The moment Zi Yu finished speaking, Zi Qing, standing beside her, chimed in, "Yes, when we came out and saw it, fires had broken out all around the buildings."

Lin He nodded, her gaze fixed on the structure. Beyond the few pieces of blue brick that the flames couldn't consume, everything else seemed utterly incinerated. She suspected little of value remained inside. Even the small flower garden in front of the building was a chaotic mess, trampled beyond recognition by the sheer number of people fighting the blaze.

Thinking back to the day she first arrived, when Wen Ningxuan had shown her this very building and the little garden, a sharp pain struck Lin He’s heart. Though she hadn't witnessed the actual construction, she knew from the servants downstairs and the women in the household that he had poured considerable effort into creating these things, all solely to bring her happiness. The man was always like this: his words were seldom sweet, yet his actions frequently moved her to the point of utter collapse. And now, all that painstaking care had been reduced to ash.

Seeing the deep regret surfacing in Lin He’s eyes, Zi Yu and Zi Qing exchanged a look behind her. Zi Yu spoke up in a comforting tone, “Young Mistress, I know how reluctant you are to part with it. The Young Master must have spent a great deal of time building this. But thankfully, it’s only the house that burned, and you and the Young Master are safe—that is fortunate. Besides, it’s burned now, and there’s nothing to be done about it. Once everything is cleaned up, if you still like it, we can simply build it again.”

Zi Yu’s words only deepened the sorrow already weighing on Lin He’s heart. Picturing Wen Ningxuan as he must have looked while building the structure, her eyes grew slightly red, and tears welled up at the corners.

Zi Yu and Zi Qing watched Lin He’s distress, feeling entirely at a loss. They wanted to offer more comfort, but they feared that the more they said, the more upset the Young Mistress would become. So, they simply stood beside Lin He in helpless silence.

Just as Lin He was lost in her sadness, she was gently drawn into an embrace. A soft voice murmured behind her, “Silly girl, is such a small thing worth crying over? It’s just a house that burned down. Once we clear things out, we can rebuild it. And then, you can have it built exactly how you want it—won't that be even better?” Wen Ningxuan said this while guiding her toward the main living quarters.

Once inside the main house, Lin He’s turbulent emotions began to settle, though a deep sadness lingered. Because she had just been crying, her voice carried a heavy nasal tone. “But that can’t be the same. This house held your sentiment. If we build it again, the meaning will be entirely different.”

Wen Ningxuan brushed his thumb lightly across her cheek and chuckled softly. “Heh, silly girl, my sentiment exists only to make you happy. If you are unhappy, then all my efforts are wasted. Knowing how much you loved that house is the greatest meaning of all. Don't be sad anymore. The fire at the building hasn't been extinguished yet; it’s dangerous standing over there. You stay here. I’ll have Zi Qing and Zi Yu remain here to keep you company, alright?”

“What about you?” Lin He asked, looking up.

“I’m going to see exactly what caused this. Fires shouldn't start in the courtyard for no reason.”

“Mm, then be careful. Wait until the fire is completely out before you tell me if anything is wrong,” Lin He instructed quietly.

Wen Ningxuan nodded lightly and walked out.

Zi Yu and Zi Qing came in from outside. Lin He asked them, “Is the fire still bad outside? Will it be dangerous for the Young Master to go out?”

Hearing this, Zi Qing smiled and replied, “Young Mistress, nothing will happen to him. The Young Master knows how to take care of himself; you don’t need to worry. Why don’t you try to go back to sleep? It’s only the third watch; you haven't slept for many hours. You didn’t sleep well last night either. If you don’t rest properly tonight, your body won't hold up tomorrow.”

“I went to bed early yesterday, so I’ve had enough rest. Besides, it’s so noisy in the courtyard, I couldn't sleep anyway. Just sit here and keep me company,” Lin He shook her head, declining the offer.

Zi Qing and Zi Yu found small stools by the table and sat down. Zi Qing even picked up the embroidery Lin He had been working on a few days prior and began sewing by the lamplight.

Zi Yu looked at her and shook her head, smiling. “Sister, you truly are incredible. Such a huge incident has happened in the courtyard, and you still have the mood for embroidery.”

Zi Qing glanced up at her. “Do you think everyone is as flighty as you? If I were like you and couldn't even manage my own affairs, who would the Young Mistress rely on for care?”

Zi Yu immediately bristled, her face showing clear indignation. “Sister, what have I failed to do properly?”

Zi Qing glanced at her but said nothing, returning to her needlework. Lin He offered a soft answer, laughing gently, “Her lifelong commitment.”

“Young Mistress, what are you saying?” Zi Yu asked, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.

“What do you mean, what am I saying? The Young Mistress is absolutely right; that’s precisely what I mean. Girl, stop blushing at every little thing. You’re not that young anymore; talking about these matters is normal. You and Ling Xiao have been together for so long, why is there still no movement? What exactly are you two planning? If neither of you has the intention, let the Young Mistress find someone new for you. The Young Master has plenty of men; there's no shortage of people,” Zi Qing pressed on, picking up where Lin He had left off.

“Sister, Young Mistress, please stop teasing me like this. When did I ever say I wanted to find someone new?” Zi Yu exclaimed, then seemed to realize what she had just admitted, her face instantly flushing crimson.

Zi Qing and Lin He exchanged a smile; they knew the girl secretly cared for Ling Xiao, but she was too stubborn to admit it, having been so easily coaxed into revealing it by just a few words from Zi Qing.

This time, Lin He did not laugh at Zi Yu, but spoke gently instead. “Zi Yu, your sister is right. If you have feelings for Ling Xiao, you should treat him better from now on. Don’t be like a firecracker that explodes at the slightest touch when you see him. Otherwise, before he even marries you, he might grow tired of you. Think about what you’ll do then.”

Upon hearing this, Zi Yu pouted slightly, clearly dissatisfied. She murmured, “Young Mistress, I am your maid. Why are you always siding with outsiders?”

“Alright, alright, I won’t side with outsiders. I’ll support you, okay? Stop being so awkward around me and your sister. Just tell us plainly what you want. Tell me directly what you need me to do. If I can’t manage it, the Young Master is here too. For other things, I can’t guarantee anything, but on this matter, my word is final,” Lin He declared, waving her hand dismissively.

“Young Mistress, you are being too modest. It’s not just this matter; whatever happens in this courtyard, your word is law,” Zi Yu replied, mimicking Lin He’s usual tone with a laugh.

“Oh? Am I really that formidable?” Lin He laughed as well, hearing Zi Yu imitate her speech pattern.

“Of course! Young Mistress, I always thought the Young Master was the most formidable person in the world, but now I realize you are the most powerful, at least within this courtyard. Although the Young Master’s word is absolute outside, once he returns inside, he listens entirely to the Young Mistress. Young Mistress, I admire you so much! You can even keep someone like the Young Master perfectly compliant. I don’t think there’s anything in this world you cannot accomplish,” Zi Yu said in her excitement, momentarily losing track of what should and should not be said.