Thinking of this, Lin He tugged at Zi Yu’s arm and said, “That’s enough. When the Young Master returns, I’ll speak to him. I can’t do without you either. Stop practicing from now on. Have Ling Xiao go out with the Young Master to handle tasks; it can lighten some of his burden.”

Upon hearing this, Zi Yu immediately broke into a beaming smile, flattering Lin He, “I knew my Young Mistress doted on me the most! Don’t you worry, from now on, I promise to check if the Young Master is around before entering any room. I definitely won’t disturb whatever you two are doing.” As she spoke, she gave Lin He a playful wink.

Lin He looked at her, blushing slightly, and said, “See? I told you so! And you still deny it. Fine, I won’t intercede for you anymore. You should go back and practice with Ling Xiao.”

“I won’t say another word, I promise! Young Mistress, what would you like for lunch? I’ll go prepare it,” Zi Yu quickly covered her mouth and said.

“Hmm, have Zi Qing prepare it. Second Young Master prefers light food, so just have her get the ingredients ready. I’ll cook it later. Turn around and help me pack some things. In a couple of days, we’ll go stay at my mother’s house in the town for a few days,” Lin He instructed Zi Yu.

“Is the Master and the others coming to town? Is Miss Chen’er coming too?” Zi Yu asked with a hint of joy.

“Yes, they should all be here. I heard they plan to take my sister-in-law to see a doctor. If my sister-in-law’s condition doesn't improve, they might have to stay for a while. I heard Chen’er mention it when I visited home the other day,” Lin He said with a touch of worry.

Zi Yu noticed Lin He’s concern and tried to comfort her with a smile, “Young Mistress, don't worry. I heard someone say that bearing a child is also a matter of fate. Since Young Mistress Yun Qi hasn’t conceived yet, it just means her time hasn’t come. When the moment is right, she will naturally conceive. Besides, look at Young Mistress Yun Qi—with her slender waist and ample hips, she clearly looks like someone who can bear children.”

Lin He heard Zi Yu’s words and laughed, “You understand these things too? You can tell just by looking if someone can bear children?”

“Of course! I heard it from the two older maids in the kitchen; they’ve each given birth to several children, so they must be right.”

“Oh? Then look at yourself—do you look like someone who can bear children? How many do you think you could have?” Lin He said, staring at Zi Yu’s hips for a few moments.

“Miss, I’m speaking seriously with you, and you’re still making fun of me,” Zi Yu pouted playfully, chiding Lin He.

Lin He burst out laughing; the girl finally wasn’t looking glum anymore. Just as she was laughing, a teasing voice drifted in from outside: “He’er, who is about to have a baby?”

Wen Ning Xuan entered the room with a faint smile on his face as he asked. Seeing Wen Ning Xuan enter, Zi Yu curtsied, exchanged a meaningful glance with Lin He, and then quietly slipped out. Lin He nodded back at her.

Wen Ning Xuan watched the interaction between the mistress and servant, smiling faintly, but he didn't ask immediately. After Zi Yu left, he sat down by the bed, pulled Lin He into his embrace, and said, “He’er hasn’t told me yet, who is the one expecting? Could it be you…” As he spoke, he gently placed his hand on Lin He’s lower abdomen, stroking it softly.

Lin He glanced at him sideways and batted his hand away. “What nonsense are you thinking? Zi Yu and I were talking about my elder sister-in-law.”

Wen Ning Xuan knew a little about such matters and simply responded with an “Oh” upon hearing Lin He’s words. After a moment, he asked again, “What did you do alone in the courtyard this morning?”

“Didn’t do much. Just returned from Grandmother’s courtyard with Zi Yu not long ago,” Lin He replied casually.

“Oh? Why was Zi Yu accompanying you? Didn't Zi Yu go practicing with Ling Xiao today?” Wen Ning Xuan asked as if speaking carelessly.

“Right! I was just about to mention that to you. Zi Yu won’t be practicing with Ling Xiao anymore. Look at how you’ve worked my little maid—she’s barely recognizable! If this continues for two more days, the girl won't be able to take it. What is Ling Xiao’s brain made of? He’s truly that harsh even to a woman,” Lin He complained to Wen Ning Xuan, exaggerating slightly about Ling Xiao.

“How was he harsh? Isn’t Zi Yu perfectly fine? That’s how all our training sessions are. Zi Yu can still run and jump around,” Wen Ning Xuan feigned confusion, knowing that the silent signal between the maid and his wife was precisely about this matter.

Lin He shot him a look, pouted, and said, “In any case, I won’t let Zi Yu go practice anymore. Your subordinates are just like their master; they don’t know the slightest bit about cherishing a woman. I can’t bear to see my maid get ruined by him. From now on, take Ling Xiao out with you on errands.”

Hearing Lin He’s words, Wen Ning Xuan let out a soft chuckle, his tone carrying a hint of mischief. “So, He’er is complaining that I don't know how to cherish a woman either? What exactly constitutes cherishing a woman, hmm?”

Lin He gazed up at Wen Ning Xuan with wide, innocent eyes, thinking to herself: Yes, what is the standard for cherishing a woman? It seems that this fellow Wen Ning Xuan is actually doing quite well.

Wen Ning Xuan watched the person before him whose large, contrasting eyes were blinking incessantly. Her long, wing-like eyelashes fluttered lightly, and her fair face was flushed with a rosy glow. His body tightened involuntarily. He gripped her chin, and his lips slowly descended toward hers. His lips first lingered around hers, and as the person in his arms let out a small gasp, his tongue slyly slipped into her mouth, sucking forcefully at the sweetness within her lips, sometimes intertwining with her tongue in lingering affection, and at other times deliberately pulling back—their lips and tongues entwined, reluctant to part.

Lin He was startled and looked up to see him kissing her. She tried to pull her head back, attempting to escape him, but he held her tightly. His tongue was chasing her own, sending a shiver through Lin He’s entire body, rendering her mind instantly blank. She only felt a tingling sensation as her tongue was being sucked, an itchy feeling deep inside.

What followed was an uncontainable cascade. By the time Lin He fully regained consciousness, an hour had already passed. Lin He lay limply in Wen Ning Xuan’s arms, not even wanting to open her eyes.

The man beside her, however, looked fully sated, chuckling as he said, “Rest if you’re tired. I’ll have Zi Yu bring you food later. Didn’t you say you didn’t want Zi Yu to practice anymore? I’m in a good mood today, so I approve.”

Lin He opened her eyes and glared at him crossly. His mood might be good, but she was sore all over. This fellow, driven by desire even in broad daylight, had forced her into this kind of activity. With so many people in the courtyard, they would surely become the subject of gossip.

Meanwhile, in her heart, she mused, Oh, dear Zi Yu, everything I did today was for you! You must repay me well in the future. I made a huge sacrifice for your well-being, Lin He silently vowed.

Wen Ning Xuan looked at Lin He’s puffed-out expression and let out a soft laugh, holding her close for a long moment. Finally, his lazy voice sounded again, whispering close to Lin He’s ear, “Do you want to get up and eat first, or sleep a little longer, hmm?”

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