Zhou Shi listened to Huang Shi's words, suddenly lifted her head, and said, "Second Sister-in-law, what did you say? You can't take Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun away? You want me to abandon my two children? That’s absolutely impossible. I won’t remarry; I won’t marry at all. If I were willing to abandon my children, I would have remarried long ago. I’ve held out until this day precisely for my children. If that’s the case, don't bring this up again. I would rather die than agree."

"Don't make such a quick decision. If Father agrees to this matter, that's enough. As for everything else, we can discuss it slowly; there's no rush. Alright, alright, let’s stop talking about this for now and focus on our chores." Huang Shi said, seeing Zhou Shi’s anxious look.

Zhou Shi nodded, lowered her head, and joined He Shi and Huang Shi in the kitchen work. After bustling about for a while, it grew late. Huang Shi called out that it was time to eat and asked Hongxia to call Zhao Shi out of her room. When Zhao Shi emerged, her eyes were slightly red, but her complexion looked somewhat better. Seeing Zhou Shi, her expression was calm; she only spoke about the meal, saying nothing else.

After eating, the whole family chatted about trivial matters for a while longer. By mid-afternoon, Zhao Shi asked everyone to return home. As they were leaving, Zhao Shi only glanced at Zhou Shi, patted Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun’s heads, spoke very little, and then let them all go back as well.

Once Lin He's family returned home, Huang Shi spoke up, "Husband, what did Mother mean today? The matter concerning the third daughter-in-law wasn't settled at all. Does she agree or not? I genuinely can’t figure it out. If Mother doesn't agree, how are we supposed to arrange things with Li Ping?"

"What’s there not to understand? Mother’s silence means disagreement. That's what it means. Why the rush? This has to be a slow process," Er Niu said with slight irritation.

"Husband, don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts now! You promised! Besides, this has been dragged out for so long. If Mother remains like this, must we drag it on indefinitely? If you delay for a few more years, it will be hard for the third daughter-in-law to remarry even if she wants to. Isn't that exactly what your mother is planning?" Huang Shi said unhappily.

"When did I say I was having second thoughts? Father already agreed! Mother will eventually agree. What I mean is, during the New Year celebrations, we can’t be arguing over this matter. We should wait until after the New Year. Besides, Mother didn't treat the third daughter-in-law badly today, did she?" Er Niu’s voice rose too.

Er Niu wasn't saying he didn't want the third daughter-in-law to remarry, but deep down, he felt a sense of guilt towards his third brother and his parents. He had concealed such a significant matter, and he worried about the consequences if his parents ever found out. Yet, his wife kept pushing, which truly started to annoy him.

Lin He saw her parents about to get serious. While she agreed with her mother, she also understood her father. She quickly interjected, "Mother, Father is right too. It is a bit rushed to bring this up during the New Year. Moreover, I think Grandmother has softened her stance a bit. Since Grandfather already spoke, we shouldn't be too anxious. It’s best if the whole family agrees; then, Third Sister-in-law can remarry with a clearer conscience."

Huang Shi looked at Lin He, nodded, and said no more. After a pause, Huang Shi looked at Dabao and Yunqi sitting to the side. She called Dabao into the room, saying she had something to tell him.

Dabao entered the room and sat on the heated brick bed (kang). Huang Shi asked, "Dabao, you’ve been married for several days now. How do you find Yunqi? Is your wife acceptable?"

"She's fine," Dabao replied casually.

"Fine? Then why are you treating her like that?"

"What's wrong?" Dabao seemed momentarily confused, staring blankly at Huang Shi.

Huang Shi continued, "I’ve lived long enough to know a thing or two, so I can guess the situation between you and Yunqi. Originally, you're already this old, and I wouldn't normally interfere in how you two manage things. But I am waiting to hold a grandson! If you continue like this, when will I ever get to hold one?"

Although Huang Shi's words were somewhat veiled, Dabao knew exactly what he had been doing. Being called out by Huang Shi made him understand, and a blush crept up his face, though he remained silent.

Huang Shi sighed and continued, "Dabao, your father told me about your past. I won't dwell on what's gone, but now that you have married Yunqi, you must treat her justly. You’ve only just brought her home, and you’re already treating your wife with such coldness. How can you expect her to maintain her dignity? Furthermore, this marriage wasn't forced upon you; you agreed to it yourself back then. Since you have brought her into the house, you must treat her well. After all, Yunqi has done nothing wrong."

"Mother, I know. I just can't accept it all at once. It will pass," Dabao murmured softly.

"Accept what? Pass? How long do you plan to wait? A lifetime? You have to accompany Yunqi back to her maternal home tomorrow. Her mother will surely ask her questions, and what am I supposed to tell her then?" Huang Shi pressed on.

"Mother," Dabao called out softly in helplessness.

"I don't care if you can accept it or not, and I don't care if you have feelings for Yunqi. But tomorrow, when Yunqi visits her family, I will not hear gossip from her relatives. You are a grown man; stop being so willful about certain things. You always have to think about others. Moreover, this matter is irreversible. Even if you are unwilling, Yunqi is your wife. No matter who else you think about, that girl in town has already married someone else; it’s useless to keep thinking about her," Huang Shi stated quite bluntly.

Dabao found himself unable to refute Huang Shi’s words. After some thought, he reluctantly nodded. When he stepped into the courtyard, Dabao saw Yunqi and He'er chatting softly. He felt a pang of guilt. His mother was right; Yunqi herself was blameless. Since he married her, he had to treat her well. What else could he do? He couldn't keep fixating on someone who didn't belong to him.

Lin He noticed Dabao emerging, knowing her mother must have spoken to him. She deliberately called Chen'er and headed toward the kitchen, saying they should see what the maids had prepared for dinner. Only Dabao and Yunqi remained in the courtyard. Yunqi glanced at Dabao but said nothing, sitting quietly to one side.

In the few days since Yunqi married in, Dabao had been consistently distant and lukewarm toward her. Despite sharing a room and even a bed for several days now, he wouldn't even dare touch her; if he accidentally leaned near her, Dabao would immediately shift away. She knew Dabao was unwilling to accept her, likely forced into the marriage by the family. Any woman, no matter how dull, could discern whether her man held affection for her.

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