On the first day of the Lunar New Year, wishing everyone a Happy New Year and may all your wishes come true.

Once everyone was settled, Lin He glanced over the people in the room, then looked at Madam Huang and asked, "Mother, hasn't older brother returned from Qinghe County yet?"

Madam Huang looked perplexed upon hearing this. "Didn't Da Bao say he wouldn't be back for several months? Why are you suddenly asking about this, He'er?"

Lin He quickly calculated the days; the people Wen Ningxuan sent had left several days ago. Logically, Da Bao should arrive home today. Just as Lin He was thinking this, she heard a maid outside calling for the Eldest Young Master. Lin He curved her lips slightly. It was timely; it was best to handle this matter now and not delay any further.

Moments later, Da Bao strode in from outside, covered in the dust of travel. He entered the room, first greeting his parents, and then, upon seeing Lin He's noticeably rounded belly, he exclaimed happily, "My little nephew is already this big! Zi Qing, have you finished making the clothes you promised for my nephew?"

Da Bao finished speaking and looked toward Zi Qing beside him. Lin He clearly noticed the depth of affection in Da Bao's gaze toward Zi Qing. Though it was just a simple question, it carried the unmistakable resonance of deep mutual understanding between them. At the same instant, Lin He caught a flicker of cold amusement in Yun Qi’s eyes.

Without waiting for Zi Qing to reply, Lin He smiled at Da Bao and said, "No rush. Older brother, I asked someone to call you back because there is a matter here at home awaiting your decision. Once you have dealt with this, we can discuss other things."

"What could be so urgent that you needed me back right away?" Da Bao asked, looking suspicious after hearing Lin He's words.

"Yes, He'er, what on earth has happened? Your expression seems a bit off the moment you arrived today," Madam Huang chimed in with concern.

Lin He gestured for everyone to sit down, then instructed Zi Qing, who was standing behind her, to bring out the pastries that Xiao Jun had delivered to her courtyard a few days ago and place them on the table for Da Bao to taste. As Da Bao sampled the pastries, Lin He subtly glanced at Yun Qi. A hint of surprise crossed Yun Qi's face when she saw the sweets, but she quickly regained her composure.

Lin He reflected that although that maid, Zi Yu, usually spoke a lot of nonsense, this time, what she said about Yun Qi was spot-on. Some people, when engaged in small acts, appear timid and hesitant, betraying their guilt the moment they are seen. Yet, when faced with something major, they become calmer than ever before.

After Da Bao finished tasting the pastries, he picked one up and examined it closely, asking, "He'er, where were these pastries bought? They look very much like the ones from our shop, but the flavor is significantly different. If one is accustomed to the pastries from our establishment, you can tell the difference in a single bite."

Lin He nodded, then turned her face toward Yun Qi and spoke directly, "Yun Qi, you should know which pastry shop these are from. Tell my older brother, and while you're at it, explain to us exactly how these were made."

Lin He's words caused everyone in the large family to turn their gaze toward Yun Qi. Initially, Yun Qi had also been watching Lin He with an expression of feigned astonishment, but upon meeting Lin He’s steady stare, she faltered. She dared not meet Lin He’s eyes directly, instead looking away before speaking in a measured tone, "He'er, what are you saying? If you, who are in the pastry business, don't know where these are from, how could I possibly know? I have never involved myself in any of the pastry shop's affairs."

Lin He hadn't bothered to gather physical evidence today; she came directly to her parents' home because she wanted to cut straight to the chase and take down Yun Qi immediately. Hearing Yun Qi's denial, Lin He frowned slightly, then fixed her gaze on Yun Qi and stated bluntly, "Yun Qi, stop these words. You know my character. I am not one to create things from thin air, nor do I target anyone without reason. Since I can ask this question, it means I already know everything. Just answer my older brother's question truthfully."

The family members listening to the exchange between Lin He and Da Bao now realized something was seriously amiss. Er Niu instantly recalled Yun Qi’s strange behavior recently, and he picked up on Lin He’s thread: "Yun Qi, you’ve been running to the pastry shop frequently lately. Were you perhaps sneaking over there to steal the pastry-making techniques?"

"Ah, Er Niu, is that true? Yun Qi, did you make these pastries? Why would you secretly learn to do this? If you wanted pastries, you could just ask for them from the shop," asked Madam Zhao, completely bewildered as she wasn't privy to the inner workings of the pastry business.

Madam Huang also hadn't grasped the situation, but she remained silent, watching Er Niu from the side. Chen’er, however, reacted swiftly. She pointed directly at Yun Qi and exclaimed, "Oh, I get it now! Eldest Sister-in-law, you’ve been insisting on taking Da Mao to the pastry shop recently—it was an excuse for you to sneak in and learn these secrets! No wonder your second cousin from your mother’s side has been visiting so often lately. You must have been sharing this information with her. Her fiancé's family owns a pastry shop!"

Chen’er's words made the situation perfectly clear to those who had been confused. Madam Zhao was impatient. Hearing Chen’er, she immediately turned anxiously to Er Niu, "Er Niu, if the techniques of the pastry shop are stolen, will we not be able to sell our pastries anymore? What are we to do?"

After questioning Er Niu, she turned fiercely toward Yun Qi, "Yun Qi, are you trying to court death? Why on earth would you tell outsiders the methods for making pastries in our shop? Who did you tell? What exactly is your motive for doing this?"

"Grandmother, I didn't! I didn't do this..." Yun Qi couldn't finish her sentence before her face crumpled into tears. She then turned toward Lin He with a look of deep grievance, "He'er, if you claim this was me, what evidence do you have? You can't just convict me based on your words alone, can you?"

Lin He let out a cold laugh. Yun Qi, you ultimately chose the stupidest path. Lin He fixed Yun Qi with a look and stated calmly, "Yun Qi, this is not the government office; this is our Lin family home. If I say I know something, I can certainly produce evidence. However, I do not wish to waste any more time searching for proof now. In the Lin family, what I say is indeed enough to pass judgment. Whether you admit it or deny it, the outcome remains the same."

After speaking, Lin He first directed Ling Xiao, who stood behind her, to recount every detail uncovered at the pastry shop from beginning to end. Then, she had Zi Yu relate the entire matter concerning Xin Rou from last time in front of the whole family. Before Yun Qi could utter a word after this exposé, Madam Zhao lunged toward her and delivered two resounding slaps across her face. After striking her, she roared loudly, "Da Bao, go write the divorce letter! This time, you must throw this Yun Qi out of the Lin family gates. This woman cannot bear children, and yet she dares to commit such acts in our Lin household! This time, we must cast her out, no matter what!"