Luo Yin gave birth to a baby boy, which utterly delighted the Old Madam and Tian Shi; even the Old Master was beaming daily, clearly immensely pleased that his daughter-in-law, Qing Yun’s wife, had given him a great-grandson. In truth, regardless of what the child himself was like, simply being the first great-grandson for the Old Master and Old Madam guaranteed him boundless affection.

Luo Yin was currently recuperating postpartum. Aside from nursing, the child was mostly cared for by the Old Madam and Tian Shi during his waking hours. Luo Yin didn't mind; having someone to look after the infant gave her the perfect opportunity to rest properly, as giving birth had significantly depleted her vital energy.

The tiny clothes Luo Yin had previously sewn lay unused; the little one was constantly wrapped in swaddling clothes. The Old Master, with nothing pressing to do, would often come over to tease his great-grandson alongside the Old Madam. Though the baby offered no reaction beyond blowing bubbles, the Old Master found endless joy in it.

After several days of delight, the Old Master suddenly realized his great-grandson still lacked a proper name. After a night of contemplation, the following day, the Old Master decreed the great-grandson be named Wang Shuli, signifying that he would grow up to be both scholarly and courteous. Furthermore, the Old Master announced that all male children born into Shuli’s generation in the family would have the character 'Shu' in their names. Simultaneously, the Old Master decided to give Wang Shuli a humble, or ‘cheap’ name: Gousheng (Dog-survivor), claiming such a name made a child easier to raise.

When Wang Qingchen learned of the child’s humble name, the corners of his mouth twitched. Such a handsome-sounding formal name for a fine child, yet saddled with the vulgar Gousheng, and worse, the entire family would have to call him Gousheng until he grew up.

Wang Qingchen found the humble name utterly ridiculous, but to his surprise, the Old Madam and Tian Shi were overjoyed, calling him Gousheng, Gousheng, every day. This made Wang Qingchen wonder what the child would think when he grew up and realized his childhood moniker was Gousheng.

As Wang Qingchen was entertaining these cynical thoughts, Yang Shi happened to sigh while looking at her three children, which made Wang Qingchen suspicious—was that expression on Yang Shi’s face one of envy?

As it turned out, Yang Shi was indeed envious. In her words, “Your grandfather waited years for such a great-grandson; naturally, he will favor him. Your grandfather giving him a humble name was only because he worried the child might not survive; you all must understand your grandfather and not hold any grudges.”

Wang Qingchen was completely stunned upon hearing this. So, this humble name actually symbolized the deep affection of the elders? And his own siblings were not given humble names because the Old Master didn't value their branch of the family? Thinking this, Wang Qingchen felt immensely fortunate that the Old Master paid less attention to their immediate family; otherwise, having a name like that would have utterly disgusted him!

With this realization, Wang Qingchen asked Yang Shi, “Mother, do the three children of Eldest Uncle’s family have humble names?”

“Your older cousin Qingshan had the humble name Funiu when he was little, they said, to make him easier to raise as if he were a girl. Later, Qingyun and Qingtong were born very robust, obviously easy to raise, so your grandfather didn't give them humble names,” Yang Shi replied.

“Funiu? Hahaha… Oh my heavens, Elder Cousin was called Funiu as a child! It’s killing me!” Wang Qingchen laughed while clutching his stomach.

Yang Shi looked at the uncontrollably laughing Wang Qingchen with some confusion. Were humble names that funny? Many people in the village had them.

Ignoring the still-giggling Wang Qingchen, Yang Shi went to the courtyard to call Caiyun and ask her to bring out some eggs.

The chickens Caiyun had been raising for a while had already started laying, yielding eight or nine eggs daily, which Caiyun had been hoarding for herself. The family also made her egg custard and similar dishes every day, which Caiyun never refused, as it was the fruit of her labor, after all!

Caiyun was puzzled why Yang Shi needed eggs until she learned they were for Luo Yin’s confinement period, causing her a slight reluctance to part with them.

Yang Shi knew Caiyun was unwilling just by the look on her face. Caiyun, perhaps due to suffering during the family's poorer days, was generally stingy toward anyone outside her immediate family or her few close friends. And clearly, the Old Residence did not count among her definition of 'family.'

So, Yang Shi stroked Caiyun’s head and said, “Your cousin-sister-in-law has borne you a little nephew, dear. And she injured herself giving birth; she needs good nourishment now. Only when your cousin-sister-in-law recovers her strength will she have the energy to care for the child, won't she?”

“Fine then, I’m doing this for the sake of my little nephew,” Caiyun conceded.

“Yes, Caiyun is so sensible, knowing how to care for her little nephew,” Yang Shi praised.

“Well, of course,” Caiyun replied, puffing out her chest slightly.

In the end, Yang Shi not only took twenty eggs from Caiyun but also led away an old hen. This caused Caiyun a pang of heartache, but she had already agreed to provide things for her cousin-sister-in-law's recovery, so she couldn't go back on her word. At that moment, Caiyun forgot she had never actually agreed to give away a chicken.

Yang Shi had Luo Qing carry the prepared gifts, and then took Caiyun along to the Old Residence to visit Luo Yin.

Upon arrival at the Old Residence, Yang Shi and the others were surprised to find Luo Yin’s mother was also there. Yang Shi had Luo Qing hand over the gifts. After Luo Yin expressed her thanks, they all sat down for a chat. Meanwhile, Caiyun gravitated toward Gousheng, inspecting him closely.

Luo Laoda’s wife, seeing the gifts Yang Shi brought—twenty eggs and an old hen—was instantly pleased, thinking Yang Shi was quite generous. But then she reconsidered: Yang Shi was Luo Qing’s mother-in-law, and not only did Luo Qing marry into a good family with such a kind mother-in-law, but she also had help with household chores. Suddenly, she felt a surge of unfairness.

She had come today to visit her daughter and grandson, bringing some gifts for her daughter. She had assumed that since her daughter gave birth to a son for the Wang family, the in-laws would treat her better. Instead, upon arrival, she saw that the Wang family’s Old Madam and Tian Shi were focused solely on the child, showing no inclination to serve her daughter during her confinement. Instead, it was Qingyun, the husband, who was looking after Luo Yin.

This filled Luo Laoda’s wife with fury. She thought, if the Wang family wouldn't serve her daughter, fine, but they could at least hire a wet nurse like the Wang Laoer family did. What were they doing now? Leaving Qingyun, a man who knew nothing, to care for her daughter alone? Even more frustrating, when she asked her daughter, Luo Yin didn't seem to care, saying things were already very good. This made Luo Laoda’s wife suspect her daughter was suffering some hardship married into the Wang family’s main branch.

What Luo Laoda’s wife never imagined was that, in the eyes of the Old Madam and Tian Shi, treating Luo Yin this way—not assigning her any labor—was already considered quite benevolent. If Luo Laoda’s wife knew this, she would surely spit blood.

“Second Auntie sending so many things, you are truly being too generous,” Luo Laoda’s wife said with a smile.

“It’s hardly extravagant; they are all from our own raising. Besides, Qingyun’s wife calls me Second Aunt; we are all family,” Yang Shi replied just as amiably.

“Oh, Second Auntie, you are too polite; it is Yin’er’s blessing to have an elder like you,” Luo Laoda’s wife responded.

Luo Laoda’s wife’s words left Yang Shi unsure how to reply. Thankfully, Luo Qing, who was sitting nearby, interjected cheerfully, “Oh, Mother, Eldest Aunt, stop being so modest! If you keep being so humble, it makes me and Cousin look thick-skinned.” Luo Qing then glanced at Luo Yin, “Don’t you agree, Cousin?”

Luo Yin also smiled. “Yes, Mother, Second Aunt, please stop being so polite.”

Luo Laoda’s wife and Yang Shi then dropped that line of conversation and moved on to other topics—what care was needed for such a tiny infant, what to do if the baby gets sick, and so on. Luo Yin, sitting on the heated brick bed, listened intently; after all, she now had a child to raise. Luo Qing, sitting nearby, also listened carefully; even if she didn't need it now, she would need this knowledge after having her own children. Knowing things in advance was always better.

After talking for a while, Yang Shi and the others departed. The room was left with only Luo Yin and her mother.

Luo Laoda’s wife expressed her displeasure. “It’s one thing that the Old Madam and your mother-in-law won't serve you during confinement, but they won’t even check on you? Is this how they treat you normally?”

Luo Yin felt a sting of bitterness. “Mother, it’s fine. Now that I’ve given birth to a son, the Old Madam and mother-in-law won't treat me badly. I just need to endure until the family divides.”

“Divides? How old is your little brother-in-law? If you’re thinking of dividing the household, you’ll have to wait many years,” Luo Laoda’s wife felt her daughter was misguided.

Luo Yin considered that her mother was not an outsider, so she quietly told her about Wang Qingshan and He Shi separating to live on their own.

Upon hearing this, Luo Laoda’s wife immediately grew anxious. “My goodness, daughter, why are you telling me something this significant only now?”

Luo Yin certainly couldn't tell her mother it was because they had argued previously, so she said, “I was pregnant before, Mother. Even if I had mentioned it, the elders wouldn't have allowed me to separate while I was carrying the baby.”

Luo Laoda’s wife nodded, then looked puzzled. “Why would the Wang family suddenly separate their eldest son to live independently? He is the eldest son and grandson; there’s no reason for him to move out.”

Luo Yin had no choice but to relate the abnormal behavior she had observed from Wang Qingshan and He Shi that day.

Luo Laoda’s wife became even more bewildered after hearing this. “Then I must go into town to make inquiries. If I can find out why they separated, then you and Qingyun can follow suit and separate as well.”

Luo Yin nodded; that was precisely what she planned.

After settling her intentions with her mother, Luo Laoda’s wife took her leave from the Old Madam and Tian Shi shortly thereafter and hurried back home.