As Huang Shi and Hong Yun’s group returned home, it was already quite late. They dispersed near the gate, and Huang Shi stepped inside to find the whole family waiting for her dinner. Seeing her pale expression, Lin He asked, “Mother, what happened? I sent a maid over this afternoon, and she only reported hearing crying from the courtyard. What exactly transpired?”

“Alas, Dong Yu lost the child,” Huang Shi said weakly, sinking into a chair.

“The child is gone? What? How? Wasn't she due any day now?” Er Niu sprang up from his seat, his voice laced with anxiety.

“I don’t know the exact cause. But Dong Yu claims Yue Mei is responsible, and Yue Mei has consistently denied it. Seeing how late it was getting, we just came back. We’ll wait to see what Dong Yu says when she wakes up,” Huang Shi replied, glancing at Er Niu.

“Yue Mei? Yue Mei again? What in the world is going on?” Er Niu pressed on.

“I don’t know the specifics, only that Dong Yu says so. Eldest sister-in-law believes it too, and Father and Mother are convinced. Eldest brother and Qingshan must also believe it.”

“So what do we do now? Did Eldest sister-in-law do anything to Yue Mei?”

“Eldest sister-in-law intends to divorce Yue Mei, and Father and Mother agreed, though they said we should wait until Dong Yu has recovered a bit before deciding anything concrete.”

“Divorcing Yue Mei—such a huge matter! Why didn’t anyone send word?”

“What use would it be telling you? Can you even articulate it clearly? The child Dong Yu was carrying was a boy. Mother and Eldest sister-in-law cried in that room for a long time today. From the look of it, even if Yue Mei isn't divorced, she won't have an easy time in this household from now on.”

Lin He listened to the exchange between Huang Shi and Er Niu and began to grasp the situation. Dong Yu had lost her child, and she blamed Song Yue Mei. However, Dong Yu could not produce concrete evidence, yet the Lin family members believed her implicitly. Regardless of the truth, someone needed to bear the blame, and Song Yue Mei was the most likely target, so the fault naturally fell entirely upon her.

Lin He looked at Huang Shi and inquired, “Mother, besides listening to Dong Yu’s account, does anyone else have proof that Sister-in-law Yue Mei did this? What did Sister-in-law Yue Mei herself say?”

“While I was there, there was no proof, which is why everyone, despite believing it, hesitated to insist on the divorce.” Huang Shi then recounted to the family what Yue Mei had said in her room.

Lin He understood the entire sequence of events. Between Dong Yu and Yue Mei, Lin He felt Yue Mei’s character was superior. Although Yue Mei could be uncharitable in her actions and was certainly sharp and astute, Lin He did not perceive her as inherently malicious.

Over this long period, Yue Mei hadn't done anything truly outrageous. While she had been somewhat excessive in her dealings with their mother-in-law, He Shi, it was often because He Shi had pushed her to desperation. Furthermore, since Yue Mei’s current pregnancy, Lin He observed a significant change in her; she seemed much kinder than before and more considerate of family ties in her decisions. Lin He found it unlikely that Song Yue Mei would commit such an act. Nevertheless, Lin He couldn't be absolutely certain that Song Yue Mei was innocent. Strictly speaking, regarding this specific incident, the evidence was indeed insufficient.

Er Niu, being firmly rooted in the Lin family’s perspective, spoke through clenched teeth, “It’s that Song Yue Mei again! It was her last time, too. Such a vicious woman deserves to be cast out. Why did we ever let such a woman marry into the family?”

Lin He frowned slightly and said, “Father, you haven't even grasped the full scope of the situation. Don't rush to a conclusion. Also, keep this matter quiet from Grandfather, Grandmother, and Eldest Uncle. If it turns out not to be Sister-in-law Yue Mei’s doing, it will truly be a terrible sin.”

“How can it not be her? He’er, didn’t you hear your mother? There are so few people in this house—who else could it be, tell me? He’er, don't be too soft-hearted. I know you pity Song Yue Mei if she gets divorced, but aren't Dong Yu and her child even more pitiable?” Er Niu looked earnestly at Lin He.

“Father, I am not saying Sister-in-law Dong Yu isn’t pitiful. I just feel we must ascertain the facts. You all constantly preach about protecting the Lin family's reputation, always talking about how the Lin family behaves, but no matter how grand the Lin family is, we cannot falsely accuse others. Can you confirm right now that it was Sister-in-law Yue Mei? How do you think she did it, when did she act, and what substance was used to cause such immediate, heavy bleeding? Even if this went before the magistrate, you have no evidence to prove Sister-in-law Yue Mei was responsible,” Lin He stated, clearly displeased with Er Niu.

“I don't care about the magistrates. This isn't the court; we don't need proof. It’s obviously her doing,” Er Niu replied, clearly irritated.

Under normal circumstances, Lin He might have refrained from arguing further with Er Niu. However, this matter today concerned Yue Mei’s future happiness, and Lin He could not bear to see Song Yue Mei cast out like this. Furthermore, Lin He found the entire affair exceedingly strange; if everyone simply thought it through, it was quite possible someone else was responsible.

Still, Lin He knew continuing to quarrel with Er Niu would be fruitless. She forced herself to calm down and spoke, “Father, I am not deliberately contradicting you, but I need to understand this situation. Listen to what I have to say, and then we can analyze if it makes sense.”

Er Niu was about to object when Da Bao interjected, “Father, let He’er speak. He’er never speaks nonsense. What she says must have its own logic. Let’s hear her out. Truthfully, I also have doubts that Sister-in-law Yue Mei is that kind of person.”

Huang Shi nudged Er Niu gently, and Er Niu nodded, signaling Lin He to continue. Lin He proceeded: “Let’s set aside the details of the incident for a moment and focus only on Sister-in-law Yue Mei. Since she married in, I have never felt she was a vicious person. Last time, when Sister-in-law Dong Yu lost her child, she blamed Sister-in-law Yue Mei. This time again, she blames Sister-in-law Yue Mei. Yet, despite her fervent assertions, there is no evidence. That, right there, is a point of suspicion.”

“Furthermore, if I were Sister-in-law Yue Mei and intended to harm her, I wouldn’t be foolish enough to keep creating opportunities for Dong Yu to slander me. They live together constantly; harming her could be done anytime, subtly. Think about it: if Sister-in-law Yue Mei is divorced, who benefits the most? Based on these points alone, I think something is amiss. Unless concrete proof is presented, I will not take anyone's word as absolute truth.”

Everyone in the room fell silent. After Lin He’s analysis, her logic indeed seemed sound. Following the silence, Huang Shi commented, “He’er’s reasoning has merit. But if it wasn't Yue Mei, then what could have happened? I saw Dong Yu during her labor today; such a situation certainly wouldn't arise without cause. Moreover, the doctor mentioned that it was very likely caused by ingesting a high dosage of abortifacient.”