Lin He didn't speak, burrowing deeper into Wen Ningxuan's embrace. After a long moment, she mumbled into his chest, "I don't want to eat, and I don't want to get up. I just want to lie here."

Wen Ningxuan knew the girl was sulking over the earlier incident, and he chuckled softly. "Are you sure you want to stay like this forever? It’s so boring. Why don't we find something to do?" As he spoke, his hand began to wander gently over Lin He's back.

"Huh?" Hearing his words, Lin He quickly flipped over and sprang up from the **, glaring at Wen Ningxuan, looking as if she could bite him a few times.

The moment she sat up and saw the teasing light in Wen Ningxuan's narrow phoenix eyes, she realized he had just been toying with her. She shot him a sidelong glance, wrapping herself in the quilt while still seated on the **, clearly not wanting to move much.

Seeing how weary she looked, Wen Ningxuan couldn't bear to tease her further. He pulled her close within the covers and whispered by her ear, "It’s past the meal hour; if you don't eat soon, you’ll starve. Eat first, then sleep. I’ll have Ziyu and the others prepare some food."

"Mm," Lin He acknowledged verbally, but her body remained nestled in his arms, unmoving. After a while, she spoke again, "I estimate my mother and the others will arrive in town in a few days. I want to go over and stay with them for a few days. Should we inform Grandmother and Father?"

Wen Ningxuan stroked her smooth hair softly. "Yes, just mention it to Grandmother when you pay respects tomorrow morning."

"Mm, are you coming with me?" Lin He asked quietly.

"Of course, where the wife is, I will naturally be," Wen Ningxuan said, even winking at her.

This temptress—Lin He turned her head away, refusing to look at him. Wen Ningxuan smiled helplessly, got up, dressed himself completely, and walked out.

A few days later, Lin He woke early. Wen Ningxuan had returned the day before with news from Da Bao’s people: her mother’s family had arrived a few days prior.

Lin He got up, packed some things with Ziyu and Ziqing, then went over the household matters in the courtyard with Shun Zhu and Shun Cai. Only then did she and Wen Ningxuan set off together in the carriage.

This was the first time Lin He had left the estate since her wedding day, apart from the initial visit home. For some reason, even when she was at home, she hadn't felt strictly confined, yet there was always a subtle sense of restriction. Now that she was out, heading to her parents' home, it felt as though the air outside was fresher, and her spirits lifted considerably.

Wen Ningxuan watched the woman beside him. The moment they boarded the carriage, her face bloomed into a smile, crinkling her eyes beautifully, her bright eyes sparkling with charm—a stark contrast to how she appeared in the courtyard. A pang of heartache flashed through Wen Ningxuan; he was well aware of the situation within his own household.

The women in his family were no easy group to handle. Whether openly or subtly, many of them disliked him. Coupled with the fact that his father seemed to be placing increasing importance on him lately, some were undoubtedly plotting. He himself was rarely home, so he wasn't overly worried about what they might attempt, but his little woman certainly wouldn't have an easy time.

Setting aside everything else, the incidents that had occurred recently were all crystal clear to him. Even the simplest daily ritual of paying respects often involved someone deliberately causing her trouble. When she first arrived here, she had only a few maids and no trusted confidantes—isolated and unsupported. Fortunately, she was a strong and intelligent woman, otherwise, he shuddered to think how much she would have suffered by now.

Lin He saw the deep concern in Wen Ningxuan's gaze as he watched her, and she guessed what he was thinking. She offered him a soft smile, steering the conversation elsewhere. "Come over early tonight and help me look over Xiao Bao’s lessons. He has the preliminary examination in two months; see how well he’s reviewed."

Wen Ningxuan nodded. "Mm, I'll come right over as soon as I finish up at the shop tonight."

The distance from the Wen estate to Lin He’s family residence wasn't far; it took less than a moment by carriage to reach the gate. Ziqing and Ziyu got out first. As Lin He was about to follow, Wen Ningxuan stopped her. "I'll get out with you too, to see your mother and the others."

"No need. You'll be coming tonight anyway. You have the shop to attend to; don't get out now," Lin He said.

"It’s fine, it won't take long. I'll go down with you." Wen Ningxuan said this, then stepped down from the carriage first, immediately lifting Lin He out after him.

Evidently alerted by the voices outside, Chen’er and Xiao Bao came running out as soon as Lin He and the others descended, happily shouting, "Big Sister! Brother-in-law!"

That shout of 'Brother-in-law' resonated delightfully through Wen Ningxuan. His exquisitely handsome face curved slightly at the lips, and his eyes, dark as polished ink, shone with tiny, brilliant sparks of jewel-like light. His gaze toward Lin He intensified with heat.

Lin He laughed, pulling Chen’er and Xiao Bao closer. "When did you arrive? Are Father and Mother here?"

"Father and Mother are both here, they've been here several days. I meant to have Big Brother send word sooner, but Mother said it was better to wait until they were settled before you and Brother-in-law visited. Come quickly, we need to go in; Father and Mother are waiting inside," Chen’er said cheerfully.

The group walked into the courtyard. Madame Huang and Er Niu were already waiting there. They were somewhat surprised to see Wen Ningxuan had come along. Er Niu immediately stepped forward to greet him. Wen Ningxuan paid his respects to his in-laws, explaining that he had to rush to the shop and had only brought He'er over for now; he would return tonight after handling matters there.

Er Niu quickly said, "Good, then don't let business suffer. Go handle your affairs first, and come back early for dinner tonight."

Wen Ningxuan glanced at Lin He, bowed once more to his in-laws, and departed with his attendant. Madame Huang drew Lin He close, looking her up and down several times. Lin He rolled her eyes inwardly, smiling wryly. "Mother, what are you looking at? You just saw me a few days ago. Surely I haven't changed dramatically in a few days, have I?"

"It was too busy on the day of the return visit; Mother didn't get a good look at you. Stay here a few more days this time. Mother will properly tend to your health. Look at you, you haven't been married a full month, and you look thinner already," Madame Huang said, looking at Lin He with concern.

"Mother, I haven't lost weight; I actually think I've gained a bit. Look how much fuller my face is. Back home, I at least had things to worry my heart over. Here, everything is taken care of by servants, and I do far less work. I certainly won't be thinner," Lin He insisted, gesturing to her body.

"A little fuller is good. A woman having a bit more flesh means good fortune. Besides, it's better for childbearing when a woman is a bit plump. Look at your sister-in-law’s figure—a strong wind could blow her away; that’s why she hasn't had a child yet," Madame Huang grumbled softly.

Er Niu, noticing the maids still in the courtyard, spoke up, "Wife, He'er just arrived. Why say such things now? If you have something to say, let's go into the house."