Song Yuemei’s words carried an implicit threat: if they failed to give her a satisfactory explanation, she could take the matter of Dongyu to the clan elder, just as they could. The few people in the room exchanged glances before Er Niu finally spoke, "Yuemei, I know what Qingshan did was wrong, but things have reached this point. Even if you take this to the clan elder, won't you lose face too? You are a member of the Lin family now."

"Yes, Yuemei, even if you don't consider the Lin family, you must think of yourself and your son, Maomao. If this gets out, how will you be able to hold your head up in the village?" Zhao Shi also chimed in, trying to persuade her.

In truth, Song Yuemei knew all these things herself. She was merely voicing her anger. Beyond these verbal threats, what else could she actually do? Even if she truly went to the clan elder to seek justice, the inevitable outcome would be her own divorce and Dongyu being brought in as a new wife. Song Yuemei could not afford such a consequence. If she were cast out, returning to her maternal home would be even worse; her eldest sister-in-law would certainly make her life miserable, not to mention the several younger brothers at home—her family could hardly accommodate her.

Yet, accepting Dongyu into the home so easily, she absolutely refused to countenance it. "No matter what you say, I will not let Dongyu walk through that door just like that. For Qingshan to commit such an act, he must have already planned his next move."

Song Yuemei finished speaking and stared fixedly at Qingshan. She had never felt such deep regret. When she was a maiden in her own family, she was attractive and skilled with her hands, attracting many matchmakers, but she spurned them all. Perhaps she was blinded by something foolish, but she ended up marrying Qingshan.

Qingshan's current transgression certainly angered Song Yuemei, but it was more indignation than the heart-wrenching sorrow she imagined. In the past, Song Yuemei would have been devastated to the point of despair. However, since giving birth, after hearing how Qingshan showed no regard for her comfort, her feelings for him underwent a significant transformation.

Of course, Qingshan remained her husband; that fact could not be changed. But Song Yuemei no longer placed him at the center of every thought or concern. She resigned herself to the idea that this was how her life would be lived now; there was no turning back.

If this had happened before the birth of her child, Song Yuemei might have been so heartbroken she wished for death. But now, she felt nothing of the sort. This, perhaps, was the saying: 'The greatest sorrow is a dead heart.' When a woman deeply loves a man, she is willing to do anything for him, suffer hardships, endure humiliation, even sacrifice herself. But once that affection is gone, even the most egregious mistakes he commits cease to feel like major issues in her heart.

Seeing Song Yuemei’s unwavering gaze, Qingshan felt a flicker of cowardice, yet he braced himself, standing firm out of masculine pride. Meanwhile, Zhao Shi, sensing a possibility for negotiation in Song Yuemei’s tone, spoke up, "Yuemei, of course, we aren't saying we'll bring Dongyu in right this moment. Dongyu is just a maid’s daughter, after all; she can never truly rise up. You are different; you are Qingshan's lawfully wedded wife. Regardless, we need your consent."

Zhao Shi subtly signaled Qingshan, who then stepped forward, taking Song Yuemei’s hand. "Yes, Yuemei, this was my fault. I was bewitched and fell for her temptation. But you are my only wife. Even if we bring Dongyu in, she'll just be a servant girl, fetching tea and water to wait on you. Haven't you often said how nice it would be to have a girl around to help?"

"Didn't you say that if that little girl bore you a son, you would divorce me and marry her? If she heard those words now, I suspect..." Song Yuemei stated coldly.

"Who said that? I don't care if she has one son or ten; you are still the rightful mistress of our home. Who dares suggest sending you away?" Qingshan replied with a strained smile.

For some inexplicable reason, watching Qingshan act this way made Song Yuemei feel nauseous. Qingshan had always behaved this way since she met him, but previously, she interpreted it as him doting on her out of love. Now, this servile posture made Song Yuemei see him as utterly spineless, a complete weakling.

After some thought, Song Yuemei decided she couldn't let Qingshan’s family off so easily. At the very least, she needed to secure some concrete benefits. Otherwise, the Lin family would assume Song Yuemei was someone easily bullied. She stated, "I alone cannot decide this matter. I still have several brothers in my family. If they find out about this, they likely won't let Qingshan off easily. If they become enraged, I won't be able to hold them back. You know my brothers—they may be poor as church mice, but they have plenty of brute strength." As she spoke, Song Yuemei glanced pointedly at He Shi.

He Shi started to interject, but seeing Zhao Shi's sharp glare fixed upon her, she merely pursed her lips and remained silent. Er Niu pondered Song Yuemei’s words. There was a clear implication within her statement: she wasn't necessarily insisting on absolute refusal, but rather, the decision rested on her natal family's approval. Yet, ultimately, wouldn't her family’s stance reflect her own wishes?

Er Niu looked at Song Yuemei but didn't voice his question directly. Instead, he nudged Zhao Shi. Seeing Er Niu shake his head, Zhao Shi said, "Yuemei, how about this: you go back first. Don't mention this to anyone in your mother's family yet. I will go back and see how to deal with that girl Dongyu. Our old Lin family will certainly give you a satisfactory account, alright?"

Song Yuemei looked at Zhao Shi and nodded, then spared a glance for Qingshan, who accompanied her out. After they left, Zhao Shi turned to Er Niu and asked, "Er Niu, what was that? Why did you stop me just now?"

"Mother, Yuemei probably has other intentions. With so many of us watching, she couldn't say it clearly. Let's wait and see. It won't be long before Qingshan comes looking for us," Er Niu told Zhao Shi.

"What other intentions? That little shrew Song Yuemei just wants to use this situation to extort some benefits," He Shi said dismissively.

He Shi’s remark illuminated the path for both Zhao Shi and Da Jiang; Zhao Shi looked at Er Niu, who nodded in agreement.

Indeed, He Shi's cynical assessment struck the mark this time. That was precisely Song Yuemei’s calculation. Song Yuemei was an exceptionally astute woman; she would not engage in anything without reaping rewards. When she first heard the news outside, she had already calculated her position clearly before opening the door. Her preceding statements were all for show; she couldn't simply declare her demands upon entering. Her true leverage lay in the final remarks she had made—implying that if the Lin family's resolution did not satisfy her, she would return home and summon her powerful relatives.