After a while, Madam Zhao came out again, saying, "Yue Mei has fainted. The midwife says she can't eat and has been in pain for so long; she must be completely exhausted. What are we to do? If this continues until her strength is entirely gone, we might lose both mother and child."

As Madam Zhao spoke, she sent Lin He to the kitchen to have Dong Yu boil some brown sugar water, insisting they must force some into her, as her strength could not be wholly depleted, or both would surely be lost. Meanwhile, Da Jiang and Qingshan still hadn't made a decision. It was Old Man Lin who finally spoke up: "Da Jiang, go inform Yue Mei's parents to come quickly. Qingshan is here; let him make the final decision."

Da Jiang, finding sense in Old Man Lin's words, hurried off to find Song Yue Mei's parents. Outside, Qingshan's face remained pale. After some time, Madam Zhao emerged again, saying, "Qingshan, you must choose one, quickly now."

Madam He followed closely behind, but this time her tone was not one of discussion, but a direct command: "Save the child. With all this trouble Yue Mei is enduring, who knows if she can ever bear another? If she can't, what will become of our family? Qingshan, listen to me, save the child."

Hearing Madam He's words, Qingshan didn't answer immediately, but after a full few minutes, he managed to say, with great difficulty, "I'll listen to Mother."

Lin He observed the expressions of those around her. Except for herself and Er Niu, who clearly disagreed, everyone else visibly breathed a sigh of relief. In truth, this was the answer they all wanted, but since Qingshan hadn't spoken, they dared not say it aloud themselves.

Madam He and Madam Zhao rushed back inside. Lin He even heard Madam He's voice inside the room insisting they must save the child. Finally, as it was nearing dark, perhaps due to Song Yue Mei's strong will, both mother and baby survived. However, to everyone's disappointment, the child born was a girl.

The entire family was visibly disheartened, especially Madam He, who, upon hearing it was a daughter, walked straight toward the kitchen without even looking at the infant. Er Niu and the others waited in the courtyard to see the baby. Fortunately, Song Yue Mei's parents had arrived, ensuring there would be someone by her bedside.

After a little while longer, the midwife brought the cleaned and swaddled baby out for them to see. Er Niu and Madam Zhao and the others returned, saying they would visit tomorrow. During this time, Madam He was never seen coming out of the kitchen, nor was there any sound from there. No one knew what she was doing.

In the evening, Song Yue Mei woke up, and her parents had also gone back. Song Yue Mei was somewhat disappointed to learn she had given birth to a girl, but as it was her own child, she cherished it despite the letdown. However, Song Yue Mei was utterly disillusioned with this family, Qingshan included. While giving birth, although she had fainted, she was in a state between sleep and wakefulness and had heard everything Madam He and Madam Zhao had said in the courtyard. She knew they had chosen to save the child over her.

No woman could ever truly get past such a slight. If it had only been her in-laws speaking, she might have tolerated it, but her own husband had treated her as so insignificant. She had endured considerable gossip just to be with Qingshan initially. Moving into his household, his family was not wealthy, and she had settled down contentedly. Most importantly, her relationship with Qingshan had always been excellent over the years. Yet, at a moment deciding life and death, Qingshan had made such a cruel choice. Song Yue Mei felt she could never forgive him.

As Song Yue Mei rested with the baby in the room, Madam He's voice began to carry from outside: "What is she eating? Giving birth to a mere girl, and yet she's so delicate. Ever since she was pregnant, I've waited on her hand and foot, making sure she did no work at home. I kept her like a young mistress, all in the hope she would bear me a grandson. After all that trouble, she produces a useless little girl."

Hearing his mother, Qingshan said, "Mother, speak more softly; Yue Mei is right here in the room."

"What? Is she not allowed to be criticized because her own belly didn't cooperate? If she wants to eat, she can get it herself; I don't have the energy to wait on her," Madam He refused to lower her voice.

Song Yue Mei heard her mother-in-law's words from outside and had already made up her mind. She would no longer tolerate any cursing or bullying from Madam He. Once she recovered in a few days, she would cease giving ground to her mother-in-law. Having been married for so long, she had constantly yielded, unwilling to have open conflict with Madam He out of respect for Qingshan, but what had that gained her? No one in this household treated her like a person.

Meanwhile, Lin He and Er Niu returned home with Chen'er, feeling a knot in their chests, clearly not in good spirits. Madam Huang saw their somber faces and asked, "Has Yue Mei given birth? Is everything alright?"

Er Niu spoke up, "She's fine, mother and daughter are safe. Prepare some things, just like Hong Yun and the others prepared."

"Alright, I'll prepare tomorrow and send it over during the child's third-day celebration," Madam Huang replied.

"Ask Mother tomorrow. Big Sister-in-law is very unhappy that Yue Mei had a girl. I don't know if she'll even host the celebration. If she doesn't, see about just sending something over on any random day," Er Niu suggested.

Madam Huang understood Er Niu's meaning upon hearing this. Madam He had already boasted to everyone that her daughter-in-law was carrying a boy, showing how much she craved a grandson. Having a girl would certainly displease her, and given her temperament, it was very likely she wouldn't hold the ceremony.

Lin He sat aside, staring intently at Madam Huang's belly. After a long pause, Chen'er suddenly spoke, "Father, if Mother can't deliver the baby when the time comes, promise you won't let Mother die."

Lin He and Er Niu knew why Chen'er was asking this, and they didn't speak immediately. Instead, Madam Huang asked, "Chen'er, what are you talking about? Why would your mother die?"

Er Niu gently stroked Chen'er's head and recounted the events of Song Yue Mei's delivery to Madam Huang. Hearing the story, Madam Huang said, "Big Sister-in-law's family is truly muddle-headed. Qingshan is terrible; what must Yue Mei be thinking? Qingshan and Yue Mei are still young; it’s only their first child; there will be plenty of chances to have a son later on."

"Exactly. And Big Sister-in-law never came out when we returned. I worry about what kind of mess the household is in now. Big Sister-in-law is truly something; aren't a grandson and granddaughter both their family's children?" Er Niu said worriedly.

The family chatted for a while longer, ate a little something, and then retired to their rooms. Although Lin He was exhausted, the day's events made sleep impossible. Even Chen'er beside her couldn't sleep, staring at Lin He and asking, "Sister, so giving birth is that terrifying for women? They can die? I never want to have a baby in the future."

Lin He smiled and said, "Silly girl, every woman cannot escape this fate. You just need to keep your eyes wide open when choosing a husband and don't marry someone heartless and unjust."

Lin He listened to her sister's words and nodded.

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