. Don't many people ask for a 'peace pulse' check when they aren't sick? What do you all think?"

"Mmm, I think that works. He'er, what do you think?" Er Niu asked Lin He.

Lin He nodded. This method was acceptable. To be honest, checking a pulse wasn't a big deal, but Lin He felt her mother's intentions were too strong. Suddenly taking Yun Qi to see a doctor would definitely make her realize the underlying meaning, putting pressure on her and making her uncomfortable. Yun Qi was the type of person who never revealed her worries; if the pressure of childbirth was added on top, her burdens would only grow heavier. It would be better to let nature take its course.

However, her mother's plan wasn't bad. Checking pulses was fine; if there was an ailment, it could be treated, and if not, it would put her mother's mind at ease. Otherwise, she would be constantly focused on this matter, mumbling about it all the time, which wouldn't be good if Yun Qi overheard.

As noon approached, Yun Qi returned. Seeing Madam Huang and Er Niu there made her quite happy. She even helped Madam Huang in the kitchen for a while. Madam Huang was a bit surprised, as Yun Qi had never bothered with such tasks before. Madam Huang didn't comment much on it; after all, there were maids in the house, and Madam Huang herself mainly directed activities in the kitchen.

Madam Huang was quite pleased, though, since this household would eventually be handed over to Yun Qi to manage. It was good that Yun Qi was capable. Madam Huang and Yun Qi chatted happily in the kitchen for a while about cooking.

Not long after eating lunch, the whole family was chatting in the courtyard. Madam Huang gave Lin He a meaningful look, then suddenly cried out, "Aiyo!"

The shout was earth-shattering. Fortunately, Lin He and the others were prepared; otherwise, they truly would have been scared to death by Madam Huang. Lin He smiled secretly; her mother’s acting skills were quite good—she could have been a real star in her past life. Lin He had expected her to just say she felt a little unwell, but instead, she made such a scene.

Er Niu and Chen'er knew Madam Huang was faking it and merely stood near her, playing along. Da Bao hadn't returned for lunch, so only Yun Qi was unaware. Seeing her mother-in-law cry out, Yun Qi jumped up from her chair, startled, and exclaimed, "Mother, what's wrong? Where do you feel unwell?"

"I—my stomach hurts terribly. I don't know what's going on. Husband, quickly go outside and find a doctor to come take a look," Madam Huang said, clutching her abdomen.

"Alright, I'll go right now." Er Niu started moving toward the door.

"Father, no need. Let Zi Qing go. Send her to the pharmacy where I usually get my medicine. They have doctors who make house calls, and the doctor there is quite skilled," Lin He said while supporting Madam Huang.

After speaking, Lin He signaled the standing Zi Qing to call the doctor, giving her a look. Zi Qing knew the doctor at that pharmacy; if she greeted the doctor beforehand, Madam Huang’s pretense of stomach pain wouldn't be exposed.

When the doctor arrived, he casually took Madam Huang's pulse, talked at length about nourishing the body, and prescribed two packets of medicine. Madam Huang stopped crying immediately and sat on the bed as if nothing had happened. She looked at the doctor and smiled, saying, "Since the doctor has been called, we must pay the consultation fee anyway. Husband, you two should let the doctor check your pulses as well, see how you are doing, and if you need any tonics?"

Lin He almost laughed again. Her mother wasn't usually very capable, but she had this talent for lying without batting an eyelid, which earned her a new level of respect.

Hearing Madam Huang's words, Er Niu quickly sat down by the table and extended his hand for the doctor to take his pulse. After the doctor declared Er Niu very robust, Madam Huang swiftly got off the bed, pushed the seated Yun Qi toward the doctor, and said, "Yun Qi, your father has been checked. You come next. Let's see how you are doing; you look too thin."