Madam Huang glanced at Ziqing and Ziyu in the courtyard, saying no more. Lin He, hearing Madam Huang mention the eldest sister-in-law, looked around and asked, "Where is sister-in-law? Hasn't she woken up yet?"

"She went back to her maiden home. Her mother came yesterday, saying her second sister is getting engaged, so Yunqi had to go back and see. She left yesterday, and before she went, she told me you would be staying here for a few more days, and she would return as soon as things settled at her family's place," Madam Huang said, a hint of dissatisfaction in her tone.

Lin He sensed Madam Huang’s strong displeasure regarding Yunqi. Her expression soured the moment Yunqi was mentioned. Seeing the maids present, she decided not to press further and simply followed Madam Huang into the house.

When they reached the back courtyard, Ziqing and Ziyu had taken the other maids downstairs. Only the immediate family remained in the rooms. Lin He finally asked, "Mother, what is it? Is there something happening in the family?"

"What is happening? It’s nothing but your sister-in-law’s business…" And then Madam Huang recounted the entire situation.

They had been in town for several days. The first two days were intended for getting the courtyard in order. Although Dabao occasionally stayed here, he spent most of his time at the shop. The courtyard hadn't been occupied for quite some time, and many things needed tidying up anew.

On the first day, Madam Huang instructed Chen'er to supervise the maids as they cleaned the yard. She was preoccupied with Yunqi’s pregnancy. Seeing that Yunqi had been taking medicine for so long with no sign of improvement, Madam Huang was extremely anxious. Thus, she called for Dabao to take Yunqi to the clinic to consult a doctor about her condition.

But for some unknown reason, Yunqi refused when Madam Huang suggested seeing the doctor, claiming she felt a bit tired and would go in a couple of days. Madam Huang was insistent and grew displeased. "Yunqi, you can't be so unconcerned. You can afford to wait, but I can't! You’ve been married to my Dabao for over a year, and there's still no news from your belly. How can I not be anxious? Now that we are saying we need to take you to see a doctor, how can you refuse? At least let me know if this ailment of yours has been cured."

Madam Huang’s words were not entirely excessive, but perhaps due to what was brewing in Yunqi’s mind, her reply was unusually sharp. "I’m not going today. I’m tired. If I must go, it will be in two days. Even if you are desperate, rushing it these two days won't change anything about your inability to conceive. If you are truly that impatient, then just have Dabao find another woman to bear children for him."

Yunqi’s outburst stunned Madam Huang. Yunqi had been married for quite some time, and no matter what Madam Huang said previously, she had never spoken to her with such hostility. And today, her tone was so biting.

However, once Madam Huang collected herself, her face darkened. She raised her voice slightly and retorted, "Yunqi, what kind of talk is that? If there’s a problem with your body, you must see a doctor. We haven’t said a word about you not having children all this time. What do you mean by saying that? You need to explain yourself properly today."

Madam Huang was deeply unhappy. She was also still smarting from the events concerning Dabao’s return some days prior. She had overheard the conversation between Dabao and his mother—Madam Huang—after Lin He’s return visit. Although the mother-in-law hadn't stated it plainly, the implication was that since Yunqi hadn't conceived after so long, she likely couldn't. This trip to town was intended for a thorough examination by a physician. If she truly couldn't bear children, Dabao should take a concubine. If Yunqi absolutely refused, Dabao should divorce her and marry someone else. Although Dabao hadn't explicitly agreed at the time, he certainly hadn't strongly objected.

Now that the mother-in-law was in town, before even unpacking, she was demanding to take Yunqi to the doctor. Yunqi felt the mother-in-law wasn't anxious about her illness, but rather impatient to arrange a concubine for Dabao—and Dabao seemed to be in agreement. Seeing this, Yunqi felt immense distress. You are in such a hurry, are you? Fine, I won't hurry. Let’s see if you can drag me out.

Yunqi looked at Madam Huang and said coolly, "I have nothing to say. In short, I will not see the doctor today. If you absolutely must, then you can invite the doctor here."

Seeing Yunqi’s demeanor, Madam Huang, already furious, managed to suppress her temper. "Why invite the doctor here? House calls cost money! You can walk and run just fine; why waste the money? You need to come out with me right now. Dabao is already waiting in the courtyard."

"I said I am not going today, and I won't go no matter what. Either send someone here, or we go in a few days," Yunqi remained seated in the room, refusing to move.

Madam Huang felt her anger had nowhere to vent, but since Yunqi wouldn't budge, she couldn't physically drag her. She immediately shouted loudly, "Dabao! Father of the child! All of you, come here quickly!"

Er Niu and Dabao in the courtyard heard Madam Huang’s loud shouts, fearing something had happened, and rushed inside. Seeing them enter, Madam Huang said irritably, "Dabao, I told your wife we need to see a doctor, but she refuses. Ask her what’s going on."

Dabao listened to his mother, then looked at Yunqi sitting by the table, feeling somewhat perplexed. In fact, Dabao had found it strange the moment Yunqi entered the courtyard. Usually, if he went to help her with her belongings, she would offer him a smile even if she didn't speak. But today, she entered with a straight face, as if someone had offended her.

And now, she was acting this way when his mother asked her to see a doctor. Dabao stepped forward and nudged Yunqi. "Mother says taking you to see the doctor is for your own good. It’s better to go sooner rather than later. Haven't you finished the medicine you were taking? Why won't you go?"

Yunqi gave Dabao a cold look, still speaking lightly. "I said I would go in a couple of days. I am tired today; I need to rest for a while." With that, she stood up, making a show of needing rest, clearly signaling for Madam Huang and the others to leave.

Seeing Yunqi like this, Dabao also felt a flicker of impatience, his tone becoming slightly strained. "What’s the difference if we go today? I finally managed to get some time off today, and I can accompany you to the doctor. Quickly get ready, and we will wait for you in the courtyard. Hurry up, don't keep Mother waiting too long."

After saying this, Dabao called Madam Huang and Er Niu to wait outside in the courtyard. Who knew that after waiting for almost half an hour, Yunqi still hadn't come out? Madam Huang urged Dabao to go check on her.

When Dabao entered the room, he saw Yunqi lying on the kang, though not asleep—she clearly had no intention of going out. Dabao frowned, saying, "What is wrong with you? Seeing a doctor isn't doing anything else; why won't you go?"