When Zhou’s elder brother heard what Er Niu said, he was at a loss for words, unable to formulate a rebuttal. It was Zhou’s elder sister-in-law who reacted faster. “Whether she is willing or not, she is our sister, and we have the right to speak. Now, we are taking her away, and you cannot stop us. You are merely an uncle. Now that your family’s third son is gone, what connection do you have with her, and what right do you have to say anything?”

Er Niu was so exasperated by the elder sister-in-law’s unreasonable words that his head spun. “She married into our Lin family, so she is a member of the Lin family, and I have the right to speak. Even elder brother and sister-in-law cannot force her to remarry! Stop this senseless wrangling, or I will report you to the magistrate.”

Zhou’s elder brother and sister-in-law were startled when Er Niu mentioned reporting them to the authorities. This whole affair was their doing; if it truly escalated to the yamen, they probably wouldn't fare well either. But giving up now was definitely not an option. They had already accepted the silver from the prospective husband’s family, and more than half of the betrothal gifts had been spent. Since it was already used, if Zhou Shi refused to marry, how could they return the money?

In truth, the man from town was no distant relative of Zhou’s elder sister-in-law. A few days prior, the sister-in-law had overheard a matchmaker saying that a silk shop owner in town was looking for a second wife. The only requirement was that the woman care for his two children; there were no other significant demands, and the betrothal gifts amounted to fifty taels. Zhou’s elder sister-in-law became covetous and immediately went to the matchmaker to inquire about the details.

The matchmaker confirmed it was a silk shop owner in town, but she warned that the man was not a good sort—he frequented pleasure houses and was worse than a brute. The previous wife, rumor had it, had been driven to death by his torment. Everyone in town knew this, which was why no one was willing to marry him, forcing him to seek arrangements through intermediaries. Zhou’s elder sister-in-law paid no heed to these warnings. She reasoned that the owner had a shop and a house in town, making his conditions quite excellent. Thus, she told the matchmaker that her sister-in-law was a suitable candidate.

Seeing the elder sister-in-law’s eagerness, the matchmaker felt a pang of coldness, wondering how a person could be so ruthless as to marry off her own sister-in-law to such a man merely for money. However, the matchmaker was fundamentally opportunistic, and since Zhou’s elder sister-in-law was willing, she was happy to facilitate the match.

Not long after, Zhou’s elder sister-in-law had visited Zhou Shi, describing the town owner in glowing terms, trying to coax Zhou Shi into agreeing. After much effort, when Zhou Shi finally said she would consider it, the sister-in-law rushed to the matchmaker, announcing that her sister-in-law had agreed, urging the matchmaker to convey the message to the man’s side and expedite the formal proposal.

The day before yesterday, Zhou Shi’s mother had also approached the elder sister-in-law, stating that Zhou Shi did not agree to the match. But it was too late; she had already informed the matchmaker. Then, in front of her own mother-in-law, she heaped on more praise. Hearing how wonderful this man sounded, Zhou Shi’s mother also thought it might be acceptable and agreed. Thus, they resorted to deception, hoping to push the marriage through as quickly as possible.

Yesterday, the matchmaker delivered the betrothal gifts and the bride price to Zhou’s elder sister-in-law's house. Upon seeing the generous amount of the betrothal gifts, the elder sister-in-law immediately took more than half, keeping the entire bride price in hand. The few pastries and snacks they had made were also largely consumed by their family. Today, they brought only a few token items.

Zhou’s elder sister-in-law had initially presumed that Zhou Shi, being here, would certainly be unaware of the man’s true nature in town. With such excellent conditions offered, she was certain Zhou Shi would agree to marry. She never anticipated that Zhou Shi would refuse remarriage, leading to this scene of forcefully taking her away. Regardless, it was no longer up to her to back out. Today, she had to be taken back, no matter what, and married off from their ancestral home.

However, with the situation escalating like this, taking Zhou Shi away would not be easy. What should be done? Zhou’s elder sister-in-law’s mind raced at high speed. Meanwhile, Zhou Shi, seeing Er Niu and the others arrive, felt her heart settle and said, “Elder Brother, Elder Sister-in-law, please go back. I will not agree to this marriage. I have already asked Mother to tell you. If you act this way, Father and Mother will never approve.”

The elder sister-in-law formed a plan in her mind: no matter what, she had to trick her sister-in-law back first. Once they were at their place, it would be their territory. They could lock her up and send her off in the bridal sedan chair on the wedding day. Zhou’s elder sister-in-law declared, “Mother never told me she didn't agree. She said this was a wonderful opportunity, which is why I brought people to propose! Don’t believe me? Go home and ask Mother yourself.”

Zhou Shi was momentarily stunned. How could her mother agree when she had clearly told them she would not consent? Logically, her mother couldn't be unaware of such a major undertaking orchestrated by the elder sister-in-law. There was only one possibility: her mother had indeed agreed. What was she to do now?

While Zhou Shi was lost in thought, quite a crowd had gathered in the courtyard to watch the spectacle. Zhao Shi and her elderly husband also rushed over, as did members of Da Jiang’s family. Zhao Shi had never fully trusted Zhou Shi, and seeing her own family members being made a spectacle of only amplified her sense of shame.

Er Niu saw the large number of people standing in the courtyard, many pointing fingers, so he tried to politely persuade the villagers to leave and closed the courtyard gate. However, some busybodies even climbed onto the yard walls to watch. Er Niu could do nothing but let them be. As the saying goes, there is no wall airtight; some matters cannot truly be kept secret.

Da Jiang stood aside silently, while He Shi watched the unfolding drama with malicious glee. Upon hearing about the situation, she hadn't reacted strongly. She thought it might be a good thing for Zhou Shi to marry into town; perhaps the family would become wealthy, and they might give a good sum of money to Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun later. Perhaps she, too, could benefit. However, if Zhou Shi married out, Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun would inevitably need the elderly couple’s care, requiring significant subsidies from them. The old couple would have little left for anyone else. Therefore, whether Zhou Shi married or not was all the same to her; she simply stood by and watched.

Da Jiang, being slow of speech, couldn't utter a word. He figured that Zhou Shi’s elder brother and sister-in-law’s attempt to snatch her away was unacceptable. He stationed himself by the courtyard entrance, ready to intervene if physical force was needed.

Zhao Shi, however, felt that the magnitude of Zhou Shi’s affair would certainly invite gossip about their family from outsiders in the future. She blamed Zhou Shi entirely for this, giving her a cold glare. But with so many onlookers, she couldn't say much aloud.

Seeing that the Lin family had gathered, Zhou’s elder sister-in-law spoke up. “You Lin family members are too vicious! Our sister-in-law has been a widow for so long, and now that she wishes to remarry, you hold her back. Do you intend to keep her as a widow forever? Are you bullying us, the Zhou family, thinking we have no one to stand up for us? We are not so easily bullied.”

Old Man Lin looked over at Zhou Shi and spoke, “Elder brother and sister-in-law of Zhou Shi, you have caused enough of a scene. Continuing like this will only bring shame upon everyone. I will tell you the truth now: no one in our family is trying to hold onto the third daughter-in-law and prevent her remarriage. It is entirely up to her. If she herself is willing, we will not forcibly keep her, even if she leaves right now.”