He Shi had originally intended to visit Wang Guifang to discuss the scandal she had uncovered, and simultaneously ask for advice on whether she should pretend ignorance or inform her own family.

However, as she peered through the half-closed door, she saw Wang Guifang sitting motionless on the kang, lost in thought.

"Little Aunt?" He Shi stepped forward and called out.

"Hmm?" Wang Guifang looked up and saw He Shi. "It's Xiujuan. I haven't been feeling well these past few days, so I haven't come over to your place. I didn't expect you to come visit me in person."

"Little Aunt, if you're unwell, is it serious? Should we call Doctor Li to have a look at you?" He Shi grew instantly concerned upon hearing Wang Guifang mention feeling unwell.

Wang Guifang saw He Shi's concern and felt a little awkward. "It's not as serious as you think. I just felt a bit unwell initially, but after resting for a few days, I’m almost recovered. I was actually planning to come by your place once I was better, but you beat me to it."

"I noticed you hadn't come over for a few days, and I worried something might have happened. I'm relieved to see you're alright. By the way, you seemed troubled just now. What's wrong? If you need any help from us, Little Aunt, please don't hesitate to ask," He Shi said.

He Shi's words were gratifying to Wang Guifang, but the matter troubling her was something He Shi probably couldn't help with! How could she offer advice on that kind of issue! Thus, Wang Guifang decided it was best to rely on her own thoughts.

"What trouble could I have? I was just thinking about those few scraps of fabric Qian'er gave me. I meant to take them out today to make an outfit for the Old Madam, but I can't seem to find where I put them," Wang Guifang replied with a light laugh.

"How could they be missing? Surely no one would have taken them! Shall I help you look again?" He Shi offered.

Wang Guifang realized she had just thrown out a casual excuse, one that couldn't possibly be found, so she quickly said, "No, no need. Perhaps a servant from the Shen household left them behind when we returned from Qian'er's place last time. I'll ask them next time I go over!"

"Oh, alright then. It is best you ask them next time," He Shi conceded, figuring that since Wang Guifang couldn't find them herself, her chances of locating the items were slim, so she didn't press the issue.

"Right, now that you're here today, did you come to discuss something with me?" Wang Guifang looked at He Shi and inquired. He Shi hadn't brought Quan'er with her, nor had she brought any embroidery work, clearly indicating she had a purpose for the visit.

"Look what you're saying! Can't I visit just for a chat?" He Shi returned with a smile.

Wang Guifang didn't think so. She observed the slight but visible anxiety in He Shi’s demeanor, despite her efforts to hide it, confirming that He Shi definitely had something to say. "If there's something on your mind, just tell me. Why be so formal with me?"

He Shi sighed upon hearing this. "Little Aunt, I'll tell you the truth. This has been weighing on my mind for days! I don't know if I should bring it up, or who I should tell."

Wang Guifang looked puzzled. "What is it? Hurry and tell me."

Seeing Wang Guifang poised to listen, He Shi finally recounted how she had inadvertently stumbled upon Wang Youliang’s scandalous affair. As He Shi spoke, she felt increasingly unburdened, while Wang Guifang’s brows furrowed deeper with every word.

"You're saying your father-in-law has a woman in town?" Wang Guifang sounded incredulous.

He Shi nodded. "Yes. I never expected it. I was even thinking of walking up to greet him, but instead, I walked right into this. Now, I'm at a loss for what to do. If I tell the family, it will cause upheaval, and they won't appreciate me for it; my father-in-law will certainly treat me poorly. Wouldn't I just be inviting trouble for nothing? But if I stay silent, it's still Qingshan's father, and it feels wrong to keep him in the dark. Besides, even if I don't say anything now, what if someone else reveals it one day? Our entire family will lose face then!"

Wang Guifang’s expression turned solemn. Her elder brother keeping a woman outside the marriage was deeply dishonorable, especially since such things were rare among farming families; concubinage was uncommon, let alone keeping a mistress in town. In this case, the woman was a widow. If the family was told, the choices were either making Wang Youliang end the association or bringing the woman home as a concubine—but would the widow agree to that? And that was the best-case scenario. If things went worse, especially if Tian Shi found out, the resulting commotion could bring ridicule upon them throughout the village. Furthermore, even if Tian Shi threw a tantrum, it might be useless if her brother was determined to keep the widow and refused to make her a concubine, insisting instead on taking her as a co-equal wife.

Thinking this through, Wang Guifang considered that if they didn't tell the family now, there might be no immediate problems. But what about in the long run? Paper couldn't contain fire forever; the truth would eventually surface, and the Wang family’s reputation would surely suffer. Her parents would be devastated.

Seeing Wang Guifang silent, He Shi pressed on. "Little Aunt, tell me, should I say something or not? I’ve been thinking about this constantly. I meant to keep quiet, but the moment I see Qingshan, I feel guilty and ashamed. I really don't know what to do."

After a moment of thought, Wang Guifang said, "In my opinion, you should tell the family. If we know it within the family, it’s easier to manage; we just have to keep it quiet from outsiders. But if we stay silent now and others find out later, our family’s reputation will be completely ruined!"

Although He Shi knew Wang Guifang's reasoning was sound, she remained worried. "But if the family finds out and causes a huge scene, won't they blame me for stirring up trouble? I might even be called a home-wrecker."

Wang Guifang understood He Shi's hesitation. In truth, the family might not thank He Shi for uncovering the scandal; they might even redirect their anger toward her, seeing her as the one who disrupted household peace.

Being on good terms with He Shi, Wang Guifang certainly didn't want that for her. So, Wang Guifang suggested, "How about this: I will go and speak to the family. The Old Madam is my own mother; she shouldn't blame me too severely."

He Shi was deeply touched that Wang Guifang was willing to take responsibility, but she couldn't bring herself to shift the entire burden onto her Little Aunt. "That won't do. Even if the Old Madam doesn't blame you, my mother-in-law..."

"It's fine, don't worry. The Old Madam will protect me. Besides, I'm essentially trying to help her, aren't I?" Wang Guifang soothed.

In truth, there was one reason Wang Guifang kept to herself: she might be married off soon, and by then, Tian Shi would have no one to direct her anger toward.

After they settled on a plan, He Shi returned to her room, and Wang Guifang headed toward the Old Madam’s quarters. When Wang Guifang arrived, the Old Madam was busy making braided tassels; the Old Master was not in the room.

The Old Madam was delighted to see her daughter, initially thinking Wang Guifang had finally reconsidered and come to discuss the marriage proposal from Li Wu. She hadn't expected her daughter’s visit to be completely unrelated to that matter.

Wang Guifang closed the door and told the Old Madam what He Shi had related.

The Old Madam never expected her daughter to bring news of her eldest son’s scandal instead of her own marriage prospects. Hearing the news, her expression instantly changed. "Who told you this? Are you sure this is true?"

Wang Guifang certainly did not expose He Shi, saying instead that she heard it from her daughter. Although the Old Madam harbored some suspicion, she believed her daughter wouldn't lie to her and accepted the story, then immediately focused on her son's disgraceful conduct.

"We thought he was finally improving, maturing! It turns out he’s made progress with earning money, but his personal conduct is like this! To actually get entangled with a widow outside? He wants to infuriate your father and me to death! What was wrong with your sister-in-law, taking care of the household for him? Not only is he ungrateful to her, but now he’s secretly found another woman on the side! Your father—if he hears of this, I don't know how furious he will be!" the Old Madam exclaimed, annoyed. Couldn't her eldest son ever give her a moment's peace?

"Mother, what do you think we should do about this? If Elder Brother is willing to cut ties with that widow, then that's that. But what if he insists on continuing this affair? We need a solid plan," Wang Guifang advised.

"Hmph! If I tell him to leave that widow, he will leave her. He should consider, if that widow is willing to be with him, she certainly isn't any good herself! The thought of that widow clinging to your brother makes me so angry I want to slap her a few times to see if she has any shred of shame left!" the Old Madam cursed.

"Mother, try not to get angry yet. What use is your anger now when Elder Brother doesn't know? We should focus on how we are going to talk to him when he returns! I’m afraid Elder Brother won't agree to end things with that widow," Wang Guifang reasoned gently.

"How dare he defy me? I am his mother, and he won't dare disobey me! If that widow refuses to leave your brother, I’ll go to her home myself and expose her scandal to everyone in town. Then we'll see if she has the nerve to stay in Qingshan Town!" the Old Madam declared loudly.

Wang Guifang, listening from the side, was not as optimistic as the Old Madam. If only it were that simple—she feared the problem wouldn't be the widow refusing to leave the brother, but the brother refusing to leave the widow. However, Wang Guifang only kept these thoughts to herself and did not voice them.