After much deliberation, Yu’er finally told the whole story. It was true that Zhao Yu had gone to the county to study, and it was also true that they hadn't heard from him for two months. Yu’er had originally planned to leave the child with her maternal family and borrow some money from them to go find Zhao Yu, but one day, Dong Yu suddenly found Yu’er and brought up Zhao Yu's matter.

Yu’er still remembered that day clearly. She had only been back at her maternal home for a few days, preparing to go look for Zhao Yu, when Dong Yu suddenly appeared in Mother He's courtyard, saying she had a few things to discuss with Yu’er.

Since Dong Yu was driven away to another place, Yu’er hadn't had much contact with her. For one, after Yu’er gave birth, it was mostly Mother He who visited her, and Yu’er visited her maternal home less often. Dong Yu no longer lived with Qingshan, so naturally, Yu’er saw her even less.

Furthermore, Yu’er did not like Dong Yu. Firstly, because of the incident where Maomao was scalded, Yu’er felt that someone who had no pity for a child could not be a good person. Secondly, because of subsequent events, Yu’er grew to detest Dong Yu even more. Seeing Dong Yu suddenly say she needed to speak with her, Yu’er was reluctant to go. She glanced at Dong Yu and said, "What could I possibly have to say to you? Say it here. I'm about to leave."

Ever since she was cast out, every time Dong Yu came to Mother He's courtyard, she was either begging for money or taking things. Thus, she was always obsequious toward everyone in Mother He's family, wearing an ingratiating expression for everyone. But this time when she called for Yu’er, it was different from usual. Seeing Yu’er’s look of disdain, Dong Yu managed a sarcastic smile, then whispered close to Yu’er’s ear, "It concerns your husband, Zhao Yu. If you want to know his whereabouts, come with me. If not, just wait to collect his corpse. But you must come alone; don't let anyone else know."

Hearing Dong Yu mention Zhao Yu, Yu’er instantly grew anxious. She didn't stop to consider if Dong Yu's words were a trap. She sent the child into the room, bade a hasty farewell to Mother He, and followed Dong Yu out.

Dong Yu led Yu’er to the vicinity of the thatched hut where she was staying, not speaking immediately, but merely ushering Yu’er toward the structure. The moment Yu’er reached the doorway of the hut, she was almost overwhelmed by the damp stench inside. She took a step back and asked, "Let's talk here in the yard. What did you mean by those words just now? How do you know where Zhao Yu is?"

Dong Yu didn't answer Yu’er, instead walking straight into the hut. She went to the table, found an oil lamp, and lit it. Yu’er had no choice but to follow her inside. Once inside, she realized the dampness at the door was the least of it. Besides the smell of moisture, the room was permeated with a heavy mustiness that nearly made Yu’er gag.

Dong Yu observed Yu’er's reaction and gave a cold laugh. "What? You can't even stand sitting here for a moment? I live here every single day. Now you know how ruthless your whole family is. I was with Qingshan for a time, bore him two children, and yet your family treats me like I’m worse than a dog or pig. I’ve been keeping a close eye on you people for these past two years, waiting to see what retribution your family would face."

Seeing Dong Yu speak so bluntly, Yu’er immediately retorted, "Dong Yu, don't blame anyone else. This is the consequence of your own actions. If you had settled down properly at my elder brother's house back then, you wouldn't have ended up in this state."

Yu’er’s words ignited the fury within Dong Yu. Her expression shifted instantly, and she stared fiercely at Yu’er, then smashed a teacup off the table onto the floor, declaring, "Hmph, what if I had lived quietly? Would your family have treated me well? I lived under your roof contentedly for the first few years, but what was my end result? In Qingshan's eyes, I was no different from a girl in a brothel—he'd come bother me when he wanted, but when it came to real feelings, he went to Song Yuemei."

"And your mother, I don't even need to mention her. My use was to bear children. Aside from the few days you mother showed me a kind face while I was pregnant, she treated me however she pleased, beating or scolding me at will. It wasn't much different from when I was a child bride in another house."

"But even those two, as excessive as they were, pale in comparison to that bitch Song Yuemei. I was supposed to be her equal, yet she always acted superior to me. Moreover, both my children were destroyed because of her! Now I've reached the point where I can't even bear children, and that bitch is enjoying luxury and has everything she wants—what right does she have?"

Dong Yu recounted the grievances of every member of Mother He's family one by one. When speaking of Qingshan and Mother He, her expression was somewhat stable, merely filled with rage. But when she finally reached Song Yuemei, Dong Yu seemed deranged, her face contorted into a mask of savagery. She began pacing wildly around the room, smashing whatever she could lay her hands on. Once everything breakable was destroyed, she started ripping at anything she could find, tearing the quilt and straw into shreds everywhere.

Yu’er grew terrified watching Dong Yu’s frenzy. She stood up, intending to head for the door, but Dong Yu seemed to sense her intent. She reached out, blocking Yu’er, and then smiled coldly, "Yu’er, don't be afraid. You haven't done anything terrible to me. I called you here today to tell you something about your man, Zhao Yu."

Dong Yu suddenly seemed to return to normal, her tone slowly regaining composure. Although Yu’er was still afraid, hearing Dong Yu mention Zhao Yu, she stopped in her tracks and anxiously asked, "What about Zhao Yu? What happened to him?"

Seeing Yu’er’s agitation, Dong Yu curled her lips mockingly. This time, she dispensed with the nonsense and began talking about Zhao Yu: "Nothing major. It’s just that a few days ago, Zhao Yu killed someone in a brothel in the neighboring county. They were fighting over a girl, and in a shove and a collision, Zhao Yu knocked the man against a wall, hitting his head. The man died shortly after returning home. Zhao Yu is being held in custody right now."

Yu’er had already been stunned speechless by Dong Yu’s words about Zhao Yu committing murder. Her mind was buzzing, and she couldn't register what Dong Yu said next. After a moment of ringing in her ears, Yu’er felt all the strength drain from her body. She could no longer stand steadily, collapsing onto the ground, on the verge of passing out.

Dong Yu noticed Yu’er’s distress. She gave a cold laugh and walked over to Yu’er, making no move to help her up. Instead, she sharply pinched the philtrum on Yu’er’s nose with her finger. Seeing Yu’er seem to regain consciousness, she said, "Don't you dare faint on me, I still have things to tell you."