Lin He inwardly scorned Madam He, thinking that in this large household, no one dared claim the title of being more short-sighted than her. Seeing Madam He’s reaction, the moment she heard the young man was a Xiucai and his family owned some land, she nearly agreed instantly. It was really quite shameless of her to speak as she did.

Madam He’s words slightly eased Madam Zhao’s heart, but then Madam He spoke again, saying, “However, I actually think this young man is quite good. He’s a Xiucai; if my Yu’er marries him, she’ll be a Xiucai’s wife. If he manages to pass the provincial exam in a few years, then our Yu’er will be an official’s wife. With land ownership too, that counts as some modest wealth. I imagine their financial standing is good, and since he has no other siblings, no one will contest the inheritance. Isn't that wonderful?”

Hearing Madam He, Madam Zhao truly felt helpless regarding this daughter-in-law. For anything else, Madam Zhao wouldn't have wanted to discuss it with her, but Yu’er was, after all, her own granddaughter, and Madam Zhao didn't want Yu'er to suffer. She said, “Eldest daughter-in-law, you need to think carefully. If this match were truly so wonderful, do you think I wouldn't agree? Their land relies entirely on their own management. This scholar, what farming can he do? Moreover, the young man’s mother is already old. When Yu’er marries in, all that will fall upon Yu’er alone. That young man’s mother isn’t kind either. And as for that ‘official’s wife’ status you speak of—that’s far too early. Do you know how difficult it is to become an official? Even setting aside the difficulty of officialdom, if the young man truly does become an official, it’s a big question whether he’d still even favor a wife from our humble home. I’ve seen too many plays depicting such things.”

“Mother, those are just songs in the theatre; you actually believe them? I certainly don’t,” Madam He dismissed Madam Zhao’s concerns.

“Hongxia, tell me, which family is this exactly? Why don't you find your sister tomorrow and let me ask her myself,” Madam He said to Hongxia.

Hongxia immediately looked conflicted. She had originally just blurted out an idea because she was annoyed by her mother-in-law. If she had known her sister-in-law would butt in, she wouldn't have said a word even if beaten. Now, in this situation, she didn't know what to do, but Hongxia still sided with Madam Zhao, saying, “Big Sister-in-law, just listen to Mother. What Mother says is indeed reasonable.”

“Yes, Big Sister-in-law, you must think clearly. This concerns Yu’er’s entire lifetime,” Huang Shi couldn't help but persuade her too.

“What intentions do you all have? You’re not happy that my Yu’er might marry well, are you? You’re all pretending to be benevolent on purpose! I don't believe it. I am determined to marry Yu’er off, and when my Yu’er becomes an official’s wife, don't you dare be envious,” within three exchanges, Madam He started causing a scene again.

Now, neither Hongxia nor Huang Shi spoke. Madam He was truly unappreciative. Everyone was sincerely looking out for Yu’er’s best interests, yet she was intent on stirring up trouble. Huang Shi was originally unwilling to speak up, but she did so only for Yu’er’s sake. If the family ignored her goodwill, so be it.

Lin He had not said a word since Madam He entered. She knew Madam He was someone who liked to make trouble without reason; arguing with her was useless. In any case, this matter wasn't decided by Madam He alone. They still had the Eldest Uncle; they could just invite him over and discuss the matter with him later.

Madam Zhao, being the mother-in-law, was not afraid of offending Madam He. She said, “He, you truly cannot distinguish right from wrong. They are all Yu’er’s aunts and paternal uncles. Why would they wish ill upon Yu’er’s marriage? Do you think whether Yu’er marries well or poorly has that great an impact on them? Have you ever seen many aunts or paternal uncles actually benefit from the marriages of their married nieces? Clear your mind and truly think this through.”

“In any case, I’ve laid my terms here: if this engagement is brought up for Yu’er, I will firmly disagree. In this household, I still have the right to speak. I am Yu’er’s grandmother; I will not harm her. Madam He, don’t harbor any schemes,” Madam Zhao paused, then stated firmly to Madam He.

Lin He nodded. Fortunately, Grandmother was here today to keep the situation under control; otherwise, Madam He might have insisted on finalizing Yu’er’s marriage.

Although Madam He remained silent outwardly, she was still plotting internally. She thought, Yu’er is my daughter; I can marry her off to whomever I please. What does it matter if it’s the grandmother? Once I accomplish this, then I’ll show you all what I can do. Let’s see what you all say then.

After finishing with Madam He, Madam Zhao dropped the topic and began chatting with Huang Shi, Hongxia, and the others about other matters. Since the topic of Yu’er was dropped, Madam He had nothing more to say. She had just made harsh statements, so she felt embarrassed to continue chatting with them. Finding an excuse, she left.

After Madam He departed, Madam Zhao sighed and said, “Poor Yu’er, to have such a mother, she truly won’t know a peaceful day. Hongxia, no matter how your sister-in-law asks you, do not breathe a single word about this young man to her, understood?”

Hongxia nodded. Lin He, however, felt a subtle worry. After Madam Zhao scolded Madam He just now, Madam He hadn't said much more, but from Lin He’s observation, Madam He had likely not given up on the matter. Perhaps she was cooking up some other plan in her mind.

As expected, when Madam He returned home, she went directly to Qingshan’s fishponds. In recent years, Qingshan’s family had dug several ponds along the riverbank. Their livelihood depended on these ponds, bringing in an income of about ten to twelve taels of silver annually. Their life was manageable.

Qingshan saw his mother walking toward the fishponds and asked curiously what brought her there. Madam He told Qingshan about the young man Hongxia had mentioned, relaying everything Madam Zhao and the others had said while complaining about them.

Qingshan’s temperament was closer to Madam He’s. In everything he did, his first thought was his own benefit, and other matters could be ignored. He shared Madam He’s view; he also thought this match was good. However, Qingshan was slightly better than Madam He in that he still considered others to a small extent. He felt that what Grandmother said held some truth. With slight hesitation, he asked, “Mother, but Grandmother isn't entirely wrong. Why don’t we discuss it with Father first?”

“Discuss what? You know your deadbeat father—he’ll certainly side with your grandmother. If he tries to stop us then, we’ll be even more helpless. While he isn’t fully aware of the details yet, I’ll coax him and get this settled,” Madam He insisted.

“Why don’t we ask Yu’er’s opinion? Let her decide for herself. It’s her marriage, after all,” Qingshan remained hesitant.

“Yu’er is a young lady; how could she bring herself to speak of such things? Just do as I say. This afternoon, I will ask the matchmaker to inquire. If what your little aunt said is true, I’ll have the matchmaker tell them to come directly with a formal proposal. We’ll settle this matter,” Madam He stated resolutely.