It took a while for the chatterbox, Chen'er, to finish her lengthy monologue, and as she did, Lin He looked over at Yun Qi sitting beside her. She hadn't seen Yun Qi in a full month. Though Yun Qi offered a faint smile, a deep, unresolvable sorrow shadowed her eyes, and she seemed altogether listless.

Lin He smiled gently at Yun Qi and inquired, "Sister-in-law, what's wrong? Why the silence? Have you been staying at home these past days, or with Big Brother in town?"

Yun Qi offered Lin He a soft smile in return. "At home. Mother said no one would look after me there, and coming back for my medicine would be better. Besides, there are more people at home, so it’s livelier."

"Mother has a point. You’ve been taking the medicine for a while now; have you seen any improvement in your health? Has Big Brother taken you to see a physician?" Lin He asked with genuine concern.

"Not yet. Mother said we’ll go to town in a few days. I feel like my body is still the same; no obvious change. I honestly don't know," Yun Qi confessed, glancing at Lin He with a hint of discouragement.

Lin He caught the weariness in Yun Qi's tone. She patted her sister-in-law's hand and gently coaxed, "Sister-in-law, it’s alright. If this medicine isn't working, we’ll switch to something else. Moreover, you haven't even seen the doctor yet; perhaps there are already improvements you haven't noticed. Don't fret too much. They say many ailments stem from a knotted heart. Regardless, you must try to be happy. There’s nothing in this world that cannot be overcome; you just need to be strong."

"Don't mind what Mother sometimes says; you shouldn't take it to heart. After all, our health is not entirely within our control. But one thing is certain: whatever happens, you cannot lose faith. Try to relax your mind. When you are happy, the family is happy, and everything will slowly start to mend, Sister-in-law."

Yun Qi felt a surge of emotion listening to Lin He. She finally understood why everyone in the family adored this younger sister-in-law, and why Lin He herself lived such a happy life. Back in her maiden home, everyone cherished her, constantly praising 'He'er' or 'Big Sister.' Now, in her husband's family, her husband treated her like a treasure. This wasn't due to sheer luck, but because her character compelled affection. Not only was she kind and upright, but what was truly rare was that she always possessed her own judgment and standards for action, never merely echoing others. Yun Qi realized, only since arriving here, that such a unique woman existed in the world.

Take her current situation, for instance. Although Yun Qi’s mother-in-law was Lin He’s own mother, Lin He never showed the slightest dissatisfaction or resentment toward her based on her mother's words. Instead, she always rushed to comfort and reassure Yun Qi whenever her spirits flagged, completely disregarding anything her mother might have said.

Yun Qi looked at Lin He and nodded, deeply touched. "Yes, I understand. He'er, thank you. I truly have felt awful these past few weeks, but hearing your words, I will slowly try to bring myself back. No matter the outcome, I am willing to try my best. Even if the end result isn't what I hoped for, at least I will have tried, and that will be satisfying enough." With that, Yun Qi managed a smile for Lin He.

Lin He nodded back, silently urging her to persevere. After sitting for a while, Yun Qi announced she needed to check on the courtyard, as preparations for the banquet surely required much work.

Once Yun Qi departed, Lin He turned to Chen'er sitting beside her, stroking her small cheek. "Big Sister isn't home these days; what have you been up to? Show me."

Chen'er was already prepared. She retrieved a pile of items from a nearby chair for Lin He to inspect. Lin He chuckled when she saw they were all tiny items for infants—clothes, bonnets, and shoes. "What are you making all this for? Who are these small garments intended for? Are they premature gifts for Sister-in-law’s future child?"

"No, these are for your child. Mother said now that you’re married, I’ll soon have someone calling me Auntie. She told me to make plenty whenever I had free time, so your child will have clothes ready the moment they arrive. Big Sister, take these home with you later, okay?" Chen'er said, holding up the small treasures.

Lin He couldn't help but laugh. "You little thing, so eager to be an Auntie already! But you’ll have to wait a while longer. Big Sister is still young; this stomach isn't ready for babies yet. You’ll have to wait until I’m older before you can claim an Auntie title. Still, it’s good to make extras; we can use them for Sister-in-law’s child then."

"Big Sister, please don't say that. I actually wanted to make some things for Sister-in-law's child too, but as soon as I mentioned it to Mother, she got upset. Sometimes, when Sister-in-law is around, Mother even says harsh things. I don't dare mention it now, out of fear of upsetting Sister-in-law so Mother scolds her. When Mother scolds Sister-in-law, she looks so pitiful; she only dares to cry secretly," Chen'er confided, unable to bear recalling the sight of Yun Qi weeping in private.

No wonder Yun Qi seemed so off earlier. What was wrong with Mother? That was too much—why berate someone like that? Lin He remembered promising Mother before her wedding that things would be settled, but it seemed Mother was too impatient. She concluded that Sister-in-law couldn't be left alone here; she would surely suffocate from the harshness.

As Lin He pondered this, Chen'er whispered again, "Sister, why don't you ask Big Brother to tell Sister-in-law not to come back once they move to town? Otherwise, Mother will keep scolding her. Sister-in-law, though quiet, is actually quite kind once you get to know her. She's always been cordial with us. Even though she doesn't know how to do many things, she’s willing to learn. These past few days, she’s often done embroidery with me, and honestly, having her company kept me from being so bored."

Listening to Chen'er, Lin He nodded. "Yes, I will speak to Big Brother about it later. Mother is planning to go to town in a couple of days anyway. You two might as well stay in town then and not return. It will be easier for me to see you all. And Little Bao needs looking after while he studies there. If you need help with chores, buy a few more maids. If Mother insists on coming back, let her come alone."

"Yes, good, that sounds perfect," Chen'er quickly agreed.

"Mmm. If you’ll be living in town long-term from now on, don't be so playful anymore. Help Sister-in-law manage the household. If there are things she doesn’t know that you do, you two must confer and work things out together. You’re old enough now; stop being so heedless and start being sensible, understood?" Lin He said, stroking Chen'er’s head.

"Yes, Big Sister, I understand. I promise I will help Sister-in-law manage the household well," Chen'er affirmed with deep resolve.

Lin He smiled and nodded. Chen'er had indeed matured significantly this year. Her progress in the last year was especially notable compared to two years prior. She could handle many matters independently and was beginning to observe things on her own. While she could still be boisterous around Lin He, she rarely bounced around in front of outsiders anymore; her temperament had settled considerably.

Actually, Chen'er was quite pretty—large eyes, a melon-seed face, a delicate chin, and fair skin. In the past, always wearing childish clothes, she gave the impression of being perpetually young, like a child herself.

This year, Lin He noticed Chen'er had grown much taller. She had specifically made some dresses suitable for young ladies coming of age. Now, standing before Lin He, she possessed a graceful, willow-like bearing—not quite a refined daughter of a noble house, but rather possessing the quiet charm of a gentlewoman from a respectable family.