Lin He’s words nearly made Wen Ningxuan grind his teeth in frustration. He abruptly pulled her into his embrace, pinching her cheek. “You little sprite, how can you be so unappreciative? I was just worried you wouldn’t be used to living here. Is there any need to give me such a hard time?”

With that, he held Lin He tightly, resting his head heavily against her shoulder as if utterly exhausted. The sense of helplessness and gnawing anxiety he’d been feeling began to slowly radiate from him.

Lin He naturally sensed it. Everything she had said was intended to coax out the unhappy matters weighing on Wen Ningxuan’s heart. Lin He intensely disliked his habit of keeping everything bottled up. In the past, she had allowed it because he was alone, but now that she was with him, she absolutely forbade him from bearing everything by himself. Seeing him like this now, however, she simply held him quietly, waiting for him to speak of his own accord.

After a long silence, Wen Ningxuan lifted his head from Lin He’s shoulder and slowly released her. He gazed at her steadily for a moment before suddenly saying, “He’er, unless there is something critical happening with the Wen family, you are to stay here from now on. Do not go back to the main estate; that place is simply unsuitable for you.”

Lin He noticed he had only used the pronoun 'you' when referring to her returning, and she understood a fraction of his intent. Yet, Lin He just looked at him and shook her head, not agreeing to his proposal.

Lin He took Wen Ningxuan’s hand and led him to sit by the table, speaking softly. “Ningxuan, while I adore this place, and truly dislike the life at the Wen estate, I cannot agree to what you ask, unless it is together. Otherwise, no matter how wonderful it is here, I won’t be happy living alone.”

“No, He’er, listen to me…”

Before Wen Ningxuan could finish, Lin He raised her slender finger to seal his lips. She said, “Ningxuan. We are husband and wife; we are meant to live together for a lifetime. I hope that whatever troubles you, you will tell me. Though I may not be able to help you much, I will always be by your side, accompanying you. Whether your future life is one of poverty or wealth, tranquility or excitement, safety or peril, I will never abandon you.”

After speaking, Lin He looked quietly at Wen Ningxuan. She saw his eyes filled with emotion, and his lips moved slightly, but no sound emerged. Lin He frowned a little, thinking that this fellow kept his counsel quite tightly. Her declaration had nearly brought tears to her own eyes, yet he could still hold firm.

If gentle persuasion failed, she would resort to firmness. Lin He lifted her head again, her expression shifting to one of cool composure. She continued, “Of course, if you feel that I am not trustworthy enough for you, then I shall never again interfere or inquire about your affairs.” With that, Lin He let go of Wen Ningxuan’s hand and took a step toward the door.

Before Lin He could take a second step, her body was enveloped in Wen Ningxuan’s arms from behind. A sly smile flickered across Lin He’s face, but when Wen Ningxuan turned her to face him, her expression immediately reverted to that calm mask.

Wen Ningxuan knew Lin He well. Whenever she adopted this demeanor, it meant she genuinely did not care, allowing her to project such an appearance of nonchalance. Seeing her like this, Wen Ningxuan’s face instantly paled somewhat. He asked, his eyes troubled, “He’er, what do you mean by saying that? Are you planning to leave me?” Even his voice held a slight tremor.

Lin He had originally intended to use strategic retreat to force this stubborn man to reveal what was bothering him, but seeing his distress, her heart instantly softened completely. She reached up and caressed his face. “Silly boy, what nonsense are you speaking? Why would I leave you when I’m perfectly well? I’ve already married you; where else would I go? I am just upset that you hold so much within your heart but never let me share the burden. Haven’t you been carrying all this by yourself for so many years? Don’t you feel tired?” As she spoke, Lin He drew Wen Ningxuan over to the small couch near the window and had him sit down.

Wen Ningxuan was deeply moved, moisture welling in his eyes. His dark, jade-like eyes stared intensely at Lin He. After a long pause, he gently pulled her into his embrace, sitting her on his lap, and asked in a husky voice, “He’er, promise me that no matter what happens, you will never speak of leaving me again, alright?”

Lin He looked up, meeting his gaze, and nodded. “Alright, I won’t say it again.”

“Mmm. He’er, I have never distrusted you. If I cannot trust you, I don’t know who else in this world is worthy of my trust, so never doubt that point.”

After a moment, Wen Ningxuan looked at Lin He for a while, then continued, “That fire last night—Ling Xiao has investigated and confirmed it was not an accident; it was man-made. While we aren't certain who ordered it, I suspect it was sent by Madam Wen. I’ve pondered her motive for a long time; it likely relates to those account ledgers you brought back.”

Lin He felt Wen Ningxuan’s analysis was extremely logical. The timing and location of the fire perfectly coincided with the moment she had brought the account ledgers back. However, there was one point Lin He couldn't quite grasp: how could Madam Wen be so certain the account ledgers would be stored in that side building?

Wen Ningxuan seemed to read the doubt in Lin He’s eyes and spoke again. “The fire must have been set by someone within our courtyard. While I cannot confirm who, it is likely connected to those four maids. When we inspected the courtyard last night, no one appears to have entered over the outer wall, and Ling Xiao was present in the yard; he would have noticed any intruder.”

“Although the fire didn't injure anyone, it was fortunate it happened last night. If it had been the night before, with you and the two maids inside, by the time we heard the commotion and arrived to fight the flames, you would have been trapped. Even if we managed to rescue you then, there would surely have been injuries.”

“He’er, do you know? Just thinking about that fire last night gives me a lingering fear. I had originally intended to stay at the Wen family estate a little longer, allowing Father time to finalize the succession of the head of the household. I planned to hand over everything I was managing before taking you out. But perhaps this way is better; at least while living outside, you are consistently safe, and I don’t have to worry.”

“As for how to explain things to Father, I’ll wait until I have resolved these matters clearly. Since we lack concrete proof, I chose not to alert the enemy this morning in the main house; I just claimed I started the fire myself. I’m not keeping this from you, He’er, I just didn't want you to fret over it.”

Only now did Lin He truly understand the heavy weight on his mind today, the many worries he was carrying. A warmth stirred in her heart, but outwardly, she playfully pinched his nose, mimicking his usual gesture toward her, and said with a smile, “Silly boy, nothing happened to me, so what is there to fear? Besides, from now on, we will live in this residence and never go back. I truly love it here. If only this house were ours!” Finishing her words, Lin He put on an exaggerated look of avarice, gazing at Wen Ningxuan.