Zhao Shi had lunch at Huang Shi's house that day. When Er Niu returned and heard about the day's events, he too remarked that his mother’s temper was growing increasingly volatile; how could she resort to physical violence against another person? He added that once he had placated his mother in the afternoon, he would ask Huang Shi to visit Zhou Shi’s house.

Zhao Shi stayed at Huang Shi’s place the entire afternoon. Huang Shi kept trying to persuade her, and Er Niu also offered some gentle words, but they only touched upon Zhao Shi striking Zhou Shi. They deliberately avoided mentioning Zhou Shi’s potential remarriage, offering no opinion on the matter. Whenever Huang Shi brought it up, Er Niu would simply fall silent, neither endorsing nor opposing the idea.

As for the remarriage itself, it was clear that Zhao Shi would never agree to it so easily, no matter the circumstances. Lin He and Huang Shi were merely trying to counsel Zhao Shi against making things difficult for Zhou Shi over this latest incident. They decided that anything else would have to wait for future persuasion; one must tackle matters one step at a time.

Unexpectedly, halfway through the afternoon, just as Zhao Shi was beginning to calm down and reluctantly agreed to stop harassing Zhou Shi, Cai Qing rushed in from outside, looking utterly distraught. The moment Lin He saw Cai Qing, a dreadful premonition settled in her heart.

Cai Qing had been with the household for a long time, having followed Huang Shi’s management for years. Her disposition was generally steady and seldom ruffled, yet now she burst in, sweating profusely. She glanced quickly at Huang Shi and cried out, “Dongjia Shenzi, it’s terrible, something has happened!” She then seemed to cautiously eye Zhao Shi as she spoke.

Zhao Shi, apparently taking in Cai Qing’s state, spoke up: “What is it? You can’t say things in front of me. And you, Second Elder Daughter-in-Law—what is going on in your family? Why do the maids all call her ‘Dongjia Shenzi’? What kind of address is that? From now on, she is to be called ‘Madam,’ understood?”

Cai Qing nodded meekly, so flustered she forgot to answer Zhao Shi. Lin He, fearing her grandmother might start another argument, quickly interjected, “Cai Qing, what is it? Why are you so panicked?”

Huang Shi also nodded encouragingly to Cai Qing, signaling her to continue. Cai Qing managed to say, “Someone just came running to say that the Third Madam tried to take her own life at home. I saw quite a few people heading over to look when I reached the gate.”

“Ah? Take her own life?” Huang Shi froze on the spot.

Lin He remained the calmer one. She stood up quickly and said, “Mother, come quickly, let’s go see. Attempting suicide is not something to trifle with.”

Zhao Shi, however, remained quite composed, remarking, “When did Third Youngest Wife learn that trick from Eldest Youngest Wife? Threatening suicide at the drop of a hat—who is she trying to scare?”

Hearing her grandmother’s words, Lin He felt a chill; they sounded terribly cold-blooded. But she could not dwell on it. She started walking toward the door, while Huang Shi tried to mediate: “Mother, please, let’s not say such things. Let’s go see what the matter is together. If Third Youngest Wife has met with some calamity, the villagers will gossip us to death!”

Zhao Shi seemed somewhat concerned by Huang Shi’s words, but she remained stubbornly resolute. “I’m not going. You go. See if she’s dead or not; if she’s dead, send someone back to inform me. If she’s alive, there’s no need to tell me anything; tell her I don’t fall for such tricks.”

Huang Shi didn't argue further with Zhao Shi. She quickly called Cai Qing, and they hurried off. When Huang Shi and Lin He arrived at Zhou Shi’s house, a crowd had already gathered by the entrance, and wails could be heard echoing from the courtyard. Lin He’s heart plunged into an icy cavern; could Third Sister-in-law really be dead? The sound of crying was already starting to affect her.

As Lin He approached the courtyard, she realized thankfully that it was only Xiao Yun weeping, being comforted by Da Yuan, Yuan Zhu, and the other younger ones. Lin He couldn’t pause to comfort Xiao Yun; she rushed into the room. Once inside, Lin He let out a breath of relief upon hearing Zhou Shi coughing—at least this confirmed Zhou Shi was not dead. Lin He stepped further in and saw many people gathered: Da Gu, Xiao Gu, Xiao Shan, and even Li Ping were all there. Moreover, Li Ping was holding Zhou Shi half-cradled in his arms, his face etched with pity. Lin He nudged Huang Shi, subtly pointing toward Li Ping. Huang Shi understood the implication, walked in, and called out, “Hong Yun, come lend a hand and help move Third Sister-in-law to the ** first.” With that, she smoothly took Zhou Shi from Li Ping’s embrace.

After Zhou Shi was settled on the bed, Lin He called out, “Xiao Shan, you and Uncle Li Ping go to the village entrance and fetch the physician to check on your mother; we must be sure nothing is wrong.”

Xiao Shan nodded. Li Ping glanced at Zhou Shi, then left with Xiao Shan. Once they were gone, Huang Shi sat by Zhou Shi’s bedside and spoke softly, “Third Sister-in-law, why do this foolish thing? Can nothing be solved without resorting to taking your own life? Think about it—if you were gone, what would become of Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun?”

Zhou Shi’s expression remained agitated. Sobbing, she repeatedly banged her head against the headboard, crying out, “How hard it is to be a person! Nothing I do is right! I’ve endured for so many years, thinking things would finally get easier, and now this happens. I truly don’t want to live anymore!”

Zhou Shi’s cries grew nearly voiceless with exertion. Huang Shi and Lin He, along with the others present, couldn't help but shed tears. It was true; Zhou Shi had suffered so much indignity over the years—raising the children, managing all the farm work, all by herself. Most people, even if their husband’s family was unsupportive, would at least have their maiden family to rely on. But Zhou Shi, in her determination to prove she would never remarry, had severed ties even with her own kin. It was truly unbearable.

Huang Shi sighed and tried to persuade her, “Third Sister-in-law, why put yourself through this? You’ve worked so hard for so long; the easy days are finally in sight, why not just hold on a little longer? Xiao Shan is grown now, and life is much better than it was before. Mother was utterly unreasonable today; we tried to reason with her at my place, and she agreed not to pursue the matter. But you know our mother’s temper—when she gets angry, she doesn't spare anyone’s feelings. Wasn't she just like this with me years ago? Don't take it so much to heart.”

Hong Yun was inherently a kind soul. When she spoke to Zhou Shi yesterday, she was genuinely advocating for her younger sister and had no malice. Seeing Zhou Shi weeping so uncontrollably now, she knelt by the bedside, also weeping, and said, “Third Sister-in-law, please don't be like this. If you won’t think of yourself, think of your two children!”

“Yes, Third Mother,” Lin He urged, “You had such courage before—you even dared to sever family ties. The only reason you didn’t leave back then was for Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun. They still need you now. They have already lost their father; must they also lose their mother? What will become of them if you leave?”