"Is that so? And you believe her just because she said it? I'd say she's just making things up. I want to see what a mere girl can really accomplish. Besides, for a young woman to get pregnant and broadcast it everywhere—isn't she afraid of what people will say about her?" He Shi was rather unconvinced by Er Niu's words.

Zhao Shi glanced at He Shi and said, "Can you just say less? If it were that simple to resolve, do you think we would be in such a bind? This Dong Yu is also not easy to deal with. She stated she is a widow, so even if things get messy, she has nothing to fear in terms of reputation. But think about our Lin family—if this comes out, what do you think people will say about us? Are you suggesting we don't have enough trouble at home already?"

"Where is that brat, Qingshan? Why isn't he here with you? I'll go fetch him, and I'll beat him to death! He keeps stirring up all this nonsense, one mess after another." Da Jiang finally registered what was happening.

"Big Brother, please don't be so angry. The thing has already happened; beating him to death now won't help. Now is not the time to assign blame; we need to figure out how to resolve these issues," Er Niu advised.

"Exactly. What good is all this shouting? He’s your only son; if you kill him, you won't even have anyone left to carry on the family line," He Shi remarked, giving Da Jiang a pointed look.

"And you have the nerve to say that! Qingshan was spoiled rotten by you," Da Jiang snapped at He Shi.

"Big Brother, let's stop saying useless things. Why don't we call Qingshan over and see what he plans to do? We can discuss all we want here, but it won't matter unless he agrees to it himself," Er Niu said, frowning.

Zhao Shi nodded in agreement, signaling He Shi to fetch Qingshan. He Shi went out and returned quickly with Qingshan in tow. When Da Jiang saw Qingshan approaching, he clenched his fists and lunged toward him. Qingshan had already heard bits and pieces from He Shi on the way, so he was somewhat frightened. When his father started hitting him, he merely covered his head and remained silent.

He Shi couldn't stand it anymore and grabbed Da Jiang, pulling him back. Er Niu, seeing that the beating had gone on long enough, also stepped in to help pull Da Jiang away. Da Jiang cursed furiously, "You beast! What you do is your business, but don't drag us down into disgrace! Did you tell Dong Yu you would divorce Yueme and take Dong Yu as your wife?"

"I might have said it, but I was just placating her, just talking nonsense," Qingshan murmured quietly.

"But Dong Yu insists that you marry her, or she'll go to the clan elder to settle the matter. What are you planning to do now—marry Dong Yu or divorce Yueme?" Zhao Shi asked.

"I don't know," Qingshan whispered.

"How did I give birth to such a shameless son? You say you don't know now, yet you could say anything when you were sleeping with her!" Da Jiang was so enraged he was speaking without thinking.

The entire family looked at Qingshan, their teeth clenched in resentment. Er Niu even felt a strong urge to just walk away, but he remembered that even if he left now, if the matter became public knowledge, it would still be the Lin family's disgrace. They all shared in the glory and the ruin.

"How about this? We tell Yueme directly about this situation. It can't be hidden forever; she will find out one way or another. We'll talk to her properly. If she insists on blowing things up and brings her brothers to cause trouble, our Lin family isn't without recourse," Zhao Shi finally spoke up.

"That’s right. A man taking a concubine isn't a major offense. I refuse to believe she, Song Yueme, can turn the heavens upside down. What can those poor ghosts of brothers of hers do besides exert brute force? Otherwise, they wouldn't still be bachelors now," He Shi chimed in.

"Er Niu, what do you think?" Da Jiang turned his gaze to Er Niu, who was standing to the side.

Er Niu hadn't intended to speak up; this was his elder brother's affair, and it wasn't his place to dictate. But now that his brother was asking, he couldn't stay silent. "Mother is right. Yueme definitely needs to know about this. But since it is ultimately our fault, it's best not to confront her head-on. Appeasement is the best policy."

"And how do we appease her?" Zhao Shi asked.

As soon as Zhao Shi finished her question, someone outside kicked the door open. Everyone looked up to see Song Yueme standing pale-faced in the doorway. It turned out that when He Shi went to fetch Qingshan, Song Yueme was in the courtyard. He Shi had pulled Qingshan aside and said a few words, causing Qingshan's expression to shift. After Qingshan left shortly after, Yueme, who had tucked her daughter into bed, followed and had been standing just outside the room, listening to every word spoken inside. Song Yueme had heard every single detail.

Song Yueme kicked the door open and lunged at Qingshan, hitting him repeatedly while crying out, "I married you without considering anything, and I haven't had a single good day in your house. And you did this behind my back? I won't live today; let's die together!"

Everyone was momentarily stunned. When they recovered, they rushed to pull Yueme off Qingshan. Qingshan's face was a mess, torn to shreds by her nails. He Shi looked on with a flicker of pity and said, "You shrew! What were you trying to do? Look at how you've beaten your man; it's no wonder Qingshan went looking for someone else!"

Song Yueme, already boiling with unspent anger over Qingshan's actions, couldn't tolerate He Shi saying this to her. She forgot that He Shi was an elder and shot back, "You call me a shrew? And you think you're any better? If my father hadn't been a good man, any other husband would have divorced you long ago for acting like you do."

"You—how dare you speak to me like that? Qingshan, divorce her! I won't have a daughter-in-law like this!" He Shi was so enraged she nearly buckled, only stabilized by Qingshan steadying her.

"Hmph, divorce me? Not a chance. Divorce requires grounds, and if you can name one, I will willingly return to my parents' home," Song Yueme sneered coldly.

"Just the fact that you argued with your mother-in-law is grounds for Qingshan to divorce you," He Shi declared venomously.

"I argued with you? Which of my words was an argument? Every single one was the truth. They say if you commit one of the Seven Grounds for Divorce, you can be dismissed. As for you, aside from being childless, you’ve practically violated every other rule. If someone like you hasn't been divorced, on what grounds do you expect to divorce me?" Song Yueme retorted.

"Enough, stop arguing. Yueme, calm down. This matter has already happened, and you know about it now; let's not dwell on it. How do you propose we handle this Dong Yu situation?" Zhao Shi intervened, stopping He Shi from continuing.

"Ask Qingshan about this; he's the one who caused it. If he intends to bring that slut into this house, I will never agree, not even in death. My brothers might not be capable, but they certainly know where to seek justice," Song Yueme stated emotionlessly.