The He family members returned home under the cover of darkness. Qingshan and Dajiang breathed a sigh of relief; they had finally settled Yu'er’s affairs. Madam He, however, was exceptionally pleased, far beyond what she had anticipated. She had initially only planned to retrieve her dowry and separate the households, but now the family was divided, and they had secured a considerable settlement. Just the six mu of farmland alone meant that Yu'er and her husband would have an easier life going forward. For months, Madam He had been deeply worried about Yu'er’s situation, but since the mistake was hers, she hadn't felt she could complain much to anyone. Now that it was finally resolved, joy naturally followed.

As Madam He and the others reached the doorway of their home, Dajiang walked straight into the courtyard without a word. Madam He had hoped that the resolution of Yu’er’s matter might have calmed Dajiang’s temper, allowing her to return to her own house. But Dajiang merely entered alone. Madam He hesitated to humble herself and ask, so she followed Qingshan back to Qingshan’s home.

Seeing her mother follow her, Qingshan said, “Mother, it is time for you to go back now. You have stayed with us for quite some time. Father is busy alone at home, and there is no one to look after him. With the busy farming season upon us, perhaps you should return.”

“I will not return. I won’t go back until your father comes to my place and apologizes,” Madam He declared, her tone decidedly arrogant.

Qingshan looked at her mother with a touch of helplessness. “Mother, let it go. When has Father ever apologized to you? Besides, Father was not wrong this time; you were truly excessive. Father was only saying what he did because Grandmother forced his hand. You should use this busy time to go back and help Father with the fieldwork. I think his anger has subsided somewhat, and he certainly won't drive you out.”

“What? You think Mother has stayed at your house too long and now you are trying to kick me out?” Madam He’s voice tightened as she observed Qingshan’s eagerness to persuade her.

“Mother, how could I mean that? Am I not thinking of what is best for both you and Father? You cannot truly spend the rest of your lives like this, can you? When people get old, they need companionship. You and Father are both at an advanced age; what are you still competing over?” Qingshan felt an awkwardness creeping into her expression under Madam He’s scrutiny.

The truth was, Qingshan genuinely wished for Madam He to leave her household. During her stay, Madam He sought to manage everything, dictating affairs both inside and out. If Dongyu and Yuemei had anything to do, Madam He would interfere. In the past, when they all lived under Madam He’s authority, it might have been acceptable, but now they were in Qingshan’s home. Madam He did no work herself, yet she was constantly giving orders, which certainly made her two daughters-in-law uncomfortable. Yuemei had been relatively restrained these past few days, trying to avoid direct confrontation. However, Madam He and Dongyu had already had several minor quarrels. While none were major incidents, Qingshan felt that if her mother continued to stay, it would not work out. It was hard enough that the two women in the house had just found a period of quiet; now her mother was adding trouble, and she was reaching her limit.

Madam He glanced at Qingshan, said nothing, only let out a sigh, and reluctantly followed Qingshan back home.

At Lin He’s house, the next day, when Dajiang reported that Yu'er had separated her household and received some assets, along with her dowry being returned, everyone in the family was naturally pleased. Erniu even suggested that if Zhao Yu wished to work in the town, it wouldn't be difficult for Dabao to help him find something, though it might not necessarily be related to his studies. Dajiang decided they would discuss it next time Yu'er visited; after all, with some land assets, they were not in dire need of immediate income.

After Dajiang left, Yu'er’s family chatted in the courtyard. Madam Huang remarked, “It’s a blessing that Yu'er’s situation was finally resolved. If anything else had happened, I don’t know what we would have done.”

Lin He nodded in agreement. It was true. Lin He couldn’t quite fathom why some mothers-in-law enjoyed creating trouble at this juncture. In truth, for a family like Zhao Yu’s—with only one son and no sisters—there shouldn’t have been many internal conflicts. Coupled with some family property and the fact that Zhao Yu was a scholar, it should have been a life of filial piety and maternal affection, where they could have several children and live well. Why did they insist on making the household miserable, driving their son and daughter-in-law to the point of separation? Ultimately, who suffers from such turmoil? It was entirely unnecessary.

Lin He shook her head pensively. Madam Huang seemed to see right through her thoughts and said, “He’r, that is just how mothers-in-law are. Decades spent as a daughter-in-law eventually turn them into a matriarch. When they were daughters-in-law, they were often tormented by their own mothers-in-law and had no control in their own homes. By the time they become mothers-in-law themselves, they often vent all that pent-up frustration on their daughters-in-law. When you and Chen’er marry into a family later, you both must be dutiful and follow the rules.”

Lin He looked at Madam Huang, strongly disagreeing with her words about being dutiful. What had Sister Yu’er done wrong, yet she still faced such torment from her mother-in-law? It was because such people existed that sometimes one could not avoid trouble even if they tried.

Madam Huang continued from the side, “He’r, I’m not overly worried about you. You’ve been capable since childhood and have always handled your own affairs without needing our interference. It is Chen’er’s situation this time that makes me extremely worried. Yu’er is much more sensible than Chen’er, yet she was treated that way by her in-laws. If Chen’er continues down this path, what will become of her?”

“Mother has a point; Chen’er certainly needs to be taught properly,” Lin He conceded.

“She does need teaching, but Chen’er is utterly impervious to instruction. I don’t know how to teach her. She usually listens to you a bit. While you are still here for a few more years, you must instruct her well. She needs to practice her culinary skills and needlework, and when there is nothing else, teach her household management. She must absorb something.” Madam Huang instructed Lin He.

Erniu, who had been silent nearby, spoke up when Chen’er was mentioned. “Chen’er is indeed difficult to teach. She dislikes chores, isn't bright, and loves to spend money recklessly. We’ll just have to prepare a generous dowry for her when she marries off.”

“A larger dowry can certainly be prepared, but if Chen’er remains like this, I fear she won't even be able to manage the dowry we give her. A woman’s dowry is her pillar of support in her in-laws’ home. If she cannot even manage her own dowry, how can she manage a household? This girl truly worries me,” Madam Huang fretted.

Erniu looked at Madam Huang’s anxious expression and chuckled. “You always worry about everything. Chen’er is only eleven now; her wedding is still years away. If things really don’t work out, we can just find a live-in son-in-law for our Chen’er. Then, at least she won’t be bullied in her own home, right? We aren’t without the means to do that.”