The second watch, requesting pink support.

******

At that time, the situation in the room was between the Wife of He Laoliu and Lian Shouli, neither knowing who was holding onto whom, tangled together with disheveled clothes. Lian Shouli only had his collar open, but the Wife of He Laoliu was almost half, naked.

Lady Zhao collapsed at the door, trembling and unable to speak, only knowing how to cry, while Lian Yeye stood dumbfounded as if struck with stupidity.

Lian Shouyi, Lady He, and the two lads from the He Family arrived in the room before the others.

Lian Shouyi and Lady He were arguing loudly.

"What’s going on, what’s happening here? Old Three, why are you sleeping with the Wife of He Laoliu in broad daylight?"

"Oh, his third uncle, my brother’s wife is a decent woman, his third uncle, you’re not being honest."

Meanwhile, the Wife of He Laoliu was contending with Lian Shouli while wailing openly, claiming that when Lian Shouli came home and saw no one around, he started teasing her, pulling off her clothes and slept with her.

"... I refused, and he said he would chase me and my child out to freeze to death. I was afraid, ashamed, and dared not shout, so I let him sleep with me. My clean reputation, now bullied by Old Three, how can I show my face to people after this, just let me die."

"As soon as the Wife of He Laoliu spoke of dying, it seemed to remind the third sister-in-law, who tried to hit the wall to end her life, saying she had no will to live." Chunzhu’s Wife reported to Lady Zhang and Lady Wu Wang, "I quickly held back the third sister-in-law, and sent Yeye to find the fourth sister-in-law."

"We were so anxious, but our help is limited, we don’t share the Lian surname. Third sister-in-law is quite pitiful, the only one who can make decisions and speak for her is the fourth sister-in-law." Chunzhu’s Wife lowered her voice as she spoke.

"What decision can be made now, when Yeye’s father already... the Wife of He Laoliu is clinging on, what escape is left for us." Lady Zhao said hoarsely.

Lady Zhang, Lady Wu Wang, and Chunzhu’s Wife exchanged glances and secretly shook their heads.

Chunzhu’s Wife continued talking.

"You arrived a step late and missed seeing what just happened. Oh, that was not ashamed at all..."

The Wife of He Laoliu clung onto Lian Shouli, disregarding the people around, while the lads from the He Family created a scene, claiming Lian Shouli bullied their mother, making it impossible for them to face others.

"At that moment, the scene was demanding an explanation from Old Three. The two lads from the He Family openly said, suggesting Old Three should divorce the third sister-in-law and take their mother in, and they would call Old Three ’father’ thereafter."

"Did they really say that?" Lian Yeye asked anxiously beside, his voice shrill from tension.

"They said what they said, isn’t that wishful thinking?" Chunzhu’s Wife quickly replied, "Honestly, when my husband and I entered the room, we immediately understood what was happening, oh."

"Did my father say anything, did he agree?" Lian Yeye pursued further.

"Yeye, don’t worry, there’s always your fourth aunt, and us. We won’t let you and your mother suffer." Lady Wu Wang comforted Yeye seeing his agitation.

"To speak truthfully, Old Three hasn’t uttered a word." Chunzhu’s Wife said, "My husband mentioned he feared Old Three is wrongly accused."

When they arrived, Lian Shouli seemed somewhat dazed and was trying to break free from the Wife of He Laoliu. Yet, the Wife of He Laoliu was exposed, revealing all, leaving Lian Shouli in an awkward position with no place to put his hands despite wanting to push her away.

"In the end, it was my husband who pulled Old Three out." Chunzhu’s Wife recounted.

"I can pretty much guess what’s going on." Lady Wu Wang said, "Regarding this matter, third sister-in-law, Yeye, you two don’t worry or get angry. Regardless of what has been said, we have to inquire with Yeye’s father as well."

"Where’s his third uncle now?" Lady Zhang asked.

"He’s gone to the Upper Room." Chunzhu’s Wife answered.

Chunzhu took Lian Shouli away to the Upper Room. There, Old Master Lian, Lady Zhou, and others were present.

Such matters necessitated asking Lian Shouli, and the womenfolk were not suited for that. Considering Lady Zhao’s condition, it wasn’t viable, and Lian Yeye wasn’t fit either.

"Why don’t I call my husband over to ask about it through him?" Chunzhu’s Wife suggested.

"That would be great." Lady Zhang and Lady Wu Wang nodded.

Chunzhu’s Wife went out, and shortly returned.

"My husband said..."

Lian Shouli recounted through Chunzhu, explaining the event like this: Lian Shouli attended a banquet in West Village, feeling happy, drank quite a bit under the host’s persuasion, returning rather drunkenly. Arriving home, he noticed Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye weren’t there, abstained from undressing, and lay down on the bed, falling asleep shortly afterward.