Zhao Erya and Yu Xiaolian had reached a point where there were no secrets between them. Zhao Erya reckoned that since she had already lost her virtue, she might as well spend her life alone. She didn't want to get married, believing she would be scorned by her in-laws, so she felt it was better to stay with Yu Xiaolian, living freely.
Zhao Erya was a stubborn girl, probably not one to easily change her mind. Yu Xiaolian thought she was still young, and perhaps in a few more years, Zhao Erya would have a change of heart. So she didn't advise her too deeply.
Regardless, even if Zhao Erya wanted to marry, Yu Xiaolian wouldn't let her marry Sun Manyang. Not that Sun Manyang is bad, but because Li Shi, the mother-in-law, is trouble. Li Shi knows how to make life hard for her daughters-in-law. Zhao Erya and Gao Qiao are of lower slave status; if they married into that family, Li Shi would likely intensify her bullying.
