Yun Qi absolutely refused to go back to the clinic, and Da Bao, having no choice, had to bring her home. On the walk back, Yun Qi simply trailed silently behind Da Bao, never speaking a word. Da Bao couldn't quite decipher what was going through her mind.

Back at the house, when Er Niu and Huang Shi saw the state of Da Bao and Yun Qi, they knew the outcome must have been just as the doctor described yesterday. They had already braced themselves for this, so seeing the confirmation brought only an added layer of disappointment, nothing more.

After lunch, once Yun Qi had retreated to her room and Chen'er had also finished eating and left, Huang Shi pulled Da Bao aside and said, "Da Bao, now that this matter is settled, I think there's no point in waiting any longer. We must decide to take a concubine. It was bound to happen sooner or later, so the sooner the better. You need to find a time to explain this clearly to Yun Qi. Meanwhile, I'll start having people look for suitable candidates for you. I’ll go into town tomorrow to consult with a matchmaker about this."

Da Bao gave Huang Shi a dispirited look and replied, "Mother, why the rush? Didn't we agree yesterday to discuss this after He'er returns?"

Huang Shi had spent the entire night pondering this issue. She knew Da Bao and He'er always shared a strong bond, and Da Bao was undoubtedly wavering now, hoping He'er would return to advise him. But as for He'er, Huang Shi understood her well—though the girl was reasonable, she strongly detested matters like taking concubines or divorcing a wife. Huang Shi recalled how vehemently He'er had disagreed when she first brought up the subject.

Even though they had finally settled on waiting three years, Huang Shi knew that was merely He'er trying to placate her; in truth, He'er disliked the concept of concubinage. If Da Bao followed He'er’s counsel and refused, or if they actually waited three years, Da Bao would be considerably older by then, and there seemed no need for such a delay.

Hearing Da Bao say that, Huang Shi expressed her disapproval: "What could be more urgent than this? Even if He'er comes back, regardless of whether she agrees or not, this concubine will be taken. I see no need for further discussion; I'll find someone first, and then He'er can come help you vet the choice."

Da Bao had walked with Yun Qi all day, and the doctor’s words had thoroughly drained his mood for anything else. When he heard Huang Shi’s recent pronouncements, he suddenly felt an intense irritation bubbling up. When a person is agitated, their words rarely sound pleasant. Da Bao looked impatiently at Huang Shi and snapped, "Mother, I know you dislike Yun Qi, but must you be so eager to force me into taking a concubine? How do you know that a concubine will inherently be better than Yun Qi?"

Da Bao’s words momentarily stunned Huang Shi; she didn't quite grasp his meaning at first. When she finally did, she felt her son was utterly heartless. She was doing all this for him, yet he spoke as if she were acting purely out of selfish spite. Overwhelmed by a sense of grievance, tears suddenly welled up and streamed down her face as she burst into loud sobs, crying out, "Husband, look at the good son I raised! Everything we do is for his sake. Taking a concubine is so we can have a grandson. Now he blames me, acting as if I only suggested a concubine because I dislike Yun Qi! Is that what I meant?"

Seeing Huang Shi wailing, Da Bao grew even more agitated. "Stop saying you're doing this for me every time you open your mouth. Are you truly only thinking of me? You just see everyone else holding grandsons, and Yun Qi hasn't conceived after so long. And with the village gossiping, you feel you've lost face."

"It was you who praised Yun Qi as the best, saying she was like a blooming flower, insisting I marry her. If I hadn't married Yun Qi back then, none of this trouble would exist. You were the one in a hurry back then; if you’re going to blame anyone now, blame yourselves for pushing me so hard to get married." Da Bao, driven wild by Huang Shi’s crying, spoke every harsh word he could think of.

Da Bao’s outburst only compounded Huang Shi’s existing sense of injustice. Her eyes fixed on Da Bao, she roared with fury, "Da Bao, have a conscience in what you say! Your father and I barely slept for days worrying about your future. After we finally managed to get you a wife, this is how you speak? No wonder people say sons are born to collect debts—it’s absolutely true!"

Having spoken, Huang Shi looked toward Er Niu, who had remained silent the entire time, and tearfully pleaded, "Husband, are you just going to let Da Bao speak to me like this? Say something, at least!"

Er Niu felt miserable too. No one wanted this situation to arise. Both his wife and Da Bao had their points; although Da Bao’s outburst was perhaps excessive, he knew his son must be in deep pain and couldn't bring himself to scold him. He glanced at Da Bao, intending to comfort Huang Shi, but Er Niu was never one for eloquent words. After a long silence, he managed to say, "Enough. Da Bao is just in a bad mood; he didn't mean it. Stop crying. Everyone’s nerves are already frayed; your crying only makes it worse for all of us."

Huang Shi, already stung by Da Bao’s shouting, felt deeply wounded. She had hoped Er Niu would side with her, but his words sounded as if he were blaming her too. The quiet, suppressed sobs she had been holding back now erupted into loud, unrestrained cries. "Fine! Since both father and son speak this way, then I wash my hands of the matter! Whether Da Bao takes a concubine or sends Yun Qi away, you decide for yourself. I am not your only child, and I won't wait only on you to carry on the lineage—don't think for a moment that I am intentionally targeting Yun Qi!"

"I’m returning to Lin Family Village tomorrow. I won't come to town anymore. You live your good life, and I’ll go home. I won't manage affairs in this house anymore." After screaming these words through her tears, Huang Shi stomped off into her room.

After Huang Shi left, only Da Bao and Er Niu remained, sitting in the room, sighing deeply, unsure of what to do. After a long pause, Da Bao said with a weary tone, "Father, could you go into her room and try to comfort her? I spoke too loudly just now; I wasn't trying to curse her, but I’m genuinely suffocated by this. Regarding taking a concubine, we can’t rush things like this; it needs to be handled slowly."

"After all, Yun Qi is my wife. I have to consider her feelings. She just found out this news, and if I immediately tell her I’m taking a concubine, it will crush her. We must let some time pass before discussing this matter again."

Er Niu nodded, realizing this was true; his wife had indeed brought up the concubine issue too abruptly. Er Niu stood up, clapped Da Bao on the shoulder, and said, "Don't worry about your mother. She’s just got that temper; once I go talk to her, she’ll be fine. You are right about Yun Qi’s situation; let’s wait a while."

Da Bao nodded, and Er Niu headed toward the inner room.

When Er Niu entered, Huang Shi was sitting by the bed, weeping, with a pile of clothes nearby. Chen'er was trying to console her. Chen'er, having just eaten, was supposed to go back to her own room to rest, but upon entering, she heard her mother’s cries and immediately rushed over to see what had happened.