As the first month passed, life began to quicken; the long-term laborers returned, taking their tools to tend to their own fields. Though there was little actual work to be done at this time, the generous rewards provided by Er Niu's family last year had spurred every one of them on, determined to earn that rich bounty again this year.

Xiao Bao was also set to start school in town. The two new young servants at home, one named Chang Lin and the other Chang Qiao, were assigned by Lin He to follow Xiao Bao. Chang Lin, being older, could drive the cart to take Xiao Bao to school each day, while Chang Qiao could play with him. Da Bao, in fact, also needed servants, but he was currently studying at the academy and didn't require them just yet. Lin He planned to wait until he returned before asking his opinion on the matter.

Life in Lin He's household settled into its rhythm; everyone attended to their household duties. Lin He would spend a little time watching over the work being done, and then return home to amuse the two little ones, Da Xiong and Xiao Xiong. With Xiao Bao off to school, Chen Er felt somewhat lonely. Previously, Da Yuan, Xiao Fang, along with Xiao Bao and Xiao Jun, often played together. But now that Xiao Bao was in school, Xiao Jun was busy every day in the ointment workshop, and Da Yuan and Xiao Fang had returned home—only Chen Er remained playing alone in the courtyard.

Lin He watched Chen Er playing hopscotch alone in the yard. Thinking that Chen Er was already seven this year, which was not a young age by local standards, she realized she needed to find something for Chen Er to learn. Being idle all day long was not right. However, Chen Er disliked studying. At this age, the only option left was to teach her embroidery. Although Lin He didn't believe a woman's embroidery needed to be extraordinary, some foundational skills were necessary, and for Chen Er's age, now was the perfect time to start.

With this thought, Lin He called Chen Er over and informed her that from now on, she must spend two shichen learning embroidery daily, without fail. Unlike before, when she could choose to study if she felt like it and run off if she didn't, from this point forward, the mandated two hours must be fully completed every day.

Initially, Chen Er was naturally reluctant, but her elder sister's expression was stern, and Chen Er dared not argue further, agreeing only out of compliance. Chen Er truly showed no talent for embroidery. It took her a full month just to learn the knotting for a pouch, and it still didn't look very good. Even Lin He found teaching her quite strenuous, and Chen Er herself was desperately frustrated. But no matter how much she disliked it, Lin He forced her to persevere. When Lin He could no longer instruct effectively, she assigned Zi Qing and Zi Yu to teach her, setting daily quotas. If the tasks weren't met, the time was extended. After over a month, she finally managed to produce a passable pouch. This solidified a belief in Lin He: in any endeavor, success belongs to the determined.

Another month passed. Over at He Shi's place, Song Yue Mei and Qing Shan had been driven out by He Shi the very day the family split. Since those two left, He Shi suddenly felt the courtyard had become quiet. Da Jiang worked outside every day, and Yu'er mostly stayed in her room, quietly embroidering. There was no one to talk to, and no one to quarrel with—she suddenly felt a deep sense of loneliness.

In contrast to He Shi, Song Yue Mei's life had improved significantly since moving out. Their new house was built, and although it was a small courtyard and they owed some money, the advantage was that she was now the mistress of her own household, free from having to watch her mother-in-law's expression or endure daily bickering. Moreover, Song Yue Mei had already devised a plan for making money.

When she had planned for the family division, Song Yue Mei had discussed her intentions with Qing Shan. Song Yue Mei had noticed how much money Er Niu's family had made from fish farming this past year—easily netting ten to twenty taels of silver, and potentially much more. She had also observed Da Jiang constantly taking grass, pig manure, chicken droppings, and similar materials to Er Niu's place. Every time Song Yue Mei inquired, Da Jiang, having no better excuse, would offer vague replies. Combining these inquiries with what she had seen herself, Song Yue Mei felt confident about fish farming. She had agreed with Qing Shan that after the house was built, they would purchase some inexpensive land to establish a small fish pond; then, relying solely on the fish, they could earn a considerable sum.

Qing Shan was initially hesitant. He felt that since his second uncle (Er Niu) was already raising fish, starting the same venture felt wrong, almost like setting up direct competition. Song Yue Mei disagreed vehemently. Anyone could raise fish! Must it be exclusive to the second uncle's family? Whoever could manage it and produce fish was capable. Furthermore, the second uncle's family had so many profitable ventures; they weren't solely dependent on the fish. If they waited too long, others in the village would start farming fish too. In that case, it was better for them to begin now and secure an early income. Qing Shan listened to Song Yue Mei and conceded that she had a point, so he agreed.

Once their house was built, Qing Shan went into the village. He found a stretch of riverbank land, somewhat distant from Lin He's pond, and purchased about half a mu, spending a fair amount of silver. He then called upon several of Song Yue Mei's family brothers to help clear the riverbank land for the pond.

Er Niu's family was quite surprised to hear that Qing Shan's household was also developing riverbank land for a fish pond. Qing Shan's family had never indicated such intentions. However, Lin He felt that this course of action truly reflected Qing Shan and Song Yue Mei’s true nature: they were inherently people who would betray kinship for profit. Besides, if their fish pond succeeded, jealousy would surely flare up in the village, inevitably leading others to follow suit. Who wouldn't pursue profit? They just hadn't expected it to be Qing Shan and his wife.

Many gossips in the village had previously gloated when Er Niu’s family first dug their pond, only to turn envious when the pond began yielding fish. Now that Qing Shan was doing the same, those busybodies started stirring trouble again, running to Er Niu’s house to complain about Qing Shan's actions. Er Niu remained silent, merely smiling as he listened to their chatter.

Er Niu’s silence infuriated Da Jiang. He felt his son had gone too far. He stormed over to Qing Shan's house just as Qing Shan and Song Yue Mei were celebrating their new pond in the courtyard. Da Jiang burst in and slapped Qing Shan across the face, cursing, "You ungrateful whelp! How could you do this, turning against your own uncle just for a bit of silver?"

Qing Shan was stunned by his father’s slap. His father rarely hit him; even for his previous serious mistakes, his father hadn't laid a hand on him. This time, he was genuinely bewildered, standing there frozen without replying. Song Yue Mei, however, clearly heard Da Jiang's words and snapped, "Father, what is the meaning of this? Speak your mind; why resort to violence?"

"Yes, Father, if you come with intentions to strike, at least explain yourself clearly," Qing Shan recovered slightly after a moment of shock.

"Fine! I'll make things crystal clear today. That pond you dug, you fill it in immediately, or tomorrow I will personally come and fill it for you," Da Jiang boomed.

"Father, have you lost your mind? That is land I bought with a significant amount of silver! The pond is dug, the fry are already in the water—on what grounds do you demand I fill it in?" Qing Shan retorted, unwilling to back down.