Chapter 170

"Mom, has Emily replied yet?" The eldest daughter-in-law of the Johnson family asked casually while sorting vegetables.

Mrs. Johnson paused her movements and sighed. "Not yet."

A heavy silence filled the kitchen. The eldest daughter-in-law's eyes darted around as she placed the sorted vegetables into a basin.

"Mom, the policy allowing educated youths to return to the city is becoming more lenient. Shouldn't we write to Emily again? We can't let her stay in that backwater village forever."

Mrs. Johnson wiped her hands, her gaze distant. The memory of her youngest daughter's heart-wrenching sobs when she was sent to the countryside still haunted her.

"You're right. We should find a way to bring her back," Mrs. Johnson murmured.

Seizing the opportunity, the eldest daughter-in-law leaned closer. "I heard the deputy factory director's widowed son is looking for a well-educated second wife. If Emily could—"

"But..." Mrs. Johnson hesitated.

"Mom, think about it. After all these years in the countryside, Emily must have aged terribly. Marrying into the deputy factory director's family would be a blessing for her!" The eldest daughter-in-law lowered her voice. "Besides, if this works out, it would benefit our family too, wouldn't it?"

Mrs. Johnson twisted the edge of her apron unconsciously. "I need to discuss this with your father."

"Of course," the eldest daughter-in-law agreed, though she was certain her father-in-law would consent. In this patriarchal household, daughters were never as valued as sons.

And she had given the Johnsons two healthy grandsons. Her brother-in-law's family only had one son—hardly impressive in the eyes of her in-laws.

"Mom, don't worry too much. If Emily is sensible, she should understand that sending her away back then was necessary. You and Dad have sent her money and supplies all these years. She should be grateful."

Mrs. Johnson nodded, oblivious to the scheming glint in her daughter-in-law's eyes.

Meanwhile, far away in the countryside, Emily Johnson was busy curing smoked meat. Wisps of smoke curled upward as her two children stared longingly at the meat hanging from the rafters.

"Mom, how much longer until the meat is ready?" David asked, tilting his little face upward.

Emily wiped the sweat from her brow. "We'll ask Grandma when she gets here."

She had no idea that back in the city, her maternal family was plotting her fate. A scheme that would alter her life was quietly unfolding.