After Er Niu’s family entered the house, Er Niu helped his mother, Old Madam Zhao, settle onto the heated brick bed before asking, “Mother, what is it this time? Why are you so agitated? You’re not getting any younger, and stirring up anger is bad for your health. If your daughter-in-law has done anything wrong, just tell me. Causing such a scene in the courtyard has drawn out the neighbors to gawk. Tomorrow, the whole village will be talking about our household again.”

As Er Niu spoke, a slight tone of reproach crept into his voice. Old Madam Zhao had fully expected Er Niu, upon his return, to join her in berating his wife. Instead, she heard blame directed at her. She began to cry again, saying, “Er Niu, are you blaming your mother? Blaming me for making a scene in your yard and embarrassing you? People say having sons is for old-age support, but once a son has a wife, he no longer spares a thought for his parents. They probably wish their old folks would just die soon so they wouldn’t be embarrassed by us in public.”

Hearing his mother’s words, Er Niu felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness. But she was his mother, and there was nothing to be done. He softened his tone and said, “Mother, that’s not what I meant. I’m saying that next time, whatever happens, don’t cause a scene first—tell me. I certainly won't side with my wife. Look at the things you’re saying! When did I ever say you were embarrassing anyone?”

Old Madam Zhao didn’t reply to Er Niu’s words, but she continued to weep softly, looking deeply distressed. While her initial outcry had an element of performance, her tears were genuine now. Her son’s words clearly hadn’t supported her side, and she was truly hurt, feeling that this son was no longer hers; his heart now belonged entirely to his wife.

Seeing how genuinely heartbroken his mother looked, Er Niu felt uneasy and admitted fault. “Mother, just take it as my tone being too harsh just now, that I misspoke. But I truly wasn't slighting you. What I meant was, whatever the issue is, tell me, and I will help you. Stop crying, and tell me what happened today.”

Only when Er Niu admitted fault did Old Madam Zhao’s crying subside. After a long moment, she finally controlled her tears, glanced sidelong at Huang Shi, who stood silently aside, and said, “What happened? It’s about the fine wife you married. Go ask her yourself.”

Er Niu looked toward Huang Shi, signaling her to speak. Huang Shi had been silent for quite some time. She knew this matter had to be settled today; if she remained quiet, neither her mother-in-law nor Er Niu would be satisfied. Huang Shi was always a kind person, and when conflicts arose with her mother-in-law, she tried her best to avoid putting Er Niu in a difficult position. Sometimes, even if her mother-in-law said or did something excessively harsh, if Er Niu hadn't heard it at the moment, Huang Shi usually wouldn't complain about it later.

It wasn't that she feared Er Niu wouldn't believe her. It was just that her mother-in-law was, after all, Er Niu’s birth mother. Although she didn't offer much help to their immediate family usually, Er Niu deeply respected his mother. If Huang Shi aired these grievances, Er Niu would surely be hurt and put in an awkward spot. It seemed better to stay silent.

Yet, this mother-in-law repeatedly said excessive things and did excessive deeds. After each incident, she would reflect for a while, perhaps behaving better for a period. But as soon as she encountered the slightest dissatisfaction or heard something from others, she would revert to the same behavior. She never once considered whether her words and actions caused her son difficulty or heartbreak.

Take, for instance, the time He Shi’s family came to borrow money. Her mother-in-law suggested selling their own family land. When she said this, Old Madam Zhao was only thinking about He Shi’s family being her descendants and how to solve their troubles. But weren't they—Er Niu’s immediate family—also her descendants? Afterward, Huang Shi had never mentioned this to Er Niu, not wanting him to know his own mother could utter such cruel words toward them. But now, this time, it was happening again.

This time, Huang Shi decided to reveal everything that had transpired today. After a moment of thought, she began, “Er Niu, it’s like this: Mother came today because she saw we bought a horse and hired staff, and she felt we were only indulging ourselves while letting the two elders live in worse conditions than us. Her implication was that we weren't taking care of them.”

Huang Shi summarized the day’s events simply, believing these few sentences would be enough for Er Niu to grasp what had happened. After hearing his wife, Er Niu roughly understood why his mother had come and why she had caused such a large disturbance.

Er Niu thought for a moment and said, “Mother, you and Father are getting old, and Hong Xia is staying with you now, pregnant as she is. She truly needs care. Since you feel you also need to hire someone, then let’s hire someone. I will cover the wages. Tomorrow, you can come with me to the matchmaker’s to choose one, alright?”

Er Niu felt that since his own household had hired maids, things were indeed easier for them. His parents were aged, and he could now afford it. Spending a few hundred large coins a month to hire someone to look after them seemed perfectly reasonable.

“Er Niu, I’m happy you have such a kind heart, but don’t you already have two young maids at your place? You could just assign one to my side. Hiring another will just cost more money,” Old Madam Zhao replied upon hearing Er Niu’s suggestion.

“Mother, let’s hire someone new. Those two maids belong to He’er; they help her with quite a lot of tasks. He’er can’t manage without them. You should hire a woman or an older servant for your side. It’s only a few hundred large coins; I’ll cover it,” Er Niu insisted.

Hearing Er Niu’s decision, Old Madam Zhao felt his family spoiled their child too much. He’er was just a little girl, only a few years old—why did she need so many maids waiting on her? However, since Er Niu agreed to hire a maid, she consented.

Seeing that some of Old Madam Zhao’s anger had dissipated, Er Niu spoke softly, “Mother, in the future, if anything bothers you, just come directly to us. Don’t start shouting right away. Your son and daughter-in-law are capable of ensuring Father and Mother live well; we won’t refuse you. Don't you think stirring up trouble like you did today was unnecessary?”

Old Madam Zhao was more receptive to Er Niu’s gentle manner and nodded, agreeing to go with him to the matchmaker’s tomorrow to pick someone out. After Old Madam Zhao left, Er Niu turned to Huang Shi and said, “That’s how Mother is. Don't take anything she said to heart. In the future, whatever happens, don't argue with her. It’s pointless trying to make things clear with her. Just wait for me to get back. I know my mother.”

Huang Shi nodded. As long as Er Niu understood her perspective, she didn’t mind enduring some hardship; after all, she had endured it for so many years, so a few more times wouldn't matter. She then remembered the matter of hiring help and asked, “Are you really going to hire someone for Mother’s place? There isn't much for them to do there, and the house is small; hiring someone might mean there isn't even space for them to live.”