Seeing Lin He's apologetic expression, Ziyu smiled and said, "Young Madam, don't worry. Young Master dotes on you so much. If you say some sweet words to him tomorrow and admit your fault, he'll surely forgive you."

"Who said I'm going to admit fault to him? I was wrong, but isn't he wrong too? He left me behind when we returned from the main house and didn't even check on me. Now he's left me staying alone in this building without coming to apologize to me himself. What is he waiting for?" Although Lin He had already felt that she was in the wrong, hearing Ziyu say that made her too proud to back down. She insisted stubbornly to Ziyu, "Why should I apologize to him?"

Ziyu rolled her eyes inwardly. How could the Young Madam say such a thing? If the Young Master didn't care about her coming back from the main house, why would he have returned only slightly before her? Moreover, it was she herself who insisted on staying in this building and explicitly or implicitly prevented anyone from visiting. Now, she was pushing all the blame onto the Young Master—it was truly excessive.

Ziyu felt that the Young Madam was usually extremely reasonable and very calm, treating everyone with understanding. However, in front of the Young Master, she became an entirely different person. Despite the Young Master's imposing authority outside, he was completely helpless against the Young Madam once he was home. Because she understood this dynamic, Ziyu always insisted on siding with the Young Madam, no matter what she did wrong. After all, within the household, the Young Madam seemed to hold a slightly higher status than the Young Master, but then again, no one else could be blamed; the Young Master had spoiled the Young Madam rotten all by himself.

Ziqing, standing nearby, also looked quite helpless, but she was clever enough to drop the topic immediately. Instead, she spoke up, "Young Madam, it is getting late. You should rest soon, or you won't sleep well, and if you feel unwell tomorrow, Young Master will hold us responsible."

Lin He knew that this girl Ziqing was the most cunning. Although she appeared to be showing concern, she was actually still speaking up for Wen Ningxuan. But realizing what she said was true, Lin He relented, nodded, and lay down on the bed.

Sleeping alone was incredibly uncomfortable. Lin He tossed and turned on the bed for quite some time before finally drifting off into a hazy sleep. Seeing that Lin He was asleep, Ziqing and Ziyu dimmed the oil lamp slightly and retired to the small side room next door to sleep.

While the two were in the room, Ziyu whispered to Ziqing, "Sister, should we still send Xiangyun to serve the Young Master when he wakes tomorrow?"

"No need. Send Shunzhu instead. Otherwise, the Young Master will be even angrier," Ziqing replied decisively.

The next morning, Lin He woke up very early as usual. Despite sleeping late the night before, her biological clock was ingrained; she would wake at a set time regardless. Seeing Lin He awake, Ziyu approached and softly asked, "Young Madam, shall you rise now?"

"Mm. Where is the Young Master? Is he already up so early?" Still groggy from just waking, Lin He hadn't quite grasped the situation. Thinking things were as normal, she reached for the empty space beside her and instinctively asked as soon as Ziyu spoke.

Ziyu was quick-witted and immediately replied, "It is still early, Young Madam. I just saw Ling Xiao in the courtyard; the Young Master likely hasn't left yet. Would the Young Madam like to go over?"

Hearing Ziyu's words, Lin He finally recalled yesterday's argument and almost forgot she had fought with Wen Ningxuan. Since she didn't have to rise early today, Lin He rolled around on the bed a few times before saying, "No, I didn't sleep well last night; my head aches a bit. I'll rest a little longer. You go down first and prepare breakfast for the Young Master so you don't delay his trip to the shop."

Seeing Lin He's demeanor, Ziyu knew the Young Madam would not get up to attend to the Young Master. She sighed softly and walked downstairs.

As Ziyu descended, she spotted Wen Ningxuan near the flowerbed. Ziyu quickly hurried over, performed a curtsy, and said, "Young Master, the Young Madam didn't sleep well last night and said her head aches; she wishes to rest a bit longer. We have prepared breakfast; please come down to eat."

Upon hearing Ziyu's words, Wen Ningxuan's eyebrows furrowed. He knew this little woman wouldn't sleep well by herself here; indeed, she had a headache. Thinking this, Wen Ningxuan forgot his anger and started to move toward the building to check on her. But before he could take a step, he heard the maid Xiangyun rush in to report, "Young Master, Master has sent someone over. He said you must accompany him to the shop today, and they are waiting for you at the main gate now."

Wen Ningxuan nodded, halting his intended trip to the small building. He instructed Ziyu, "You all take good care of the Young Madam here. If her headache worsens, send for the physician. Tell the Young Madam I will be back precisely at noon." With that, Wen Ningxuan walked toward the gate.

Although Lin He was lying in bed, she was not truly asleep. She knew Wen Ningxuan would be hurried in the morning, but a part of her still hoped he would come by. She had even planned that if Wen Ningxuan came this morning, she would reluctantly admit her fault.

Lin He waited for a while, then thought she heard footsteps coming from the staircase area. A spark of joy ignited in her heart, assuming it was Wen Ningxuan. Instinctively, she quickly closed her eyes, pretending to sleep. However, the longer she listened, the less those footsteps sounded like Wen Ningxuan's. Lin He slowly opened her eyes and saw Ziyu walking in carrying water. A wave of disappointment washed over her.

Ziyu certainly did not miss the disappointment in Lin He's eyes and secretly smiled to herself—this Young Madam clearly longed for the Young Master to come, yet she insisted on being stubborn. Nevertheless, Ziyu pretended not to notice and walked to the bedside, saying, "Young Madam, it is time to freshen up. Should breakfast be brought here, or will you go to the dining hall to eat?"

"I'll go to the dining hall," Lin He replied. She then considered that at this time, Wen Ningxuan should still be having breakfast, so going down now might allow her to see him.

Ziyu had discerned Lin He's plan. Watching Lin He get up, she deliberately said while helping her arrange her clothes, "Oh, right, Young Madam, the Young Master just instructed before leaving that if you feel unwell, we should call the physician. Is your headache any better?"

"The Young Master has already left?" Lin He asked with some surprise, stopping the movement of putting on her clothes.

"Yes, the Master just sent someone over, saying there was urgent business at the shop, so the Young Master needed to go early today. He just left," Ziyu replied.

"Oh." Knowing Wen Ningxuan was gone, Lin He's mood grew slightly dejected.

Seeing Lin He's reaction, Ziyu smiled and said, "But the Young Master also said he would return punctually at noon to check on you. When he heard you felt unwell, he was terribly worried." Of course, Ziyu added that last sentence herself, secretly sticking out her tongue afterward.

Ziyu's small gesture did not escape Lin He's notice. Lin He tapped her head lightly and said, "Silly girl, don't try to speak up for your Second Young Master by hinting around me. If you offend me, I won't lift a finger to protect you if someone punishes you next time. Go run your errands for your Second Young Master."

Hearing this, Ziyu quickly plastered a smile on her face and said, "I dare not, I dare not! That last sentence, even if the Second Young Master didn't say it aloud, he must have been thinking it in his heart. I am merely stating facts, not trying to favor the Second Young Master, truly!"