Madam Zhang and Madam He finished their tidying and set off for the temple that day. The thought of what Madam Zhang intended to pray for instantly filled her with excitement, whereas Madam He had lost interest in many things; she accompanied Madam Zhang purely to clear her head, so she followed along, talking about whether Zhao Jing might pass the Xiucai examination.

Upon arriving at the temple, Madam Zhang quickly went to burn incense for Zhao Jing and even drew a divination stick for him. When the master interpreted it as the highest possible fortune—a top-tier lot—Madam Zhang was ecstatic. She could almost visualize a scholar son-in-law waiting for her in the near future.

Unlike Madam Zhang, Madam He had no specific petition, yet she also offered incense to the Bodhisattva, thinking it would at least serve as a blessing for her family’s peace and health. After offering her incense, Madam He watched Madam Zhang happily chatting with the master who interpreted the sticks, guessing that her own fortune must have been excellent. At the same time, a wave of disappointment washed over her. Why could others receive exactly what they wished for, while the child she had longed for for so long remained unseen, and eventually, the possibility was declared completely nullified, leaving not even a sliver of hope? Although she had come to terms with much, a sense of regret still lingered in her heart; the vision of grandchildren crowding around her in her old age would never materialize in this lifetime.

Madam He did not rejoin Madam Zhang but walked toward the outside, deciding she would wait for her companion there. After a short wait outside, Madam He saw Madam Zhang rushing out. “Oh, Xiujuan, I am so sorry! I got carried away just now and forgot about you. Were you bored waiting all alone?”

Madam Zhang, after hearing the master declare her petition yielded the best possible fortune, had become so animated that she spoke with the master for a long time, completely forgetting she hadn't come alone. When she finally remembered Madam He, Madam He was no longer in the main hall, prompting her hurried search outside.

Madam He waved it off. “It’s fine. I just felt a bit stuffy inside and wanted some fresh air. I should have told you before I stepped out.”

Madam Zhang smiled. “As long as you weren't bored, that’s all that matters. By the way, do you have anything else you need to do right now?”

Madam He shook her head.

Madam Zhang beamed. “Then let’s go look at that little market next door. I heard they have many small, exquisite trinkets there. Let’s go have a look!”

Madam He hesitated for a moment before nodding her agreement. Since there was nothing pressing at home, the two happily headed off.

The small market Madam Zhang mentioned was situated right next to the temple, having developed organically due to the large number of pilgrims visiting. Though not large, it was certainly worth browsing.

The two women strolled around, and indeed, the small market offered a plethora of handcrafted items—most of them brightly colored, delicate, and petite, greatly appealing to women.

Madam Zhang was caught between choosing between two small sachet bags when she overheard a conversation between two peasant women browsing nearby.

“Oh, that woman just now was truly pitiful, she looks like she’s about to pass, doesn’t she?”

“Probably so. It’s such a shame for the child she’s holding, so tiny. What will happen to the baby if the mother dies?”

“Who knows if the mother and child even have family?”

“What family? Even if they did, they aren’t here. Didn’t you see how ragged they were dressed, like beggars? If they had family, would they look like that?”

“Alas, that child is truly to be pitied.”

Listening to their words, Madam Zhang felt a surge of sympathy. Thinking she might be able to offer some assistance, she turned to the two women and asked, “Excuse me, elder sisters, I couldn’t help but overhear—where are the mother and child you were just discussing?”

The two women paused, and one of them asked back, “Uh, are you their family?”

Madam Zhang shook her head. “No, I’m not. I just heard how pitiful their situation was and wanted to see if I could offer some help.”

The two women exchanged a glance, then pointed in a direction. “Over there. Keep walking straight for a bit, and you’ll find them.”

Madam Zhang offered her thanks, abandoned thoughts of buying sachets, and immediately pulled Madam He along. Madam He had been looking at something at a nearby stall and hadn’t caught the conversation. Though curious about Madam Zhang’s sudden urgency, she didn't refuse and followed along.

It wasn't long before the two spotted a crowd gathered ahead—surely the location of the mother and child the women had mentioned.

Madam Zhang pulled Madam He through the onlookers, and sure enough, they saw a woman in tattered clothing holding a small infant wrapped in a dark gray bundle. The woman’s complexion was truly awful, just as the two others had described; she looked like she was near death.

Madam Zhang stepped closer for a look. The woman was strikingly beautiful, but her consciousness was clearly fading, her eyes barely able to stay open. Yet, her hands clung tightly to the baby, bringing tears to Madam Zhang’s eyes.

“This mother and child are so pitiable; let’s all help them! Let’s take her to the town infirmary to be seen!” Madam Zhang turned back and addressed the crowd.

Unfortunately, the surrounding people were merely spectators, pointing and murmuring, and no one was willing to respond to Madam Zhang. Madam Zhang felt a rising frustration until Madam He stepped forward and said, “Third Aunt, I will help you. Let’s take them to the doctor. This mother and child look terribly fragile.”

Madam Zhang nodded gratefully, but alas, the two women alone could not manage to transport a person to the infirmary. Madam Zhang looked around and spotted someone with an ox cart. She then addressed the crowd. “Gentlemen, this mother and child are so pitiful; my niece-in-law and I cannot bear to see it, and we want to take her for medical treatment. However, we are but two frail women and cannot lift her. I was hoping one of the gentlemen with an ox cart could lend a hand. Of course, I know everyone is busy, so to whoever is willing to help convey this poor woman to the infirmary, I am willing to pay five wen.”

As soon as Madam Zhang finished speaking, those with ox carts felt their interest piqued. They usually charged two wen to transport one person to town, but now they could earn five wen just for the one holding the child, and the other two would surely come along too, netting them another four wen—a total of nine wen, a very good bargain. Once they calculated this, a middle-aged man stepped forward first and said, “Madam, I will drive you there.”

Madam Zhang nodded, then asked the man to help lift the woman onto the cart. Madam Zhang and Madam He boarded after her. The middle-aged man cracked his whip, and the ox cart lumbered off toward town.

Once the group departed, the carters who were slower to react began beating their chests and stamping their feet, lamenting that they had missed such a lucrative opportunity.

Later, the middle-aged man helped carry the woman from the ox cart into the infirmary. Madam Zhang paid the nine wen. Madam Zhang anxiously explained the situation to the doctor while Madam He followed behind, cradling the small infant.

The doctor took one look at the woman’s dire condition and hurried over to treat her first. However, after checking her pulse and flipping open her eyelids, the doctor sighed and shook his head. “She arrived too late. There is nothing more to be done; prepare for the rites of passage.”

Both Madam Zhang and Madam He listened with deep distress; despite their efforts, the outcome was unavoidable.

The doctor recognized that Madam Zhang and Madam He were strangers to the woman, yet they had brought her in and now wore expressions of genuine sorrow, revealing their benevolent spirits. Moved, the doctor decided he must assist them further. “I will use acupuncture shortly to clear her consciousness a bit. If you have any final words for her, please say them quickly!”

Madam Zhang nodded her thanks. “Thank you, Doctor.”

Indeed, after a short while, with the doctor’s help, the woman regained a slight sense of awareness. She opened her eyes, initially confused about her surroundings, then suddenly patted her chest, crying out, “The child... Where is my child?”

The woman was likely too weak from not speaking or drinking for a long time; her voice was hoarse. Madam Zhang quickly took the baby from Madam He’s arms and held him up. “Don't worry, the child is here! He is right here!”

Seeing her child, the woman finally felt some relief. She reached out to take the baby, but lacking any strength, she slowly lowered her hand.

The doctor in the infirmary poured a cup of water, which Madam He gently helped the woman drink.

After taking the water, the woman felt her throat ease slightly. Looking at Madam Zhang and Madam He, she asked, “Did you save me?”

Madam Zhang and Madam He exchanged a glance, and Madam Zhang replied, “We didn't exactly save you; we merely brought you to the infirmary.”

The woman was deeply grateful. “Thank you both so much! I have no husband’s family, and my maiden name was Qin. You may call me Madam Qin!” A hint of regret crossed her face. “You have helped me, but I have nothing to repay you with, and I can feel it myself—I must be nearing my end, mustn't I?”

Madam Zhang looked into her eyes and couldn't bear to deceive her, so she nodded slowly. “Madam Qin, do you have any remaining family? Are there any final words you wish to convey? If so, we will certainly see that they are delivered should the opportunity arise in the future.”

Madam Qin thought for a moment, then shook her head. “I have no family left. The only thing I cannot let go of now is my child. Would you please promise to look after my baby after I am gone? I know this is an enormous request, but you are the only ones I can entrust him to now!”

Madam Zhang was unsure how to respond when Madam He stepped forward. “Madam Qin, if you are willing to trust me, I will care for this child from now on. Would that suit you?”

Madam Zhang immediately looked at Madam He, confirming she was not jesting, and then considered that since Madam He would never have children in this lifetime, adopting one might be a good path.

Madam Qin looked at Madam He, silent for a moment. Madam He continued, “Rest assured, I will never bear children. I will treat him as my own flesh and blood.”

Madam He, having no children of her own, would certainly cherish this opportunity to adopt one and treat him well.