Lin He found this point somewhat peculiar. When Yu'er first came to work in her balm workshop, she had claimed that her mother-in-law completely ignored her and her child, and that when she sought help from the mother-in-law for her sick daughter, she was driven away. The mother-in-law allegedly stated that ever since the family split, all ties had been severed. How, then, could the relationship between the two women have become so amicable now? What was the reason behind this change?

Logically, with her husband Zhao Yu currently missing, the relationship between Yu'er and her mother-in-law should have deteriorated further. Moreover, Yu'er’s mother-in-law had always disliked her; how could she possibly treat Yu'er so kindly now? The fact that Yu'er, who rarely had two days off a month, chose not to visit her daughter but instead spent those two days at her in-laws' house was truly baffling.

However, Lin He kept her observations to herself. She arranged for someone to closely monitor Yu'er’s every move in the balm workshop and stationed guards outside the workshop walls. If Yu'er harbored any ill intent, someone would surely be waiting to meet her. Catching Yu'er would be a minor issue; the crucial matter was capturing the person behind her.

Yet, some time passed without Yu'er making any move, and no suspicious individuals were spotted outside. Lin He began to wonder if she was overthinking things.

Before Lin He could fully process her doubts, Zi Qing walked in from outside and reported, "Young Mistress, Yu'er has made a move. The people waiting outside have also been apprehended by us. They are currently locked in the storeroom of the balm workshop. Would you like to go over?"

Lin He asked no further questions, merely nodding as she rose with Zi Qing's assistance. When Lin He, accompanied by Zi Qing and Zi Yu, arrived at the balm workshop, Ling Xiang was already there. Seeing Lin He approach, he stated, "Young Mistress, the people are held in the back courtyard. Shall we interrogate them separately, or all together?"

In truth, beyond Yu'er, Lin He was more anxious to know the identity of the person who had come to meet them. Lin He went directly to the back courtyard. Zi Qing had someone unlock the room, and upon seeing the individuals inside, Lin He felt a moment of surprise, which quickly subsided into a lack of genuine shock.

Inside the room were Yu'er, the eldest aunt He Shi, and He Shi’s concubine-like daughter-in-law, Dong Yu. Upon seeing Lin He enter, He Shi and the others rushed forward, asking with affected innocence, "He'er, what is going on? Why have you suddenly confined us?"

"Yes, He'er, what exactly has happened?" Dong Yu added, maintaining an equally innocent façade.

Only Yu'er, beside them, kept her head bowed, not daring to meet Lin He’s eyes, shrinking into a corner without uttering a word. Lin He let out a cold laugh. "Eldest Aunt, Dong Yu, it has been a long time." After speaking, Lin He fixed them with a long, icy stare.

The storeroom was filled with too much clutter. Zi Qing pulled Lin He slightly aside and whispered, "Young Mistress, this matter will likely take a while to investigate. Perhaps we should move to the courtyard?"

Lin He glanced at the three women before her and nodded, signaling for them to be brought out into the courtyard. Zi Qing and Zi Yu brought a chair for Lin He and placed a pot of tea on the table. Once seated, Lin He looked at He Shi and the others. "Eldest Aunt, since you have been brought here, stop with the idle chatter. Just tell me why you did this. If you have extenuating circumstances, perhaps I can spare you, out of respect for my uncle and Brother Qingshan. But if I discover you are lying, I will immediately send you to the magistrate."

Hearing Lin He’s words, He Shi immediately burst out, "He'er, what do you mean by that? You lock us up for no reason, and now we aren't troubling you, yet you talk about sparing us? What are you trying to do?"

Lin He smiled faintly upon hearing He Shi’s outburst. "It seems you have no intention of telling the truth. Then let’s dispense with the pleasantries. Ling Xiang, escort them to the magistrate and charge them with theft."

As soon as Lin He finished speaking, Ling Xiang gave an order, and men came forward to drag away the three women. He Shi and the others had never dealt with the authorities before, and the threat of being escorted away caused them genuine panic. Dong Yu cried out anxiously, "What theft? What did we steal from you? We were merely standing outside the wall of your balm workshop. Does that count as theft?"

"Heh. Then why exactly were you standing by the wall of our balm workshop, and why did you just happen to be there to receive those things Yu'er threw out to you?" Lin He asked with deceptive leisure.

Mentioning this made Dong Yu stammer, "What things? What things did Yu'er throw out?"

Lin He shot Dong Yu a sharp, impatient glance. "Since I could have these people bound and brought here, rest assured I am not without evidence. I will tell you one last time: if you do not speak the truth now, I will immediately have you sent to the magistrate. Then, do not blame me for showing no regard for kinship."

Lin He’s words sobered He Shi, who fell silent. However, Dong Yu piped up with a sneer, "Heh, Lin He, don't think just because you married into the Wen family and they are rich that you can act so smug in front of us. I’ve heard that you and that Second Young Master were both kicked out of the Wen family. What's there to be proud of? In the end, you are just a country girl from Lin Village. Do you really think you are a Young Mistress? Ordering people sent to the officials at the drop of a hat—I really don't believe the government office is run by your family, that you can do whatever you wish. Yu'er merely took a few things for me; how can that be considered theft?"

"Furthermore, even if we did commit some offense, my aunt is still your elder relative, and Yu'er is your cousin. As a daughter of the Lin family, shouldn't any matter first go through the family elders? Unless you aren't afraid that the Lin family will disown you afterward? You should know that your own parents are kind people; if they knew you treated your own family this way, they surely would never forgive you. Your grandparents also value reputation highly. If you personally send family members to the magistrate, do you think they will ever let you set foot in the Lin family home again? If the Wen family rejects you, and the Lin family refuses you, and then that Second Young Master discards you too, I’d like to see what face you have left to live on."

Lin He hadn't expected Dong Yu to have some measure of cunning, actually attempting to use the family elders to pressure her. However, Lin He was truly unafraid. She stared at the three of them. This time, Yu'er finally looked up, her face etched with guilt toward Lin He. He Shi, after her outburst, stood silently beside Yu'er. Only Dong Yu maintained an air of haughty superiority, as if her words were guaranteed to frighten Lin He into submission.