As Lin He stood beside Wen Ningxuan, he seemed to sense her intention. He allowed Xin Rou to remain nearby, attending to him, offering no rejection. His expression remained habitually cool, though his eyes occasionally flicked towards Lin He with a hint of pained complaint.

Lin He ignored him, continuing to eat the meal in her hands, while glancing towards Da Bao and Madam Huang on the side. Finally, as the meal neared its end, whether Madam Huang noticed something or merely spoke casually, she finally said, "Xin Rou, you don't need to wait on us here anymore. Go down and eat with Cai Qing and the others."

Xin Rou acknowledged the instruction, but ultimately did not leave to eat. Instead, she stopped standing near Wen Ningxuan and went to help Zi Qing and Zi Yu look after the two younger ones during their meal.

By the time the large family finished eating, it was getting late. Lin He did not linger. She urged Chen'er and Xiao Bao to quickly gather their things, intending to take them back.

When Da Bao, Yun Qi, and Madam Huang saw them off at the gate, Lin He noticed Xin Rou still gazing toward them from the courtyard. She leaned in and whispered to Madam Huang, "Mother, if we find ourselves short of hands at home, it’s best to buy some from the human dealers. Get some younger ones, ones that are more tractable. Moreover, people we purchase ourselves are more trustworthy. Some of those brought back along the way, we don't know their background, which might not be ideal."

Madam Huang, upon hearing this, didn't say much this time, only nodding. She indicated that she had a handle on domestic matters. Lin He observed her expression and felt she likely understood the implications, plus Yun Qi was present, so it wasn't appropriate to say more.

Because it was late, the entire group traveled back by carriage. Inside, Lin He remained silent, pondering the affairs at home, while Wen Ningxuan chatted quietly with Xiao Bao and Chen'er about something. Both Xiao Bao and Chen'er seemed quite delighted.

Lin He smiled faintly, assuming Wen Ningxuan had promised them some treat to elicit such joy.

Upon returning home, Lin He instructed Zi Qing and Zi Yu to settle Xiao Bao and Chen'er, telling them to sleep early as they were leaving the next day.

Once all arrangements were made, Lin He returned to her room. She found Wen Ningxuan reclining on the small couch, engrossed in a scroll under the lamplight. Lin He twitched the corner of her mouth, thinking the man's interests were dreadfully dull. Whenever he was alone in the room, he was either looking over account books, staring into space, or reading some utterly tedious book. Lin He simply could not fathom what was so interesting about those texts.

Wen Ningxuan, hearing footsteps approaching from outside, looked up. Seeing his young wife enter, he set the book aside, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. He extended a hand, saying, "He'er, come here."

Lin He walked over with a smile, sitting beside him. She picked up the book he had been reading, though she couldn't tell what it was; even the title was written in traditional characters, and she didn't recognize a single one. After a brief look, she tossed the book aside.

Seeing her action, Wen Ningxuan chuckled. He shifted his position on the couch, resting his head in Lin He's lap, and asked, "Xiao Bao and Chen'er, have the maids seen to everything?"

"Mhm. Oh, husband, I need to take Chen'er back to my family home tomorrow. I might return tomorrow night, or perhaps it will take a few days. If things there are complicated, I might have to stay a while. During the afternoons these next few days, remember to have Shun Zhu sent to fetch Xiao Bao back. If I haven't returned, Zi Qing will serve your meals. If you have time, help him review his studies; his exams are not far off," Lin He instructed, remembering her plans for the next day.

"Not coming back for a few days? Is something wrong back there?" Wen Ningxuan asked, his face showing clear reluctance at the news of Lin He’s absence.

Lin He looked at him, smiled, gently stroked his cheek, and said with a low laugh, "Isn't it perfect that I'm not coming back? Second Young Master finally has some precious free time. For these few days, you don't have to rush back at the appointed hour—how wonderful."

Hearing this, Wen Ningxuan, who had been leaning on her lap, suddenly bolted upright. He reached out and pinched Lin He's tender cheek hard, his face flushed with mock anger. "You still dare to say that! I haven't settled accounts with you yet regarding what happened at your mother's house today. Now, let's discuss properly: what should be done about this?"

Lin He looked at him, smiled, pulled his hand down, and feigned confusion, asking, "What should be done? What are you talking about?"

"Wife, are you planning to burn the bridge after crossing it? I put on such a wonderful performance for you today; how should I be rewarded?" Wen Ningxuan’s face was full of grievance.

"Hmm, then what kind of reward do you desire?" Lin He raised an eyebrow at him.

Wen Ningxuan considered for a moment, then a wicked smile spread across his face. He pulled Lin He into his embrace and murmured, "Let's go to bed right now, and then I'll tell you what I want." With that, his hands began to mischievously probe beneath Lin He's clothes.

Lin He blushed, swatting his hand away, and laughed, "Stop fooling around, I have something to tell you."

Wen Ningxuan chuckled softly, pulling Lin He tightly into his arms, signaling her to continue. Lin He then briefly recounted the matter concerning Chen'er and the events of the day at home to Wen Ningxuan.

After listening, Wen Ningxuan burst into loud laughter, saying between chuckles, "He'er, I always thought Chen'er's personality wasn't much like yours. Chen'er is outwardly tough but inwardly soft; you, however, are outwardly gentle but inwardly strong. But now it seems you are quite similar—both of you are incredibly resolute when it comes to making decisions, both quite capable of stirring things up."

Lin He initially thought his words were complimentary, but the last sentence struck her as misplaced. She pouted unconvinced and asked, "What do you mean, both capable of stirring things up? Did I stir you up back then?"

"Didn't you? I won't mention the time before we were betrothed, but the engagement alone tormented me for several years," Wen Ningxuan said, his expression exceedingly dramatic.

"Hmph, you resent me for causing trouble? Then why marry me in the first place? Wouldn't marrying someone who doesn't trouble the Second Young Master have been better?" Lin He climbed out of Wen Ningxuan's embrace and glared at him, clearly annoyed.

Seeing the little woman before him looking completely exasperated, Wen Ningxuan stopped teasing her. He reached out and gently pulled her half into his embrace again, saying with a smile, "Alright, alright, it was my fault for causing trouble, don't be angry. Be careful when you take Chen'er back tomorrow. I'll have Ling Xiao escort you. Try to return sooner rather than later. If matters truly require you to stay a few days, have Ling Xiao stay there too, and he can return with you then."

"Don't worry about Chen'er's situation either. In my opinion, it's quite obvious—that Li Zheng definitely likes Chen'er. Don't have Chen'er say anything to Li Zheng. I suspect that tomorrow, as soon as Chen'er appears before Li Zheng, nothing will be an issue."

Lin He was about to casually ask how he knew, but seeing Wen Ningxuan's slightly raised eyebrow beside her and recalling the consequences he had warned her about if she doubted him, the question died on her lips, replaced instead with, "Mhm, I think so too. Then let's say no more. Let's sleep early; tomorrow starts early."

Wen Ningxuan nodded in satisfaction upon hearing her words, considering the little woman quick on the uptake. Otherwise, a severe penalty would surely have followed.