Chen'er, standing nearby, heard Madam Huang’s words and spoke up with a hint of defiance, “Mother, why must you always dwell on the past? Can the past really be compared to now? Back then, cornmeal was strictly for filling our bellies; we had no choice but to eat it. Now, cornmeal is treated like a mere snack, something only eaten occasionally. Of course, we miss it. Never mind Elder Sister, even I think cornmeal tastes wonderful now.”

Madam Huang watched Chen’er, who had been sullen for days, finally break into a smile, and her own mood immediately lifted. She chuckled, “He'er, you truly are something. For days, we haven't seen a smile from this girl Chen’er. The moment you returned, she brightened up. What did you say to Chen’er just now?”

Lin He glanced at Chen’er and smiled without replying. Upon hearing this, Chen’er pouted, leaning back against Madam Huang’s shoulder, and said with a grin, “Mother, if you promise to stop scolding me and stop saying I’m immature, I guarantee I’ll show you a smiling face every day. Why wouldn’t I be unhappy all day when you nag me constantly? It’s enough to drive anyone mad; how can one possibly smile?”

Madam Huang knew these two sisters were keeping something from her, so she didn't press. Playfully, she curled her hand and lightly patted Chen’er’s leg, “You naughty girl, you’re already so grown, and you’re still so mischievous. Be careful, or you’ll never marry and end up staying home as an old spinster.”

The mention of Chen’er not marrying seemed to jog something in Madam Huang’s memory. She stopped speaking, let out a sigh, and then returned to stringing the ears of corn.

Observing Madam Huang’s expression, Lin He knew she was thinking of Er Gouzi again. She spoke with an underlying meaning, “Mother, don't sigh so soon. Perhaps tomorrow Chen’er will bring you a surprise. Besides, if Chen’er wishes to marry, surely someone will want her. You needn’t worry.”

Madam Huang thought her daughter was merely trying to cheer her up and paid it little mind, just lowering her head to smile while continuing to string the corn cobs in her hands.

Once Madam Huang finished stringing the corn cobs and headed under another eave with Zi Qing and Zi Yu to hang them, Lin He saw that no one else was in the courtyard and quietly asked Chen’er, “Chen’er, has anything unusual happened around the house lately? Has Mother mentioned Elder Sister-in-law’s confinement recently?”

Chen’er tilted her head in thought. “Hmm, nothing particularly unusual at home. Mother mentions Elder Sister-in-law’s confinement occasionally, but not often, and she hasn’t scolded her at all lately. It’s just occasional mumbling to herself. But I think Elder Sister-in-law is different than before. She seems to talk a lot more now. When there’s nothing to do, she often asks about things happening in our family, which is a bit odd.”

Talks a lot more? Lin He hadn't noticed it when she first saw her. Thinking this, she continued, “What else seems different about Elder Sister-in-law to you?”

“Big Sister, you know how Elder Sister-in-law never cared much for household affairs. It was like that when you were here, and it stayed the same after you married out; Mother handled everything. But lately, I feel like she’s become much more diligent. She often helps Mother with chores, and sometimes when I overhear Big Brother saying the shop is busy, she even offers to go help him at the shop, though Big Brother hasn't agreed,” Chen’er said, wrinkling her brow.

Lin He looked at Chen’er’s expression and feigned confusion, “Isn’t it great that Elder Sister-in-law has become more diligent? If she helps Mother, it lightens her burden. Why do you look so displeased?”

“Big Sister, I don’t know how to explain it. It just feels strange. You know Elder Sister-in-law and I usually get along well; we spend time together often. While we aren't as close as sisters, it’s comfortable enough talking and doing things together. But lately, although she still often sits with me to do embroidery, she keeps asking me about the shop, how much land our family owns, and where we bought the new storefronts. The most she asks about is your salve workshop. I told her I don't know, but she keeps asking. And sometimes she asks Little Bao too, and when we say we don't know, and suggest she ask Mother or Big Brother, she won’t go. I just feel like she’s changed from how she used to be,” Chen’er finished, her tone full of complaint.

“Have you told Mother about these things?” Lin He asked Chen’er.

“No. Didn't you all say not to tell Mother everything? I didn’t know if this was something I should tell her, so I didn't. But I did mention it to Big Brother once. He just said that if Elder Sister-in-law asks again in the future, she should be directed to ask him. After that, Elder Sister-in-law stopped asking me, but she also stopped doing embroidery with me. However, she talks with Mother a lot more now, and she often brings that maid of hers, Xin Rou—I really dislike that girl,” Chen’er said with clear disdain.

Hearing Chen’er’s words, Lin He felt a pang of sadness mixed with a sense of irony. It seemed that when a person’s self-interest is involved, everyone changes.

Yun Qi, by nature, wasn't someone prone to scheming or controlling others. But the moment she felt her standing in the family might be threatened, she chose a path that wasn't really suitable for her, or rather, a path she never needed to take.

It was obvious that Da Bao had already seen through Yun Qi’s intentions. The fact that he gave Chen’er that instruction showed that he, too, was displeased with Yun Qi’s maneuvering.

Moreover, Lin He understood Da Bao. He was honest and straightforward, but precisely because of that deep-seated honesty, once he fixed something in his mind, he wouldn't let others change it. Da Bao considered himself the eldest son, and his younger siblings were always his responsibility. Although he managed most of the family assets now, his heart was entirely set on protecting his siblings. He absolutely would not allow anyone to covet those assets—not even his own wife.

Furthermore, Da Bao didn't have much affection for Yun Qi to begin with. If he knew she harbored such thoughts, the gulf between him and Yun Qi might only deepen. Lin He wasn't sure if Da Bao had confronted Yun Qi about this, but it was clear from Yun Qi’s behavior today that she hadn't changed her mind.

Even though Yun Qi’s actions were undeniably scheming, in Lin He’s view, they were somewhat understandable. After all, a woman who cannot bear children, whose husband doesn't dote on her, and whose in-laws are now talking about taking a concubine—her life stretches out long before her. Lacking security, it was only human nature for her to start planning for herself.

However, Yun Qi had forgotten that what might seem right to you can be perceived as utterly wrong by others, especially for someone as uncomplicated as Yun Qi, whose intentions were too transparent. Her motives were easily detected, causing others to feel immediate resentment—even someone as guileless as Chen’er had started complaining about her.