Just as the Zhou matriarch began to feel intensely uneasy under the gaze of the Zhao matriarch, the latter finally spoke. "Zhou, what are you doing at home today? You usually spend your time chatting over at the second son's house, don't you? Why aren't you over there today when you don't have chores? Do you have so much housework to catch up on?"

The Zhou matriarch looked at the Zhao matriarch, feeling even more unsettled. The elder woman's expression was so severe, yet her words were surprisingly gentle. This lack of clarity made the Zhou matriarch even more uncertain and consequently, more flustered. Still, she replied softly, "Oh, nothing much. I was just tidying up a bit. I usually don't have the time when there's work to be done, so I took advantage of the break today."

The Zhou matriarch’s voice trembled slightly from fear. Lin He watched her from the side, filled with pity. The whole atmosphere felt like a public trial aimed at the Zhou matriarch. Judging by the grandmother's demeanor today, the Zhou matriarch was certainly in for a difficult time. As for the others present in the He family household, as long as He Shi and Dong Yu didn't add fuel to the fire, things might be manageable. Yu'er wouldn't say much, and Hong Xia clearly held resentment towards the Zhou matriarch. Hong Yun was likely siding with Hong Xia. The only ones who could possibly offer help were Lin He herself and her mother. However, if the grandmother lost her temper, never mind that Lin He was inconsequential; even if her mother spoke a word of fairness, she would likely be harassed by the grandmother, and the situation would only spiral out of control. They had all experienced the grandmother's fierceness before, and Lin He felt that the Zhou matriarch's handling of this matter this time was indeed inappropriate, and she would likely have to swallow some anger.

Lin He mused that since the other party claimed to have seen Li Ping helping her multiple times, there must have been communication between the Zhou matriarch and Li Ping—perhaps even something intimate. If she wanted to remarry, she only needed to state it plainly. Even if the Zhao matriarch disagreed, the rest of the family would likely be understanding. But instead, she chose to be secretive. However, in this world, nothing truly stays hidden forever. In the end, everyone found out, and it even dragged Hong Xia's situation into it, complicating what was originally a simple matter.

If she truly had nothing going on with Li Ping, then she should have been more cautious. After all, she was a widow; the saying about rumors surrounding a widow’s door existed for a reason. This situation had clearly caused quite a stir. Regardless of whether He Shi's description was exaggerated, something must have happened, because He Shi had confidently stated that others could verify her claims if they didn't believe her. Lin He understood He Shi well enough to know she wouldn't make such a statement if it were fabricated.

After hearing the Zhou matriarch’s explanation, the Zhao matriarch gave a sarcastic smile. "Don't you have others helping you with your chores at home? Why do you need to squeeze in time to do them yourself? I suspect you aren't working at home; you're out meeting some wild man."

Hearing her mother-in-law’s words, some of the fear receded from the Zhou matriarch's face. It seemed she finally grasped the elder woman’s true intention, giving her a little ground to stand on, and she wasn't as frantic. Yet, she didn't flare up, merely saying softly, "Mother, what are you talking about? What wild man? I was just at home with little Yun. If you don't believe me, ask Dong Yu; when Dong Yu arrived just now, I was sweeping the yard."

"Perhaps not today, but likely in the past? I heard people saying that the man surnamed Li, that wild man, helps you with many chores at home. Is that true?" the Zhao matriarch demanded.

The Zhou matriarch's face changed again, but she still argued, "No, Mother. Who told you such a thing?"

"Still refusing to admit it? The whole village is buzzing about it now. If you don't believe me, walk around with me, and perhaps quite a few people will offer congratulations that my daughter-in-law is marrying out again! You, you vile woman! The other day you swore you didn't even know Li Ping, that you didn't know who Li Ping was, and now this whole mess surfaces. What do you have to say now?" the Zhao matriarch burst out in anger.

"Yes, Third Sister-in-law, it’s fine if you know Li Ping, but why deny it? If you had admitted it earlier, none of this would have happened. Besides, you were there the day we talked about finding someone for Hong Xia. Even if you couldn't tell Mother, you could have told me or Second Sister-in-law. We would have covered for you. Look at how things have turned out now," Hong Yun added with a tone of mild reproach.

"No, Hong Yun, Hong Xia, listen to me, that day I was actually..."

Before the Zhou matriarch could finish, He Shi cut in. "What were you? I think you did it on purpose! You specifically wanted us to see how wonderful you are, thinking he fancies you and not Hong Xia, is that it? I say, Third Sister-in-law, how could you? Hong Xia is family! And she hasn't treated you badly either. Aren't you afraid of letting Hong Xia down by doing this?" After listening for a while, He Shi finally understood why Hong Xia was entangled in this matter.

"No, Mother, you all listen to me, that’s not what I meant," the Zhou matriarch cried out urgently.

"Then what did you mean? I'd like to hear it clearly," the Zhao matriarch settled back down, signaling the Zhou matriarch to continue.

"I truly didn't know Li Ping before. I don't know why he insists on helping me with my chores. I’ve told him off several times, and I ignored him whenever I saw him coming. Last time when we discussed Hong Xia, I genuinely didn't connect it to this matter. Besides, there's nothing going on between Li Ping and me, so what is there to talk about?" the Zhou matriarch defended herself.

Lin He rubbed her forehead. The Zhou matriarch’s explanation today was utterly clumsy. If she didn't know how to explain, she shouldn't have explained at all. By saying that, she had essentially admitted to having ongoing contact with Li Ping, and more than once. Moreover, her tone implied that he was someone she didn't want, yet he insisted on clinging to her, while Hong Xia couldn't get him even if she wanted one. The Zhou matriarch might not have meant it that way, but the Zhao matriarch and Hong Xia would certainly interpret it that way.

Indeed, as soon as the Zhou matriarch finished speaking, He Shi seized on the verbal slip. "Mother, listen to what Third Sister-in-law says. Didn't I tell you? She admitted it—and said it happened several times! And yet she dares to claim she has nothing going on with Li Ping? Do you expect us to catch you in the act before you admit something is happening, right?"

The way He Shi cornered her made the Zhou matriarch’s expression turn sour towards her. Besides, Dong Yu had been deliberately sarcastic when calling for her earlier. Now, He Shi was going too far, so she retorted, "I wouldn't do such a thing. However, people in your own household are accustomed to it. If you want to talk about it, why don't you start with your own family members first?"

Hearing this, He Shi immediately jumped up and started cursing, "Zhou, who do you think you are? You're the one seducing men everywhere, and now you dare bring up such things? And you won't even admit to seducing men! Do you think no one knows? You won't allow us to talk about it here, yet you dare to go out and silence others?"

The Zhou matriarch stared fixedly at He Shi. "First Sister-in-law, you are accusing me of seducing men today. You must provide me with proof. If you cannot present facts, I won't let this go today. Don't you dare bully me just because I am a widow."