Lady Lu

When the fever sweeps through China, attacking any family that stands in its way, not caring if you were a peasant or a high ranking family. The Lus are running low on money so Lily's husband, being the intelligent man that he is, goes across China to buy salt and bring it back to Tongou to sell. While he is away the fever hits the Lu household, devastingly killing Third Brother and his whole family, Lady Lu (Lily's mother-in-law), and eventually Master Lu. This makes Lily and her husband the new Master and Lady Lu. With Lily's mother-in-law gone, she has the authority in the household and can do whatever she pleases. Now her laotong and her can finally meet again without having to worry about the in-laws. But Lily frets until her husband returns home with the salt and bundles of money. They are wealthy once again which brings relief to the household. Lily's character has developed over time because she is now stronger, a better mother, and still is a good to friend to Snow Flower. Lily will do anything for Snow Flower because she is her one true love. The theme of sacrifice returns again when Lily bribes her husband into letting her see Snow Flower, she does everything and anything she can to convince her husband until he finally lets her go.