Xiaoshan was eleven this year. Erniu had promised to pay for Xiaoshan's schooling if he wished to study, but the boy showed no interest in books or Daobao's store apprenticeship. He insisted on staying close to home since his mother needed help with chores and his younger sister required care.

While lacking academic ambition, Xiaohan displayed talent for craftsmanship. Erniu arranged for him to apprentice under Li Uncle next door. Over several years, the boy developed remarkable skill—outpacing even Litu's own son Er'guo in carving precision. With Lin He's growing demand for wooden boxes exceeding Li Uncle's capacity, multiple helpers had been hired. Now Xiaohan could complete simple boxes independently while mastering intricate carvings.

Since early this year, Li Uncle began paying Xiaohan 300 copper coins monthly as stipend. Mrs. Zhou initially refused these wages, insisting apprentices shouldn't earn payment. But after Li Uncle emphasized the boy's equivalent labor value—equal to hired workers receiving 500 coins monthly—Mrs. Zhou finally accepted.

Lin He watched Xiaohan now grown into a responsible youth, thoughts drifting toward her absent brother in Qinghe County. If he were still here, perhaps Xiaohan wouldn't bear such adult burdens so young. Xiao Yun similarly matured early among the girls of comparable age—rarely joining Daoyuan and Chen'er's playful antics yet quietly volunteering to cook when needed.

The courtyard buzzed with female laughter as Lin He noticed Aunt He approaching the gate with Dongyu in tow. Unusual for this reclusive couple, their shared excitement was obvious through the crowd's murmurs. Huangshi arranged seats while asking, "Sister-in-law! What brings you here today? Dongyu is such a rare visitor!"

"I wanted to take advantage of my mother's outing suggestion," Dongyu replied demurely.

"Lady-in-waiting, this is wonderful news!" Aunt He beamed. "Last week when young Dongyu showed discomfort, I sent Qingshan for the physician. She's newly pregnant—over one month now."

"Truly excellent news! Qingshan deserves this child after years of only having Maomao," Huangshi added.

"Not just excellent—it fulfills my long-held wish!" Aunt He continued. "Though Cun Yue Mei's womb has remained silent since Maomao, here comes Dongyu with a miracle!"

Redyun interjected cautiously, "Has her constitution recovered sufficiently? Shouldn't we consult more experienced physicians to ensure stability after last time's complications?"

Aunt He frowned, "Enough! I'll personally oversee Dongyu at my home during this pregnancy. No repeats of past issues—she shall deliver our grandchild safely."

Redxia tempered the tension: "Mother-in-law, Redyun speaks truthfully though bluntly. The physician specifically advised proper nourishment before conception. We all wish for your family's well-being."

"I've already consulted," Aunt He insisted.

Silence followed as Lin He observed Dongyu's quiet demeanor. Her pregnancy timing was impeccable—coming after recent tensions over Yu'er's dowry had strained relations between Qingshan and Cun Yue Mei. With child in her womb, Dongyu now held undeniable leverage.

Events spiraled unexpectedly the next day when Qingshan immediately sent Dongyu to Aunt He for prenatal care while announcing household funds would be split: portions for the mother, portions for Dongyu's needs, leaving only minimal resources for Cun Yue Mei and Maomao.

"You call her a concubine," Cun Yue Mei protested fiercely, "but she's little better than a servant! Why should our family wealth support her? Even if shared, it should remain under my management!"

Qingshan's voice hardened. "Every coin this household earns comes through my labor and has long been controlled by you. You took not only our money but also demanded dowries for your own family—do you think those debts disappear just because they were taken?"

"You intend to discard me entirely?" Cun Yue Mei hissed, "Because Dongyu carries a child? Why send her to your mother's home like some..."

Qingshan cut her off with a dismissive glance. As he turned toward the door, she seized his arm demanding explanations, vowing to involve her brothers if necessary.