"No, I said I would repay this money, and I will repay it. Let's settle the debt first before talking about building a house. Don't say another word. I am the head of this household, and things will proceed as I say. Whoever wants a new house can build it themselves; it has nothing to do with me," Da Jiang declared.

"Father, if that's how you feel, then I have no choice. I am determined to build this house. For our Mao Mao, I would rather build it myself than live in this dilapidated shack," Song Yue Mei retorted, uncharacteristically arguing with her elder.

"If you have the money, then go build it yourself! I can't afford it. If you insist on a new house, then we divide the household. You two go build your own place; I have no way to provide for you," Da Jiang snapped, angered by Song Yue Mei’s defiance.

"Father, what are you saying? Are you suggesting we split the family?" Song Yue Mei deliberately repeated the words "split the family," enunciating them clearly. Although she feigned fear when speaking to Da Jiang, a close observation would reveal that this fear did not reach her eyes.

This exchange immediately stunned everyone in the room again. Why had it escalated to discussing a family division? What was going on? However, Lin He now understood Song Yue Mei’s ultimate goal: to separate the household. Since Qingshan was He Shi’s only son, typically, the family would live together without dividing until there were more sons. Song Yue Mei must have planned this for a long time, waiting for the right opportunity, unable to bring it up herself. This time, Song Yue Mei had likely set a calculated trap.

Lin He’s guess was correct. After He Shi spoke with the couple the previous night about the matter, Song Yue Mei finally realized her mother-in-law’s recent obedient demeanor in front of outsiders was solely aimed at moving into Zhao Shi’s new house. He Shi had also agreed on today's planned dialogue with them last night, but Song Yue Mei had prepared a contingency plan. Moving into Zhao Shi’s new house would be acceptable—she wouldn't have to spend money and would have a new dwelling with servants, which was quite pleasant. However, she remembered that the house was built by Er Niu’s family, suggesting it wouldn't be easily acquired. Therefore, she decided to use this opportunity to force a division and build her own new house.

Their small family unit could build a modest courtyard using red bricks, like Hong Yun’s house, rather than expensive blue bricks. A small courtyard sufficient for their few members should cost around ten taels, which Song Yu Mei had calculated. She had some dowry money from her mother when she married, plus the monetary gifts from relatives upon entering the family. She had also received gifts for Mao Mao’s San Xi (third-day celebration) and full-month celebration, as well as money earned from embroidery. This should be enough for a small courtyard; if there was a shortfall, she would find a way later.

Ever since giving birth to her daughter, Song Yue Mei had been fighting with He Shi—a major quarrel every three days and a minor one every two. Furthermore, He Shi was perpetually sharp-tongued, ensuring Song Yue Mei never had good food, constantly proclaiming that one who couldn't bear a son had no right to eat well. He Shi would also curse loudly in the courtyard, vaguely targeting Song Yue Mei for not producing a son, even insulting Mao Mao along the way. Although Song Yue Mei was strong-willed, the finances were currently controlled by He Shi, making it impossible for her to truly challenge authority. Too many arguments would only lead to ridicule from others. Song Yue Mei figured it was time to divide the household.

The people in the room were frozen upon hearing the discussion of dividing the family, unsure how the situation had spiraled this way. Zhao Shi was the first to react: "Yue Mei, what kind of talk is that? Why split the family when things are going well? Your father and mother only have Qingshan as a son; splitting up will only invite gossip."

"Grandmother, I didn't want to split the family either. My husband and I have nothing; what could we do if we were separated? But you just heard it—Father brought up the division. I didn't say we should split. If Father wants to send us out, we can’t force our way in and stay," Song Yue Mei replied with manufactured grievance.

"Nonsense! Your father only spoke out in a moment of anger; how could you take it seriously?" Zhao Shi tried to mediate.

"Grandmother, you don't know. Father hasn't only said this once; Mother has also said it several times, claiming that my husband and I do nothing all day, and that Mao Mao is a girl, useless, and will only waste years of rice before marrying out. I know our Mao Mao doesn't have the same good fortune as her little aunt, Yu’er. They are both Lin family girls, yet their fates are vastly different," Song Yue Mei said, on the verge of tears, appearing utterly wronged.

Song Yue Mei’s few simple sentences conveyed the bitterness of her life in her in-laws' home perfectly. Although she didn't directly detail how awful He Shi was, the effect was maximized. People possess sympathy. Moreover, Song Yue Mei brought up Mao Mao; if He Shi disliked her, she disliked Mao Mao too. Yet, her own daughter, Yu’er, was cherished like a jewel.

He Shi hadn't grasped the situation initially, believing Yue Mei was on her side, saying all this just to secure the new house. When Song Yue Mei suddenly uttered those words, He Shi finally realized Song Yue Mei was subtly attacking her. "Song Yue Mei, you little vixen! So you were waiting for me here! You gave birth to a useless girl, and I haven't even truly disciplined you yet, and you're already running around reporting me! Well done! You say you don't want to split, right? Today, I'm making sure I split you off! Let's see how your little family survives!"

"Mother, do you really intend to cast us out? We’ve always lived with the family. If we leave, we might not even have a place to live?" Song Yue Mei deliberately stated.

Song Yue Mei had said this on purpose. From years of battling He Shi, she understood her mother-in-law too well. If Song Yue Mei had been the one to initially propose the family division today, He Shi would have refused until death. But by pretending to resist the division, the matter was more likely to happen.

"Where you live is none of my concern. We will divide the household later today. You, Father, Mother, and Second Uncle, all come over; we will settle everything today," He Shi declared, disregarding everything else.

"Eldest daughter-in-law, what’s gotten into you? These are just casual words; are you really going to split the family? Aren't you afraid people will say you can't even tolerate your one son and daughter-in-law?" Zhao Shi interjected when she saw He Shi was truly ready to divide the estate.

"Let them gossip if they want to! Isn't this how it is in other families? When the son grows up, gets a wife, and even has a daughter, it's time for him to establish his own household. Our three brothers were like that back then, and Father and Mother lived separately too, and nobody said anything," He Shi said, her expression souring.

"Old woman, don't interfere anymore. This is Da Jiang’s family matter; just let them handle it," Old Man Lin called out to Zhao Shi.

Zhao Shi was also infuriated by He Shi’s words. She had been trying to mediate for their family, and He Shi was ungrateful, even turning the argument back on her—it was infuriating! "Fine! You handle your own family affairs; I won't involve myself anymore. Old man, let's go back," she huffed.

With that, Zhao Shi and Old Man Lin departed, and the meal naturally concluded.