Thinking of Lin He, Zi Yu shot her a glare. Zi Yu quickly plastered on a smile, thinking to herself, Young Mistress, I’m only looking out for you. It’s fine outside, but once we enter the Wen estate, you must adhere to the rule of 'men are superior and women inferior.' That posture you had really wasn't appropriate.

However, as Lin He walked into the courtyard of the Wen family residence, she began to feel grateful for Zi Yu. As they passed the pavilion in the center of the yard, they happened to run into the Old Madam, who was taking a stroll accompanied by her maids.

Wen Ningxuan took Lin He’s hand and led her over to pay their respects. The Old Madam frowned slightly upon seeing how late they were returning from outside. When she noticed Wen Ningxuan hadn’t let go of Lin He’s hand, she spoke with a trace of displeasure: “Xuan’er, walk properly. What kind of improper spectacle is this pulling and tugging in public?”

Wen Ningxuan paid no mind to what the Old Madam said, keeping a firm grip on Lin He’s hand, and stated simply, “If Grandmother has no other instructions, we will be returning to our courtyard.”

Lin He blushed deeply at the Old Madam’s reprimand. She immediately pulled her hand from Wen Ningxuan’s, curtsied to the Old Madam, and obediently followed behind Wen Ningxuan toward their own quarters.

Once they were out of the Old Madam’s sight, Lin He gave Zi Yu an appreciative look, thinking that this maid, Zi Yu, was truly sharp. Otherwise, if she had been the one holding Wen Ningxuan’s hand upon their return, she couldn’t imagine what the Old Madam would have said—perhaps she would have been scolded again during the morning greetings tomorrow.

Zi Yu puffed out her cheeks behind them, thinking, Who was it just now glaring at me?

Upon reaching their courtyard, Lin He and Wen Ningxuan went straight into the room. Lin He headed behind the screen to change her clothes. Just as she was about to speak, Wen Ningxuan, as if sensing what she intended to ask, preempted her: “Whatever it is, let’s discuss it after we’ve eaten. Otherwise, I won’t answer a word.”

Lin He gave him a coquettish glance and pouted. Seeing her expression, Wen Ningxuan pecked her on the lips and said, “You’ve been busy all afternoon. Let’s eat first. After dinner, I promise not to hide anything you ask.” With that, he took Lin He’s hand and led her toward the dining hall.

Lin He had no choice but to follow him to eat. During the meal, Lin He remained somewhat distracted. That was just her nature; if a matter remained unresolved in her mind, whether she was sleeping, eating, or doing anything else, she simply could not concentrate.

Wen Ningxuan watched Lin He’s distracted demeanor from across the table and shook his head helplessly. He reached over, picked up some vegetables, and placed them in her bowl, saying softly, “Eat properly. I’m handling everything else. Don’t worry your mind about so much, hmm?”

Lin He considered this. She basically never left their residence these days, so even if there were things to worry about, she couldn’t manage them anyway. Indeed, it was this fellow Wen Ningxuan who was carrying the burden of everything right now.

Finally, the meal concluded. Lin He asked Zi Qing and Zi Yu to prepare a pot of tea and take it to the main room. When Lin He entered, Wen Ningxuan was by the table, engrossed in a book. Seeing Lin He enter, he set the book down and smiled, “He’er, what did you want to ask? You can ask now.”

“Do you know who I ran into in town today?” Lin He asked immediately.

“Mmm. I do,” Wen Ningxuan nodded.

Lin He blinked in surprise. She had only asked casually, assuming Wen Ningxuan couldn't possibly know. She certainly hadn't expected such a response from him.

“Oh? Then tell me who you think I saw?” Lin He countered.

“First, I saw your eldest sister-in-law. Then, I saw Zeng Weiliang from Qinghe County. When you saw your sister-in-law, you were first curious about the young maid with her and her mother, and wondering why she hadn't returned home even though she was in town. Seeing Zeng Weiliang, you were surprised by his presence here, curious about what happened in Qinghe County, and most worried that your family members might encounter him, especially afraid that your grandparents and the others would find out he wasn't dead,” Wen Ningxuan analyzed methodically.

Lin He was utterly astonished. When she had seen those two, although he was standing right beside her, his expression hadn't betrayed any reaction, and it seemed he hadn't seen them either. How could he know everything now?

Wen Ningxuan saw Lin He staring at him with wide, disbelieving eyes and chuckled softly. He pulled her onto the small couch beside him and said, “When I’m with you, naturally I see what you see. What’s so surprising about that?”

“You saw them in town and deliberately questioned me?”

“Hehe. If I didn’t ask, how could I see that silly expression of yours?” Wen Ningxuan laughed quietly.

Lin He shot him a playfully resentful look. Seeing the endearing way he looked, Wen Ningxuan drew her close into his embrace and pecked her lips. But the taste on her mouth made him unable to stop. Starting with a light peck, he slowly let the tip of his tongue emerge, tracing the shape of her delicate lips. Lin He remembered she still had questions she needed to ask, and was about to speak, but the tongue tip on her lips took the opportunity to slip past and enter her mouth, coaxing her own small tongue to dance with his.

At this moment, Lin He forgot what she had intended to say. All she knew was that she had completely melted into a puddle of weakness, slumping helplessly in Wen Ningxuan’s arms…

A long time later, Lin He lay exhausted on the **, too weary to move or muster the energy to ask about the day’s events. The other man, however, felt refreshed as he spoke: “He’er, there are a few things you need to pay attention to. You saw the maid your sister-in-law and her mother buying at the broker’s today, right? It doesn't look like a maid for her mother to use. Whatever the situation is, you should try to go back and see in a while, and discuss it with Da Bao if necessary.”

“As for why Zeng Weiliang came here, I’m not entirely clear, but Yin Ruoxuan in Qinghe County is having some issues. I haven’t figured out the exact details, but you don’t need to worry about the shops; I’ll have people keep an eye on them. As for your in-laws, you should find time to speak with them. This matter of your Third Uncle not being dead probably won't stay hidden for much longer. We saw him today; others might see him in the future. I suspect Zeng Weiliang’s return at this time is not without its complications.”

Regarding Zeng Weiliang, Lin He could fathom a bit of it. She planned to have Zi Qing send a message to Da Bao tomorrow to notify the family. As for her grandparents, they would have to see how things developed; only as a last resort would they be told. She had always anticipated this day might come.

What Wen Ningxuan said about Yun Qi made Lin He fall into deep thought. Lin He hadn't considered it in that light before, but now that she thought about it, it was indeed a bit strange. Sister-in-law came to town today but didn't go home. Since she didn't go home, she must have gone back to her maternal home.