Xixi's words were clearly meant to be overheard by Madam Zhou. She had never seen anyone quite like Madam Zhou—who had her own daughter return to her maternal home so she might ask her to save her son, yet wouldn't even provide a room for them to stay in. Not only were her words unpleasant, but she genuinely acted as if they had nowhere else to go but here.
"Miss Xixi, what are you talking about? It's rare for my sister-in-law to visit, and though the house is full, of course, I'll make proper arrangements. There's no need to mention room charges, nor to talk of troubling or not troubling us. As her brother-in-law, it's my duty to do this. If I didn't provide you with a place to stay, that would be the real rudeness," he said.
