Song Yuemei regarded He Shi with cold eyes. Her mother-in-law had apparently picked up a new trick: feigning collapse to intimidate her. Song Yuemei wasn't easily scared. She deliberately stepped right in front of He Shi, brushing her hand across her mother-in-law’s chest a few times, saying, "Mother, please don't let anything happen to you. If anything were to happen, Qingshan back home would never forgive me."

He Shi darted a glance at her and brushed Song Yuemei's hand away. "I won't be going anywhere so fast. This household is mine, and I won't let anyone take it over. For that alone, I intend to live to be a hundred."

Song Yuemei smiled but said nothing, adopting an air of meek submission.

Lin He found Song Yuemei truly formidable. During arguments, she was remarkably calm, sharp-tongued, and articulately structured, never once descending into uncontrolled rage. Yet, she could infuriate He Shi to the point of near madness. When He Shi jumped up and cursed her, Song Yuemei deflected the attack with effortless grace. It seemed clear that in the long run, He Shi would not be Song Yuemei's match.

Most importantly, Song Yuemei enjoyed Qingshan's favor. The conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were inevitably tied to the son. Ultimately, whoever could pull the man to their side would be the victor. From what He Shi was weeping about here, Qingshan completely trusted his wife’s words, relegating his mother to the sidelines. And Song Yuemei was clearly an expert actress.

Take today, for instance. Every word Song Yuemei uttered, if dissected, contained not a single vulgarity nor any disrespect toward her mother-in-law, yet she managed to send He Shi into a furious storm. Meanwhile, He Shi did nothing but raise her voice and utter nothing but foul words, calling Song Yuemei a "little vixen, little vixen." Presumably, she spoke this way in front of Qingshan too, which explained why he sided so firmly with his wife in such a short time.

Consider the situation: a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law living under the same roof, with the son constantly present, leading to ceaseless bickering. Anyone would grow weary. But at that point, one person incessantly whispers in your ear how awful your wife is and how unfilial, while the other never speaks a bad word, only murmuring sweet things to please you. Everyone would choose the latter.

And based on Lin He’s observation, He Shi and Song Yuemei represented these two types. Though He Shi was generally tiresome, she was straightforward; she aired grievances openly, making them common knowledge. Song Yuemei, however, appeared meek and gentle, yet possessed profound calculation, knowing exactly how to act to benefit herself most.

Although Lin He truly disliked He Shi—she was too fond of taking advantage and utterly selfish—such a person was relatively easy to guard against. Song Yuemei was different. One never knew what move she might deploy next. If she harbored malicious intent, she could be terrifying. This must be the legendary saying: it’s easy to dodge an open spear, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow.

Everyone sat together in awkward silence, offering little in the way of counsel. After a while, it was Song Yuemei who announced she needed to leave, asking He Shi, "Mother, I'm heading back now. Do you need anything else? If not, perhaps we can go together."

He Shi glared at her. Seeing that it was nearly noon and time to return to prepare lunch, she rose and left with Song Yuemei.

Song Yuemei had come today because she saw her mother-in-law leave right after breakfast. Her father-in-law had gone to town today, as Qingshan had told her the night before—he mentioned that with Father gone, Mother would surely go to Second Uncle’s house. Qingshan hadn't specified the reason, but judging by his tone, it was certainly an errand.

Song Yuemei was very intelligent. Connecting this with recent events, she deduced her mother-in-law’s purpose: He Shi was certainly going to Second Uncle’s place to arrange some work or favor with his family. Song Yuemei waited silently after He Shi left, sitting at home for a while. Estimating that her mother-in-law had finished her business, she came over, intending to secure some minor benefit or earn some silver herself.

She never expected to hear her mother-in-law viciously slandering her at the courtyard gate. The rant had even turned to her maternal family. If she hadn't gone in, He Shi, lost in her excitement, might have disclosed everything recklessly. That’s when she entered.

While He Shi was complaining to these people, she had completely forgotten the original reason she came. She had become too worked up and, upon seeing Song Yuemei arrive, had engaged in another quarrel, further losing track of her objective.

As they walked, Song Yuemei felt a pang of annoyance. Her initial gesture—reminding He Shi if she wanted to return—was meant to prompt her mother-in-law to remember her true purpose. But this old woman was truly dense; she actually followed her back! It seemed the important business remained undone.

Thinking this, Song Yuemei spoke up: "Mother, why were you in such a rush this morning right after breakfast? I thought you had an urgent matter. I was bored alone and planned to visit Second Uncle’s place, but I ran into you there."

He Shi’s heart gave a jolt. I deserve to die, she thought, I completely forgot the purpose of visiting Huang Shi’s house! It’s all because that little vixen came to cause trouble and threw me off my stride. Annoyed, she snapped back, "Where I go is none of your business. Do I need to report my movements to you?"

Song Yuemei replied calmly, "Not at all, Mother. I only worry that you become so angry that you forget what you originally intended to do."

Song Yuemei had hit the nail on the head, but He Shi stubbornly insisted, "I was just visiting your Second Aunt’s place. What business could there be? It’s not your concern anyway; you just stay home and behave."

Song Yuemei glanced at her mother-in-law. Why is this woman so dense? This is about serious business right now. Shouldn't we present a united front against outsiders before discussing domestic matters later? Honestly. Yet, her face remained smiling. "Mother, look at what you’re saying. Am I not your daughter-in-law too? If there is something, I will naturally side with you. Surely, I am closer to you than you are to Second Uncle and the others? We are truly one family."

Seeing He Shi continue walking without responding, she added quickly, "Mother, forgive me if I was thoughtless and made you angry. I am still young, after all. You should just guide me more."

No woman dislikes yielding submission, and He Shi was no exception. Seeing her daughter-in-law submit slightly, most of her anger dissipated. She grumbled, "If only you were this obedient all the time, we wouldn't have half the troubles in this house."

"Yes, Mother is right to scold me. Mother, what was the real reason you went to Second Uncle’s house? See how you hide things from me? I’ll find out eventually anyway. If you just tell me, perhaps I can even help you figure something out." Song Yuemei knew perfectly well why He Shi was going there, but she wouldn't expose it. If she did, her mother-in-law would simply say Qingshan told her everything, which would displease He Shi further.