Lin He only frowned at her, remaining silent. After waiting a moment, Xiang Ling and Xiang Qiao, standing beside her, also rose, leaving only the youngest maid, Xiang Rong, still bracing herself—though likely not for much longer.

After another pause, Lin He seemed to finally realize something and spoke, "Oh, all of you, stand up. I almost forgot. Go and do what you’re supposed to do. From now on, this courtyard will be just as it was before; follow whatever the Second Young Master instructs you to do."

The maids quickly departed. Lin He, accompanied by Zi Qing and Zi Yu, entered the room. As soon as Zi Yu stepped inside, she voiced her displeasure, "Miss, these maids look like they were sent by Madam Wen to be the Second Young Master's concubines. Why didn't you drive them out? Why keep them in the courtyard? Be careful, or they might become a source of trouble later."

"You silly girl, what are you saying? You know they were arranged by Madam Wen; how can they be driven out so easily? You need to think before you speak. Also, stop calling me 'Miss' from now on; you must call me 'Young Madam.' Remember that," Zi Qing said, tapping Zi Yu's head.

"Oh, so what about these people? Are we just going to keep them here in this courtyard?" Zi Yu pouted.

"There's no rush for that matter yet. They haven't done anything wrong; why should we kick them out? Even if we were to kick them out, it wouldn't be now," Lin He stated calmly. These people were sent over just the other day; anyone could tell they were Madam Wen's people. Since the mistress was kind enough to send them, how could she rudely send them away?

Lin He paused, a faint smile touching her lips, though it didn't reach her eyes.

Zi Qing, standing to the side, watched her mistress and felt a pang of sympathy. She tried to comfort her, "Young Madam, don't dwell on these things too much. The Second Young Master won't want them. Before you arrived, he didn't want these maids, and now that you are here, he certainly won't. The Second Young Master is completely devoted to you."

"That's right, Young Madam. The Second Young Master treats you so well. Have you seen the flower garden and the building behind us? Shun Zhu said the Second Young Master had them specially built for you. Ever since the engagement was settled, construction on that building began. The Second Young Master arranged everything inside personally, tweaking the details countless times until he was satisfied," Zi Yu quickly added.

Recalling these things softened Lin He’s heart. She never doubted Wen Ning Xuan; she only worried that he carried all burdens by himself, not wanting her to know. Fortunately, she was married to him now and could accompany him forever.

Thinking of this, Lin He smiled and asked, "Where is the Second Young Master?"

"Young Madam, the Second Young Master is in the study," Zi Yu said, pointing towards the study.

Lin He stood up and walked towards the study. Indeed, Wen Ning Xuan was reviewing ledgers at his desk. Hearing footsteps, he looked up. Upon seeing who it was, the icy look in his eyes instantly softened considerably. He put down the ledger and asked with a smile, "Young Madam, have you finished giving your lecture?"

Lin He gave him a playful glance and returned the smile, "Yes. Oh, Second Young Master, you have a few more exquisite young maids in your courtyard now. How do you plan to handle them? Perhaps find a suitable day to raise their status?"

"Oh, since my wife suggests it, I certainly wouldn't refuse. I shall find a suitable day then," Wen Ning Xuan replied with a teasing tone.

"Mhm, very well. I see the days ahead look auspicious; perhaps we can elevate them all to concubines together," Lin He said, fixing Wen Ning Xuan with a sharp look.

Seeing Lin He's expression, Wen Ning Xuan chuckled a few times and said, "Come here."

Lin He walked over to Wen Ning Xuan's side. He immediately pulled her close and settled her onto his lap. He murmured, "You can deal with those maids however you wish. If you don't like them, just send them away. They are just servants; why worry so much about a few of them?"

"But they were sent by Mother. Wouldn't it be bad to drive them away? People might say that as soon as I arrived, I chased away all the maids, and I would become a jealous shrew in the Wen family. Then perhaps the Wen family wouldn't tolerate me anymore. Just let them stay. Perhaps one day, when Young Master is suddenly impulsive, he might accidentally take them in. Those little maids are indeed quite pretty," Lin He responded, exhibiting the classic behavior of gaining an advantage while feigning modesty.

Wen Ning Xuan looked at this woman who said one thing and meant another, smiling helplessly. He gave her neck a punitive bite, saying, "It doesn't matter who sent them; only your wishes matter. My courtyard is for my lady to command." With that, he gently nipped at Lin He's neck again.

Lin He trembled from Wen Ning Xuan's actions. She used her hand to gently fend off his lips while whispering softly, "It's not like the courtyard has too many maids right now, and besides, they haven't done anything wrong. Let them stay for now; we can discuss it later."

"Mmm," Wen Ning Xuan’s lips remained pressed against Lin He's neck, and his reply was thick with desire.

Lin He mentally rolled her eyes. No wonder people say men are creatures who think with their lower halves. From last night until now, it wasn't even noon, yet he wouldn't let go of her whenever he got a chance. She wondered how he had managed all those years alone.

Lin He truly didn't understand this. For the past decade or so, this man had exercised immense restraint. But once he touched this—once he truly connected—it was like an addiction, something he couldn't break. Moreover, a man facing a woman he loved, and who was his own wife, meant he no longer needed to suppress himself.

Before long, Lin He felt a coolness spread from her neck to her chest. She looked down; the scoundrel had managed to unbutton her outer garment without her noticing. Remembering they were in the study, Lin He gently pushed the man who was moving near her chest, saying, "It’s almost noon, and I'm hungry. Let's go eat."

Wen Ning Xuan lifted his head from Lin He's chest, his eyes hazy yet intensely fixed on the woman before him. His hand continued to roam freely on her back. He parted his crimson lips slightly, speaking with a hint of petulance, "He'er, I haven't eaten enough yet."

Seeing him like this, Lin He couldn't help but be momentarily stunned. His handsome face was flushed with touches of crimson, revealing a seductive allure. His lips were moist, bright, slightly swollen and red, glowing with a soft sheen, making him look even more dazzling, enchantingly captivating. This Wen Ning Xuan was far more intoxicating than usual.

Wen Ning Xuan noticed Lin He stopped pushing him away, and his lips descended once more. His hands did not pause either. By the time Lin He realized what was happening, her outer garments were gone. Helplessly, she knew that trying to stop him now was impossible; she could only surrender to the moment...

Outside the room, Zi Yu stood there with a blush on her face. Zi Qing approached and, seeing Zi Yu still lingering outside, asked, "Didn't I tell you to call the Young Master and Young Madam for lunch? Why are you still standing here?"