Lin He could only nod helplessly, resigning herself to letting Ziqing call the accountant to move all those ledgers into her courtyard.

As she emerged from the accounting room, Lin He realized it was getting late—nearly lunchtime. She remembered Ziyu mentioning this morning that Wen Ningxuan would be back for the midday meal, so he should have returned by now. She had been so caught up in her messy tasks all morning that she hadn't noticed the time.

Has that fellow returned or not? Thinking this, Lin He quickened her pace. Ziyu, following behind, quickly said, "Young Mistress, there’s no need to worry so much. It’s only just this hour; the Young Master might not even be back yet."

Lin He nodded but continued to walk quickly. Upon reaching her courtyard, she didn't pause for anything else. She merely instructed Ziqing to have people put the ledgers away while she and Ziyu headed toward the kitchen to quickly prepare a meal for Wen Ningxuan's return.

Unexpectedly, as Lin He walked toward the kitchen, passing the dining hall, she spotted her two young maids, Qingzhu and Qingyun, standing outside from a distance. Inside the dining hall, Wen Ningxuan was already seated, eating, with Xiangyun and Xiangyu attending to him. Standing side-by-side near the table were also Xiangling and Xiangrong. These four maids were all young and beautiful, and standing like this, they formed a semicircle surrounding Wen Ningxuan. If nothing else, the scene itself was quite a pleasing sight.

Hmph, Lin He scoffed inwardly. That scoundrel Wen Ningxuan certainly knew how to enjoy himself, needing so many beauties to accompany him for a meal. Why not have those four lovely maids feed him? To think she rushed back in a frenzy, intending to cook for him, only to find he was already dining.

With this thought, Lin He’s entire body filled with mounting anger; it felt as if flames were about to shoot from her eyes. However, Lin He was generally capable of controlling her emotions. She merely cast a cold glance at the dining hall a few times before turning and walking toward the main building.

Ziyu, behind her, had initially intended to speak upon seeing Wen Ningxuan return. But observing the scene in the dining hall and the fury on Lin He’s face, she swallowed the words forming on her lips. After Lin He walked away, Ziyu also glanced back at the dining hall with a trace of resentment before following Lin He toward the main building.

What Lin He didn't expect was that the moment she turned toward the main building, Wen Ningxuan, who had been eating while attended by the maids, glanced outward a few times. His expression then turned cold, and he dismissed all the maids.

In reality, that scene just now was staged by Wen Ningxuan specifically for Lin He to see. Ever since Shunzhu delivered the morning meal—saying the Young Mistress had sent it—Wen Ningxuan’s heart had already softened. He even felt somewhat foolish for being so petty and quarreling with his young wife over such a small thing.

While at the shop, he kept thinking about what Ziyu had mentioned that morning about the young woman having a headache. He rushed through the day’s planned work, completing an entire morning’s worth in just a few hours, intending to spend the afternoon at home accompanying his little wife.

Assuming his young wife’s anger would have subsided, as he had greeted Ziyu that morning, Wen Ningxuan returned punctually at noon. He expected that, as usual, she would have the meal ready by this time. But upon entering the courtyard, Xiangyun immediately came to report, "Young Master, the Young Mistress went out on an errand. She said for us to attend to your meal."

Seeing it was Xiangyun, Wen Ningxuan pursed his lips in displeasure and asked, "What did the Young Mistress go out to do?"

"This servant does not know, only that the Young Mistress has gone out. The cook in the kitchen mentioned the Young Mistress seemed to be going to the street with Sister Ziqing and Sister Ziyu to purchase some things. I am unsure if she has gone to the street," Xiangyun replied very respectfully.

In truth, Xiangyun’s words held both truth and falsehood. Lin He had indeed mentioned to the two older women in the kitchen her intention to go out, instructing them that if she wasn't back on time, they should have someone prepare a meal for the Young Master and let the courtyard maids serve him.

At that time, Lin He hadn't specifically designated who should serve him. The two older women usually handled rough work in the kitchen and naturally wouldn't come out to serve. Since Ziqing and Ziyu were also out, it was not improper for Xiangyun and the others to step in.

However, Xiangyun knew that Lin He had later gone to the First Madam's residence instead of the street. But because Lin He had only instructed Shunzhu and not them specifically, and Shunzhu was currently occupied elsewhere in the compound, Xiangyun and the others naturally pretended to know nothing.

As lunchtime approached and Lin He still hadn't returned, and the young men like Shunzhu were nowhere to be found, Xiangyun seized the opportunity. Furthermore, Madam Wen had originally assigned them with the intention of having them become Young Master Er’s concubine maids. But ever since the Young Mistress arrived, forget becoming concubines—they had barely even managed to get close to the Young Master, often relegated to doing rough chores. How could Xiangyun and the others accept this?

Having finally found a chance to serve the Young Master, and sensing that something was amiss between the Young Master and Young Mistress today—perhaps even sleeping in separate rooms last night due to an argument—Xiangyun and the others were eager to press their advantage. Therefore, what they told Wen Ningxuan was intentionally meant to incite misunderstanding regarding Lin He.

As expected, upon hearing Xiangyun’s words, Wen Ningxuan raised an eyebrow slightly, displeased. The little woman went to the street? If she went to the street, why didn't she send the breakfast herself, needing Shunzhu to deliver it? Didn't Ziyu say she felt unwell? Why did she go out? Is that little woman still angry, deliberately claiming a headache this morning just to avoid seeing me?

And now she deliberately has Xiangyun and these others serve me? What is this woman trying to do? Although Xiangyun and the other maids belonged to his courtyard, because they knew Madam Wen's purpose in sending them, they rarely handled matters in the front courtyard, let alone attended to Wen Ningxuan personally. Yet today, with the young woman absent, she intentionally lets these specific maids serve him. Is this how she intends to sulk with him?

Wen Ningxuan thought, a spark of anger igniting in his chest. Just as he was about to turn toward the study, Xiangyun intentionally asked beside him, "Young Master, shall this servant serve you your meal now, or wait for the Young Mistress to return and eat together? The Young Mistress should be back soon."

Thinking of that infuriating little woman, Wen Ningxuan secretly gritted his teeth. You want to have other women serve me, do you? Very well, I shall indulge your wish, he thought. "No need to wait for the Young Mistress. I will go to the dining hall to eat now, with you all serving me."

As soon as Wen Ningxuan finished speaking, a smile spread across Xiangyun’s face. The Young Mistress had always forbidden them from serving the Young Master. Today, with the Young Mistress absent, the Young Master allowed her to serve—it seemed the Young Master wasn't entirely without feelings for them; it was just that the Young Mistress was too domineering.