Lin He shot a sidelong glance at Ziyu, a half-smile playing on her lips, and let out a soft hum without a word.

Seeing Lin He's smile, Ziyu felt a familiar dread creep up her spine, reminiscent of the days she was punished by the Second Young Master to practice martial arts. She quickly hastened to explain, "Truly, Young Madam, Ziyu wouldn't dare deceive you. Just now, when the Young Master heard you weren't feeling well, he was terribly anxious. He was just about to come see you, but someone from the Master’s side called him away. I saw it with my own eyes."

Lin He looked at Ziyu's earnest expression and decided not to press the issue. She smiled faintly and inquired, "If the Young Master left so early, surely he didn't even have time for breakfast?"

"Ah, precisely so, Young Madam. Just as this servant was preparing to serve the Young Master his breakfast, someone arrived to summon him. He truly didn't eat." Ziyu replied.

Hearing this, Lin He frowned slightly. Wen Ningxuan had always suffered from a poor stomach due to frequently eating at irregular hours in the past. Ever since Lin He came to the Wen household, she had insisted he eat on time for every meal and even prepared many stomach-nourishing ingredients to regulate his health. Things had been much better recently, and she rarely heard him complain about stomach discomfort. For him to leave for the estate without breakfast like this—a morning isn't short, nor is it excessively long. If he gets busy and has to rush around, his stomach might act up again.

Ziyu noticed Lin He's worried expression, realizing the Young Madam cared for the Young Master. She quickly suggested, "Young Madam, breakfast is all prepared. Why don't you eat first? After you finish, we can send some to the Young Master's estate. Besides, didn't you say yesterday you wanted to go out to the market to buy some things? Since you don't need to pay respects to the Old Madam this morning, it’s a perfect opportunity to go together."

Ziyu figured that if the Young Madam would take breakfast to the Young Master, given how much he doted on her, whatever anger he held would surely dissipate. In this compound, with only two masters, their cold war only made things difficult for the servants. Moreover, Ziyu genuinely felt the Young Madam was in the wrong this time; it wouldn't hurt for her to make the first move toward reconciliation.

Lin He considered it. This girl Ziyu's idea wasn't bad. At worst, after delivering the breakfast to the estate, she could simply avoid going upstairs and have Ziyu deliver it for her. This would afford her a graceful way out. With that thought, Lin He nodded, telling Ziyu to prepare some things so they could go for a walk after breakfast. Ziyu immediately agreed with a smile and hurried off to the kitchen to make preparations.

However, fate intervened quite aptly. Just as Lin He finished breakfast and was about to head out with Ziqing and Ziyu, someone arrived to report that someone from Madam Wen's side was requesting her presence regarding some household accounts. The messenger also noted that Concubine Luo was already there, waiting for Lin He.

There was nothing for it. She had agreed on the surface yesterday, so she had to go listen to what they had to say. It seemed delivering breakfast was now impossible. She called for Shunzhu and instructed him to send someone with the meal, adding that if she couldn't return by noon, the maids should serve the Young Master first.

With her instructions clear, Lin He didn't delay any further and hurried off with Ziqing and Ziyu toward Madam Wen's quarters.

Upon arriving at Madam Wen's room, indeed, Madam Wen was waiting. Concubine Luo stood beside her, seemingly having waited a long time, craning her neck to look outside. Seeing Lin He arrive, Concubine Luo quickly stood up and said with a smile, "He'er, why did you take so long? Madam and I have been waiting for nearly half an hour."

After performing the necessary courtesies, Lin He replied, "I apologize to Mother and Concubine Luo for making you wait. It is my fault; please do not take offense."

Concubine Luo bustled over with a warm smile, patting Lin He’s hand affectionately. "He'er is too polite. It’s not an urgent matter, but I was thinking that since Madam is about to start arranging Ningxuan's wedding, she might not have time for these matters later. So I thought we should clarify these accounts sooner. After all, Madam has managed the books for so many years; we have much to learn from her. I was perhaps too eager; it's not He'er's fault."

Whether it was genuine joy at finally having a role in managing the household or a deliberate attempt to appear close to Lin He in front of Madam Wen, Concubine Luo’s overt warmth today made Lin He uneasy. She worried Madam Wen might find the display distasteful, so Lin He avoided responding directly to Concubine Luo, offering only a slight smile before taking a seat in a nearby chair.

Regardless of Lin He's internal concerns, in Madam Wen's eyes, the two appeared indeed quite cordial, suggesting they had formed an alliance to oppose her.

Madam Wen was not wearing her usual detached expression today; her face was somewhat stern. Hearing Concubine Luo’s words, she stated coldly, "Concubine Luo, Young Madam Xuan, if I recall correctly, the Master asked you to assist me in managing the household, not to hand the entire estate over to you. Therefore, I am not required to account for the previous ledgers to you; you only need to concern yourselves with future matters. Furthermore, you know how busy things have been lately. The Master only gave this instruction yesterday, and today you arrive demanding clarity. Isn't that a bit too hasty?"

Lin He already had a slight headache, which worsened upon hearing the exchange between Concubine Luo and Madam Wen. She hadn't cared about this matter at all and was dragged here against her will; she hadn't uttered a single word about the accounts herself. Yet, Madam Wen’s every sentence seemed to include her, which felt decidedly unfair.

Still, it was inconvenient to clarify things. Although she hadn't brought it up proactively, she had accepted the duty. Clarifying the household accounts was something that needed to be done eventually. Moreover, now that she was present, forcefully emphasizing her lack of interest would likely convince no one.

Added to that, this was Madam Wen—Lin He couldn't be bothered to explain herself. It wasn't a new development that Madam Wen disliked her, and Lin He certainly harbored no illusions about mending their relationship. A deeper rift held no consequence for her, so Lin He remained silent, offering no explanations, nor did she prompt them to hurry with the accounting, choosing instead to remain seated.

Since Lin He offered no response, Concubine Luo was not about to let the matter rest today. Having been suppressed by Madam Wen for so many years, she finally had a rare opportunity to gain the upper hand. Concubine Luo had been itching to settle accounts since Master Wen announced the arrangement yesterday, and holding out until this morning had already required considerable patience. Furthermore, the stated purpose of reviewing the accounts wasn't purely administrative; Concubine Luo felt it was time to breathe easier after years of frustration. Although the Master hadn't yet upgraded her title, possessing authority now suggested that a change in status couldn't be far off.