'Under normal circumstances, she would never treat a little girl like this, but she couldn't afford to be soft-hearted now. Otherwise, was she supposed to wait and play mind games with them later, getting embroiled in household drama? Who had the time for that? She still had plenty of plans for reclaiming land and farming.'
She ignored the fiery glares from Grand-aunt and Seventh Granny, and the hostile expression on the other wife's face. Turning her head, she saw her mother entering the courtyard, cracking melon seeds. She quickly said, "Mom, what are you doing here again? We were about to head over. My mother-in-law and I are just seeing our guests out. We'll be right there."
