Xiangyun immediately went to the dining hall and prepared the meal before calling Wen Ningxuan to eat. Wen Ningxuan had initially remained seated in the courtyard, unmoving. Only when he seemed to hear footsteps approaching from that area did he finally get up and go to the dining hall, resulting in the exact scene Lin He witnessed.

Lin He, of course, knew nothing of this. All she knew was that the moment she was gone, that scoundrel Wen Ningxuan didn't even wait for her return to eat, and he even had those maids serving him—it infuriated her.

Lin He walked upstairs with Ziyu. Midway, they encountered Ziqing. Seeing the anger etched on Lin He’s face, Ziqing looked quizzically toward Ziyu behind her. Ziyu bit her lip, then gave Ziqing a look of helplessness.

Although Ziqing didn't grasp the full situation, she recognized the atmosphere was amiss. She didn't press for answers then, but followed them up to the main building. Upon reaching the room, Lin He collapsed onto the sofa, then viciously pounded a throw pillow a few times. Finding that insufficient, she hurled the pillow across the room before stretching out on the sofa.

Ziyu watched Lin He’s rapid actions with deep resignation, hesitating to retrieve the pillow. After a long while, seeing Lin He close her eyes on the sofa, she quietly approached, intending to gather them up.

But just as Ziyu bent down, Lin He opened her eyes and glared at her. “Ziyu, don't you dare pick those up! If you touch them, I’ll throw the whole lot downstairs.”

Ziyu froze, looking at Lin He with a hint of grievance. A moment later, she moved close to Lin He and said softly, “Young Mistress, no matter how upset you are, please don't take it out on these pillows. You and Young Master always love holding these when you sit here. If they get dirty on the floor, they’ll need to be taken down and washed all over again tomorrow.”

It was better for Ziyu not to mention Wen Ningxuan. The moment he was brought up, Lin He seemed to bristle like a cat whose fur had been ruffled. She snapped, “Don’t mention the Second Young Master to me again. His affairs have nothing to do with me. Furthermore, this building is henceforth forbidden to him. If I catch him setting foot in here, Ziyu, I hold only you accountable.”

Ziyu inwardly rolled her eyes. The Young Mistress was being utterly unreasonable. She was merely a maid; the Young Master was the master. Where he chose to go was hardly within her jurisdiction to control. If the Young Master insisted on entering, Ziyu suspected she wouldn't even get a word out before the Young Master had punished her severely. However, Ziyu dared not voice these thoughts even under torture, so she braced herself and agreed.

Only then did Lin He nod in satisfaction, continuing to recline on the sofa. For a long time, Lin He remained silent. Seeing that Lin He’s expression had softened slightly, Ziyu cautiously approached and spoke, “Young Mistress, it’s getting late. Why don’t I go down and bring you some food? You hardly ate anything this morning. If you skip lunch too, your stomach will likely start aching later.”

“Hmm, I don't want to eat now. You two go down first. I’ll rest here on the sofa for a while, and you can prepare it later,” Lin He replied with closed eyes.

Ziyu started to urge her further, but Ziqing held her back. They both acknowledged the instruction. Ziqing watched Lin He lying on the sofa, then retrieved a light blanket from the cabinet and covered her before they departed downstairs.

Downstairs, Ziqing asked, “What exactly happened? The Young Mistress seemed perfectly fine when we first returned. How did she get this furious? Who provoked her?”

“Sigh, who else could make the Young Mistress this angry? You know she isn’t someone who enjoys being upset. Her tantrum today was entirely caused by the Young Master. That Young Master, honestly! You’d think that after our Young Mistress rushed back to cook for him, he would have the decency to let Xiangyun and those little wretches serve him. Didn’t you see the look on that little slut Xiangyun’s face just now? It makes me furious!” Ziyu complained heatedly.

“All over that? It’s hardly a crime for Xiangyun and the others to serve the Young Master when we aren’t home. Shunzhu wasn't here today either. Do you mean we aren’t allowed to let the Young Master eat just because we are away?” Ziqing asked with some uncertainty.

“Big Sister, you didn’t see the scene when the Young Master was eating. Even though nothing overtly happened, it was just uncomfortable to watch. You know how good the relationship between the Young Mistress and the Young Master usually is. Alas, I don’t know how to explain it, but I firmly believe the Young Master was at fault today. I will never defend him again; this time, I stand resolutely with the Young Mistress,” Ziyu exclaimed loudly.

Ziqing looked at the angry Ziyu and tapped her head. “I think you’ve been spoiled rotten by the Young Mistress. Now you dare blame the Young Master? Be careful he doesn't find out and punish you. Let me tell you, you should stay out of the affairs between the Young Master and Young Mistress. They are just having a minor tiff; it will blow over soon. You don't need to sit here judging who is right and who is wrong.”

Ziyu rubbed her head, slightly displeased. “Big Sister, why did you hit me? Even if the Young Master punishes me severely this time, I will say the same thing. I am the Young Mistress’s maid; of course, I must side with her. What is wrong with that?”

Ziqing glanced at Ziyu. This girl appeared easygoing most of the time, but once she dug in her heels, not even nine oxen could pull her back. It seemed the Young Master must have been wrong this time, otherwise, this girl wouldn’t be so insistent. Still, the Young Master and Young Mistress were merely playing games, and Ziqing was too smart to involve herself by speaking too much.

Thinking this, Ziqing called out to Ziyu, “Fine, fine, you are the Young Mistress’s most loyal maid, alright? But besides loyalty, the most important thing for a maid is to take good care of the Young Mistress. The Young Mistress hasn’t eaten yet. Are you going to follow me to prepare food?” With that, Ziqing shook her head and headed toward the kitchen.

Ziyu pouted, ready to follow Ziqing, but just as she moved, her arm was suddenly yanked backward. She looked back to see Ling Xiao, that blockhead, staring at her with clear displeasure. “Little girl, don't you go instigating the Young Mistress to quarrel with the Young Master anymore, alright? Or you’ll have hell to pay later.”

Ziyu was already in a foul mood today, harboring considerable resentment toward Wen Ningxuan for upsetting Lin He. However, she didn't dare confront Wen Ningxuan directly, and she had been searching for an opportunity to avenge the Young Mistress.

Now, Ling Xiao had delivered himself right to her. Ziyu certainly wasn't going to be polite. She widened her eyes and glared at Ling Xiao. “Blockhead, who are you calling an instigator? Do you think an argument between the Young Mistress and the Young Master is something I could incite? If you don’t know what happened, don't spout nonsense here! Go ask the Young Master if you want to know the details!”

“You weren't instigating? What you just said—that the Young Master was wrong—is that something a mere little maid like you gets to judge? Besides, can’t you see how good the Young Master is to the Young Mistress? Do you know what the Young Master did at the shop this morning…” Ling Xiao continued, briefly detailing the Young Master’s rush to complete the work at the workshop that morning.