When Zhou shi arrived at Zhao shi’s house, Zhao shi was alone. Old Man Lin had left early that morning. Seeing Zhou shi approach, Zhao shi felt a surge of resentment and remained silent. Zhou shi, already incensed, bristled at Zhao shi’s cold demeanor and spoke up, “Mother, you came to my house early this morning and took things out. Why?”

Zhao shi scoffed, “What are you asking me about? Ask yourself. This house was built with money earned by my third son. Now that he is gone, do I need your permission to even step inside?”

“I never said you weren’t allowed in my room, but taking my money and silver ornaments without my consent—that’s hardly right, is it?” Zhou shi retorted, dropping any pretense of civility.

“Well, you impudent girl! You haven't remarried yet, and I am still your mother-in-law. Who gave you the audacity to speak to me like that? Let me tell you, I took those things. They rightfully belonged to my son, and now that he is gone, it is only just that they come to me.” Zhao shi’s voice was as cold as ice shards.

“But I am your son’s wife, the mother of your grandsons. As long as I remain in this household, those things belong to me. No one has the right to take them, not even the mother of the third son.” This time, Zhou shi truly let go of her reservations.

Zhao shi did not get angry; instead, a cold laugh escaped her lips. “Heh heh, you won’t be in this house for much longer, will you? Aren't you preparing to remarry? Your elder brother and sister-in-law have already found a good match for you, haven't they? Haven't you agreed?”

A jolt struck Zhou shi’s heart. How did her mother-in-law know about this? She hadn't told a soul, not even her second brother’s family. How could her mother-in-law know, and seemingly know everything?

If this matter reached her mother-in-law’s ears, things might turn out very badly. Although she herself had no such intentions, it involved people from her own family, making it difficult for her to explain clearly.

Seeing Zhou shi fall silent, Zhao shi grew even more triumphant. “What? Struck a nerve, have I? Can’t speak now, can you? You thought no one knew what you were up to, didn’t you? I’ll tell you today: I won't stop you from remarrying, nor can I stop you, but Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun are our family’s grandsons. Don’t even think about taking them away. This money was also earned by my late son; it must be saved for Xiaoshan later. Don't think about getting it back.”

Now Zhou shi was truly at a loss for words. Her mother-in-law had cornered her completely on this matter, and misunderstandings were inevitable. She explained, “Mother, my elder brother and sister-in-law did visit yesterday and persuaded me to remarry, but I did not agree. I never said I was leaving.”

Zhao shi clearly didn't believe her. “Of course, you’d say that to me. But yesterday, I overheard you telling your sister-in-law that you were willing to consider it. Who knows if you’ll actually agree?”

Hearing Zhao shi’s tone, Zhou shi knew her mother-in-law would not be easily convinced, yet she truly had no intention of leaving. Gritting her teeth, she insisted, “Mother, I said I won't remarry, and I won't. That money is what I earned recently working at my second brother’s place, saved for urgent needs. Third son passed away so early; how much money could he have left behind? Even if there was some, I’m raising two children alone; I fear it would have been spent long ago.”

“As for the silver ornaments, those were sent by the third son when I married in, along with the dowry my parents gave me. I kept them, unable to bear spending them, even when our days were hard. Please return them to me; they are the only small memento I have left of the third son.”

Zhao shi cared nothing for mementos. “You just said they were sent by my third son, which means they belong to my third son. Keeping them with me is the same thing; I’ll use them for Xiaoyun’s dowry later.”

Zhou shi finally pressed, “Then what will it take for you to return my things? I must take them today.”

“I certainly won't give them back today. To be frank, if you were truly one of our family, these things would be yours. But if you are leaving, these things must remain here with me, to be passed down to our family members in the future.” Zhao shi was equally resolute.

Zhou shi felt utterly helpless. She couldn't exactly try to snatch them, and even if she wanted to try, she had no idea where Zhao shi had hidden them. Her elder brother and sister-in-law had caused her such a huge mess—they had truly doomed her. If Zhou shi knew what lay ahead, she might have wished to kill her brother and sister-in-law, but that was a story for later.

Seeing Zhou shi slump onto a nearby seat in defeat, Zhao shi felt a pang of softness. Perhaps she had been too severe today. After all, she was also a woman, and she could well imagine the hardships a woman faced. But thinking of Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun hardened her resolve once more.

Just as Zhao shi and Zhou shi were locked in this stalemate, Erniu and Old Man Lin walked in. They were not surprised to see the two women in that state. In truth, Erniu had planned to check on his mother, wondering why she had rushed back home, but as he reached the courtyard gate, he overheard Zhou shi arguing with his mother.

Erniu felt it was awkward to intervene alone, so he went out to find Old Man Lin, explaining the situation to him on the way.

Old Man Lin and Erniu entered and called both Zhou shi and Zhao shi into the room, asking what the matter was. Zhou shi recounted everything Zhao shi had done. Old Man Lin was unaware his wife had acted in such a manner, and feeling it inappropriate to speak harshly in front of the younger generation, he simply said, “Old woman, first, bring out those silver ornaments and money.”

Zhao shi retrieved a box from the cabinet but held it tightly, looking at her husband. Old Man Lin had spent a lifetime with Zhao shi; how could he not understand her intentions? He nodded once, then turned to Zhou shi and asked, “Third son’s wife, just tell us plainly if you intend to remarry. If you do, say so directly. Though we are farming folk, we are not unreasonable people, and we absolutely will not stop you, but we must make proper arrangements for the children.”

“Of course, we always hoped you would wait a bit longer to remarry, as it hasn’t been long since the third son passed, and the children are still young. It is certainly better to have their own mother caring for them. While we will look after them too, it’s simply not the same as having their own mother.”

Zhou shi held great respect for her father-in-law, and his words were indeed reasonable. She lowered her head and admitted truthfully, “Father, my elder brother and sister-in-law did visit yesterday and mentioned introducing someone to me. I didn't want to shut them down completely, as they are my elder brother, so I said I would consider it. This morning, I immediately went to my parents’ home and asked my mother to tell my brother and sister-in-law that Father and Mother have already agreed, so I trust they won't bring it up again.”

“Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun are still small; I truly have no such thoughts right now. Furthermore, I’ve been working at my second brother’s place recently, and life has been quite good. All I want now is to live a decent life with my two children; I don’t want anything more.”