Although the old woman was furious when she first learned that Wang Youliang was having an affair with a widow outside, after calming down, she rationally decided not to make a fuss about it yet and would speak to her son herself. This was also considering the temperament of her eldest daughter-in-law, Tian Shi, and the temper of the old man. The moment she thought of their reactions upon learning the news, the old woman decided to take the lead herself and resolve the matter before the rest of the family found out.

Having figured out a plan, the old woman instructed Wang Guifang not to tell anyone else in the family, lest things become unsightly if they escalated. Wang Guifang naturally understood the consequences and quickly nodded.

With a plan in place, the old woman was less angry and instead inquired about Wang Guifang’s thoughts on her remarriage. In her view, marrying off her daughter to Li Wu was indeed a good option.

“You must understand, he was never married before, so he has no children. If you marry him, you’ll have no in-laws above you and no stepchildren below you—imagine how wonderful that would be. When you eventually have your own children and raise them well, and they become successful, won’t you then enjoy a peaceful old age?” the old woman persuaded.

Wang Guifang was also reasonable. She had thought things over these past few days and knew marrying Li Wu was a good choice, but for some reason, she still had reservations. If she remarried, what would Qian’er think? Would she disown her as a mother? So, Wang Guifang said softly, “I’ll ask her opinion the next time I see Qian’er!”

“What? Why are you asking Qian’er about remarrying? What does she know! Don’t forget, she carries the Liu surname. How could she possibly want you to remarry? Don’t be foolish; listen to your mother. Li Wu is a decent man; you won’t suffer if you marry him.”

However, Wang Guifang was clearly insistent on seeking her daughter’s opinion first. The old woman, thinking that Wang Guifang had finally developed the idea of remarrying, dared not push her, fearing that forcing her might make her refuse to marry altogether. So, she let her have her way.

Meanwhile, Tian Shi was in the kitchen preparing lunch. When she saw Wang Guifang heading to the old woman’s room, she immediately felt displeased, wondering what good thing the old woman was going to give her sister-in-law this time. Thinking of this, Tian Shi grew resentful. Why should they, the eldest branch, be the ones to support her sister-in-law after she was divorced and sent back? The second and third branches were doing nothing at all. Moreover, this sister-in-law was eating and living here for free, and even when she helped with chores, it was only a little. Tian Shi wanted to assign her more work, but she was afraid the old woman would scold her. Hmph, once the old man and old woman are gone, and she takes charge, she certainly won't keep this idle person around. In fact, it would be best if she could also get her hands on the dowry that sister-in-law held—that was no small sum!

The more Tian Shi thought about it, the happier she became, feeling that if she just endured a few more years, the household would be hers to command. She completely forgot about the time Li Wu came to the old house to propose marriage.

While Tian Shi was fantasizing about a bright future, Wang Youliang returned. Upon his arrival, he was summoned to the old woman’s room.

As soon as Wang Youliang entered, the old woman told him to close the door first. Wang Youliang was a bit puzzled but followed her instruction and shut the door securely.

The moment the door closed, he heard the old woman roar, “Kneel for me!”

Wang Youliang didn't understand why the old woman was suddenly so enraged and asked tentatively, “Mother, what is wrong with you? Why are you so angry? Did your son do something wrong?”

The old woman saw that Wang Youliang not only failed to kneel as commanded but also had the audacity to ask why. This made her even angrier. “You still have the nerve to ask why? What good deeds have you been doing outside? Do I even need to spell it out? You’ve disgraced the Wang family!”

Wang Youliang’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. Had the old woman found out something? But that seemed unlikely; he thought he had been quite secretive. If it wasn't that, there was nothing else he had done to make the old woman so furious. Thinking that the old woman might have learned about Huang Shi’s affair, Wang Youliang began to feel unsettled. What was he to do now? If the family found out, especially Tian Shi, they would certainly not let it go, and wouldn't that mean there was no hope left for him and Huang Shi? Although he had long anticipated this outcome, now that it was upon him, he still wanted to deceive himself, secretly praying that this was not the matter the family knew about.

The old woman watched Wang Youliang’s changing expression, which only confirmed her suspicion that he was guilty. “What, you still refuse to confess? Do you want me to tell your father and your wife to come and question you?”

Even though the old woman’s words had reached this point, Wang Youliang still clung to a shred of hope that she wasn't referring to Huang Shi. Thus, Wang Youliang pretended to be bewildered. “Mother, did your son do something wrong? If I have erred, please point it out, and I will certainly correct it!”

It was only then that the old woman truly took her daughter’s words seriously. It seemed her eldest son was indeed as attached to that widow as her daughter had suspected; otherwise, why the evasiveness? The thought that her son’s heart had been stolen by that widow made the old woman wish she could have the woman drowned in a pig cage. However, considering it was best not to let the matter blow up, and that resolving it quietly was preferable, she forcefully suppressed the rage within her.

“Are you still not going to tell me the truth? I ask you, what is going on between you and that widow?” the old woman asked directly.

Wang Youliang heard this and knew his hope was dashed; the day had finally arrived. He immediately knelt down. “Mother, please listen to me first…”

“No need to say anything. I only ask you: is this true?” The old woman stared at Wang Youliang kneeling before her.

Wang Youliang looked at the old woman, speechless for a moment. He pondered whether the old woman asked this way because she wasn't entirely certain the matter was true. After all, the old woman never went to town, so she couldn't have seen it herself. Someone must have told her. Who could it be? Tian Shi? No, if Tian Shi knew, she would have caused a scene already; it wouldn't be this calm. Was it someone else in the family? Also unlikely, as the others rarely went to town either. Could it be someone from the village? Yes, it must be that; since it was people from the village who told her, the old woman must be uncertain.

Wang Youliang thought he had found an opening and spoke up. “Mother, who has been spreading nonsense? Please don't believe it. Your son doesn’t know any widow!”

The old woman looked at Wang Youliang, still trying to argue, and wished she could kick him a couple of times. “Are you saying you haven't been associating with any widow outside? Are you certain?”

Wang Youliang hardened his resolve and nodded firmly. “No, Mother, you must believe me, there really isn't one!”

The old woman laughed in anger when she heard this. “Fine, so even now, you refuse to tell me the truth? Do you need me to tell you where that widow lives and what her name is before you admit it? Do you think I ask you questions without knowing anything?”

“Mother, I…” Wang Youliang couldn't find words to argue anymore.

Seeing Wang Youliang speechless, the old woman’s anger subsided a little, and she tried to reason with him. “Son, you must understand, for that widow to follow you around so shamelessly, she must be a woman of loose morals with wicked intentions. If she’s with you, she’s only after money! If you keep involving yourself with her, she will eventually trap you. Listen to your mother and break things off with her immediately.”

“Mother, she is not the kind of person you described; she is a good woman,” Wang Youliang defended Huang Shi.

The old woman heard this and realized he hadn’t taken any of her advice to heart. The anger she had barely suppressed surged back. “If she were a good woman, would she get involved with you? In my opinion, someone like her should be drowned in a pig cage!”

Wang Youliang was startled by the old woman’s ferocity and quickly said, “Mother, this is not her fault; it is mine. I was the one pestering her; I can’t leave her. Blame me if you must!”

The old woman was so exasperated she didn’t know what to say and snapped, “You… tell me then, what is wrong with your wife? What displeases you so much that you treat her like this? Is she truly worse than that widow?”

In his heart, Wang Youliang did think that Tian Shi was inferior to Huang Shi, but with the old woman currently furious, he certainly couldn't voice it. He remained silent.

When Wang Youliang didn't speak, the old woman became even angrier. “Say something! What has that widow done that makes you so unwilling to leave her? Now you won't even listen to my words!”

Wang Youliang only mumbled something about Huang Shi being very good, refusing to say he would leave Huang Shi. Angrily, the old woman snatched up her sewing basket and hurled it at his head. “What kind of love potion did she feed you to make you defend her like this? Are you truly refusing to listen to me now?”

Wang Youliang was struck on the head but still wouldn't relent. “Mother, this is my fault.”

Hearing this, the old woman clutched her chest, lest this unfilial son anger her to death. “Fine, you are very good. Then tell me, what do you plan to do about this?”

Wang Youliang had no idea what to do. He had thought about it for a long time without finding a good solution. But now that the arrow was on the string, it had to be loosed; he had to say something and couldn't keep dragging the issue out. After thinking it over, Wang Youliang glanced at the old woman’s expression and carefully said, “Mother, I was thinking… perhaps I could marry her as a co-wife?”

The old woman was enraged when she heard that he was still thinking of taking that widow as a co-wife and was about to lash out when she heard the old man’s voice accompanying the sound of the room door opening. “You unfilial brat! I tell you, as long as I live one more day, that widow will never set foot inside my Wang family’s door!”