Wang Youfu’s household was steeped in the joy brought by Luo Qing’s pregnancy, though Wang Youfu certainly did not forget to ride over to the ancestral home and inform the Third Branch. After all, the daughter-in-law’s pregnancy was something for everyone to share in!

Upon hearing the news, the ancestral household and the Third Branch came to visit Luo Qing. Luo Yin also came along. Seeing Luo Qing touch her belly with such a radiant happiness, and listening to Granny Yang constantly advise on what a pregnant woman needed to be mindful of, Luo Yin felt an immediate, unpleasant tightening in her chest. Now Luo Qing truly had everything. Before, she could at least console herself that while Luo Qing’s daily life was certainly easier and freer than hers, she remained childless—a sign, perhaps, that Heaven was sometimes fair. But now, with Luo Qing pregnant too, what remaining advantage could she find in her own life? Perhaps if Luo Qing were carrying a girl, that might still count as a slight deficit.

The Wang family had no inkling then that there was already one person hoping Luo Qing was carrying a girl. If they had known, one could only wonder what their reaction would have been.

When Wang Qinghua returned that evening and heard the news, he was so overcome with happiness that he barely dared to touch Luo Qing, terrified of harming the child in her womb. His overly cautious manner amused both Granny Yang and Luo Qing to no end.

Luo Qing carefully placed her hand over her abdomen, picturing a tiny infant growing within, her heart swelling with sweetness. Ever since learning she was expecting, the anxiety that had lingered in her heart vanished without a trace; she finally felt a profound sense of relief. Moreover, the reaction of her in-laws upon learning of her condition made Luo Qing immensely happy—surely, once pregnant, her husband’s family would value her even more. And Wang Qinghua’s reaction was particularly gratifying; his carefulness spoke volumes about how highly he regarded this child. If only she could bear a son, she would never have to worry again. May the Bodhisattva bless her to deliver a male heir immediately!

Wang Qinghua’s foolish demeanor after learning of his wife’s pregnancy finally became too much for Wang Youfu to bear. He dragged him out and presumably said something, after which Wang Qinghua returned to a more normal state, ceasing his unintentionally comical behavior.

The next morning, Chen Shi, the second wife of Old Man Luo, having heard the news, arrived with a basket of gifts to see her daughter.

Chen Shi had always made a point of cultivating a good relationship with Granny Yang, who already held a very favorable impression of her. Furthermore, Chen Shi’s daughter was now carrying her grandson. Thus, Granny Yang received Chen Shi with great warmth, and the two women fell into discussing the necessary precautions for pregnancy. After they had chatted to their hearts’ content, Granny Yang did not detain Chen Shi further, leaving Luo Qing to host her mother alone. After all, Chen Shi had come specifically to speak privately with her daughter, perhaps with private counsel to offer, and Granny Yang lingering would only be awkward.

To assume Granny Yang might be displeased by Chen Shi and Luo Qing spending time alone would be a complete misjudgment. Chen Shi rushing over so quickly after hearing the news surely intended to advise on precautions or perhaps the necessity of delivering a son—which was only good news for Granny Yang. If Luo Qing took more care, her grandson would arrive safely, right? Although Physician Li hadn’t been able to determine the baby’s gender, perhaps due to the customs of farming families, the belief persisted that announcing the pregnancy as male increased the odds. Therefore, Granny Yang consistently referred to the unborn child as her grandson.

Chen Shi followed Luo Qing to her room. As soon as they entered, Chen Shi eagerly pressed for details about the pregnancy.

“Daughter, how are you feeling now? Are you unwell? Are you throwing up terribly?” Chen Shi asked anxiously.

Luo Qing, hearing her mother so concerned with her stomach, could only manage a wry smile. “Mother, don’t worry. I’m perfectly fine; I’m not sick, and I don’t feel overly nauseous.”

“That’s good, that’s very good. Now that you’re pregnant, your mother-in-law and the others must be treating you wonderfully, mustn’t they? You can finally relax!” Chen Shi exclaimed happily.

Luo Qing smiled and nodded. “Yes, since I became pregnant, my in-laws have been very good to me. Mother even said I can use all the family’s hens for nourishment.”

“It’s understandable that your mother-in-law values your child so highly; after all, this is her first grandchild! She would be delighted even if you bore a daughter. However, you must ensure this child is a son first. Once you deliver a son, your standing in the in-law family will be secure. Besides, I’ve heard your father-in-law is quite partial to sons,” Chen Shi cautioned.

“What? Father-in-law… is that true?” Luo Qing asked, surprised.

“I only heard it from others. They say when your in-laws first started building their fortune, times were hard, and your father-in-law actually considered selling you off, claiming daughters were just burdens that cost money. Thankfully, Old Master Wang stopped him then. It’s only because your in-laws are prosperous now that he treats his daughters tolerably well, but certainly not as well as his sons,” Chen Shi explained.

“That can’t be right; how old was Caiyun then?” Luo Qing found it hard to believe.

“Don’t dismiss it; many people know this story. So, you really must have a son first,” Chen Shi insisted.

Luo Qing sighed helplessly. “Mother, giving birth isn’t something I can simply dictate what I deliver, is it? I certainly wish to have a son first, but that depends on what Heaven arranges, doesn't it? It’s not entirely up to my wishes.”

“You have a point there. Speaking of which, your older female cousin has been incredibly lucky in this regard. Never mind how quickly she conceived after marrying into her in-law family; just the fact that she delivered a son immediately makes her luckier than most women. Didn’t you see how ecstatic Old Master and Old Madam Wang were at the full moon banquet? How is she so fortunate?” Chen Shi brought up Luo Yin’s situation.

“Alas, Cousin Yin has always done everything well; I have never quite measured up to her,” Luo Qing admitted with a sigh.

“But don’t envy her too much. In my view, she might envy you. Your in-laws are far better than the family she married into,” Chen Shi offered by way of comfort.

“That’s true, but Cousin Yin is still better off than me,” Luo Qing murmured, before breaking into a smile. “Oh, Mother, how did we get onto this topic? Tell me instead what I need to watch out for during this pregnancy! I don’t want to be careless because I know nothing.”

Chen Shi agreed; this was such wonderful news about her daughter, why dwell on Luo Yin? So, Chen Shi meticulously began detailing the necessary precautions.

Luo Qing found that most of what her mother advised was similar to what Granny Yang had already told her. However, Chen Shi added a crucial warning: do not overeat in the later stages of pregnancy, lest the baby grow too large and make delivery difficult. Chen Shi cited the example of a woman in their village whose child was too large, leading to obstructed labor, and ultimately, neither mother nor child survived.

Luo Qing shuddered, startled by the gravity of the warning. Consequently, in the time that followed, even when terribly hungry, Luo Qing dared not eat too much, which puzzled the Wang Youfu family for quite some time—though that is a story for later.

Seeing that Luo Qing was frightened, Chen Shi quickly tried to reassure her. “Don’t be afraid, dear. In the surrounding villages, she was the only one it happened to; everyone else turned out fine!”

Hearing this, Luo Qing felt she was being overly anxious and, somewhat embarrassed, steered the conversation toward her younger brother.

When her son was mentioned, Chen Shi’s spirits immediately lifted. “Oh, you don’t need to worry about your brother; he’s doing wonderfully! Since he started working at your family’s mill, he finally has proper work every day and isn’t running around causing trouble with the village boys anymore. Plus, he earns five hundred wen in wages monthly—many in the village envy him!”

Luo Qing was delighted to hear this. “That’s excellent. Then Mother and Father won’t have to worry anymore.”

“Indeed. And finding him a wife will be much easier later, won’t it? You have no idea how angry your paternal uncle’s wife was when she heard. But she should consider that your in-laws are helping us; it has nothing to do with her. If she has that much energy to be angry, why doesn't she ask Luo Yin’s in-laws to lend a hand? Luo Yin’s family owns two shops, you know!” Chen Shi sniffed disdainfully.

Luo Qing felt a mix of amusement and helplessness. She knew her mother and her paternal uncle’s wife had always been at odds; before, it was because the uncle’s wife constantly lorded over her mother. Now that Luo Qing’s in-laws were better than her cousin’s, her mother seemed determined to provoke the uncle’s wife, perhaps aiming to gain the upper hand. As a daughter, Luo Qing sometimes didn't know how to advise her mother, but at least her mother only sought verbal advantage.

“Mother, perhaps you shouldn’t provoke Auntie anymore. Even if you win the argument verbally, what does it truly accomplish?” Luo Qing tried to persuade her.

“I wasn’t provoking her; I just couldn’t help myself sometimes. Who knew she would react like that,” Chen Shi mumbled guiltily.

Luo Qing did not press the matter further. Changing her mother’s deeply ingrained temperament wouldn’t happen overnight; perhaps if she actually did change someday, her own family and the uncle’s family might find it unsettling.

The mother and daughter chatted for a while longer before Chen Shi finally departed.

Meanwhile, Wang Qingchen, having waited for these many days, finally reached the day of the County Examination. After undergoing inspection, Wang Qingchen glanced at the examination hall before looking up at the sky. This day had finally arrived. He just didn't know if he could achieve his wish in this County Examination. After a moment of thought, Wang Qingchen continued forward. Regardless, he had to strive to fulfill his aspiration, for his family, and even more so, for himself.

Li Yuntai followed behind Wang Qingchen. Seeing Wang Qingchen pause briefly before entering, he strode in after him as well. Whether their wishes would be granted depended on the coming few days. (To be continued)