Chapter 317: Request
Shen Yidong had been back at her parents’ home for half a year, and although she was treated with the same love and care as if she had never left, bringing her three children with her and staying for such a long stretch had started some idle gossip in the village. Rumors abounded that she was chased out of her in-laws’ house for only having daughters, or even that she was infertile and her husband had sent her back to prepare for a divorce. Even though she rarely went out, those whispers still reached her ears.
In the past, when her close childhood friends returned to their parental homes, they would drop by to chat. They all had both sons and daughters and smooth lives valued by their in-laws. Seeing her situation, they would advise her, saying that a woman ultimately relies on her parental home. With the backing of her family, her in-laws wouldn’t dare to belittle her. And, considering her own favorable circumstances—though she didn’t have many brothers, those she had were successful—even more so, her current miserable state seemed improper. If she stood up for herself, she should first let her parent’s home apply some pressure, then use some tactics herself to firmly handle her husband, showing softness when needed and keeping her temper in check. This friend spoke confidently, with an air of certainty that slightly offended Shen Yiguang—who didn’t know who?
At first, Shen Yidong couldn’t accept this advice. She felt that apart from not having a son, all other issues were nitpicked by her in-laws. She couldn’t stand it and didn’t want her children to suffer, which is why she returned to her parents’ home; she believed she was in the right. Her friend’s words seemed to merely flaunt her own better days.
However, as time passed and she heard more gossip, she became very agitated. One day, while picking vegetables, she caught the eldest daughter-in-law from the Li Family sneaking two cucumbers from her garden. She couldn’t tolerate it and immediately confronted her. The Li daughter-in-law, caught red-handed and feeling guilty, threw the cucumbers at Shen Yidong’s feet with disdain, "Here, take them back. Unwanted stuff. You even have the nerve to show your face; it’s shameful. The Shen family is unlucky to have a daughter like you. I would have strangled you at birth, to save us the shame of you leeching off your parents at this age!"
Shen Yidong trembled with rage, grabbing mud and stones from the ground to hurl at her. The two ended up scuffling in the field until someone pulled them apart. The Li daughter-in-law relentlessly berated her about being sent back home and unable to bear a son, and the onlookers simply separated them but didn’t try to stop the insults; it seemed everyone shared that view. From their expressions, Shen Yidong could tell she had truly lost face this time.
It didn’t stop there; various busybodies visiting her parents’ home overtly and covertly urged her to return to her in-laws and live properly. She maintained she wasn’t there to stay permanently but to take care of her elderly parents. Although people listened, none believed her, and it irritated her immensely. These issues weren’t avoidable by merely staying indoors; people even came to her doorstep to talk about it.
Increasingly reluctant to go out, she finally took to heart what her friends had said; her situation was untenable. She couldn’t remain at her parents’ home forever. As comforting as it was there, for her children’s sake, she had to find a way to return to the He family, regain control, and have another son to silence the wagging tongues.
That’s when she realized the importance of her parental family, and the significance of having brothers; she couldn’t continue as before, always challenging her sibling in-laws. With her own brothers’ support, dividing the family property might become possible.
Yang PeiMin suggested showing her around inside, saying, "Your brother and your fourth brother-in-law are in there."
Shen Yidong’s eyes sparkled, "Then I should take a look."