Madam Huang, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up as Madam He seemed to be directing the conflict toward her family. “Sister-in-law, one shouldn't be so calculating. Regardless of who those two young women are, or how long Mother intends for them to stay, it’s not for us to question. As children, we should be filial to our elders and refrain from meddling where we shouldn't. We separated our households long ago; we have no standing to interfere in our parents' lives. Furthermore, Hongxia is right. Never mind if these two young ladies are staying for a short while; even if they stay their entire lives, Mother isn't asking you for extra money, nor do we, the younger ones, have a say. As for your claim that Mother brought the girls here for our family’s sake—whether that’s true or not, you needn't worry about it. That is our private matter. In short, it hasn't harmed any of your interests. You claim your entire family is struggling, yet I doubt you are the most destitute. This third daughter-in-law, managing two children, has had a far harder time, and she hasn't uttered a single complaint. Why is it that whenever it comes to you, there are always so many issues?”

Madam Huang's words made her meaning perfectly clear: Madam He simply enjoyed making trouble. With so many people present, and no one else raising an issue, she insisted on starting a quarrel. Although Madam Huang’s tone was one of calm narration, the accusation within her words was stark and undisguised. Madam Huang had indeed changed considerably over these past few years.

“Yes, Sister-in-law, everyone came today mainly to see Yue Mei and Dong Yu. Wouldn't it be better if the whole family just chatted happily? Why must we bring up these unpleasant matters? For years, Father and Mother have essentially been supported almost entirely by Second Brother’s family. The small amounts our two households contribute monthly—what does that even cover? Barely enough for daily rations, I suspect. Second Brother's family hasn't said a word about it, nor have Father and Mother ever complained about us to the village, have they?” Madam Zhou unusually interjected.

“Are you all ganging up on me? Second-branch only has some money, and you flock to them like this? I never realized you were all such money-grubbing, petty people. Get out, every last one of you! Stop being so sanctimonious; you’re just a bunch of flatterers. If you all like Second Brother’s family so much, then go to Second Brother’s house! I’m done serving you all!” Madam He, cornered by everyone’s pointed remarks, resorted to throwing a fit.

“Madam He, who are you calling 'old mother' in front of me? Are you trying to kick me out? You won't rest today unless you stir up some real trouble, will you?” Madam Zhao’s voice also began to rise.

“Am I causing trouble? I’m merely stating the facts! I just feel it’s unfair—why would Father and Mother choose to support outsiders while neglecting their own son and daughter-in-law? What kind of logic is that, Mother?” Madam He shouted back, refusing to yield.

“Then, Madam He, are you implying that because you contribute to the monthly elderly allowance for several of us, all matters concerning our household must have your approval, otherwise you will stop paying your share for supporting the elders?” Madam Zhao’s voice lowered, but it became remarkably sharp.

“If Father and Mother insist on supporting outsiders, I will not contribute the pension money next month,” Madam He replied readily.

Song Yue Mei, standing nearby, couldn't bear to watch anymore. “Mother, please stop talking. Father will fly into a rage again when he gets back later, and who knows what kind of scene it will escalate into.”

“You’re no good either! What benefits did your Second Uncle’s family give you that you are siding with them and trying to pressure me with your father? You have no place speaking here,” Madam He jabbed a finger at Song Yue Mei and scolded her.

Song Yue Mei truly did not wish to argue with Madam He. Firstly, she had promised Qingshan to avoid direct confrontation with her mother-in-law as much as possible. Secondly, being pregnant, she certainly didn't want to agitate herself. She simply glanced at Madam He and said nothing further—or rather, she couldn't be bothered to engage with Madam He.

Dong Yu, her mind racing, chimed in, seemingly supporting Madam He. “Yes, Elder Sister, Mother is right. Mother is only looking out for our whole family. Why are you siding with outsiders?”

Madam He gave Dong Yu an approving look, and Dong Yu smiled back at her. Lin He watched this interaction, thinking that the tides of fortune were certainly turning in Madam He’s household. Previously, it was Song Yue Mei causing chaos, and now that Song Yue Mei has quieted down, Dong Yu has stepped up. It seemed this family would never know a moment’s peace.

However, as everyone else was reluctant to fight Madam He, and given that they had shown up according to custom, Lin He called for Madam Huang to go home. Hongxia and Madam Zhou also stood up to leave. But Madam Zhao was not one to be easily dismissed. “Madam He, I’ve told you before to temper yourself. I thought you had settled down these past few years, so I didn’t say much. Are you planning to revert to your old ways today? I truly cannot let this pass so easily today.”

“Second Sister-in-law, Hongyun, neither of you should leave! Sit right here! Today, I must see just how capable Madam He is, and what exactly she intends to do. Lin He, send a maid to call Da Jiang back from the mountain top! Today, even if Da Jiang doesn't divorce this shrew, he will make her beg for mercy! I’ll show her what happens when she makes such a fuss here. And you, Dong Yu—you enjoy instigating trouble, don’t you? Today, I’ll deal with you as well.” In truth, Madam Zhao had wanted to settle scores with Madam He for a long time, but Madam He had behaved acceptably recently, not deliberately causing trouble, and now her old habits had flared up again.

In reality, Lin He felt that Madam He was being utterly tactless today. Normally, her grandmother could be domineering and quarrelsome, very forceful towards her daughters-in-law, but today the grandmother had been relatively magnanimous. It was Madam He’s repeated provocations that finally sparked her anger. Moreover, Madam He was acting strangely today, picking fights for no apparent reason, seemingly unable to tolerate anyone present. Madam He certainly deserved a lesson, but for the grandmother to demand calling the eldest uncle back—was that really wise?

Seeing that the grandmother hadn't moved, Madam Zhao directly commanded the maid beside her, Zi Yu, “Zi Yu, go call Da Jiang back from the mountainside. Tell him his wife, Madam He, is acting insane at home, threatening to turn the entire house upside down. Also, go find Qingshan by the fish pond. I will overlook what you just said, Dong Yu, considering you are pregnant, but your tendency to instigate is becoming too pronounced. I will have your husband, Qingshan, return to discipline you. Hurry now, I am ordering you to do this; no one will blame you.”

Zi Yu nodded, though her eyes flickered toward Lin He. Lin He gave a slight nod, and Zi Yu hurried out. Madam He, on the other hand, began to feel a knot of anxiety in her stomach. She hadn't truly intended to cause such a massive scene; it was only after hearing what everyone else said that she couldn't restrain herself. She hadn't expected her mother-in-law to escalate things this far today. She had caused similar scenes before, and the grandmother hadn't reacted this strongly; this reaction was completely unexpected.