"Look at Hong Yun," Huang Shi teased, "don't just focus on your son getting married; that's ages away. What about Da Sheng? If you're not here, who will look after him?"

Hong Yun still smiled as she replied, "We have two girls at home. Da Yuan is already twelve this year; can such a grown girl not manage the household? I'm working here now, and she's in charge of things back home. When I go back, I just handle the cooking; she doesn't let me do much else, insisting I rest more."

"See how sensible your Da Yuan is, just like our Chen'er at her age? Our Chen'er, though, it would be a blessing if she didn't need us revolving around her! She's twelve this year too, and she can't even manage her own affairs properly," Huang Shi said, looking at Hong Yun with envy.

"Big Sister-in-law, how can my Da Yuan compare to your Chen'er? Your Chen'er is destined for a lady's life; she has maids to attend to anything she can't do. Why worry about such trivialities? What are maids for, anyway? If our family were like yours, I’d certainly let her play around, but alas, it’s their fate to have poor parents like us," Hong Yun said, feigning a sigh.

"He'er, listen to what your paternal aunt is saying. Anyone overhearing might think you hold a grudge against our family. Really..." Huang Shi said, then burst into laughter.

"Second Sister-in-law, I’m not one for pleasantries; I just speak the truth. It is what it is. Your family is well-off, so Chen'er doesn't need to worry about other things. With you looking after her at your parents' home, and her having a substantial dowry when she marries, even if she marries into a family, her mother's family connections mean her in-laws will treat her with more respect. It's fine if she plays around for a few more years. Besides, Chen'er isn't as thoughtless as you make her out to be. Hasn't she been following He'er to do embroidery recently? You set your expectations too high for her, always comparing her to He'er, which makes you feel Chen'er is clueless. But how many truly sensible daughters like He'er are there in the world?" Hong Yun spoke quite earnestly, making Lin He blush a little.

"Yes, Second Sister-in-law, that's exactly the logic," Zhou Shi chimed in from the side, "Hong Yun is certainly speaking the truth."

Hong Yun nodded and continued, "Furthermore, Second Sister-in-law, my desire to work isn't just about earning money. In the years I've been working at your home, I discovered something: when a woman can earn her own money, her spine stiffens, and she gains a real voice at home. Before, when I lived with my in-laws, whenever we argued, my mother-in-law would constantly remind me that it was her son supporting us—my children and me. In the past few years, even when we argue occasionally, my mother-in-law doesn't say that anymore. I feel much more content, even if life is a bit harder this way."

"These past few years, working alongside these sisters, laughing every day—I feel it’s much better than staying home. Our family isn't wealthy, and we don't subscribe to the notion that women shouldn't show their faces in public. With so many benefits, I must go for it."

As soon as Hong Yun finished speaking, Huang Shi laughed again. "Hong Yun has truly changed so much these past few years. Before, she would blush just speaking a sentence. Look at her now, speaking with such practiced reasoning; I’m afraid many people couldn't argue you down. This isn't just a stiffer backbone; your tongue has gotten much quicker too."

Huang Shi’s comment made everyone in the courtyard burst into hearty laughter, even Hong Yun herself laughed out loud. Lin He looked at her paternal aunt and indeed saw how much she had transformed over the years. Lin He remembered her aunt back then—because she had no son, she was constantly meek and timid, so bullied by her mother-in-law that she didn't even dare mention visiting her own parents. But now, her aunt seemed happy every day, and their family lived in harmony. Of course, her son, Da Mao, was a huge contributor, but her aunt was also right: women needed economic independence and shouldn't rely on men; no one could easily boss them around at home, no matter the era.

After the laughter subsided, Huang Shi turned to Zhou Shi suddenly and asked, "Third Sister-in-law, are you really planning to go to the town?"

"Yes, why wouldn't I?" Zhou Shi looked at Huang Shi, confused.

"But your matter hasn't been settled yet! Half a year has flown by in the blink of an eye. Do you remember what we discussed during the New Year? Mother probably wouldn't object so strongly now. Niu Er even sounded out Li Ping—he said he would wait for you no matter how long it takes. Why don't you settle that business first, and then decide about going to town?" Huang Shi said with a smile.

Indeed, Lin He had almost forgotten about that these past few months. She had remembered it recently, planning to tell Grandmother when she had a spare moment, but what with buying the house and discussing moving the factory, running back and forth, she had truly forgotten. Thankfully, Mother remembered. If they waited until they were in town, who knew when that matter would ever be sorted out.

Lin He also added, "Yes, Third Sister, Grandmother’s attitude toward you has improved a lot since the New Year. I imagine she’s accepted it now. If you’ve made up your mind, we should help you resolve that issue before you leave."

Zhou Shi looked at the people before her, silent for a moment, then sighed, "Have you forgotten? Father said that if this matter were to be discussed, the two children couldn't be taken away. I absolutely won't abandon my children. What do you suggest I do?"

When Lin He saw her expression, she initially thought Zhou Shi had backed out again, but it turned out this was the concern. Lin He had already thought of a solution: at worst, Li Ping could marry into their family! Thinking this, Lin He voiced her suggestion.

However, as soon as the words left her mouth, everyone immediately voiced their opposition. Lin He was slightly bewildered. Huang Shi explained, "Child, you usually think things through so thoroughly, why suggest this so simply? Men marrying into families here are already rare, and a widower marrying into a widow's family is even more unheard of. Do you know that someone marrying in has to register their household here? Never mind other things—even if Li Ping agreed, how would the household registration work? Would he take the Lin family name or what? Marrying in is simply out of the question. Besides, Li Ping is his family's only son; we can't really make that request."

Lin He hadn't known about this custom. She recalled reading books or watching shows in her past life where such strictness wasn't mentioned, thinking perhaps customs varied everywhere. It seemed the expectations placed upon a widow here were unusually stringent. If that were the case, it was indeed quite difficult.

"Then why not skip the household registration? Since Third Sister and Li Ping both work over here with us, they can live at Third Sister's place normally. During festivals, Third Sister can go stay with Li Ping for a few days. Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun would be fine staying at home," Lin He offered another idea.

After Lin He finished speaking, she noticed everyone else looking troubled again and asked, "What? Is there a rule against this too?"