"That won't do, Dongyu is a girl, how can she live with Yu'er? Mother, that's absolutely out of the question," Song Yuemei interjected.

"Then what should we do?" Old Madam He deliberately put on a distressed expression, but Lin He noticed her subtly signaling to Qingshan.

Qingshan, standing nearby, then spoke up, "Mother, why make things so difficult? Since Grandmother’s house is so big, why don't we just move in with her? Why let the new house sit empty when we could live there instead of our own rundown place?"

"That's right, look at me, what a brain I have! How did I not think of that? We have to look after Father and Mother, so living with them is the same thing. Why should we make Father and Mother suffer by moving into our humble house?" Old Madam He slapped her head with theatrical remorse.

If Lin He still couldn't figure out the scheme of Old Madam He’s family by this point, she would truly be dense. Apart from Dajiang, everyone else in Old Madam He's household had clearly planned this out beforehand: the goal was to move into the new house Old Man Lin had built for his parents, the grandparents.

Or more accurately, they intended to seize ownership of the house built by her family for her paternal grandparents. Lin He knew Old Madam He was the type who couldn't change her inherent nature; it was only surprising how completely she had shifted her demeanor recently, only to reveal this true objective.

Lin He suddenly felt a surge of anger. Old Madam He’s family was truly going too far. Never mind that they didn't contribute money to the house construction; they even wanted to claim the maidservant hired for her grandparents. This was worse than just asking her family for tens of taels of silver directly.

Lin He observed the expressions of those present. After hearing Qingshan’s suggestion, it seemed everyone had somewhat grasped the intention. However, the elderly couple remained silent, making it awkward for others to speak up. Er Niu could have spoken, but since the house was built for his parents, he felt they should decide who lived there. Furthermore, his elder brother was present, and saying too much might embarrass Dajiang. He figured he could speak to his parents privately later.

It was Hongyun, however, who spoke up after hearing Qingshan: "Qingshan, what kind of talk is that? This house was built by your Second Uncle for Grandfather and Grandmother. For your whole family to move in—what sort of matter is that? Although the house is spacious, if your entire family moves in, it will feel quite cramped."

"Hongyun, you are the one speaking nonsense! It’s true that Second Uncle built this house for Father and Mother, but once it's built, it belongs to them. They can decide who lives there. Isn't Hongxia's family living in Father and Mother's old place? Can a sister-in-law not live there if a sister can?" Old Madam He countered.

Hongyun was not good with words and was rendered speechless by Old Madam He's aggressive tone. Yet, feeling deeply resentful, she sat there with a face flushed crimson.

"Wife, say no more. Let's wait for Father and Mother’s decision. If they are willing to move into our house, we'll tidy up, and we can manage to fit," Dajiang spoke up from the side.

Dajiang was actually an honest man who hadn't grasped his wife's true motives. He simply felt that living with his parents was the same regardless of the location; moving to his parents' courtyard was acceptable to him since the house belonged to them, and he wouldn't claim ownership anyway.

But Old Madam He thought differently; her mind was full of calculation. Her in-laws were old; one never knew what might happen with elderly people. If something went wrong, their family would already be living in that house, and then Er Niu wouldn't easily be able to turn them out. Moreover, once they moved in, a little coaxing of the elders, and the house would eventually be theirs. Besides, Er Niu gave his parents a substantial monthly allowance, and their family could surely benefit from it, not to mention the house was large and they would have a maid serving them—how wonderful.

Old Madam Zhao, listening nearby, was also weighing the possibilities. If they moved into her courtyard, it really wouldn't be suitable. With Dajiang’s family moving in, and then Hongxia’s family potentially mixing in, it certainly wouldn't work. Furthermore, Old Madam He had reverted to her old shrewish self today, suggesting she was determined to move into their better house. Given this, perhaps moving them there wasn't necessary after all. She spoke up directly: "In that case, I fear it might not be appropriate. Let your father and I think it over. Actually, your father and I enjoy living quietly by ourselves; perhaps I shouldn't move over to the eldest son's side after all."

Old Madam He, Qingshan, and his wife panicked upon hearing Old Madam Zhao's words. Old Madam He had finally managed to persuade her mother-in-law to live with them, and they couldn't afford to lose this opportunity at the final hurdle. She quickly interjected, "Mother, look at you! Didn't we agree? You said you’d live with me. Every other family lives with their eldest son. When I visited my own mother recently, she scolded me for being unfilial by not bringing you and Father over to live with us. It was my fault. Mother and Father, you can't let others gossip about Dajiang and me."

"That's right, Grandmother, if we live with you, Maomao will see you every day and can call you Great-Grandmother! Wouldn't that be wonderful?" Song Yuemei added with a smile.

Hearing Old Madam He and Song Yuemei, Old Madam Zhao’s resolve wavered again. In truth, Old Madam Zhao still favored her eldest son’s family. Even knowing they intended to move into that new house, she felt it was acceptable. The house was large enough for Old Madam He’s family to reside in. Although Er Niu built it, Dajiang was his elder brother, so Er Niu likely wouldn't object to them moving in.

Lin He, watching her grandmother show signs of wavering, immediately jumped in: "When Grandmother’s house was being renovated, didn't Auntie say that our family should renovate their house too? Is the house being renovated for Grandmother actually meant for Auntie’s family? What is going on? It’s all getting confusing."

Lin He's sudden remark seemed disconnected, but as a young child, no one suspected she was intentionally saying it. Lin He mentioned this partly to remind everyone of Old Madam He's objective, and partly to let her uncle know what his wife had said previously when he wasn't present—that Er Niu’s family should pay to renovate their house. Indeed, Dajiang’s face darkened upon hearing Lin He’s words, and he asked, "He'er, what did you just say about Auntie wanting our family to renovate their house? Say it again for me to hear."

"It was after our house was finished last time, when Auntie and the others came to visit. Father said he would renovate Grandmother's house, and Auntie said to renovate their house at the same time; it wouldn't cost much, and Father didn't care about that money anyway. Then Grandmother even scolded her for it," Lin He expressed her point clearly.