Madam Zhao intentionally held back from mentioning the division of the household at first; this was a tactic to divert attention from her main objective. She put forward some exorbitant demands first, which the Zhao family would certainly refuse. Then, she would propose something less unreasonable, making it naturally difficult for Zhao Yu to reject outright after careful consideration.

Indeed, upon hearing Madam Zhao’s words, Zhao Yu’s mother cried out, “Auntie Zhao, are you joking? How can a married daughter move back to her parents’ home, bringing her husband along to live there too? Is that asking my son to marry into her family? I will not agree, and our Yu'er won't either.”

Zhao Yu glanced at his mother and said to Madam Zhao, “Yes, Grandmother, this might not be appropriate.”

“Then what do you suggest? Our Yu’er has already been beaten half to death by your mother. If we let her go back now, and your mother beats her again, she could be beaten to death. I raised my daughter for this long not to be beaten by others. In any case, it’s impossible for Yu’er to go back and live with your mother. I forbid it!” Madam He interjected from the side.

“If you forbid it, then fine. Yu’er will stay here at your house. My Yu'er and I will go back. Come on, Yu’er, let’s go home,” Zhao Yu’s mother called out to her son.

However, Zhao Yu remained fixated on Yu’er, not moving. Yu’er stared intently back at Zhao Yu. If Zhao Yu were truly called away by his mother like this today, it seemed their relationship with him might have reached its end. Truthfully, Yu’er still held some lingering affection for Zhao Yu, and thankfully, Zhao Yu hadn't moved, suggesting he likely didn't agree with his mother’s actions either.

Everyone in the courtyard watched Zhao Yu intently. Although Yu’er had encountered such trouble in the Zhao household, at this particular time, people preferred harmony over separation, especially concerning marital ties. They would rather the wife’s side suffer some losses than see the marriage dissolved.

Lin He watched Zhao Yu. As it appeared, Zhao Yu wasn't inherently a bad person, just somewhat spineless. Furthermore, because his mother had always managed all the household affairs, even after marrying, he hadn't grasped the necessity of becoming the head of his own family. He still believed things should remain as they were, leading to the current predicament.

Another factor was that Zhao Yu lacked his own livelihood—or more accurately, he lacked income. Although he aimed to pursue scholarly studies, whether he would succeed in attaining any official title remained uncertain. In Lin He’s view, regardless of whether Zhao Yu aimed for scholarly success, he needed to find something to do first. The amount earned was secondary; once a man had an income, his backbone would naturally become firmer. Unlike now, where his mother held all the power, naturally leaving him lacking confidence in his speech. This was a very practical issue: whoever controls the finances in a household dictates the rules of that home.

Zhao Yu’s mother kept shouting, while Zhao Yu remained seated and still. The crowd in the courtyard remained silent. Finally, Old Man Lin spoke up: “Zhao Yu, here is my suggestion: either Yu’er stays at her parents’ home and you come here, or if Yu’er is to return to your house, then you should separate from your mother and live on your own. You two young ones can manage your own lives, and it won't be as exhausting for your mother.”

“Yes, Zhao Yu, I think Grandfather’s suggestion is good. Besides, you are a grown man now; it's time you became the master of your own house. You can’t rely on your mother for everything. Your mother will also grow old one day. You and Yu’er will eventually have to shoulder this family. Otherwise, when you have children, will your mother still have to support your entire family?” Er Niu also chimed in.

“Yes, Father and Second Brother are right. Let’s just divide the household. If Zhao Yu agrees to separate the household, I will let Yu’er return with you. As long as you two love each other and support each other, whether your life is hard or easy, we as in-laws won’t complain,” Da Jiang also spoke up.

Zhao Yu clearly had never considered the matter of dividing the household. Hearing the Lin family say this, he seemed momentarily taken aback, staring blankly at Da Jiang, unsure how to respond. Zhao Yu’s mother, upon hearing the Lin family’s proposal, cried out, “Oh, I see now. After all this talking, you are trying to instigate Yu’er to separate from me! Don't even think about it. My son and I have depended on each other for so many years. All my hard work over the years was for my son to have a good future. If we split up, your Yu’er can’t do anything, and my Yu’er will suffer to death. I do not agree to divide the household.”

“Madam Zhao, we have not said a single word questioning everything you have done for Zhao Yu. Even after you beat Yu’er so badly, we haven't reproached you once while here in our home today. However, what you just said is wrong. We are not inciting Zhao Yu to separate from you, nor are we trying to snatch your son away from you. It’s just that Zhao Yu is a grown man now; he has a long life ahead of him. He no longer belongs only to you. He is a man, and you cannot keep him behind you for his entire life,” Madam Zhao stated earnestly.

“Do you think it has been easy for me alone all these years? After his father passed away, aside from some land, the family had nothing. For all these years, I covered Zhao Yu’s food, clothing, and education. With only my two hands, I had to work day and night just to manage. Now that he’s finally married, I hoped to have some ease, yet you want to snatch my son away. What kind of people are you? Are you bandits?” Madam Zhao’s words became increasingly unrestrained as she spoke.

“Yu’er, do you agree to separate the household too? Do you really intend to cast your mother aside for a woman?” Zhao Yu’s mother then asked Zhao Yu.

“Mother, I…” Zhao Yu still couldn’t manage to form a complete sentence.

Lin He observed the situation and realized that Zhao Yu’s mother was a formidable character. While she appeared to be arguing with them, every word she spoke was actually an airing of her past hardships. Moreover, Zhao Yu was inherently a filial son; if Madam Zhao were allowed to continue speaking like this, the outcome would certainly not be positive. The decision now rested entirely in Zhao Yu’s hands: if Zhao Yu agreed to divide the household, Yu’er would stay with the Zhao family; if he disagreed, Yu’er would leave.

Just as Lin He was feeling anxious, Madam Zhao seemed to have grasped this reality too. She nudged Yu’er beside her. Yu’er initially didn't react, standing there blankly, but then she saw Madam Zhao subtly signal to Zhao Yu beside her. Yu’er finally understood and spoke up, “Zhao Yu, I know it hasn’t been easy for your mother raising you. If the household were harmonious, I would willingly stay and respect your mother alongside you. I never intended to cast your mother aside. Wasn't life good enough for the three of you before? Besides, I’m not someone who likes to cause trouble; you know this from how long I’ve been married into your family. I usually wouldn’t speak ill of your mother even once in front of you. Reaching this point today was never my intention; I truly cannot endure it any longer. Since things are this way, I don't want to put you in a difficult position either. Let’s just forget it. In the future, you can find a capable wife who gets along well with your mother.” As Yu’er spoke, she began to weep, exposing the wounds on her hand to Zhao Yu’s sight.