Lin He knew the girl Ziyu was teasing her again, but she remained composed, replying lightly, “Yes, the Second Young Master doesn’t want to see me overworked. However, someone still has to manage the ointment workshop, otherwise, where will the shop get new products?”

“Originally, you two sisters could manage things between you, but Ziqing often has to accompany me everywhere. I don’t trust anyone else in the courtyard for the workshop duties. Perhaps we should just let Ziyu handle the ointment making entirely by herself. You’ve been with me so long; making simple fragrant balms shouldn’t be a problem for you, right?”

Ziyu was also a sharp girl; she knew Lin He was intentionally teasing her. Unconcerned, she replied, “Very well. Then, if Miss wants to make any ointments in the future, just write down the formula for me. I can manage it all here alone. Big Sister can just focus on looking after the Young Mistress. I can certainly manage by myself.”

After speaking, Ziyu looked at Lin He with a hint of smugness. Lin He nodded and offered her a radiant smile. That smile made Ziyu uneasy; she immediately thought the Young Mistress was about to say something unfavorable. Sure enough, Lin He followed up, saying, “But I think you alone won’t suffice. How about we find someone to assist you? After some thought, I believe Ling Xiao is the most suitable candidate. He is tall and strong enough to handle the heavy lifting in the workshop. Moreover, he belongs to the Second Young Master, so he is certainly trustworthy. Most importantly, he is extremely familiar with you, Ziyu, and would surely be willing to help.” Lin He winked at Ziyu as she finished.

Upon hearing Lin He mention Ling Xiao, Ziyu’s face immediately flushed with several streaks of crimson. Stamping her foot, she protested, “Young Mistress, what are you saying? How am I familiar with that block of wood? I am not familiar with him at all; I don’t even know him.”

“If you don’t know him, how did you know he was a block of wood? I didn’t even know that,” Lin He suppressed a laugh.

“Exactly, I didn’t know either. Perhaps even the Young Master doesn’t know. Only you, Ziyu, seem to know. It appears Ziyu’s relationship with Ling Xiao is quite extraordinary,” Ziqing chimed in, supporting Lin He’s words.

“Young Mistress, Big Sister, you must stop mentioning Ling Xiao in front of me! If you keep saying it, I—I will…”

“You’ll do what? You won't say you’ll scold us, will you? Why don't you just marry Ling Xiao, then we won't have anything to say anymore?” Lin He smoothly finished Ziyu’s unfinished sentence.

As soon as Lin He finished, she and Ziqing burst into hearty laughter. Ziyu, meanwhile, had turned bright red all the way to the roots of her neck, glaring at Lin He and Ziqing, utterly speechless.

After laughing for a while, Ziqing composed herself and said seriously, “Enough, enough. We won't tease Ziyu anymore. Let’s talk about something else, or this girl will find a hole to hide in soon.”

Ziyu nodded vigorously at the side, “Mhm, talk about something else.”

Lin He also nodded, pausing for a moment. Then, she suddenly spoke again, “Fine, we won’t talk about Ziyu. Let’s talk about Ling Xiao instead. It looks like Shun Zhu will be a while returning with the supplies, and we have nothing else to do anyway.” The moment Lin He finished speaking, Ziqing couldn’t help but let out a choked laugh.

Lin He joined in the laughter. Ziyu, having heard Ziqing’s reaction, thought they were finally changing the subject. Her face had just stopped burning; now, hearing Lin He, it flushed again, and she looked at Lin He with an expression of profound grievance.

Lin He pointed at Ziyu and Ziqing, “Look at Ziyu! She claims she has nothing to do with Ling Xiao. I merely said I wanted to talk about Ling Xiao; I didn’t say anything bad about him, yet she stares at me as if I’ve done something to her Ling Xiao.”

“Indeed, Miss. I think we should start preparing her dowry now. It seems Ziyu won’t be staying with us much longer. Truly, a grown daughter cannot be kept at home,” Ziqing also deliberately shook her head teasingly.

“Yes, since we have free time recently, let’s take a day to go look at dowry items in the market. This girl Ziyu has been with me for so many years; I certainly can’t let her be shortchanged. Moreover, Ling Xiao serves the Second Young Master, so I must prepare something special for him too. It looks like this will cost quite a sum of silver,” Lin He and Ziqing, ignoring how red Ziyu’s face had become, went on excitedly, trading playful remarks.

The two women were immensely bored and teased Ziyu mercilessly. As they went on, their teasing became more outrageous, eventually leading them to discuss Ziyu getting married and having children. Lin He chuckled, “Ah, Ziqing, perhaps by this time next year, you’ll have a little one calling you Auntie. You’d better prepare a gift…”

Just as they were speaking, a voice full of suppressed amusement drifted in from outside, “Prepare what gift? Who is Ziqing going to be an aunt to?”

Lin He and the others looked up to see Wen Ning Xuan entering with Ling Xiao. This sight made Lin He and Ziqing laugh even harder. Ziyu, completely mortified, couldn't bear to stay a moment longer. She quickly bowed to Wen Ning Xuan and fled. Ziqing, seeing Wen Ning Xuan arrive, also stopped laughing, bowed, and excused herself.

Lin He glanced at Ling Xiao. As a martial artist, his hearing must be far sharper than ordinary people’s, so he must have overheard their jokes. Lin He noticed that even Ling Xiao’s perpetually impassive face had developed a hint of a blush, and his gaze kept flicking toward the direction Ziyu had run off to.

Lin He smiled inwardly; it seemed the day Ziyu would marry was indeed approaching fast. Yet, she maintained a serious expression as she addressed Ling Xiao, “Ling Xiao, go outside and call Ziyu back for me. I was just waiting for her help. Why are you being so shy? A woman marrying is only natural, isn’t it? You must take good care of Ziyu in the future, do you understand?”

Hearing Lin He’s words, Ling Xiao could no longer hold back completely. He swiftly raised his head to glance at Lin He, then immediately lowered it, replying, “As the Young Mistress commands.” With that, he walked out as quickly as if someone were chasing him from behind.

Once Ling Xiao had gone, Wen Ning Xuan pulled Lin He close to his side and asked with a smile, “Didn’t my wife say she was unwilling to pair Ziyu off with Ling Xiao? Why are you teasing them today?”

“What use is my unwillingness? If Ziyu is willing, that’s what matters. Though I am Ziyu’s mistress, when it comes to matters of marriage, I always defer to her own wishes,” Lin He pouted slightly.

“I never realized my wife could be so understanding and reasonable,” Wen Ning Xuan said, reaching up to pinch Lin He’s soft, tender cheek.

Lin He shot him a look, saying with a playful pout, “What are you talking about? When have I ever not been understanding and reasonable?”

“When have you ever been understanding and reasonable?” Wen Ning Xuan asked, feigning great curiosity.

“Huh?” The person in question opened her eyes wide and stared at him.

“My mistake. My wife is always understanding and reasonable; that is an undeniable fact. If anyone dares to question it, I certainly won't let them off lightly,” Wen Ning Xuan spoke with conviction as he saw her expression about to turn fierce.

“Mmm, that’s better.” Seeing the rascally Wen Ning Xuan trying to appease her, Lin He laughed with genuine happiness.