Yu’er had come to her senses now, and remembering what Dongyu had just told her, she urgently grasped Dongyu’s hand and demanded, “You said Zhao Yu killed someone at a brothel? What exactly is going on? Where is Zhao Yu now? Has he been detained by the magistrate?”

Dongyu pushed Yu’er’s hand away and said lightly, “You shouldn’t ask too many questions about the details. Just know that your husband has committed a crime. Normally, killing someone means forfeiting one's life, but your man was lucky. The family of the person he killed has no surviving immediate relatives—only some distant kin. These relatives are willing not to report it to the authorities, provided you are willing to pay compensation.”

“Compensation? How much?” Upon hearing this, Yu’er’s heart tightened. This was a matter of life and death involving murder; a small sum certainly wouldn't suffice. If the amount were too large, how could her family possibly afford it?

After listening to Yu’er, Dongyu held up a single finger and stated, “Their family demands one thousand taels. If you can pay it, Zhao Yu will be released. Right now, Zhao Yu is being held, waiting for your family to bring the money.”

When Yu’er heard the figure of one thousand taels, she felt as if she were about to faint again. She gritted her teeth, steadied herself, and managed to speak, “One thousand taels? Where am I supposed to get one thousand taels? Even if I sold everything my family owns, I probably couldn’t scrape together even a few dozen silver pieces. This is no different than wishing for Zhao Yu to die.”

“Hmph, that is your problem then. If you can’t produce it, then just wait to collect Zhao Yu’s corpse,” Dongyu said, sitting down on a stool and crossing her legs casually.

Hearing Dongyu mention collecting a corpse, Yu’er was momentarily stunned and lost. She entirely forgot to question how Dongyu could possibly know these things. Logically, if something had happened to Zhao Yu, someone would have come to the house to notify them. Even if she didn't know while visiting her maiden home, the notification should have gone to Zhao Yu’s mother—it should never have fallen to Dongyu to know before her.

Fortunately, Yu’er was too frightened to think clearly, but He Shi, who arrived shortly after, was not so muddled. She had seen Dongyu come looking for Yu’er. When Yu’er handed the child over to her, He Shi had asked what was wrong, but Yu’er refused to say, only muttering about some issues. He Shi sensed something was amiss with Yu’er’s demeanor, and she knew Dongyu wouldn't bring good news. She soothed the child at home, took him to Yue Mei to look after him, and then followed.

When He Shi reached outside the room, Dongyu was just beginning to discuss Zhao Yu’s situation with Yu’er. Upon hearing it, He Shi was also struck dumb with fear. She had only assumed that Zhao Yu’s prolonged absence meant he had been fooling around outside; she had no idea such a grave matter had occurred.

However, He Shi was naturally calmer than Yu’er. She immediately began to consider why Dongyu would know these details. Seeing Yu’er so terrified she couldn't speak, He Shi emerged from the side of the house, walked into the room, and stared hard at Dongyu, saying, “Dongyu, where did you hear all this? From whom? Is it all true?”

Dongyu was startled when He Shi suddenly appeared from outside, but she quickly composed herself, thinking that today she was in the position to call the shots, and that such a significant issue likely couldn't be resolved by Yu’er alone. Having He Shi aware would increase their chances of success.

Dongyu shot He Shi a disdainful glance and declared, “Mother, you don't need to know where I heard it. Just know that it is true. What benefit would I gain by lying to you about something like this?”

Seeing Dongyu’s insolent manner, He Shi retorted with a tone full of mockery, “You do plenty of things that benefit you none. This is such a massive affair; do you really think we’ll believe it just because you utter a couple of sentences? You need to produce evidence for us to trust you.”

Although what Dongyu said sounded plausible, He Shi remained somewhat unconvinced. Dongyu, that little vixen, usually only gossiped around the village; how could she possibly know about Zhao Yu in the next county? She was probably just looking for trouble, making things up randomly just to make her family worry. Dongyu was capable of such things.

But this time, Dongyu really wasn't trying to scare them. Sensing He Shi’s disbelief, she said nothing, then stood up, dragged a small wooden chest out from under the bed, and pulled a letter from a hidden compartment within it. Waving the letter toward He Shi and Yu’er, she said, “I knew you wouldn't believe me easily. But, Yu’er, Zhao Yu is your husband; you recognize his handwriting, don't you? Even if you don't recognize the script, surely you recognize this kerchief? Look, is this Zhao Yu’s? If you can’t be sure, go ask your mother-in-law; she probably knows how to read.” As Dongyu spoke, she handed over both the letter and the kerchief.

He Shi glared fiercely at Dongyu, then took the kerchief and the letter. He Shi was illiterate, so she handed the items to Yu’er. Yu’er also didn't know many characters, but she recognized a few simple ones. The handwriting was indeed Zhao Yu’s, and the kerchief was unmistakable. It was from when she was newly pregnant; Yu’er had bought extra cloth to make clothes for the baby. She had used the remnant to tailor a kerchief for Zhao Yu. The embroidery on it was done by her own hand; Yu’er certainly recognized it.

Seeing Yu’er’s reaction, He Shi knew these items must be real. She immediately looked up at Dongyu for a long moment, wondering who this vile woman had associated with recently to know so much. Furthermore, it was obvious that she hadn't called Yu’er over today just to relay news about Zhao Yu. If that were the case, she could have said it in her own courtyard. Now that she could produce these artifacts, it meant she had an ulterior motive.

He Shi knew Yu’er was completely overwhelmed by fear now, which meant she, herself, absolutely could not panic. First, she needed to figure out what Dongyu intended to do. So, she addressed Dongyu, asking, “Dongyu, tell me honestly, what have you been doing lately? Why are you so intimately aware of Zhao Yu’s situation? Have you been consorting with some outsider recently? Confess truthfully, or don't even think about staying in my Lin family home anymore.”

Upon hearing He Shi’s words, Dongyu suddenly burst into loud, uncontrolled laughter, which only intensified until it seemed she couldn't stop. But at the peak of her laughter, she cut it off abruptly and spat out, “Hmph, I stopped belonging to your Lin family long ago. Look around yourself—is this a place where anyone should stay? And now you have the nerve to say such a thing? Do you really think I was desperate to remain in your Lin household? Do you truly believe your family is some wealthy lineage that everyone is scrambling to join?”

“Let me tell you, I never intended to come to your family in the first place. I had my sights set on your second uncle’s estate. But no matter what I tried, I couldn't get in. It just so happened that your useless son took a liking to me, so I thought joining your household was better than being a maid. That’s why I yielded to your son. If I had known what this family would turn out to be like, I would have preferred being sold off to a brothel as a courtesan.”