"Yes, Father, Mother actually only wants what's best for Yu'er, hoping she'll have a good life. The Zhao family's circumstances aren't bad; every daughter who marries has to manage everything inside and out. Look at how Yuemei married into our family, isn't it the same for her?" Qingshan also tried to reason with Dajiang.

Madam Huang knew that this matter was settled this way; how things turned out in the future depended on Yu'er's fate. "Elder Brother, perhaps you and Qingshan should go in first. The Zhao family is still waiting. We must still perform our courtesies properly and not let others mock us. Your issue with Big Sister-in-law can be discussed after they leave. Otherwise, when Yu'er enters the house, people will gossip."

Dajiang nodded and walked into the courtyard with Qingshan. Madam Zhao, displeased with the engagement, did not follow them in and instead went with Erniu and Madam Huang to Erniu's house. Seeing her parents return together, Lin He asked, "Mother, how was it? Did people from that scholar's family really come to propose?"

Madam Huang nodded and sat down in the courtyard with Madam Zhao and Dajiang. Erniu said nothing, but Madam Zhao kept sighing, saying, "Alas, it's Yu'er's fate to have a mother like this. And Dajiang is truly something else; he decided on such a major matter without even consulting us. If Yu'er has a hard time in the future, it will be because of what her parents decided, and then the two of them can just cry about it."

Erniu hadn't seen the Zhao family, but seeing his mother so worried, he advised, "Mother, things might not be exactly as you say. I actually think the man sounds decent; he’s a scholar, and their family isn't poor."

Madam Zhao had already voiced her concerns many times today and didn't wish to explain further, just sitting aside and sighing incessantly. Madam Huang, however, scolded, "You speak sweetly, but which daughter isn't cherished like a jewel when living with her parents? Look at Yu'er at home; I doubt she has ever done farm work. Big Sister-in-law might be strict, but she dotes on her two children. While the Zhao family's conditions are good, did you not see the young man’s mother? I don't think she's a simple person. Once Yu'er marries in, this mother-in-law will likely be difficult to deal with. This is all your fault; if you hadn't dozed off while I was talking to you, perhaps I could have spoken to Big Brother beforehand, and we wouldn't be at this point. If Yu'er suffers later, I will feel terrible."

"Yes, that's the truth of it. Although Dajiang’s family isn't wealthy, they prioritize their children. I would rather Yu'er marry into an ordinary farming family with several brothers; that would be better than this. Look at this young man; although he is nineteen, his mother does everything for the household. I suspect this young man can't shoulder much responsibility himself. And that young man's mother—the way she spoke was so forceful. A daughter-in-law has the hardest life in a household like that," Madam Zhao concurred.

Lin He hadn't seen Zhao Yu's mother, but she could imagine her presence. However, the matter was decided now; there was no changing it.

Over at their house, Dajiang returned to find everyone present and didn't say much, though his expression was grim. Once everything was settled, the matchmaker and the Zhao family departed. Madam He was happily counting the betrothal gifts in the courtyard, constantly praising one thing and then another.

Seeing Madam He, Dajiang’s anger instantly flared. He swung his arm and delivered a resounding slap. It was not a light blow; it sent Madam He staggering a few steps forward until she fell to the ground. Before Madam He could even react, Dajiang spat out a furious condemnation: "Get out! My Lin family has no wife like you. You dared to hide something like this from me! What will happen to our daughter now? You claim Mother agreed and Hongxia introduced them; that’s why I didn’t ask further. It turns out you orchestrated this all by yourself!"

Hearing Dajiang’s accusations, Madam He knew he was enraged over the engagement and immediately started crying out of guilt. "What are you saying? What is wrong with the Zhao family? They have money, and the people are decent. How could they not be worthy of our family?"

Dajiang, hearing her still defend the match, rushed forward and struck her several more times in quick succession, causing Madam He’s vision to swim with stars and her head to reel. Dajiang snarled, "You still dare to talk like that? Are you trying to deceive me further? Mother told me everything that happened! I will divorce you today, no ifs, ands, or buts! Pack your things; I'm going to the clan elder to have the divorce papers drawn up. You leave today!"

Seeing that Dajiang was serious this time, Madam He became frightened and stopped crying. She rushed forward and grabbed the sleeve of Dajiang’s robe, pleading, "Husband, don't divorce me! Although I concealed it from you, Yu'er is my daughter too! I wouldn't harm her. The Zhao family's circumstances are indeed much better than ours. Even if Yu'er suffers a little during the first few years after marrying over, in a few years, once the Zhao boy passes the official examination and Yu'er gives them a grandson, her life will surely be good."

"Besides, I am Yu'er's own mother! I always treat her like a treasure. How could I bear to let her suffer? But my daughter is not young anymore. I've been asking people to inquire about matches these past few years, but they were all farming families poorer than us. I just couldn't bear for her to struggle. Finally, I found this match with the Zhao family—the age and the background were just right—so I settled it," Madam He continued.

Dajiang considered Madam He’s words; there was indeed some truth to them, and his anger began to subside. He also blamed himself for not paying enough attention to Yu'er over the years, admitting his wife had truly cared for their daughter like a treasure. If it had been about anything else, Dajiang might have suspected his wife had ulterior motives. His wife was sharp-tongued and utterly selfish towards others, but when it came to their own daughter, Dajiang would never doubt her.

In the years since they returned to the village, even though the family’s conditions weren't as good as before, this woman was willing to work ceaselessly outside from dawn till dusk doing farm labor, just so Yu'er wouldn't have to lift a finger. At most, Yu'er did household chores during busy farming seasons; she had never even set foot in the fields. Although Madam He was indeed drawn to the family’s better circumstances, ultimately, it was all for her daughter and for the betterment of their household.

As Dajiang pondered, Yu'er emerged from the room and spoke to him. "Father, please don't scold Mother. Mother already told me about this. She said if I myself disagreed, we could call off the engagement. I agreed to it as well."

With that, she helped Madam He up from the floor and then told Dajiang, "Father, I know both you and Mother mean well for me. I have a good sense of things; I won't suffer when I go there. Moreover, the prospective family has already sent the betrothal gifts, and the matter is settled. Please stop making such a scene, or people will hear and mock us."

Qingshan, who had disappeared somewhere, suddenly reappeared and chimed in, "Yes, Father, Mother did nothing wrong. Why are you losing such a temper? Look at how old Yu'er is; everyone else in our village married off long ago."