After He left, Huang also sat down on Zhou’s heated brick bed, looking at her and saying, “Third Sister-in-law, although what First Sister-in-law said just now was a bit much, there is some sense to it. Are you really going to cut ties with your maternal family like this?”

Zhou hadn't acted on impulse; she had given the decision considerable thought before making it. She let out a faint sigh. “I know, but if I hadn't said that just now, my elder brother and sister-in-law wouldn't have left. Who knows how long they would have argued, and I would have truly lost all face.”

“Besides, it wasn't a sudden decision. In the more than a year since Third Brother left, my elder brother and sister-in-law have never come to see me. When I occasionally visit my mother’s house, they treat me coldly, as if they’re afraid I’ll ask them for money or grain. When Mother takes pity on us as a widow and orphans and tries to give me a few things to take back, they scold her along with me. So I've been going to my mother’s house less and less.”

“If it weren't for that man giving them such a generous bride price and betrothal money this time, they wouldn't care at all whether my life is hard or not. It’s better to do without such a brother and sister-in-law; I don’t expect them to support me in any significant way.”

Huang looked at Zhou. She had guessed some of these things, but she hadn't expected Zhou’s maternal family to be this excessive. Zhou never mentioned these matters to them. “Why didn't you ever tell us? We never knew. We always thought your mother’s family treated you fairly well.”

Zhou managed a helpless smile. “What use would it be telling you? To burden you with my worries? Besides, my brother and sister-in-law are my own relatives; I felt ashamed to speak of it myself.”

“When Third Brother was alive, they were decent enough, but that was only because Third Brother often sent them things, which made them put on a better face and visit more often. We know what our in-laws are like. Even when Third Brother was here, we didn't argue with them over trifles. Today, it was fortunate only First Brother and Sister-in-law came; if a few more had shown up, it would have been intolerable.”

Huang indeed found little to say, so she merely comforted her. “Third Sister-in-law, forget it. It’s past now; don't dwell on it. Life at home is much better now. Take good care of the two children, and things will surely get better in the future.”

Zhou nodded. That was all she could do now; she would have to manage her own life from this point forward.

After persuading Zhou for a few moments, Huang returned home. Back in her own yard, Lin He was playing with the children. Xiao Shan, being older, had grasped some of what had transpired at his aunt's place. Seeing Huang return, he asked, “Second Mother, you’re back. How is my mother? Did my uncle leave? Uncle and Auntie were scary; their voices were so loud.”

Huang guessed that Er Niu hadn't returned, or Xiao Shan wouldn't be waiting at the door. She stroked Xiao Shan’s head and said, “It’s fine, your uncle and the others have gone. Mother is home. Xiao Shan, you and your sister must be obedient from now on, and when you grow up, you must be good filial sons and daughters to your mother. From now on, your mother will rely on you.”

Xiao Shan nodded and replied, “Yes, Second Mother, I will be obedient and filial to Mother. Mother is home alone; I’ll go back and keep her company. Xiao Yun can play here at your place; I’ll come pick her up later.” Huang smiled and nodded. Thankfully, Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun were sensible and obedient; Zhou’s life would be easier once Xiao Shan grew up.

Lin He came over when she saw her mother return to inquire what had happened. Huang briefly explained, “It was just some messy business caused by Xiao Shan’s uncle; it’s settled now. He’er, if you can, help your Third Aunt more in the future. She truly only has herself to rely on now. If we have the means to help, we should help as long as we can. Your Third Aunt has had a hard life. When you have nothing else to do, visit her courtyard more often and keep her company.”

Although Lin He hadn't witnessed the confrontation, based on Xiao Shan’s words and her mother’s return, she had guessed six or seven tenths of the story. For a woman in this era, taking such a stand was quite remarkable.

Meanwhile, He returned home with completely different thoughts than Huang. She gave no consideration to whether Zhou’s actions deserved sympathy; she only thought Zhou was too foolish. Why wouldn't she marry a good man who was offered, instead of staying here to live such a hard life? If it were her, she would have agreed to remarry long ago.

Thinking this, she voiced it out loud. “Da Jiang, what’s wrong with Third Sister-in-law? I heard they offered fifty taels as a betrothal gift, plus a good amount of dowry. It must be worth a lot. If it were me, I would have happily remarried.”

Da Jiang, who had been squatting nearby smoking his pipe, glanced at her when he heard He’s words. He said, “You really want to remarry, don't you? If you do, go ahead soon. I won’t stop you.”

Only then did He realize she had let slip something she shouldn't have. She quickly amended, “No, that’s not what I mean. I mean, the man her sister-in-law introduced to her is quite good. He has a shop and a courtyard in town. Third Sister-in-law marrying him would surely be better than her current life. Her life is so difficult now.”

Da Jiang snapped back angrily, “Why do you care so much? Their family’s life is much better than before. Besides, it hasn't even been that long since Third Brother died; remarrying so soon will lead to talk. Do you think everyone is like you, already thinking of remarrying before your husband is even dead?”

He didn't care much for what Da Jiang said; she latched onto the key phrase. “Their family’s life is better than before? Better how? I don't know anything about their affairs—it’s still just that meager income from embroidery work for half a month, trying to feed two children.”

Da Jiang blurted out, “She and Hong Yun are helping He’er, and they get four hundred large coins a month. That’s enough for the three of them.”

“What? She only does less than half a month’s work and gets four hundred large coins? You work for them every day and only get three hundred large coins a month. That’s truly too unfair! She is Third Sister-in-law, but you are the elder brother. Logically, you should be closer to them!” Upon hearing Da Jiang’s words, He immediately exclaimed.

Da Jiang was filled with immediate regret, chastising himself for speaking so carelessly. He had kept this secret tightly guarded for so long, and today he had been too garrulous.

He pressed on, “Then that means Da Sheng and his wife earn over one tael of silver a month from Lin He’s place, on top of farming their own land and living in such a nice courtyard? Why are your Second Brother’s family so partial? We have so many people in our family, yet they only make you work. Our house is old and nearly collapsing; why don’t they build us a new house to live in?”

He had been completely unaware that Zhou and Hong Yun received a monthly wage from Lin He. They had only ever said they were helping out when they had time, never mentioning payment. She had always assumed they were working for free, which was why she never paid attention to those details. Now that she knew, and realized her own husband had hidden it from her, she was furious. (To be continued)