Yun Qi felt truly conflicted when her mother again mentioned going to the pastry shop to collect sweets. Since Yun Qi married into the family, her mother had made a trip to town for every major festival, and each time, she insisted on bringing back pastries, refusing anything less than the most expensive kind.

Having been married for some time now, Yun Qi had learned a fair amount about the pastry shop's operations. She knew that every time her mother came to collect items, the cost was debited from Da Bao’s accounts. On a couple of occasions, when Da Bao was settling the bills, her mother-in-law had overheard and inquired about the nature of the expense. Fortunately, Da Bao had managed to deflect the questioning by simply stating it was for a friend’s account.

Though Da Bao never spoke plainly, he certainly had his own thoughts on the matter, and Yun Qi herself felt increasingly embarrassed. If it were just for the occasional festival, it might have been acceptable; after all, a daughter and son-in-law were expected to show filial piety to their parents.

However, for her sister's engagement celebration, coming to the pastry shop seemed inappropriate. Moreover, judging by her mother’s demeanor, she intended to take more than just a small amount. With her mother-in-law present this time, the situation was proving tricky to navigate. But Yun Qi couldn't openly voice her reservations. Her mother had never borne a son, and her younger sisters were still unmarried; in such circumstances, relying on her was seen as entirely natural.

Yet, Yun Qi’s mother failed to notice her daughter’s distress and continued her monologue: “We should stop by Da Bao’s shop later. I need to choose some myself, the very best ones. The family my sister is marrying into has a father who is the village patriarch. Their betrothal gifts will be numerous, so we must have something impressive to entertain them. Besides, we cannot let them look down on your sister.”

Yun Qi listened to her mother, thought for a moment, and then spoke up: “Mother, can you estimate roughly how much you need? I will have Zisu fetch it back later. Perhaps we shouldn't take it from the shop directly. Since the shop is a business, having frequent comings and goings like this doesn't look good.” Yun Qi was hoping to pay out of pocket and have Zisu purchase the items instead.

But Yun Qi’s mother, unaware of her daughter’s true intentions, dismissed the concern casually: “What’s wrong with that? A shop is meant for people to come and go. Furthermore, how would I know which ones are good if I don’t select them myself? What does Zisu, a mere young girl, know? Besides selecting items to entertain guests, I also need to buy wedding cakes for return gifts. I thought I’d take care of everything in one trip. I definitely need to pick out this quantity myself.”

“No, Mother, didn't you just say you needed pastries to entertain guests? You don’t need to get the return wedding cakes from the pastry shop, do you? There will be a lot of wedding cakes required, and I think we don't need such expensive ones; ordinary ones will suffice.” Yun Qi sounded visibly hesitant.

At this point, Yun Qi’s mother grasped her daughter’s meaning, and her expression immediately soured: “Yun Qi, what is going on? Are you trying to prevent me from taking things from your husband’s pastry shop?”

“No, Mother, it’s just that our family is just ordinary folk. I assume the prospective in-laws know what kind of family we are, and we should manage affairs according to our standing. If you take the wedding cakes from the pastry shop too, it’s going to cost quite a sum. And besides, we have already taken quite a lot from the shop. Doing this repeatedly doesn't look right.” Yun Qi chose her words carefully.

“Yun Qi, tell me honestly, has Da Bao said anything about me coming here to collect pastries, or have anyone else from your in-laws’ family said anything? Have they given you a hard time or scolded you?” Yun Qi’s mother stared hard at her daughter.

Hearing this, Yun Qi hastily waved her hands: “No, no, Mother. Nobody at home has said anything, and Da Bao hasn’t either. It’s just that I personally feel it’s improper. It might make people think I’m constantly using my in-laws’ assets to subsidize my birth family. You want face for your younger daughter's engagement, but I need face in my husband’s household too.” Yun Qi’s voice trailed off softly as she spoke.

Upon hearing this, Yun Qi’s mother’s face darkened immediately, and she exclaimed: “Yun Qi, are you saying that my coming here to collect some things is causing you to lose face?”

Seeing that Yun Qi remained silent, Yun Qi’s mother grew visibly angry and pointed at her daughter: “Yun Qi, you are married into a good family now, and your life is easier. But you are still my daughter. You cannot become comfortable and then stop caring for your maternal family! I’m just taking a few things, and you think it disgraces you? If your father and I become old and need you to support us, will you refuse to care for us then too?”

“Mother, that’s not what I meant…”

Before Yun Qi could finish, her mother cut in again: “You know we don’t have a son, and you are the eldest daughter; it’s naturally your responsibility to look after the family. Now that your in-laws are wealthy, it’s only right that you offer some support to the family. What is there to be ashamed of? Are you planning to sever ties with your birth family now that you are the Mistress of a large household?”

“Your father and I are useless, and the family is poor, unable to bring glory to your name, but as the saying goes, ‘A child should never despise their parent’s flaws.’ How could you despise your mother and father?” With that, Yun Qi’s mother glared at Yun Qi, her face filled with indignation.

Yun Qi had been feeling miserable for days. Seeing her mother arrive, she had hoped to pour out her pent-up grievances. Instead, her mother came in and immediately started talking about collecting pastries, without even asking how Yun Qi had been. When Yun Qi tried to explain herself gently, her mother deliberately twisted her meaning.

Yun Qi could hold back no longer. She burst into tears and cried out loudly: “All you ever think about is coming here to take pastries, to take advantages! You come during every festival, you come when relatives send gifts, and now for my sister’s engagement, you want wedding cakes too! Do you think you own this pastry shop, or that I own it? I can barely stand living in this house anymore, and soon I won’t be able to take anything at all!”

Yun Qi, usually mild-tempered, had never thrown such a fit in front of her mother in her life. This outburst of weeping and shouting stunned her mother into silence for a long moment. When she recovered, she asked gently: “Daughter, what is wrong? Why can’t you bear to stay? Tell me what exactly happened.”

Yun Qi didn't answer, just sat by the table sobbing uncontrollably, gasping for breath between cries. Watching her daughter, Yun Qi’s mother paused, then asked tentatively: “Is it because of your health issues? Did Da Bao’s family say something? Are they threatening to divorce you?”

Yun Qi continued to weep, offering no reply. Her mother looked at her and knew with certainty that this was the reason. No wonder her daughter always seemed depressed after returning home those few times; she wouldn't admit it when asked. So, she was being bullied in her husband's home all this time.

As these thoughts churned, Yun Qi’s mother felt an intense fire burning in her chest, robbing her of reason. She couldn't wait another moment to question Yun Qi further; instead, she rushed out into the courtyard and began shouting: “Da Bao’s Mother, Da Bao’s Father, come out here! I want to see what exactly Yun Qi has done wrong that you dare bully my daughter like this!”

Yun Qi was so lost in her own sorrow that she didn't think to stop her mother. By the time she realized what was happening and heard the shouting in the courtyard, she hurried out, trying to pull her mother back. But it was too late; her father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and the maids had all emerged.