"Mother, this whole affair was engineered by Second Brother and the others. Why can't we speak of it? Ning Nuo was perfectly fine inside his courtyard—isn't that proof enough? If we reveal this, we can shift the blame onto them, and Father will surely punish them, won't he?" Wen Ningxuan asked, confused.

Madam Wen looked at her son and shook her head slightly. This son's aptitude truly was lacking. Not to mention he couldn't compare to Wen Ningxuan, even an ordinary person would realize this matter was one that could not be brought up concerning the Second Branch.

If they mentioned the Second Branch's household, setting aside the fact that it would expose the conspiracy between her and Ning Nuo, just considering last night's events: the Second Brother merely invited him over and arranged the room next door. No one held a knife to his throat forcing him to do anything; it was his own lack of restraint that led to this outcome. If his intentions had been pure, nothing would have happened just by stepping through the door. If the Master found out about this, who would bear the responsibility? Once the matter was laid bare, the truth would be crystal clear.

Furthermore, what evidence could Ning Nuo possibly be? A young lady like you, knowing the wife wasn't home, insisted on following him back to his courtyard. Once there, he followed proper etiquette by settling her in the guest room. As for what happened afterward—she claimed she was drugged, but where is the proof? Besides, he merely used her own tactics against her. It was only because the Second Brother grasped this point that he managed to orchestrate such a significant incident.

Of course, Madam Wen would never reveal the specifics to Wen Ningchen. She only worried inwardly about her son. Perhaps this son truly wasn't cut out to manage the family estate. Even if she managed to secure the position of head of the household for him, given his mediocre capabilities, he likely wouldn't be able to hold onto it. But what could she do? He was her son, after all, and what needed to be fought for still had to be won back for him. That was a mother's duty.

Seeing his mother remain silent, Wen Ningxuan assumed she agreed with his assessment and smiled. "Since that's the case, once Father returns, I will tell him everything exactly as it happened. Even if Father doesn't punish Second Brother, it might at least save me from censure, Mother."

After a long pause, Madam Wen sighed, her expression turning somewhat stern. "I said this matter cannot be brought up, so it cannot be brought up. Just do as I say. Mother will absolutely not harm you."

Seeing his mother's serious face, Wen Ningxuan, though unsure why, did not press the issue. He simply nodded. "Yes, alright. I will follow Mother's instructions then."

Madam Wen nodded upon hearing this. "Good. Then you go back first. Discuss this matter properly with Yu Zhen and avoid creating further complications. After dinner, I still need to pay a visit to your Grandmother."

After Wen Ningxuan left, Madam Wen sat back in her chair and let out another long sigh. Granny Xu, standing behind her, offered advice. "Madam, the young master is still young. Don't worry; teach him slowly."

"If he can be taught, that would be good. I know my own son. I worry that even if we fight and win the position of household manager for him, Second Brother will likely swallow up everything, leaving not even dregs behind," Madam Wen said with a sense of depletion.

"He can be taught. The Eldest Young Master is just a bit too fond of play; he hasn't settled down yet. Besides, when the Third Young Master grows up, they are full brothers, and they can support each other. The Third Young Master is the smartest young master in our residence," Granny Xu consoled.

Granny Xu had been Madam Wen's dowry maid, serving her devotedly since she was a young girl. Over the years, she had never married, dedicating herself solely to her mistress. Madam Wen trusted Granny Xu deeply. While Madam Wen kept her plans secret from everyone else, she could never hide anything from Granny Xu. Granny Xu was also fully aware of the situation that had just occurred.

Seeing Granny Xu mention Mo'er, a faint smile touched Madam Wen's lips. "Yes, Mo'er is indeed a promising talent. His father dotes on him too. I hope he can assist his elder brother in the future. Oh, Little Mo has been away for quite some time now. Ask the residence to send a message to the capital. If there's nothing urgent, tell him to return sooner; say that I miss him."

Granny Xu immediately agreed, saying she would go to the messenger office right away to arrange the letter.

While this incident left Madam Wen and her party completely frazzled, it seemed to have no effect whatsoever on Lin He and her husband's mood.

Because they hadn't slept well the night before, the couple enjoyed a long, beautiful sleep that morning. After lunch, their spirits were excellent. Wen Ningxuan even suggested skipping the shops that afternoon, saying since they had this rare opportunity, he would accompany Lin He for a stroll downtown.

Lin He was delighted too. Although she had been with Wen Ningxuan for quite some time, the instances where he devoted himself entirely to accompanying her on a shopping trip were few. It seemed ever since they returned from Qinghe County, they never found the time. Since he was in such a rare good mood today, Lin He planned to rest a while longer, and once Ziqing and Ziyu finished their tasks, she would change clothes and go out for a walk.

Seeing Lin He's happy expression, Wen Ningxuan smiled and asked, "Wife, you sound so cheerful about going out—what do you plan to do?"

Lin He thought for a moment, realizing she didn't have anything specific in mind, and smiled back. "Nothing in particular. But since you rarely have time to accompany me, we can't just stay home all day, can we?"

"Heh, is my He'er complaining that I don't spend time with you? Then in the future, I’ll bring all the shop business home, and I can stay with you every day, how about that?" Wen Ningxuan teased her.

Lin He knew Wen Ningxuan was jesting and laughed in reply. "Second Young Master, please mind your wording. The emphasis of my speech was on how rarely you have time. If you brought official business home to work on, wouldn't you still have no time? However, if you stayed with me every day, I might eventually grow tired of you."

Wen Ningxuan's thin lips curled upward. Looking at the playful smile on Lin He’s face, he reached out and pulled her into his arms, pretending to tickle her. "Little girl, you dare say you'll tire of me? Tell me, will you tire of me?"

Lin He was extremely ticklish. Seeing Wen Ningxuan's hand approaching, she quickly begged for mercy with a laugh. "Second Young Master, I dare not, I dare not! I won't say it again in the future."

"Then what should you say, hmm?" Wen Ningxuan's hand settled under Lin He's armpit as he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I wish to see my husband every day; no amount of time would ever make me weary," the usually stubborn person immediately changed her tune.

"Hmm, that's better," Wen Ningxuan chuckled, drawing his hand back and resting it around Lin He’s waist.

As the two were bantering, Qing Yun entered from outside to announce, "Second Young Master, Second Young Mistress, a message has arrived from the Old Madam. She requests the Second Young Mistress go to the main house immediately."

"Did she say why?" Wen Ningxuan asked coldly, still holding Lin He.

"She did not say, only that the Second Young Mistress must go over at once," Qing Yun replied.

Lin He nodded to Qing Yun, who then withdrew. Lin He's expression immediately fell. It wasn't that she feared the Old Madam's summons—given everything that had happened in the household, things certainly wouldn't settle down quickly; it would likely cause trouble for a few more days. It was just that if she had to go to the Old Madam's now, she wouldn't be able to go out this afternoon.

Thinking this, Lin He pouted, looking thoroughly unwilling. She snuggled closer into Wen Ningxuan's embrace and whined, a rare display of childishness. "Ningxuan, I don't want to go. If I go now, I won't be able to go out this afternoon." (To be continued)