Madam He dropped all pretense and began straight away, from beginning to end: "The matter between the third daughter-in-law and Li Ping probably isn't a recent thing. I heard that for the past two years, many of the heavy chores at her house were done by Li Ping. Since Li Ping had to work during the day, he would do the work for her at night. Moreover, many women in the pomade workshop know about this. It’s just that they kept quiet because they thought it was happening at Er Niu’s house, so they didn't want to spread rumors. But now that everyone thinks they are about to get married, it doesn't matter anymore, so they are finally speaking up. Mother, if you don't believe me, get up early tomorrow morning and find a spot under the big tree in the village to listen. I guarantee you’ll hear things much worse than this."

As Madam He spoke, Lin He noticed that Dong Yu, standing nearby, wore a faint, almost gloating smile on her face. Yu'er, however, sat next to Madam He, nudging her a few times with her hand, signaling her to stop talking. But Madam He ignored Yu'er and rattled on about Madam Zhou’s affairs.

In truth, Madam He speaking like this was not strange; that was just the sort of person she was—someone who enjoyed gossiping about others even when it brought her no benefit. Having finally seized an opportunity to curry favor with Madam Zhao, especially during this sensitive time, Madam He would certainly side with Madam Zhao. Lin He could see that since the eldest uncle had not yet forgiven Madam He, her only path back home was through Madam Zhao. Taking advantage of Yu'er’s pregnancy as a convenient excuse, she had gone to Madam Zhao’s house and said a few sweet things. Naturally, Madam Zhao had forgiven her, and her return home was just a matter of time.

However, Lin He found Dong Yu particularly odd. What was Dong Yu's purpose in coming along today? And judging by her demeanor, she seemed eager to stir up trouble. What benefit could that bring her? But Lin He connected this to the affairs of Madam He’s household and began to understand. Dong Yu probably wasn't receiving much attention from Qingshan, and consequently, Song Yuemei likely didn't favor her either. Thus, she had no choice but to align herself with Madam He. Ingratiating herself with Madam He always brought some benefit, and besides, it cost her nothing—just moving her lips. It seemed Madam He had found a replacement, one who was perhaps even more zealous.

To Madam He's surprise, Madam Zhao did not fly into a rage upon hearing the news. She sat silently for a moment, then turned to Hong Xia and said, "Hong Xia, did you hear that clearly? They’ve been involved with Li Ping for ages. That slut was present when we discussed the matter that day, yet she didn't say a single word. Don't you realize this is a direct slap in your face? It’s fortunate that Er Niu and Da Sheng didn't explicitly state the details when they spoke, because if they had, and she had refused, the ones left without face would be us."

Hong Xia knew absolutely nothing about these prior occurrences. She had initially believed it was merely a misunderstanding involving Li Ping. Later, when she learned Li Ping might genuinely have feelings for Madam Zhou, she didn't think much of it; she wasn't determined to marry Li Ping. But hearing Madam He’s account today, coupled with her mother’s words, a seed of resentment toward Madam Zhou began to sprout in Hong Xia’s heart. Her mother was right: if her second brother and brother-in-law had made the situation perfectly clear back then, and Li Ping had flatly rejected the proposal, she would have wanted the earth to swallow her whole. Word would spread that she was desperate enough for a man to lose all sense.

With resentment brewing in her heart, Hong Xia naturally absorbed some of Madam Zhao’s insinuations. She offered no defense for Madam Zhou, nor did she speak up, settling instead into silence. Furthermore, after hearing all this, no one else felt comfortable speaking up for Madam Zhou. Even Hong Yun fell silent. Hong Yun usually had a decent relationship with Madam Zhou, but hearing this, she felt that if Madam Zhou had behaved as described, it was indeed inappropriate.

Madam He, listening from the side, felt confused by Madam Zhao’s words. She was unaware of the situation involving Hong Xia, so she couldn't fathom why her mother-in-law was speaking to Hong Xia in that manner. Filled with nosiness, she asked, "Mother-in-law, what is going on with Hong Xia? What were you all discussing that day, and how does it involve her?"

No one answered Madam He's question. Madam Zhao glanced at Madam He without speaking. After a brief contemplation, Madam Zhao suddenly called out, "Second daughter-in-law, send a maid to fetch the third daughter-in-law for me right now. I intend to interrogate her thoroughly today and see what she plans to do now. This matter can no longer be concealed; it needs to be settled clearly and quickly."

Madam Huang looked at Madam Zhao, hesitating slightly, and said, "Mother, perhaps you should wait until everyone leaves and question her privately? With so many people here, it might be too embarrassing for the third daughter-in-law."

"Second sister-in-law, what are you talking about? What’s there to be embarrassed about? Everyone here is family. We can send the maids away once the third daughter-in-law arrives. If others already know, is there any reason to hide it from our own family?" Madam He interjected.

Madam Huang looked back at Madam Zhao but still did not dispatch a maid. Madam He, growing impatient, spoke up again, "Second daughter-in-law, are you afraid the third daughter-in-law will blame you when she gets here? Fine, Dong Yu, you go and fetch her. I’m not afraid of anything. Go call the third daughter-in-law."

With that, she nudged Dong Yu. Madam Zhao, hearing Madam He's words, looked at Madam Huang and then nodded toward Dong Yu, signaling her to go. Dong Yu rose to her feet, though Lin He observed a flash of anger cross Dong Yu’s face before she complied.

Lin He knew Dong Yu must feel slighted. Originally, a maid was supposed to be sent, but the second branch of the family wouldn't even allow a maid to go, yet Madam He eagerly ordered her instead. Wasn't that implying she was less useful than a maid? Moreover, both she and Yu'er were sitting there; although Yu'er was pregnant, her due date was still months away. Madam He was clearly reluctant to order her own daughter around but readily commanded her instead. Lin He found it amusing, thinking Dong Yu brought this upon herself. Why did she have to tag along in the first place? And why didn't Song Yuemei come along? Furthermore, she had been smiling with satisfaction earlier; now she was getting exactly what she deserved.

Not long after Dong Yu left for Madam Zhou’s house, she returned with Madam Zhou. Madam Zhou, seeing that Dong Yu had been the one sent to summon her, felt a strange sense of foreboding, assuming it couldn't be good news. Consequently, she entered with a fearful look. Upon arrival, she first assessed Madam Zhao’s expression, then looked toward Madam Huang and the others. Madam Zhao’s face was thunderous, and Madam Huang looked at her with clear worry, which only amplified Madam Zhou’s apprehension.

Madam Zhou entered very cautiously and whispered, "Mother, why did you call me here?"

Madam Zhao stared at Madam Zhou for a long moment, remaining perfectly still and silent. She simply kept her gaze fixed on Madam Zhou.