As soon as the two finished speaking, they walked out of the courtyard, followed by the maids Ziqing and Ziyu. Upon exiting the gate, Lin He still couldn't quite make sense of the day's events.

Especially the Old Madam's attitude. Logically, once the Old Madam was certain about something, she would never be so casual, nor would she change her mind easily after deciding. Yet, listening to Madam Wen today, it seemed the Old Madam had originally agreed to Wen Ningchen's marriage, only to go back on her word later. Could it be just because of a few words from Aunt Luo? Lin He felt that was unlikely.

Under normal circumstances, although Aunt Luo's words were somewhat aggressive, they weren't incorrect, and she even sounded quite reasonable. The Old Madam should have grasped this easily enough. But why would the Old Madam choose to voice it through Aunt Luo?

Could it be that the Old Madam was privately dissatisfied with Madam Wen as well? Was today's action intended to let Madam Wen know that there was someone in this household who could stand against her? If so, then what was the meaning behind the Old Madam asking for Wen Ningxuan's opinion in the end? Was it merely a test?

Lin He turned the matter over and over in her mind, still unable to figure out the Old Madam's true intentions today. Just as she was lost in thought, a teasing voice drifted over to her side: "He'er, with that little brain of yours, even giving you a few more days wouldn't help you sort it out. Stop thinking about it. We’re already on the street. If you want to know something, I'll tell you when we get back."

Lin He looked up and realized, without knowing when, they had already walked out onto the street. It had been a long time since she had been out. The air outside felt distinctly different from that inside the Wen residence. Lin He lightly shook her head, deciding to let those worries go. Whatever those people wanted to do, let them do it. Today, it was rare to be out on the street with Wen Ningxuan, so she needed to enjoy it to the fullest.

Thinking this, Lin He smiled and said, "Mm, I won't think about it anymore. It’s rare for Husband to accompany me out, so I must have a good look around. Otherwise, who knows when we'll get out together next." Saying this, she led Ziqing and Ziyu toward the small stalls lining the street.

Wen Ningxuan lightly shook his head, walking behind her, watching the figure ahead with doting eyes. Seeing her constantly pick out small trinkets in front of those stalls, his face was full of smiles, perhaps so much so that he hadn't even noticed it himself.

The group browsed the streets for quite a while. Lin He truly enjoyed herself today, and her mood was excellent. She bought quite a few things. Whatever she liked, whether she needed it or not, Wen Ningxuan would have Shunzhu, who followed behind, pay for it.

By the late afternoon, Shunzhu, Ziqing, and Ziyu all had their hands full. Wen Ningxuan noticed the faint beads of sweat on Lin He's forehead. He took out a silk handkerchief from his person and gently wiped the sweat for her, smiling as he asked, "Do you still want to shop? If so, let Shunzhu and the others take these things to the silversmith shop first. We can take them all back in the carriage when we return. Let's rest for a while at the teahouse ahead."

Lin He looked at the items held by Shunzhu, Ziqing, and Ziyu and couldn't help but laugh. Unknowingly, they had bought so much. It seemed she had the potential of a shopaholic herself. Back at home, she always used to tease Chen'er about this.

Lin He nodded at Wen Ningxuan, and Shunzhu, along with Ziqing, took the goods toward the silversmith shop, leaving Ziyu to attend to them nearby.

The group started walking toward the teahouse. Just as they were about to enter, Ziyu suddenly whispered beside Lin He, "Young Mistress, look, the Eldest Young Mistress is in that shop over there. Shall we go and greet her?" Ziyu pointed as she spoke.

Hearing "Eldest Young Mistress" at first, Lin He didn't react immediately, assuming she meant Wen Ningchen's wife, Li Yuzhen. But when she followed Ziyu's pointing finger, Lin He was rather surprised. What Ziyu was referring to was actually her eldest sister-in-law, Yun Qi.

Lin He saw Yun Qi and her mother coming out of a broker's office across the way, followed by a girl who looked about fourteen or fifteen, carrying a large bundle on her back, apparently just purchased from the broker. Although the girl's clothes were rather shabby, she was quite pretty—big eyes, an oval face, and fair, clean skin. What were they buying her for?

Lin He found it strange. Buying a maid from a broker cost quite a bit of money. Could Yun Qi's mother's family afford to buy a maid of this caliber to serve them? Lin He felt puzzled.

She recalled that she hadn't seen Yun Qi on her last visit home, and with so many things happening to Yun Qi recently, she hadn't had a chance to talk with her properly. She had initially planned to go over and say hello, but seeing Yun Qi's mother there, Lin He stopped her steps. She turned to Wen Ningxuan and said, "Ningxuan, perhaps we shouldn't go shopping anymore. I want to visit my parents' place. We returned so suddenly yesterday, and although Ningxuan later sent someone to send word, I worry they might still be concerned."

"Mm, that's fine. Shall we rest here for a while, or go now?" Wen Ningxuan asked.

"Let's go now. It's getting late anyway. We can sit there for a bit, and then we'll head back to the estate," Lin He replied.

Wen Ningxuan nodded and led Lin He toward her family home.

Upon arriving, Madam Huang and Er Niu heard from the maids that their daughter and son-in-law had arrived, and they immediately came to the courtyard entrance. Wen Ningxuan paid his respects to his parents-in-law, and then walked with Er Niu into the main reception hall.

Lin He did not follow them but went with Madam Huang into the courtyard. As soon as they sat down, Madam Huang asked with great worry, "He'er, what exactly happened yesterday? Why did you return so late at night without even sending word? If Lingxiao hadn't come over today, I was going to send your elder brother over to inquire. Your father and I were worried sick."

Lin He smiled and said, "It's nothing, just some household matters. The Old Madam urgently needed us back, so Ningxuan sent someone to fetch me. It was nothing serious, don't worry."

Madam Huang looked at Lin He, clearly not entirely convinced. "He'er, don't lie to Mother. If there’s something, tell Mother, or your father and I will worry. I heard you opening the door sounds last night and asked Ziqing; I didn't sleep well the entire night, afraid something might have happened to you and Ningxuan."

"What could happen in your own home? The people in the Wen family aren't flood dragons or fierce beasts. Are they going to eat me? Mother, you worry too much," Lin He said, laughing.

Chen'er, sitting nearby, also smiled and said, "Yes, that's just how Mother is."

"You children, you truly don't understand your mother's heart," Madam Huang said, playfully pointing at Lin He and Chen'er.

"Mm, we understand. How could we not understand Mother's heart? But we are grown up now, and you and Father are not young anymore. You should enjoy some leisurely days and not worry about everything, okay? Mother, they say women who worry too much age faster," Lin He said, grasping Madam Huang's arm with a cheerful smile.

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