However, Zhou Shi considered it possible. If her sister-in-law had spoken so highly of this man to her parents, then her parents, wanting her to live well, might very well agree to her remarrying.

Seeing Zhou Shi fall silent, her sister-in-law assumed Zhou Shi was moved and pressed on, persuading her, "Second sister, don't worry, your elder brother and I wouldn't harm you. You are our sister, your well-being reflects ours, wouldn't you agree?"

Zhou Shi felt a bit dizzy from her sister-in-law's words. She needed time to visit her parents' home to find out the truth of the matter. Moreover, her sister-in-law today was using a mix of soft and hard tactics, giving the impression she wouldn't stop until Zhou Shi agreed; Zhou Shi truly found it hard to handle. Zhou Shi finally said, "Sister-in-law, let me think about it. I'll give you an answer in a few days, alright?"

Seeing that Zhou Shi finally seemed to concede slightly, her sister-in-law was hopeful that if she agreed to consider it, there was a chance. She then repeatedly praised the virtues of that distant relative, before leaving, saying she would return in a few days and that Zhou Shi should prepare herself.

Zhou Shi was left somewhat dazed by the relentless bombardment from her sister-in-law, merely offering vague acknowledgments. When her sister-in-law and brother saw that she no longer vehemently opposed the idea, they became convinced the matter would succeed and said their goodbyes. Zhou Shi walked them to the courtyard gate.

Zhou Shi had no such intentions; she merely wanted to appease her bothersome brother and sister-in-law for the moment so she could clarify the situation herself, lest her relatives cause further trouble later. What she didn't anticipate was that her mother-in-law, Madam Zhao, overheard everything. Madam Zhao had arrived around the time Zhou Shi stopped speaking, catching the latter part of Zhou Shi's exchange with her sister-in-law.

Because the fields at Madam Zhao's home were sown late in the winter, they hadn't planted much during the previous season, only some corn. The couple finished their work quickly. They came over today thinking that the third son's wife, Zhou Shi, would likely be out working in the fields, and they wanted to check if Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun were home alone so they could help look after them.

Unexpectedly, as soon as their mother and maternal uncle entered the house, Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun took their younger sister to Lin He's place to play. They usually played at Lin He's house if they weren't home. Knowing their mother would look for them at Lin He's once she found them gone, they didn't mention it to her before leaving with their sister.

Thus, Madam Zhao, standing outside, only heard the words of Zhou Shi’s sister-in-law. She missed the initial part where Zhou Shi expressed her reluctance to remarry, but she heard every word of the sister-in-law’s praises for the distant relative.

Although Madam Zhao had somewhat anticipated a day like this might come, hearing it confirmed now made it difficult for her to accept. Instantly, she felt indignant—how could the third son's wife be so eager to remarry? Her own third son had not been gone that long, only a year, and Zhou Shi couldn't wait any longer, wanting to marry into the town for a better life.

Madam Zhao returned home and pondered for a long time, wanting to see if Zhou Shi would come and inform her before leaving. By nightfall, Zhou Shi had not appeared. Madam Zhao's anger intensified. Was Zhou Shi planning to only announce it the day she left? And what about the children?

When Old Man Lin returned that evening, Madam Zhao told him about the matter. Old Man Lin was also surprised but advised his wife, "Old woman, let it go. We already anticipated this day might come, which is why we moved back and bought our own land to cultivate. While it’s true that remarrying only a year after the third son passed is a bit hard to stomach, she hasn't actually done anything wrong. She must plan for her future too."

Madam Zhao strongly disagreed with her husband. If Zhou Shi was planning for her future, did she not need to plan for Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun? The children were so young. If she just left, what would become of them? Did she not need to consider them? Besides, remarrying after only a year would cause gossip in the village. If people talked, Xiao Shan, as her son, would lose face.

Old Man Lin realized his wife was stuck on this point again and let her fuss. Internally, Old Man Lin also hoped Zhou Shi would postpone remarrying until the children were a bit older, when people wouldn't gossip, and the children could better look after themselves.

But what could he do? As the saying went, rain falls when heaven wills it, and a woman marries when she chooses. Though Zhou Shi was nominally still part of the Lin family, as long as she wished, she could remarry at any time; even the magistrates couldn't interfere.

Madam Zhao tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. The very next morning, she went to Er Niu’s house, intending to discuss the matter with Er Niu and figure out what course of action to take. When Madam Zhao arrived, Er Niu’s family was just waking up. Huang Shi found it strange that her mother-in-law was there so early, and her mother-in-law’s expression was quite grim, suggesting some trouble was brewing. Huang Shi called out, "Mother, why are you here so early today?"

Lin He and the others were also surprised to see their grandmother arrive so early. She looked as if she hadn't come specifically for their family. When their mother called her name, she responded, and since she didn't signal them, they assumed she had other business.

Indeed, Lin He watched as her grandmother called her father and mother into the room to discuss something. Inside, Madam Zhao remained silent for a good while before speaking, "Second son, Second son’s wife, I was at Zhou Shi's courtyard yesterday and overheard Zhou Shi and her elder brother and sister-in-law talking. Zhou Shi might be remarrying."

Er Niu and Huang Shi were puzzled by Madam Zhao’s statement; Zhou Shi had never mentioned this to them. Yesterday, when Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun came over to play, Zhou Shi came to take them back later, and they had seen her, noticing nothing unusual. Zhou Shi hadn't discussed anything with them.

Seeing that Er Niu and his wife seemed unconvinced, Madam Zhao recounted what she had overheard in Zhou Shi's courtyard the day before. Huang Shi and Er Niu exchanged a look, agreeing that if that man in town was truly that wonderful, it was possible Zhou Shi wished to remarry. Huang Shi recalled asking Zhou Shi about it before; Zhou Shi had only said the children were still young and she didn't want to think about such things, but her stance hadn't been entirely resolute.

Now, this turn of events seemed possible. Huang Shi asked, "Mother, should we go ask Third sister-in-law about this? We don't know if there's some misunderstanding. We chat and do embroidery together often, and we've never heard her mention remarrying."

Madam Zhao's face darkened at this, "What are you implying? That I am lying, that I am stirring up trouble for no reason?"

Ever since Huang Shi had argued back against Madam Zhao a few times during the construction of Lin He’s house, Madam Zhao had held a lingering grievance that made her uncomfortable. Seeing Huang Shi today, the past issue indeed still bothered her, and hearing Huang Shi speak this way, she began to look for a fight.