The flower garden was encircled entirely by green bamboo, with a small gate placed prominently at the entrance. Inside, flowers of every color bloomed in glorious profusion, fitting perfectly for the season. Lin He felt her spirits lift and a small, tender emotion stir within her heart, prompting her to glance toward Wen Ningxuan, who was already looking at her with a warm smile. “Want to see the rooms inside?” he called out.

If the flower garden had evoked a small measure of feeling in Lin He, the interior of the building brought her to the verge of tears. It seemed as if this entire structure had been built just for her; in the short day she had been here, it was already filled with all her belongings.

The ground floor housed all the small trinkets she cherished—dolls and chests she had brought from her maiden home, alongside several shelves lined with salves she had personally concocted. The arrangement was simple yet meticulously ordered, clearly a task recently seen to by Ziyu and her helpers.

Ascending to the upper floor, Lin He was utterly stunned. This level was equivalent to a small suite from her previous life. The main hall was furnished entirely with furniture concepts she had devised from her past: a bed, a sofa, small tea tables, and bookshelves. Several cushions and throw pillows, made by her own hands back home during idle moments, lay scattered on the sofa. Beside this was a smaller chamber. Lin He opened the door to find a tiny bedroom, containing a bed, bedside cabinets, and a small table—all in the simple, practical style she remembered from before.

Looking over these things, Lin He turned to Wen Ningxuan, a look of slight confusion on her face. Wen Ningxuan settled onto the sofa and gently drew Lin He onto his lap. “Do you like it?”

“Mmm, I do,” Lin He murmured, leaning back against his chest and nodding.

“If you like it, I’ll have the maids move everything over later. We’ll live here from now on. I’ve also had a salve-making room built behind this house for you. You can work on whatever you need over there. I’ll take you to see it in a moment,” Wen Ningxuan said, resting his head on her shoulder.

“Live here? Is that alright?” Lin He asked, a touch of disbelief in her voice.

“Why wouldn’t it be? This is our own courtyard; you can reside wherever you wish.”

“Mmm, but perhaps we shouldn’t move everything. You are the Second Young Master of the Wen family, and that other place is still our main residence. It wouldn't look right if we abandoned the main house entirely. We can stay here when we want a change, but we should spend most of our time there. Besides, that house is where you grew up; I like that place too,” Lin He confided, blinking up at him.

Hearing her words warmed Wen Ningxuan to the core, deepening the smile on his face. He looked at the girl before him, her large eyes fixed on his own, framed by thick, curled lashes. A sudden impulse took him; he cupped the back of her head and drew her closer, his lips meeting hers.

Lin He, perched on his lap, froze for a breath at the unexpected kiss. Then, quickly recovering, she smiled, looped her arms around his neck, and returned the embrace.

The kiss left Lin He breathless, and Wen Ningxuan finally released her, his clear eyes fixed intensely upon her as he called her name in a slightly rough voice: “He’er.”

Lin He knew that look all too well; it was the same look that had led to her being thoroughly claimed the night before. Remembering the previous night, she still felt a slight ache. She pushed against him lightly, her face flushed. “No, aren’t the servants waiting downstairs? Let’s go down first.”

Wen Ningxuan knew her body hadn't fully recovered yet and was reluctant to press her further. He pulled her close, chuckling softly. After a moment, he asked in a hushed tone, “Does it still hurt?”

Lin He’s face reddened to the point of near-bleeding. She buried her head in his chest and shook it vaguely, unwilling to show herself. Seeing her shy posture, Wen Ningxuan burst into hearty laughter, thoroughly pleased.

After some time, Wen Ningxuan brought Lin He downstairs. Gazing out at the flower garden, a feeling washed over Lin He, and she turned to him. “Ningxuan, thank you.”

“Hmm?” Wen Ningxuan, who had been walking, didn’t immediately register. Seeing the expression on her face, he understood, stopped his steps, pressed a kiss to her forehead, and murmured, “We never need such words between us. Anything you desire, I will see that you have it.”

Lin He was utterly overcome, her eyes turning red. However, unwilling to let him see her emotion, she stood on her toes, pressed a kiss to his cheek, and hurried ahead.

Watching the retreating figure, Wen Ningxuan smiled softly, his eyes brimming with pure indulgence.

By the time they reached the main courtyard, a number of people were already standing there. Though many were present, for such a large space, the number was small—barely a dozen or so, including the few maids Lin He had brought herself. This accounted for nearly everyone, excluding the kitchen staff and Wen Ningxuan’s personal attendants.

Lin He glanced at Wen Ningxuan. He smiled. “I don’t like too many people around the courtyard. If you need more staff, we can purchase them.”

Lin He nodded her agreement and let him attend to his own matters. She surveyed the assembled staff. She had four maids of her own: besides Ziqing and Ziyu, there were two others—Qingyun and Qingzhu—whom her family had specifically arranged to come with her as part of her dowry a few months prior; both were twelve years old and were there to serve her.

Another present was Shunzhu, Wen Ningxuan’s personal attendant. Before Lin He arrived, Shunzhu had effectively acted as the steward for this courtyard, managing daily affairs. Seeing Lin He approach, he immediately bowed, addressed her as Second Young Mistress, and began introducing everyone one by one, clearly explaining each person’s usual duties.

Lin He carefully observed the remaining group. The first two housekeepers (pozi) were somewhat advanced in years, both nearing fifty. Lin He recalled Shunzhu mentioning they worked in the kitchen and had been there for many years. They bowed to Lin He with deep respect. She smiled and bid them rise.

To the other side stood seven or eight people. There were two young male servants: Shuncai, whom Lin He recognized from when he helped her in town alongside Shunzhu, and another young man, Shunbai, about seventeen or eighteen, who appeared honest and sincere, bowing to Lin He with equal reverence. He was likely another of Wen Ningxuan’s personal attendants. Lin He also told him to stand aside.

The remaining staff consisted of a few maids and older women. These women, all in their mid-thirties to early forties, stood with downcast eyes, appearing fit for hard labor. They bowed respectfully to Lin He, nothing remarkable. Lin He acknowledged them with a nod and dismissed them.

It was the next four maids who instantly caught Lin He’s attention. Their names were Xiangyun, Xiangling, Xiangqiao, and Xiangrong, all appearing to be about fifteen or sixteen. They were all fair-skinned and delicate, and their attire suggested they were not assigned to menial chores; indeed, they looked refined enough that no one on the street would doubt they were young ladies of quality.

Xiangyun and Xiangling, in particular, were striking. Xiangyun possessed a perfect, oval face with skin as smooth and white as fine porcelain. Her hair was styled in an elaborate crescent bun, a long braid trailing down her back. She wore a moon-white short jacket over a matching skirt embroidered with apricot blossoms, topped by a golden-yellow sleeveless vest embroidered with circular motifs, making her look exquisitely pure and bright.

Xiangling, though not as dazzlingly beautiful as Xiangyun and perhaps a year younger, possessed a delicate, elegant beauty. She wore a pink long jacket and a light blue long skirt, forgoing the vest. Instead, a blue sash matching her skirt was tied around her waist, secured with a blue-green ribbon, emphasizing her graceful figure.

The other two maids, while not as exceptional as the first pair, were certainly noticeable. Lin He mused that this fellow Wen Ningxuan had quite the eye for beauty, keeping such lovely figures hidden in this courtyard.

Through Shunzhu’s introduction, Lin He learned that these four maids had been assigned to the courtyard only two days before the wedding by Madam Wen, who stated that now the Second Young Mistress was present, more service staff would be needed. Lin He smiled faintly, recognizing the painstaking effort of this nominal mother-in-law.

Lin He sat in a chair, silent, observing them for a long moment. The maids stood rigidly, their legs beginning to ache. Finally, the nearest one, Xiangyun, broke the silence. “Second Young Mistress, do you have further instructions? If not, this servant must return to her duties.” Her tone held a distinct edge of impatience.