"How is it not good? I think it's quite fine. Aren't many wealthy men taking concubines? Besides, Yunqi cannot bear children. It's already very kind of me not to demand that Da Bao divorce her. What's wrong with taking a concubine? This reasoning is sound anywhere." Madam Huang stated with righteous indignation.

"Mother, you know only wealthy families take concubines. We are not a wealthy family; we are just ordinary farmers. You know how much trouble a man taking another wife brings, which you saw at Brother Qingshan's house. If you want our home to become a scene of constant strife, then let Elder Brother take a concubine," Lin He said to Madam Huang very seriously.

"What nonsense are you speaking, child? What do you mean I want to ruin the peace of our home? Can our family be compared to your uncle's? How did Qingshan take a concubine back then? And why are we considering a concubine? By your logic, if your elder brother remains childless for his whole life, should I just let them be?" Madam Huang said with some displeasure.

"Mother, I dare not guarantee what will happen in this matter right now, but in any case, do not bring it up for now. Even when some families divorce a wife due to issues with heirs, there is still a three-year waiting period. Shouldn't you at least wait until that time passes? Then, whether to take a concubine should be up to Elder Brother to decide," Lin He mused after some thought.

Hearing Lin He’s words, Madam Huang didn't entirely agree, but she knew her daughter's temperament. This daughter especially disliked hearing anything about concubines or household maids; arguing with her was pointless. It was better to wait a while longer. If Yunqi’s belly remained empty, she would discuss it with her husband.

Madam Huang remained silent beside Lin He for a while, then spoke again: "He'er, Chen'er, when you have nothing to do, tidy up the things in the room. The snow should stop in a couple of days, and then we will return. There are many things at home, and your father is alone; I worry about him. Not long after the New Year passes this year, He'er, you will also be marrying out. You will be leaving from home, so you should bring back all the things you need to take with you now; otherwise, you won't be able to carry everything at once then."

"Mother, Big Sister is marrying out next year? When Big Sister leaves, and Xiaobao is studying at the academy, I'll be the only one left at home. It will be so boring," Chen'er pouted.

"Boring what? When your big sister marries out, won't Xiaobao be taking the provincial examination next year? If he passes and has to go to the county for advanced studies, you should not come to town anymore. Stay home and focus on your embroidery for two years. Then Mother will find you a good match, and you too will be married off," Madam Huang pointed at Chen'er and said.

"Mother, I don't want you to find me a match. I don't want to marry yet," Chen'er said, blushing slightly.

"I'm not asking you to marry now, but in another two years. However, if there’s a suitable one during these two years, we should arrange it. It’s time for you to get engaged," Madam Huang said, looking at Chen'er.

"I don't want to get engaged now. I won't agree to any match you arrange. I won't marry someone I don't agree to. I promised Big Sister that she could decide my marriage, and Big Sister promised to let me marry someone I favor," Chen'er said, sounding displeased.

Hearing Chen'er’s words, Madam Huang glanced at Lin He and asked urgently, "He'er, what did you promise her? Chen'er, do you have someone you favor? Who is it? Don't tell me you're copying your older sister's ways! I'm warning you, you and your elder sister are not the same; you absolutely cannot follow your elder sister's path. Just quietly listen to Mother's arrangements."

"No," Chen'er refused flatly.

Lin He kept her head down, working on her embroidery, while secretly observing Chen'er. It seemed this girl might truly have someone in mind. Could it be Xiao Mo? A few times before, Chen'er had asked her to inquire about Ning Xuan several times, asking when Xiao Mo would return, and she often muttered that sentence—that Brother Xiao Mo said he would return if her embroidery work could catch up to Big Sister's. Recently, this girl had been working on her embroidery with exceptional diligence. Was it because of Xiao Mo?

"Can you just say no and have it your way? A child's marriage has always been arranged by the parents; don't you know that? When I find someone suitable, you will marry them whether you want to or not," Madam Huang said, looking sternly at Chen'er.

"I won't marry anyone you choose anyway. Whoever wants to marry them can marry them. If you force me to marry, I won't marry in this lifetime; I'll stay home and be supported. I’ll be supported for my whole life," Chen'er finished, throwing down her embroidery and running out.

Madam Huang pointed in the direction Chen'er ran, fuming, "This wicked girl, is she trying to anger me to death? One after another in this house gives me no peace; this life is simply unlivable. You won't marry? Fine, if you won't marry, then stay home and be supported! We’ll see who supports you then! And she dares to throw things at me! Wicked girl, truly..."

Before Madam Huang could finish, Lin He smiled and said, "Mother, it's not time for Chen'er to marry yet. Why are you so anxious? You aren't trying to force her to marry Er Gouzi, are you?"

"What's wrong with Er Gouzi? He’s handsome, and his family is good. If she marries him, she’ll live a life of ease. I am her mother; don't I wish her well? Look at her, a young lady, saying such nonsense, wanting to marry someone she favors. Can a young lady say things like that?" Madam Huang said angrily.

"She was just saying that. Don't take it seriously. Don't worry; I'll find a time to ask her what she's really thinking," Lin He gently persuaded Madam Huang.

"Hmm, then you ask her. But He'er, do you think this wicked girl might actually have someone she favors? Who do you suspect? She doesn't go out often. The people she knows, besides our own relatives, are just a handful who come and go. Who do you think it is?" Madam Huang looked at Lin He, pondering.

Lin He shook her head and continued with her embroidery. In truth, Lin He had also considered it. Chen'er always had a childlike mentality; sometimes she threw tantrums, but usually, it was when teasing Xiaobao, and at most, she would pout for a few minutes before they started playing again. In the past, when she and Mother had discussed these matters with her, she usually wouldn't answer or would occasionally crack a joke. But such a serious insistence as today was a first. This girl was indeed acting strangely; perhaps she really did have someone she liked, and according to Lin He's analysis, that person might actually be Xiao Mo. If it were Xiao Mo, this matter would become rather difficult.

Over here, Madam Huang was also pondering. In fact, Chen'er's thoughts were easy for people to analyze, and Madam Huang quickly guessed the direction. She said somewhat uncertainly, "He'er, do you think Chen'er might like Xiao Mo? I hear her talking about Brother Xiao Mo all day long. Xiao Mo has been gone for so long, yet Chen'er seems to always be thinking of him."