He glanced at Mrs. Zhou, his eyes carrying a note of censure. Just a few days ago, she had sworn before them that she had no intention of remarrying. Now, she was stirring up this fuss again, attracting the whole village to witness the spectacle. It seemed this storm in the Lin family village wouldn't settle down anytime soon.

Mrs. Zhou caught her father-in-law's look and felt a wave of frustration. Why had she been saddled with such in-laws? Today’s matter certainly needed a resolution, or she didn't know how it would end. After a moment’s thought, she spoke up, "I am choosing not to remarry of my own volition; no one is forcing me."

Hearing Mrs. Zhou, Old Man Lin's expression softened. He nodded and addressed Mrs. Zhou's elder sister-in-law, "Did you hear her? She is staying willingly. We are not holding her against her will. Since she refuses to remarry, you may leave now. There's no need to see you out."

Although Mrs. Zhou’s elder brother and sister-in-law were disappointed by her words, they weren't about to be dismissed so easily. Mrs. Zhou's sister-in-law mulled it over for a moment, deciding to adopt a conciliatory approach, softening her tone. "If you are unwilling, we won't force you. Come back with me now and explain things clearly to Father and Mother so we can report back."

Seeing the sudden shift in her sister-in-law’s demeanor—vicious one minute, suddenly agreeable the next—Mrs. Zhou suspected a scheme. She replied, "I won't be returning to my natal home for a few days. Big Brother and Sister-in-law, please just convey my message to Mother. I am unwilling myself, and Mother won't force me."

When Mrs. Zhou’s sister-in-law realized that neither threats nor soft words worked, she revealed her true colors. "Little sister-in-law, I’m going to be perfectly clear with you today. You will marry off today. I have already accepted the betrothal gifts. If you refuse to marry, you will no longer be a part of the Zhou family, and all ties with your relatives on the maternal side will be severed completely."

Everyone present visibly recoiled at the sister-in-law’s stark declaration. Although tradition dictated that a married woman's loyalty lay with her husband's family, support from her natal family was indispensable. If that path was blocked, it could invite contempt from her in-laws, especially for a widow like Mrs. Zhou, who would be looked down upon even more.

Mrs. Zhou’s sister-in-law was banking entirely on this leverage to force her compliance. Mrs. Zhou looked at her elder brother, who had stood silently by. Startled by his wife’s harshness, he reached out and tugged at her sleeve.

However, Mrs. Zhou’s sister-in-law turned and glared at him, signaling that if Mrs. Zhou didn’t agree, the betrothal money and dowry would be forfeited, and they would have to personally cover the costs of any items already used.

Mrs. Zhou’s elder brother understood the implication and withdrew his hand, looking at his sister’s eyes before turning his gaze away. Even though it was the height of summer in June, Mrs. Zhou felt a chill rise from the depths of her heart, almost causing her to faint. Mrs. Huang witnessed Mrs. Zhou’s reaction and stepped forward to support her.

Mrs. Zhou offered a grateful smile, and in that fleeting moment her brother averted his eyes, she made her resolve. With a pale face, she said, "I married into the Lin family for seven years, and Third Brother was always very good to me. Though he is gone now, since I married into the Lin family, I am a Lin. I will absolutely not remarry. From now on, I will raise Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun myself. Since Big Brother and Sister-in-law have said as much, then let it be as you wish. If you no longer want me as a sister, then so be it. Just don't come here causing trouble again."

Mrs. Zhou found uttering those words wasn't as difficult as she had imagined. In truth, over the past year, only her mother had occasionally visited; no one else had inquired about her well-being. She had managed to survive and raise her children on her own. Having her in-laws stir up this trouble now, after all the grievances she had already suffered, made her realize there would likely be a next time. Furthermore, her brother and sister-in-law never treated her as a sister, but merely as a source of income. If that was the case, severing ties was acceptable.

Mrs. Zhou’s elder brother and sister-in-law were quite surprised by her sudden stance. They had expected her to refuse. The sister-in-law quickly retorted, "Little sister-in-law, you must think this through carefully. If you cut off ties with your maternal family, your life here will be incredibly difficult in the future."

Mrs. Zhou let out a cold laugh. "My life was hardly easy before, and I never saw my relatives step in to help."

Mrs. Zhou’s elder brother pointed at her, so enraged he couldn't speak. The two of them continued to curse and argue, refusing to leave the courtyard. The Lin family members were equally astonished by Mrs. Zhou’s fierce spirit, severing ties with her natal family so decisively, without a moment’s hesitation. Er Niu, seeing them still entrenched and railing in the yard, stated firmly, "You should leave now. Everything has been made clear. If you refuse to go, I will report you to the magistrate."

Knowing the matter was settled, Mrs. Zhou’s elder brother and sister-in-law left, grumbling all the way. The matchmaker who had been present remained silent, stunned by the scene. Once the pair departed, she, too, quickly slipped away.

Old Man Lin viewed his daughter-in-law with newfound respect. He hadn't expected Mrs. Zhou to possess such backbone. He nodded to himself and said, "Third Daughter-in-law, since you are now a member of the Lin family, we will not treat you poorly. If you face difficulties in the future, tell me. I will help you as much as I am able."

Mrs. Zhao, who had previously doubted Mrs. Zhou, now saw her resolve was firm and let go of her concerns, her expression much brighter. She offered, "In the future, if you are working the fields, send Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun here with me; I’ll watch them."

With that, everyone started leaving. Hong Yun felt she was poor with words and feared saying the wrong thing by staying, so she followed Mrs. Zhao to visit her mother. Da Jiang, also uncomfortable speaking, left He Shi behind to comfort Mrs. Zhou, while Er Niu and Mrs. Huang stayed behind. The others returned to their own quarters.

Once the others had left, leaving only the sisters-in-law together, Mrs. He spoke up, "Third Sister-in-law, you were too impulsive. Severing ties with your birth family like that—your life here won't be easy. And you know our mother-in-law; she isn't one to be easily swayed."

Mrs. Huang glanced sidelong at Mrs. He. Why does she start every conversation by offending someone? she thought. First, she criticizes one thing, then another. How is the person supposed to respond? She just went through a traumatic event, and now she’s adding more to it.

Thinking this, Mrs. Huang said, "Third Sister-in-law, don't dwell on it too much. What's done is done. Just focus on living well from now on. We can talk about the in-laws later. If you live well, you have nothing to fear. You have Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun, and you have us, your relatives."

Mrs. Zhou nodded gratefully to Mrs. Huang. At this, Mrs. He chimed in again, "Second Sister-in-law, you say it so easily. Cutting off your maternal support is a major issue! It’s not happening to you, so you speak lightly."

Mrs. Huang grew irritated by Mrs. He’s persistence. "Elder Sister-in-law, perhaps you should leave soon. Big Brother asked you to return early."

Mrs. He pouted, too annoyed to waste any more words on them, considering them all foolish. She then swayed her hips and walked out.