Madam He watched Zhao Yu's mother with such an air of calm that she desperately wanted to leap forward and give her a good thrashing, returning every bruise inflicted upon Yu'er. However, Da Jiang, standing nearby, kept a vigilant eye on Madam He, fearing she might cause a scene. Thus, Madam He could only trade verbal blows with Zhao Yu's mother. "Indeed. I married my daughter into your family to be a daughter-in-law, not to become the mistress of the house. I intended for her to manage the household and show filial piety to her mother-in-law. But you, as a mother-in-law, have gone too far. Not only do you want to work your daughter-in-law to death, but you beat her nearly to death as well. Someone like you is truly unworthy of being a mother-in-law."

"Sister-in-law, what nonsense are you speaking? What 'beating the daughter-in-law to death'? I merely spoke a few sharp words to Yu'er because she doesn't know how to manage things. I didn't lay a hand on her. I usually don't dare to raise my voice, so how could I possibly strike her? Don't falsely accuse me, lest others start gossiping about me." Zhao Yu's mother spoke with a straight face.

"Zhao Yu's mother, someone like you is actually worried about gossip? Look at your household—no decent person would willingly step foot inside. I doubt anyone even bothers to speak ill of you anymore. Hmph." Madam He grew furious when Zhao Yu's mother refused to admit anything.

"Then why did you desperately push for your Yu'er to be sent here in the first place? Weren't her in-laws opposed? You secretly arranged this marriage for what reason? Now you come here saying such things, as if you are any better? Your own home is a complete mess." Zhao Yu's mother sparred back without yielding an inch.

Seeing the two women arguing fiercely, Da Jiang realized this was not the way to handle things, especially since they were visiting the other party's home. He stopped Madam He and said to Zhao Yu's mother, "Sister-in-law, we came today to find Zhao Yu. Since Zhao Yu is not home, we will be leaving. When Zhao Yu returns, tell him to visit our home; we have matters to discuss with him."

"What business can't be discussed right here? Why should our Yu'er go to your place? How am I to know how you'll treat him? I won't let him go alone—don't even think about it," Zhao Yu's mother asked, her tone growing sharp.

Hearing Zhao Yu's mother, Da Jiang didn't know how to reply. He certainly couldn't blurt out that they needed to discuss the division of the family property. He fell silent. However, Madam He, this time keeping a sharper focus, declared, "Hmph. Didn't you just say you never struck our Yu'er? Her injuries haven't faded yet. She's in your house. With only a few people here, either you hit her, or your son Zhao Yu did. If it was your son Zhao Yu, I will find people to reason with you. I want to see what heinous crime my Yu'er committed to be beaten this way. If you don't give us a proper account, I will take this matter straight to the magistrate, even if I have to cause a major disturbance."

"I doubt the magistrate concerns himself with domestic affairs. Furthermore, her injuries have nothing to do with our Yu'er; we don't know what happened," Zhao Yu's mother started to panic upon hearing Madam He's words.

"Zhao Yu's mother, let me tell you today. Before tonight, your Zhao Yu must come to our house. If Zhao Yu doesn't show up, I will wake up tomorrow morning and go straight to the magistrate. Whether the magistrate gets involved or not, we'll see then, but I certainly won't let your family have an easy time. Didn't you say your Zhao Yu is a Xiucai and you're quite proud of it? Everyone within ten li knows your Zhao Yu is a Xiucai; you enjoy the prestige, don't you? Well, I might just give Zhao Yu some real prestige then," Madam He pressed, noticing Zhao Yu's mother's distress and deliberately using intimidation.

"What do you want? What are you planning to do to our Zhao Yu? Don't forget, Zhao Yu is also Yu'er's husband!" Zhao Yu's mother shouted.

"Hmph. They've only been married a few months, and he's already beating his wife almost to death. A man like that is better left alone. In short, I won't say more. We are merely notifying you: Zhao Yu must come over today, or tomorrow you can just wait and see," Madam He clearly held Zhao Yu's mother's weak spot in her grip.

Zhao Yu's mother glared at Madam He, gritting her teeth, truly afraid that Madam He might do something to tarnish her son's reputation. Yet, she refused to soften her tone. "Don't try to scare people here. Do you think you, a mere woman, have the power to go to the magistrate? Why would the authorities even listen to you?"

"I might not have power myself, but you know our second brother, the wealthy one? His family has connections with many rich people in town. Yu'er is, after all, their niece, and they dote on her. When Yu'er married, they provided quite a substantial dowry. Now that they see Yu'er being bullied like this, a single request from me would be enough. Listen, I don't care if the magistrate cares or not. Tomorrow, I will stand outside the magistrate's office and cry foul, shouting that the family of a Xiucai conspired to beat their new daughter-in-law nearly to death. Since you know our family's affairs, you know I'm capable of such a scene. Then your Zhao Yu will truly become infamous," Madam He stated calmly and unhurriedly.

After speaking, Madam He called Da Jiang, and they left, paying no mind to whether Zhao Yu's mother agreed. Seeing Zhao Yu's mother's expression, Madam He felt a surge of satisfaction. On the road, Da Jiang asked, "If Zhao Yu doesn't come, are you really planning to go cry injustice at the magistrate's office? That will make things difficult for Yu'er later on."

Madam He glanced at Da Jiang and replied, "I was just trying to frighten Zhao Yu's mother. Otherwise, she certainly wouldn't let him come. We'll wait at home today; Zhao Yu will surely be here before long."

Madam He's gamble paid off indeed. As soon as Madam He and Da Jiang left, Zhao Yu's mother immediately locked the door and hurried to the neighboring schoolhouse to call for Zhao Yu. Madam He and Da Jiang hadn't waited long at home before Zhao Yu arrived—but he wasn't alone; his mother followed him. Presumably, she was still afraid of what Madam He might do to her son, so she came along.

Seeing Zhao Yu and his mother arrive, Da Jiang immediately started toward them to greet them, but Madam He stopped him, telling him to fetch Madam Zhao and the people from Er Niu's household. Today, Yu'er's matter must have a resolution. After Da Jiang left, Madam He remained silent, leaving Zhao Yu and his mother standing in the courtyard to stew. Zhao Yu entered the courtyard and called out to Madam He, but because she offered no greeting, he remained standing in the yard, a look of awkwardness on his face, speaking no further. It was clear that although Zhao Yu might not know the whole story, he knew some of it, and naturally felt some apprehension. As for Zhao Yu's mother, who had followed him in, Madam He acted as if the woman didn't exist, not even sparing her a glance. Zhao Yu's mother initially stood quietly for a moment, but when she could no longer restrain herself, she finally spoke up.