At Lin He's home, ever since the matter with Yun Qi concluded, Er Niu and Huang Shi had intended to promptly arrange the marriage between Da Bao and Zi Qing. However, both Da Bao and Zi Qing were hesitant. Zi Qing, accustomed to serving at Lin He's side, felt uneasy about an abrupt change, insisting they wait until Lin He had given birth and completed her confinement month.

As for Da Bao, following Yun Qi’s departure, he underwent a thorough period of self-reflection. The words Yun Qi had spoken before leaving were indeed true; the entire affair between them was not solely her fault. Furthermore, the multitude of mistakes Yun Qi made stemmed from his own prior failings. Had he offered her genuine affection, she would have surely sensed it and settled contentedly into their life here, without seeking other distractions.

But the past was past, and the errors committed would not be repeated; he had to hold those lessons firmly in his heart. Thankfully, this time, the choice was his own, and everything was undertaken with his full consent. There was genuine feeling between him and Zi Qing, ensuring that a situation like Yun Qi’s would never recur.

Thinking of Zi Qing, an unconscious, gentle, faint smile touched Da Bao’s lips. Some matters in life defy easy explanation; they could only be attributed to fate.

He and Zi Qing had known each other since childhood, and he had always presumed their relationship was merely that of a young master and his maid. Yet, after accompanying her on that trip away, spending time in close quarters, Da Bao discovered that Zi Qing was not only intelligent and capable but also carried herself with admirable composure and grace. Perhaps influenced by her long service near Lin He, she possessed an air of quiet elegance. At some point, the thought solidified in Da Bao’s mind: to spend a lifetime accompanied by a woman like her would leave him with no regrets.

In truth, Da Bao was not the only one drawn to Zi Qing. She had harbored soft feelings for Da Bao long before, though she couldn't recall the exact moment—perhaps from the first time she laid eyes on him. As Wen Ning Xuan had noted, affection blooming between a maid and a young master was hardly rare. However, at that time, Zi Qing was Lin He’s maid, and Da Bao was the young master; she dared not dream of such things and concealed her feelings flawlessly, so effectively that even the astute Lin He never suspected.

Now, finally, the longing was mutual. Having spent years by Lin He’s side, Zi Qing had absorbed some of her mistress’s perspective. She no longer viewed the disparity in their social standing with such gravity. Thus, when Da Bao expressed his regard, she accepted it gladly. Even knowing that with Yun Qi present, she would only marry in the status of a concubine, she was entirely willing, for she was certain of one thing: as long as she could be with Da Bao, she cared for nothing else, not even if she were relegated to the role of a house attendant, she would never utter a complaint.

After Yun Qi left, when Er Niu and Huang Shi formally proposed marriage to Zi Qing at Lin He’s residence, they followed the customs for a principal wife. At the time, Zi Qing felt unworthy and hesitated for a long while, refusing to agree, saying she was content to be a concubine and that Da Bao could later marry someone of better lineage as the official Elder Young Mistress.

It was Da Bao who finally spoke to her at length, declaring that whether she was a concubine or a wife, Zi Qing would be his only woman. If she insisted on being a concubine, the position of Lin Family Elder Young Mistress would remain vacant forever, with Zi Qing merely acting in the administrative capacity.

Da Bao’s words moved Zi Qing profoundly, and they deeply touched Lin He and the others as well. Lin He had Zi Yu hand a box to Zi Qing, announcing that it contained her indenture contract. From that day forward, Zi Qing was no longer a bonded servant, but a free woman, a status perfectly suited for the Lin Family Elder Young Mistress.

Zi Qing could have refused Da Bao, but she could not refuse Lin He. She accepted the indenture contract and ultimately agreed to become the Lin Family Elder Young Mistress.

After family consultation, they decided to postpone the wedding until after Lin He had safely delivered her child and completed her month of recovery. This arrangement suited Zi Qing, and it put the Lin family’s minds at ease.

During the period of Lin He’s confinement, several fortunate events unfolded consecutively at the Lin household. Firstly, Lin He’s sister-in-law, Hong Xia, finally brought the accountant named Yu back home. As Zhao Shi was staying at Er Niu’s place during that time, Hong Xia took him directly there.

The moment Er Niu and Zhao Shi saw Accountant Yu, they were extremely satisfied. Being a scholar, Accountant Yu was refined and courteous; not only were his manners impeccable, but he was also exceedingly humble. Most importantly, he cherished Hong Xia, showing no disdain for her past troubles.

Upon arriving at Er Niu’s home, he demonstrated utmost care for Hong Xia and deep respect for Er Niu’s family and Zhao Shi, moreover, he was exceptionally fond of Yuan Zhu. Although Zhao Shi was unaccustomed to the fervor of young romance, she could clearly see that this prospective son-in-law valued her daughter. Zhao Shi had initially only sought a secure future for Hong Xia, someone to rely on for the rest of her life. She never imagined Hong Xia would find not just stability, but someone so genuinely devoted to her. The worry Zhao Shi had carried for Hong Xia for so many years could finally be laid to rest.

Accountant Yu took advantage of Er Niu and Zhao Shi’s presence to discuss the betrothal arrangements, mentioning that he would next visit Lin He Village to meet Elder Lin and formalize their union. After consulting Hong Xia’s wishes, Zhao Shi and Er Niu set the date for the engagement ceremony, agreeing that the official betrothal rites should take place back in Lin He Village.

With Hong Xia’s situation settled, Zhao Shi’s concerns turned to Hong Yun. Since the Yun Qi incident, Hong Yun had poured all her energy into the pastry shop. She felt she had failed the trust Lin He placed in her, especially since Yun Qi had managed to steal the pastry recipes under the pretense of sending Da Mao home. Though the Lin family held no blame against her, she remained deeply uneasy.

Since that time, Hong Yun remained constantly at the pastry shop, while Da Mao stayed at Er Niu’s, living with Da Xiong and Xiao Xiong. Hong Yun would return to Er Niu’s for a few days when she had leave.

During this period, her husband, Da Sheng, had not appeared, nor had Hong Yun returned to him. No one knew the reason why. Zhao Shi sent someone back to inquire, learning that after Hong Yun moved to the town, Da Sheng had stopped working on Er Niu’s mountain territory and returned to his own homestead. He had not sent divorce papers, and his intentions remained unclear.

Hong Yun, however, seemed unconcerned, acting as if Li Da Sheng had ceased to exist in this world. She peacefully managed her affairs at the pastry shop, seemingly content to live out her life that way.

Though Hong Yun paid it no mind, Zhao Shi grew anxious. Several times a day, she would peer out from the gate of Er Niu’s house, hoping that if Da Sheng came to apologize, she could persuade Hong Yun to return to him.

Zhao Shi waited for many days until she finally learned that in the third month of Hong Yun’s employment at the pastry shop, Da Sheng arrived in town. But Da Sheng did not go to Er Niu’s first; he proceeded directly to the pastry shop to find Hong Yun and called her outside.