"Actually, this matter isn't as difficult as you all make it out to be. If Da Bao is willing, taking on a concubine might be a solution, at least to quell the conflicts in the household," Wen Ningxuan mused.

Hearing Wen Ningxuan's words, Lin He glared at him, slightly angered. "Second Young Master, you change your tune quite quickly. Just now you said children weren't the most important, and now you suggest taking a concubine because there are no children. Then you should just do it sooner rather than later; if I also fail to bear a son, you’ll end up taking this step eventually anyway."

Wen Ningxuan listened to Lin He and knew this little woman was starting to get caught up in a fixation. He smiled helplessly. "He'er, we are discussing matters between Da Bao and your eldest sister-in-law right now. Don't drag us into it; our feelings for them are different, after all."

"For me, regardless of whether we have children in the future, no one will be more important than you in my heart—even children wouldn't matter more than you. That's why I willingly forgo children for you. But what about Da Bao and your eldest sister-in-law? In Da Bao's mind, perhaps many things are more important than his wife. Maybe even his siblings are more important than her. Do you think a couple like them can live peacefully like this forever without children?"

"Moreover, your parents and the reputation of your entire Lin family are involved in this. If taking a concubine can resolve these issues, there's no harm in it, provided Da Bao and your eldest sister-in-law can manage these relationships well. Life won't be unbearable."

"He'er, you can't measure everyone else by your own standards. Everyone has things they deem important in their own heart."

After listening to Wen Ningxuan, the anger in Lin He completely dissipated. She had to admit that what he said made sense; she had been too narrow-minded about the concept of taking a concubine. Thinking this, Lin He cast an embarrassed glance at Wen Ningxuan.

Wen Ningxuan smiled helplessly and pulled her onto his lap again. He lightly patted her backside and said with a chuckle, "Disrespecting your husband deserves a spanking. Besides, my He'er is so beautifully formed here and there, how could she possibly fail to bear children? You can have as many as you want in the future." As he spoke, he gestured lightly toward Lin He’s chest and hips.

Lin He blushed and shot him a playful glare, gently resting her head on his shoulder. Wen Ningxuan tightened his embrace around the person in his arms, burying his face in her hair, inhaling the faint, ethereal fragrance of youth. It was warm and sweet. The atmosphere at that moment was serene and beautiful, truly something to be cherished.

After a long while, Lin He lifted her head and murmured softly, "Let's go to sleep early. We have to go to the shop tomorrow. Let's not think about these things anymore. As you said, let's see what Big Brother decides."

Wen Ningxuan nodded, remaining silent.

Lin He had originally intended to stay at her parents' house for a few more days, at least until Yun Qi returned, hoping to persuade Yun Qi, but unexpectedly, something happened at the Wen family residence the next day.

On the second day of her stay at her maternal home, the entire family waited for Wen Ningxuan to join them for dinner that evening, but he never arrived after a long wait. No one even came to send word. Lin He immediately felt something was amiss. Wen Ningxuan was a man of great responsibility and meticulous in everything he did. If he said he would be there for dinner, he would be; even if he couldn't make it, he would send someone to inform them.

Seeing the family waiting for so long, the dishes on the table had gone cold, and Da Xiong and Xiao Xiong were complaining of hunger. Lin He urged everyone to eat, saying Wen Ningxuan was likely delayed by something outside, and they shouldn't wait for him. If he arrived later, they could simply reheat some food for him.

Madam Huang and Er Niu were unwilling, saying it didn't matter if they waited a little longer; Ningxuan was a guest, and it wasn't right not to wait for him to eat. If the two little ones were genuinely hungry, they could prepare some separate food for them.

Lin He smiled. "Mother, what guest is Ningxuan? He's family. Don't be so formal. Let's eat first. He must have been delayed by something and we don't know when he'll be back. It's often like this at home too. It's fine, let's eat."

Er Niu and Madam Huang stopped insisting after hearing Lin He, and the whole family sat down to eat. Long after the meal, Wen Ningxuan still hadn't appeared. Fearing Madam Huang and Er Niu would worry, Lin He suggested that perhaps Wen Ningxuan thought it was too late and had gone back to the Wen residence to eat, possibly because something had come up there. Er Niu and Madam Huang said nothing in response and took the two little ones to bed.

Lin He, accompanied by Ziqing and Ziyu, returned to the room, but her heart remained uneasy. Wen Ningxuan never acted like this. She worried that something might have happened to him. Seeing Lin He so worried, Ziqing tried to comfort her. "Young Mistress, don't worry so much. Young Master practices martial arts, and Ling Xiao is by his side. Nothing should have happened. Perhaps seeing how late it was, he didn't want to disturb us and went back to the Wen residence today."

Lin He knew Wen Ningxuan wouldn't do that. Because Lin He herself tended to worry excessively, if someone didn't follow through on a promise to her, she would always be anxious. Wen Ningxuan knew her temperament; he definitely wouldn't let her worry like this. Seeing Lin He’s brows still tightly furrowed, Ziyu spoke up. "How about this? This place isn't far from the Wen family manor. Sister and I can go back and see if Second Young Master has returned."

Yes, rather than worrying here, it was better to go back and check. Lin He thought, then stood up and said, "I'll change my clothes and go back with you."

"Young Mistress, please don't go. If you leave, the Master and Madam will surely worry, and everyone in the house will have a sleepless night. Ziyu and I walk quickly; it will take barely half an hour round trip, and we'll be back immediately," Ziyu said, holding Lin He's hand.

Lin He agreed, realizing the logic, and nodded, allowing Ziqing and Ziyu to go check.

Just as Ziqing and Ziyu were preparing tinder and lanterns in the room, Lin He heard knocking at the entrance of her courtyard. Lin He thought her parents had come to ask about Wen Ningxuan, so she went to the door with Ziqing and Ziyu.

To her surprise, when she opened the door, she saw one of her family's maids standing there, with Ling Xiao's cold face behind her. Seeing Lin He, Ling Xiao's tone carried a hint of anxiety as he spoke. "Young Mistress, the Young Master has matters to attend to and needs me to escort you back. The carriage is waiting outside."

Seeing Ling Xiao, Lin He initially felt relieved, thinking Wen Ningxuan had sent him to deliver a message. But after hearing his words, her heart leaped into her throat, and she anxiously asked, "What happened to the Young Master? What's wrong?"

Ling Xiao looked at Lin He, then at Ziyu and Ziqing. His mouth seemed to move, but he uttered no sound. Ziyu, noticing his state, spoke up. "Are you mute again? The Young Mistress is asking you a question, hurry up and speak! Are you trying to drive us crazy?"

Ling Xiao fixed Ziyu with a glance but still didn't explain what happened, finally only saying, "Young Mistress, please don't ask. Just come with me quickly; the Young Master is waiting impatiently."