Madam Huang, seeing that Lin He didn't appear to be troubled by anything and seemed to be in good spirits, let go of her worries about the previous night's events. She chuckled and said, "You silly girl, look at what you're saying. If this mother were truly blessed, I'd already be a grandmother by now. What 'getting old fast' are you talking about? I'm ancient already." With that, she shook her head.

Chen'er, standing nearby, watched her mother's self-pitying act. She winked at Lin He and said with a laugh, "Big Sister, look, Mother is just saying that on purpose. She really just wants us to coax her into saying she's not old yet."

Hearing Chen'er, Lin He quickly nodded, agreeing with a smile that their mother certainly thought so. Seeing her two daughters teasing her, Huang Shi playfully swatted Chen'er on the side and feigned anger. "You girl! You haven't picked up any of your elder sister's good qualities, but you've learned the trick of being sharp-tongued perfectly. You even dare to make fun of your own mother now."

With that, she burst into laughter herself, and everyone in the courtyard, even the maids, joined in. Ziyu watched Lin He, thinking how much better it was here. The young mistress's smile was significantly brighter; at the Wen residence, she rarely smiled this freely unless the young master was present.

After the laughter subsided, Lin He looked around the courtyard and asked, "Has Xiao Bao returned from school yet? And what about the two young masters, Da Xiong and Xiao Xiong? They should be done with lessons by this hour; why aren't they here?"

"Well, Xiao Bao has to focus on preparing for the county exam, so he’s been staying at the tutor's place to review. He won't be back until it's dark. The two young masters were just demanding snacks, and since I don't know how to make them, I sent Chang Qiao and Chang Song to take them to the shop to buy some. They probably won't be back until a bit later; those two boys won't come back once they get out," Madam Huang replied.

Lin He nodded, remembering the incident she'd just encountered on the street, and asked, "Mother, when did Big Sister-in-law return? Didn't you say she was going to stay at her parents' home for a few days?"

"Your Big Sister-in-law is back? Where is she? How come I didn't know?" Madam Huang asked in surprise.

"Ah? She went to her parents' home?" Lin He echoed.

"You child, look at your memory! Didn't I tell you yesterday? Her second sister is getting engaged, so she went back home and said she wouldn't be back for a few days," Madam Huang chided gently.

Huh? Lin He recalled seeing Yun Qi and her daughter at the shop just moments ago, but from the look of things, Yun Qi hadn't returned home today. Lin He quickly said, "Oh, right, I remember now. It was just when I was strolling through the town; I saw someone who looked a bit like Big Sister-in-law, so I assumed she was back. Perhaps I didn't look closely enough."

"Oh, you probably misjudged. It certainly wasn't your Big Sister-in-law. If she were back, wouldn't she come home first?" Madam Huang wasn't overly concerned.

"Mhm, that makes sense." Although Lin He harbored some doubts, she decided not to press the matter, fearing she might bring trouble upon her sister-in-law.

Big Sister-in-law came into town with her mother and even bought a maid; perhaps she was attending to some important business. If what she was doing couldn't be revealed to Mother and the others, Lin He speaking of it might inadvertently stir up conflict. So, she said no more. If she was truly back, she would surely come home eventually.

Lin He stayed at her mother's house for a while, intending to wait for Xiao Bao's return. But as evening deepened, Xiao Bao still hadn't come back. Madam Huang had wanted them to stay the night, but mindful of the affairs waiting at home, Lin He and Wen Ningxuan returned to the Wen residence, promising to visit again for a few days soon.

Leaving her mother's home, the streets were much quieter; most of the vendors were busy packing up their stalls. Lin He and her companions gave up on lingering and headed straight back toward the Wen manor. However, midway through their journey, the appearance of one person made Lin He’s heart skip a beat.

Since Lin He hadn't seen her Big Sister-in-law return when she left her mother's, she couldn't help wondering what was going on. Why hadn't Big Sister-in-law gone home even after coming to town? Could it be that she still didn't believe Lin He couldn't bear children and had come to town today to seek confirmation? If so, then what was the deal with that maid?

Thinking this, Lin He instinctively scanned her surroundings. She didn't see her sister-in-law, but as they passed an inn, a figure standing near the counter startled Lin He.

That person looked like Zeng Weiliang from Qinghe County—her third uncle, Lin Sanyang. Although Lin He had only met him a few times, she was certain she hadn't mistaken him, as Lin Sanyang bore a striking resemblance to her own father; how could she not recognize him?

However, his appearance made her hesitant to be one hundred percent sure. The distance was considerable, so Lin He couldn't make out Zeng Weiliang’s features clearly, but judging by his attire, he was a stark contrast to his former self. While his clothes weren't ragged, his current appearance suggested a degree of destitution.

Fearing she was mistaken, Lin He quickly turned and nudged Wen Ningxuan. "Ningxuan, look, look at that person—isn't that the one from Qinghe County..."

"Who from Qinghe County?" Wen Ningxuan followed her pointed finger.

By the time Lin He looked back, Zeng Weiliang was gone. Lin He scanned the inn's interior but saw no sign of him. She stared intently for a moment longer but still couldn't spot him. Lin He felt puzzled. Had she been wrong? But surely she couldn't have misidentified him. Shaking her head slightly, she dismissed the thought.

Wen Ningxuan observed Lin He’s expression and smiled. "He'er, who did you see? Did you mistake someone?"

"It’s nothing. I'll tell you when we get back." Lin He immediately tugged on Wen Ningxuan's hand and hurried toward the Wen manor. Seeing Zeng Weiliang reminded Lin He that she actually had several things she wanted to ask Wen Ningxuan about—such as whether he had managed to uncover who was responsible for the arrow wound he sustained in Qinghe County, and some matters concerning Yin Ruoxuan.

Wen Ningxuan smiled, pleased that Lin He was proactively holding his hand outside for once, and didn't press her further, simply walking alongside her toward home.

Behind them, Ziyu watched the way the young mistress was pulling the young master and found the posture rather odd. The young mistress was walking ahead, constantly tugging the young master's hand forward, while the young master followed with a leisurely air. At a quick glance, it looked like an adult leading a small child by the hand—a sight that would surely cause gossip among the Wen household if they saw it.

Ziyu quickly stepped forward and said to Lin He, "Young Mistress, slow down a bit. Watch your step; we're almost home." As she spoke, Ziyu deliberately glanced pointedly at the hand Lin He was holding of Wen Ningxuan’s.

Lin He finally realized the posture was indeed a bit awkward. She immediately tried to let go, intending to walk separately. However, Wen Ningxuan behind her refused to let go. He reversed direction, taking the lead himself and pulling Lin He toward the house.

Ziyu, walking beside Lin He, seemed to let out a silent sigh of relief. Lin He, however, felt a pang of injustice. Wasn't this maid being unfair? When she held Wen Ningxuan's hand, it was wrong, but when he held hers, Ziyu was suddenly overjoyed.

This girl truly had no conscience. She treated Ziyu so well usually, and when Wen Ningxuan punished her, Lin He would risk everything to help her. And yet, this girl knew how to bully the weak and fear the strong, treating Wen Ningxuan as her own, true master.