Zhou Eldest passed through the rain with an umbrella and returned to the back courtyard, unable to find his father in the kitchen; instead, he saw his mother, who was wrapped in clothing, her hair bound up as she tended the fire.
After closing his umbrella, Zhou Eldest stepped inside. "Mother, Chang Lian and Lady Dong are outside the front gate. Chang Lian says it's his fault that Lady Dong is young; he hopes Mother will allow Lady Dong to come in."
Zhulan regarded Eldest with amusement. "I helped Lady Li and you to vent your anger, are you pleased?"
Zhou Eldest was startled and shook his head emphatically. "Mother, I'm the eldest brother, and Lady Li is the eldest sister-in-law. We're a family, and it's normal to bump heads from time to time. Neither Lady Li nor I are smart, but we bear no grudges in our hearts."
