The woman’s words had undoubtedly extinguished the last flicker of hope in Wang Youliang. The thought that Huang-shi might have taken their son and moved away, perhaps never to be seen by him again, felt as if a piece of his heart had been gouged out, leaving an agonizing emptiness that finally brought him to tears.

The old woman, hearing the man who had just been shouting at her now sobbing, felt no schadenfreude; instead, she offered kindness. "Oh, don't be so sad. I’m sure the mother and son will be fine. Her son has already passed the Tong Sheng examination; he will surely make something of himself, and they won't have to worry about their future livelihood."

Wang Youliang, who had been weeping from grief, caught a thought from the old woman's words. Although he didn't know where Huang-shi and their son had moved, Huang-shi’s son, Zhao Cheng, having passed the Prefectural Exam, would certainly have to attend the Academy Exam next, which would take place in the county seat. If that were the case, finding them in the county town would be foolproof. With this realization, a sliver of hope ignited within Wang Youliang. He could simply travel to the county seat with Wang Qingchen and the others; then he could find Zhao Cheng, and through Zhao Cheng, he would know where Huang-shi was.

Having worked it out, Wang Youliang turned to the old woman and offered his gratitude: "Thank you, Auntie."

With that, Wang Youliang wiped his tears and walked back home, leaving the confused old woman wondering if she had done anything significant.

Over at the main house, the old man and old woman were surprised to see Wang Youliang return so composed. They had fully expected him to come back distraught, yet he seemed back to normal. Had he managed to sort things out during his outing?

While the elders inwardly hoped their son would come to terms with reality, his quick recovery instead sparked their suspicion. However, confusion aside, they were not foolish enough to bring up the matter of the widow unprompted. Thus, the family treated the subject of Huang-shi as if it had never happened.

Seeing Wang Youliang’s demeanor, Tian-shi sneered inwardly. She had thought he was deeply devoted, but apparently, it was nothing much. Just as she suspected, how could Wang Youliang truly change his nature? See, his true colors were showing now.

With the Wang Youliang situation seemingly settled, the old woman immediately shifted her focus to her daughter's marriage prospects. After their last discussion, her daughter had decided she needed to consult her granddaughter, but days had passed, and the granddaughter hadn't sent anyone over to invite her mother for a visit or a talk. The old woman fretted, fearing her daughter might miss out on Li Wu, and that regret would become irreversible.

As for Wang Guifang, watching the turmoil at home over Wang Youliang’s antics these past few days, she felt a tinge of regret for ever mentioning the issue. If she hadn't brought it up to the old woman, none of this fuss would have started. Thankfully, the matter was resolved well, and her elder brother seemed fine, having returned to managing the food stall in town. Otherwise, Wang Guifang wouldn't have known how to forgive herself.

Seeing that the immediate family crisis was past, Wang Guifang remembered her own affairs, planning to ask her daughter's opinion during their next meeting.

Meanwhile, Li Wu waited anxiously at home for several days, receiving no news from the Wang family, which began to worry him. He wondered if Wang Guifang herself was hesitant about remarrying, or perhaps the elders were dissatisfied with him. The more Li Wu considered it, the more uneasy he became, sensing the matter might not be as certain as he had initially believed. He was close to marching over himself to ask Wang Guifang directly.

Fortunately, just as Li Wu was lost in worried speculation, the carriage from the Shen estate finally arrived at the old Wang residence, signaling it was time for Wang Guifang to visit her daughter again.

Except for the very first time, this current visit to the Shen estate was filled with the most apprehension for Wang Guifang; she deeply feared that this matter might cause her daughter distress.

Upon reaching her daughter's courtyard, Wang Guifang first checked on Liu Qian'er, ensuring she was well, before carefully considering how to broach the subject.

Since regaining favor after her last resurgence, Liu Qian’er had never fallen out of grace again. Blessed by Master Shen’s affection, her life was quite comfortable, and she was often able to host her mother for chats. Liu Qian’er was content with her current life, the only thing missing being a child. However, remembering that Master Shen had no other women conceiving over the years, she had let go of that desire, no longer forcing the issue.

Bringing her mother over now was meant to be a way to share the family's mundane happenings, which usually provided comfort. But today, Liu Qian’er noticed her mother seemed preoccupied with some unspoken thought. Liu Qian’er intended to wait until her mother could no longer hold back, but her mother remained silent for an unusually long time.

So, Liu Qian’er took the initiative, asking, "Mother, is there something you need to tell your daughter?"

Seeing her daughter’s puzzled look, Wang Guifang steeled her resolve and disclosed Li Wu’s proposal of marriage.

Liu Qian’er had absolutely not anticipated that the matter her mother was struggling to articulate was this. Suddenly, a whirlwind of emotions swept through her. Liu Qian’er truly felt as the old woman suspected: in her heart, her mother was still the wife of the Liu family, regardless of whether the Liu family had officially cast her out. If she married someone else now, she would no longer belong to the Liu family; would her mother still cherish her alone? Liu Qian’er even worried that if her mother had another child with that man, would her mother still love her? Probably not—she would surely favor the new child!

Seeing her daughter’s silence, Wang Guifang’s heart ached. "Don't worry, I haven't agreed yet. If Qian'er disagrees, I will refuse him."

Upon hearing this, Liu Qian’er looked up at Wang Guifang, gazing at her mother’s weathered face, recalling the hardships her mother had endured in the Liu household over the years. Because she was a girl, her mother had never known true peace. Her mother had suffered so many indignities for her sake; now that someone was willing to marry her, could she bear to ruin her mother’s chance at a happy second half of life?

With this thought, Liu Qian’er lowered her head. "Mother, I’m not disagreeing, but please let me think about it some more."

Although Liu Qian’er said this, Wang Guifang understood her daughter’s thoughts from her earlier expression. After all, she had raised her daughter and could guess one or two things about what she was thinking.

"It’s alright. Mother also thinks that living alone is quite nice. I can still come visit you regularly; that's fine too," Wang Guifang said with a smile.

"But, Mother finally has a chance for a good life; if this opportunity is missed, there might not be another," Liu Qian’er said with evident distress. She was truly torn, feeling that whether she objected or agreed, neither path would bring her peace.

"That's not necessarily true. Who knows if I marry him, whether it will be a good life or a bad one! Don't worry; I’ll send him a refusal when I get back," Wang Guifang comforted her.

This made Liu Qian’er feel even worse. She felt she was being selfish. After all, she could rely on the Shen estate; surely the Master wouldn't treat her poorly. But what about her mother? Right now, she depended on her maternal grandparents, but what about when they were gone? Who would her mother have to rely on then?

This realization struck Liu Qian’er; she couldn't be so selfish. So, she told Wang Guifang, "Mother, please agree. That way, you’ll have someone to depend on in the future, but..." Her voice choked up, "But you must not forget that you still have me, your daughter."

Hearing this, Wang Guifang was overwhelmed with tender emotion, unable to articulate a response. She pulled her daughter into an embrace. "What are you saying? You will always be my daughter, child. I could forget anyone else before I forget you!"

Liu Qian’er sniffled. "Even if you have other children in the future, you can’t forget me!"

Wang Guifang nodded with amusement. "Mmm, I will never forget Qian'er in my whole life."

Only then was Liu Qian’er satisfied. She wiped her tears. "Since you say so, then Mother, please agree!"

Wang Guifang finally nodded. "Mmm."

Returning from the Shen estate, Wang Guifang felt a profound sense of relief. Her daughter's agreement lifted a heavy burden from her mind, and she was deeply moved by how much her daughter considered her well-being. Then, thinking about her daughter’s worries, Wang Guifang couldn't help but smile fondly. She truly didn't understand where her daughter got the idea that even if she had more children later, Qian'er wouldn't still be her child, that she would ever forget or neglect her!

As soon as Wang Guifang returned from the Shen estate, the old woman urgently summoned her. The moment Wang Guifang arrived, the old woman immediately asked for her granddaughter’s opinion.

When Wang Guifang relayed that Qian’er did not object, the old woman finally exhaled a long breath of relief. Ever since her daughter went to the Shen estate, the old woman had been worried sick about what to do if the granddaughter refused. She knew her daughter’s temperament well; if the granddaughter disapproved, she certainly wouldn't agree, no matter how satisfied she personally was. Thankfully, the granddaughter genuinely looked out for her mother and did not object.

Having secured the answer from her daughter, the old woman swiftly sent someone to notify Li Wu, conveying that the Wang family accepted the proposal and instructing him to send a matchmaker immediately to make the formal request.

Li Wu, who had been so anxious his lips were nearly bubbling, was ecstatic upon hearing the Wang family's acceptance. He immediately went to find a matchmaker to present the proposal at the Wang house.

Li Wu’s formal proposal immediately sent Wang Village into another uproar. When Wang Guifang, the daughter of the Wang family, was sent back by the Liu family, many in the village had made her a laughingstock. Now, despite being divorced, she still had suitors! This sudden turn of fortune left many villagers unsettled. They wondered aloud: what was happening to the Wang family recently? Why was everything turning out so smoothly for them?