The other women exchanged glances, and Huang Shi spoke up, "This isn't entirely out of the question, but we'd have to get your grandmother's approval first. This very thing happened a few years ago, remember? Back then, your grandmother insisted that since your Third Uncle built this house, it should ultimately belong to Xiao Shan, and she likely won't agree to this."

Lin He knew that while it felt unfair from an emotional standpoint—the house was built while the Third Uncle was around, but hadn't San Niang contributed her effort? And for so many years, San Niang was the one holding this family together; how could she not have a say?

However, Lin He understood that voicing this would certainly provoke the grandmother's opposition. She was capable of making such moves, and under the prevailing customs, the right was firmly on the grandmother's side. If the grandmother didn't consent, and San Niang remarried, she truly would have no claim to the house.

"So, that way won't work, and this way won't work either. What exactly should we do?" Lin He asked.

"He'er, why don't we just let this go? I don't want to dwell on it anymore. Living like this is fine for me. Besides, if I go work in town, I won't have many chances to see that person again, I..." Zhou Shi trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

"Third Sister-in-law, if you end up with Li Ping, will you still go work in town? I doubt you'd be able to, right?" Hong Yun inquired.

"Regardless, I have to work. Didn't you just make a very reasonable case for why?"

"Then what should we do?" Huang Shi said, sounding troubled as well.

"Don't worry about this for now. I have a plan. As long as the grandmother agrees to their marriage, I will figure out the matter of the house," Lin He said with a smile after a moment of thought.

In truth, Lin He had already conceived a solution. Wasn't the younger aunt currently working in the long-term laborers' courtyard with Yuan Zhu? If Zhou Shi and Li Ping could truly marry, she could arrange for Zhou Shi and the younger aunt, Hong Xia, to swap positions. Hong Xia could take Yuan Zhu to work at the ointment-making workshop in town, and Zhou Shi could stay to work in the laborers' courtyard. Xiao Yun was nearly ten this year and could help out there too. Calculated this way, neither household would lose out.

The monthly wage at the ointment workshop was higher than that for cooking. Since Hong Xia's family had two people working, they would naturally earn more. Zhou Shi, who used to work alone, now had Xiao Yun helping, meaning their family would also see an increase in income. Moreover, Hong Xia accompanying Yuan Zhu meant she could visit town anytime, and Yuan Bao had been staying with Zhao Shi and the others for years anyway.

More crucially, Hong Xia hadn't found a suitable match yet. If Lin He subtly hinted to the grandmother that there might be suitable men in town, given the grandmother's temperament, she would certainly agree. Naturally, the grandmother would then stop caring about the house issue.

Huang Shi observed Lin He’s air of confidence and asked about her plan. Lin He shared her thoughts, and upon hearing them, the faces of the others brightened. They praised Lin He's quick thinking, saying this plan was excellent and that Mother would surely approve. The next step was to talk to Hong Xia first; it would be best for Hong Xia and Hong Yun to convey the news.

Indeed, after they finalized their discussion, Hong Xia was called over that afternoon. Upon hearing the plan, Hong Xia was completely supportive and quite eager to switch positions. She felt that for both the Third Sister-in-law's sake and her own, she was willing to go work in town and earn more money; everyone wanted that.

No one knew exactly what Hong Xia and her sister said to Zhao Shi, but a few days later, Zhao Shi came over alone. As Lin He and Huang Shi were in the courtyard, they saw Zhao Shi enter and exchanged a knowing smile, certain that Zhao Shi was there regarding this matter. Sure enough, Zhao Shi sat down, exchanged a few pleasantries, and smoothly steered the conversation toward the topic.

Zhao Shi asked, "Second Daughter-in-law, do you know about the matter concerning the Third Daughter-in-law and Li Ping that Hong Xia mentioned to me?"

"Oh, I know a little. What about it, Mother? Do you still disagree?" Huang Shi asked Zhao Shi.

"No, I agree. Actually, I came to terms with it a long time ago. I won't interfere with this anymore. Your father has scolded me a few times. It's probably better this way now; I can see Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun anytime. They are still my Lin family members, and with us watching over them, even if others treat them poorly, I can intervene. It’s better than being married off. Just let the Third Daughter-in-law handle things as she sees fit," Zhao Shi sighed.

"Mother, I knew you were reasonable. This is good news. Zhou Shi said that even if she remarries, she will always treat you two elders as her own parents and will continue providing for your old age just as before. You know her maternal family is practically gone. From now on, consider her one of our sisters. Isn't this arrangement excellent?" Huang Shi finally breathed a sigh of relief now that Zhao Shi had consented.

"Mm, I know. The Third Daughter-in-law is a good woman; I've been too stubborn over the years. I was too excessive. In fact, everything He'er said during the New Year was correct. The Third is gone after all this time; the living must still move on with their lives. Let the Third Daughter-in-law's matter proceed as you suggested. Once the date is set, just notify me," Zhao Shi said with a touch of guilt.

Lin He smiled inwardly. Perhaps this grandmother was indeed feeling some remorse, but the main reason for her agreement this time was likely related to her younger daughter, Hong Xia. Regardless, her consent was a positive outcome, so Lin He also smiled and said, "Grandmother, what's past is past; let's not dwell on it. It's best if the whole family can live well."

Zhao Shi nodded, "Yes, that's the very principle."

Huang Shi didn't ponder as deeply as Lin He. She truly believed her mother-in-law had seen the light this time and that Zhou Shi would have a better life. She decided that once the mother-in-law was gone, she would have Er Niu speak to Li Ping about setting the date quickly and proceeding with the arrangements.

Zhao Shi sat there for a while longer, and just as she was about to leave, she suddenly asked, "He'er, I heard from your Eldest Aunt that there are suitable men for Hong Xia in town? What kind of men are they? What do they do? How is their family standing?"

Lin He chuckled inwardly, knowing exactly what was on the grandmother's mind. She replied, "Not yet, but there are so many people in town—there's every sort of person imaginable, certainly more than in the village. It’s best if Little Aunt goes to town herself to look."

"Yes, it’s better if your Little Aunt goes to look for herself," Zhao Shi said with a smile.

She gave Lin He a few more instructions before leaving. These instructions invariably revolved around Lin He knowing many people, and that if she encountered any good prospects, she must introduce them to Hong Xia, preferably seeking out families with better financial standing.

After Zhao Shi left, Huang Shi finally grasped the situation. She remarked, "I actually thought Mother agreed so readily this time because she truly felt she had been too harsh over the years. Turns out it was still all about Hong Xia. Why must old people always draw such a sharp line between a daughter-in-law and a daughter? Why must they be so severe only toward daughters-in-law?"

Lin He let out a short laugh at Huang Shi's words. "Mother says that about her mother-in-law, yet aren't you the same? In the past six months here, hasn't my own mother occasionally given your elder sister-in-law a hard time? If I weren't mediating between you, I fear she too would soon earn the reputation of being a cruel mother-in-law."