Madam Zhao glanced at Hongxia and sighed, truly saying no more. Afterwards, she turned her body toward Lin He, who was sitting beside her, took Lin He's hand, and said with a beaming smile, "Our He'er, now that you've become the young mistress of a grand household, you truly look different. Look how she sits here with the air of a young mistress. Our ancestors must truly be watching over us; I never dared to dream that our family would produce such an outstanding granddaughter."

"Yes, Mother, second brother's family is truly doing much better now. Dabao has a shop in town, and the family has bought a residence there too. He'er married into a major merchant family in town; we're the first family in this village to achieve this. Many people are saying our ancestors really were buried in the right spot." He Shi also came over, having finished arranging the tables and chairs, and said with a smile.

Madam Zhao, who loved hearing compliments, chuckled at He Shi's words: "Yes, it's not just Er Niu's family; now you are all doing well. Hongyun is pregnant again, and I can finally rest easy. Your family will have a grandson too. Now I'm only worried about Hongxia."

"He'er, you spend more time in town; you'll need to pay special attention to your little aunt's matters. If you come across any suitable person for her, do keep her in mind. Once your little aunt's situation is settled, your grandfather and I can truly relax and enjoy our remaining years," Madam Zhao said, looking at Lin He.

"Mm, Grandmother, I understand. If there is a suitable candidate, I won't forget Little Aunt," Lin He replied with a smile.

Perhaps because she was married and her state of mind had changed, Lin He hadn't always liked her grandmother. She used to think the old woman was too selfish, only ever considering herself, showing too little concern for her children and grandchildren.

Especially concerning her own immediate family: when they were poor, Grandmother never once thought of lending them a hand. She lived well with her eldest uncle's family in town, letting them fend for themselves. Even after her own family improved and she had done much for this grandmother, in the old woman's heart, her family seemed to be nothing more than a cash cow, only approached when money or aid was needed, never showing deeper care otherwise.

But today, seeing Madam Zhao, Lin He felt a sense of closeness. Lin He felt that compared to the old madam of the Wen family, this Madam Zhao was just an ordinary elderly person. Although she hadn't shown enough concern for them, she at least kept her children in her thoughts and prioritized them above all else. At least she had put considerable effort into the affairs of her two daughters-in-law.

Especially in these last few meetings, Lin He felt Madam Zhao was slowly changing, frequently voicing worries about this or that person in the family. Though it was only spoken and not backed by concrete action, Lin He felt a warmth in her heart seeing her today.

As for the old madam of the Wen family, although she also constantly mentioned family members, when Lin He looked at her, all she felt was tension and anxiety about doing something wrong; there was absolutely no feeling of intimacy. Lin He genuinely wanted to be closer to her; after all, within the Wen family, the old madam wasn't overly harsh to Wen Ningxuan. Yet, she could never feel close to her. Because every time Lin He met her gaze, she couldn't help but see those shrewd eyes filled with probing and speculation.

Moreover, Lin He was certain she wasn't the only one who felt this way; the other members of the Wen family likely felt it too. Seeing how excessively flattering the women of the house were when paying their respects to the old madam daily made it obvious. True family or kin shouldn't require flattery or forced warmth; one should only reveal their most genuine self.

Lin He's words managed to put Madam Zhao slightly at ease. She smiled and patted Lin He's hand, saying, "Mm, Grandmother trusts He'er's judgment in everything. We entrust your Little Aunt to you both."

Lin He stayed at her parents' house until the banquet concluded. Huang Shi urged them to leave, saying they needed to return early before the sun set. She also prepared many fine pastries from the shop for Lin He to take back as return gifts for the Wen family members.

Lin He had listened to Wen Ningxuan that morning and was aware of these customs, so she didn't argue, getting into the carriage with Wen Ningxuan to return home.

The carriage was relatively empty on the way back; Zi Qing and Zi Yu weren't riding inside. Only Lin He and Wen Ningxuan occupied the carriage. Wen Ningxuan had drunk a bit at noon and wasn't a strong drinker. As soon as he entered the carriage, he leaned heavily on Lin He's shoulder, groaning as if in great discomfort.

Lin He looked at him, a little helpless, and murmured, "If you can't handle it, why drink so much? Now you know the consequence, don't you?"

"He'er, you don't know. This is also a custom. On the day of the return visit, the son-in-law is expected to be plied with drinks. He must be made drunk to show that the son-in-law dotes on his wife. As someone who dotes on his wife so much, how could I not follow tradition?" Wen Ningxuan said, nudging his head further onto Lin He's shoulder, a hint of childlike coaxing in his tone.

Lin He smiled, glancing at him with resignation. Fearing he was uncomfortable leaning there, she gently shifted his head to rest more comfortably on her shoulder.

However, Wen Ningxuan still seemed uneasy. He reached out, pulled Lin He onto his lap, and rested his head in her embrace, saying with a slight smile, "He'er smells so nice; it's very comfortable leaning here. Let me rest a bit, my head is spinning."

"If your head is spinning, why drink so much? You could have just had a little; my father and elder brother wouldn't blame you. Aren't you the one who dislikes being constrained by rules the most? Why are you following this one today?" Lin He asked, looking down at the person cradled in her lap with a smile.

"Usually, I don't pay attention to it, but today is He'er's home, so I must observe the customs fully. I cannot let my in-laws think I don't treat you well. I want my He'er to be the happiest person in the world; I want He'er to never regret marrying me," Wen Ningxuan said, looking up at Lin He with hazy eyes.

When this man was drunk, he really did say all sorts of saccharine things. No matter how much he had done for her in the past, Lin He had never expected such direct sweet talk from his lips. Hearing it today truly surprised and delighted her. She stared at him, teasing him: "Mm, so how do you plan to make me the happiest person?"

Due to his intoxication, Wen Ningxuan's mind seemed sluggish. He paused at Lin He's question, then pursed his lips and said, "I will treat you well my entire life, dote on you forever, and in this life, I will only have you; there will be no one else."

"Is that all? Isn't that expected?" Lin He continued to tease him, a smile full on her face.

Wen Ningxuan nuzzled deeper into Lin He's embrace, seemingly troubled by the question. After thinking for a long time, a flash of joy crossed his face. "I thought of it! I also want He'er to bear me many children. I will certainly treat the children well; I won't let anyone bully them, nor will I let anyone lock them up."

Hearing this, Lin He's nose stung, and her heart ached profoundly. It seemed that all these years, even though he outwardly appeared unaffected by the events of his childhood, and even when discussing them, he tried to use the lightest tone, his subconscious fear of those times was revealing itself in his drunken state.

Lin He couldn't bear to tease him further. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered softly, "Ningxuan, to be able to marry you, I already feel like the luckiest woman alive. I will never have any regrets."