"I don't need anyone to look after me; my life is cheap enough, I can survive somehow. Just send Dongyu over. Otherwise, if something happens to Dongyu, they'll blame me again. I've taken the fall once; I don't want to do it a second time," Song Yueme said with a blank expression.

"Yueme, what are you saying? Dongyu needs care, and so do you. Hurry up, I've packed the things; let's go over together."

"Qingshan, no one can guarantee whether the baby in my belly is a boy or a girl. If it’s another girl, your mother will surely say some harsh things again. I can manage myself. When it’s time to give birth, I’ll just ask my mother to come over and look after me for a while."

"A girl is a girl. We are still young; we'll have other chances. Look at our eldest aunt; didn't she long for a boy for so many years before finally having one? As long as you are safe, that's what matters. I will talk to Mother."

In truth, Song Yueme had overheard the conversation between Qingshan and He Shi. It wasn't that Yueme had entirely lost her feelings for Qingshan over the years; it was just that she was perpetually entangled in the trauma of her previous childbirth. She simply couldn't move past that hurdle, and the fact that Qingshan had acted as if that incident never happened, without the couple ever finding a moment to clear the air, was what kept Song Yueme resentful. Now, Qingshan’s simple declaration, "As long as you are safe, that's what matters," instantly brought tears streaming down Song Yueme's face. She pounded Qingshan’s chest with her fists while crying, "These words came too late. Why didn't you say this when I was giving birth to Maomao? Why only now?"

"When you were having Maomao, you said you wanted the older one, not the younger one—that wasn't what I said. It was just that in that moment of crisis, Mother and Grandmother kept urging, and it seemed like everyone agreed on saving the younger one. I truly was momentarily beside myself then, and I agreed. I really didn't want that. I swear, if that was truly what I thought, may I be struck by lightning and die a terrible death," Qingshan said, pulling Song Yueme into his embrace.

Song Yueme was already sobbing uncontrollably in Qingshan's arms. The hands that had been hitting him stopped, and she said nothing, only weeping heartbrokenly. Qingshan gently patted her back. "Yueme, let's forget about the past and just let it go. I was wrong all these years. I shouldn't have said those foolish things when you were giving birth, nor should I have been swayed by Dongyu so soon after Maomao was born. I will change, starting now. From now on, you, Yueme, are my only legitimate wife. Dongyu is just a girl; whatever you decide she should do after she gives birth, I will not ask a single question."

"What if this baby is also a girl?"

"We'll just keep trying. If we have a few more children, the house will be livelier. We can be frugal; we can afford to raise them."

"What if I have a girl, and Dongyu has a boy?"

"Even if Dongyu has two boys, they are still the sons of a concubine. I will always put our child first."

"What if your mother makes things difficult for me again?"

"I'll handle my mother; I absolutely won't let her make things difficult for you."

Song Yueme looked at Qingshan and let out a faint smile, effectively forgiving him. Actually, women are like this: because they care deeply for someone, they hold expectations. Once those expectations are dashed, they cannot overcome the obstacle in their hearts. It wasn't some earth-shattering issue, not something truly unforgivable, but she had been lacking a reason to let go.

This time, Song Yueme finally found that reason to forgive Qingshan. Of course, much of it was forgiveness for Qingshan, but a part was also the knowledge that continuing down this path would only harm her. Seeing Song Yueme's tear-streaked smile, Qingshan felt a surge of tenderness and pulled her close. The couple shared a deeply affectionate moment—the first such tender scene since the early days of their marriage. The resentments lifted, and naturally, they became completely devoted to each other.

Afterward, Qingshan still felt it was better to have someone watch over Yueme during her pregnancy. If the house was truly empty, that was one thing, but since his mother's place had room and care, it would surely be better. Song Yueme eventually agreed, not wanting to completely slight Qingshan, as he was genuinely worried about her.

When Qingshan helped Song Yueme arrive at He Shi's house, He Shi didn't say much nor did she put on a cold face for Yueme. She simply arranged for Qingshan and Yueme to stay in the room they had occupied before. Yueme, uncharacteristically, said to He Shi, "Mother, it will be hard on you during this time."

He Shi, unaware of what had transpired between Qingshan and Yueme, was momentarily stunned by Yueme’s polite words. He Shi responded kindly, mentioned a few things a pregnant woman needed to be mindful of, and then left.

Qingshan held Song Yueme in the room and kissed her forehead. "Our wife is sensible, see? My mother isn't that hard to get along with. As long as you are good to her, she won't treat you badly. If it's not a major issue, just yield to her a bit. I'll make it up to you tonight."

Song Yueme disagreed inwardly. She had lived with this mother-in-law long enough to know exactly what kind of person she was. But since this was Qingshan's biological mother, she could only nod softly at his words.

When evening came, Dajiang returned. Hearing that both his daughters-in-law were pregnant, Dajiang was overjoyed. He even instructed He Shi to stop going out to work as much and just stay home to look after the two pregnant women. He and Qingshan would manage the household affairs. After all, the preference for sons was ingrained in everyone at that time. Dajiang only had Qingshan as a son, so naturally, he longed for a grandson soon. For years, they had only had the granddaughter, Maomao. Now that both daughters-in-law were expecting, bringing new hope, Dajiang was naturally ecstatic. Regardless of past issues, as long as a grandson was born safely, Dajiang didn't care how much harder work he had to do.

The entire family sat down together for a rare, harmonious meal. Everyone was clearly delighted by the news, and the atmosphere was exceptionally cordial. When it was time for bed, Qingshan started toward Yueme's room, but Dongyu walked over and called out, "Qingshan, today is a double-numbered day; you are supposed to spend the night with me. Besides, I don't sleep soundly and can't sleep alone."

"Why aren't you sleeping soundly? Haven't you always slept alone? You are heavily pregnant now. It wouldn't be good for me to be in your room, and my sleeping habits are rough; I might accidentally jostle your belly. I'll stay with Yueme for a while," Qingshan said softly.

After speaking, Qingshan walked into Yueme's room without even glancing at Dongyu. Dongyu stood alone in the courtyard, so furious that her nails dug into her own flesh, drawing blood without her noticing. From the moment Qingshan and Song Yueme walked into this courtyard today, she sensed something was wrong. Song Yueme seemed like a completely different person—respectful and polite to her in-laws, no longer cold to Qingshan, and Qingshan was yielding to Song Yueme in every way, like a couple deeply in love. With the in-laws and the family of three, she felt utterly like an outsider. (To be continued)

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