When Wang Qinghua and Wang Youfu hurried back, Luo Qing had not yet given birth, so Wang Qinghua, just like Wang Qingyun before him, paced frantically in the courtyard.

Luo Qing, who was giving birth inside, heard Madam Wu mention that Wang Qinghua had rushed back. Strangely, as if a surge of strength had suddenly erupted throughout her body, the previous feeling of exhaustion vanished.

The midwife, along with Madam Yang and Madam Wu in the room, were pleased to see Luo Qing’s renewed vigor; a laboring mother finding her strength was more crucial than anything else.

Seeing Luo Qing in good spirits, Madam Yang quickly went to the kitchen, intending to bring the eggs that Madam Wu had helped boil for Luo Qing to eat. Wang Qinghua, who had been circling anxiously in the yard, saw Madam Yang emerge and rushed over as if she were a savior.

“Mother, is Qing’er alright?” Wang Qinghua asked anxiously.

Madam Yang looked at her son and, fully understanding his distress, soothed him, “Don’t worry, she’s fine. She was a bit drained, but when Aunt Wu told her you were back, she found new energy. Her condition has improved considerably now; she will certainly deliver safely. I’m just stepping out to get her a couple of eggs for strength.”

Wang Qinghua was somewhat relieved to hear Luo Qing was fine, but the memory of her screams made him uneasy again. He was about to press further, yet he recalled that it was similar when Luo Yin and his mother gave birth, so he held his peace.

Madam Yang brought the eggs inside, peeled them, and fed small pieces to Luo Qing, hoping to provide aid. Luo Qing naturally understood the need to conserve strength, so she cooperated and ate.

It wasn't until nearing evening that Luo Qing safely gave birth to a girl. The family members experienced both joy and disappointment. Once it was confirmed Luo Qing was out of danger, the tension dissipated.

Wang Qinghua was utterly delighted with the newborn baby; after all, regardless of gender, she was his child. Moreover, the thought of the soft, fragrant little girl filled Wang Qinghua’s heart with tenderness; he felt no negative sentiment about having a daughter.

As for Madam Yang and Caiyun, the idea of being unhappy with a granddaughter was unthinkable. In Madam Yang’s view, a granddaughter would eventually marry out, and her carefree days would only be while she was still at home; thus, it was right to cherish her dearly now. As for Caiyun, although she knew her father preferred boys, she herself couldn't distinguish between boys and girls, so she loved both.

The only one harboring dissatisfaction was Wang Youfu. Since the child's birth, he had been thinking: among the daughters of the Luo family, why did Qingyun’s wife immediately give birth to a boy, while the one they married brought forth only a girl? How wonderful it would have been to have a grandson! Then he would have a grandson, and their family could afford to support him, whether he pursued studies or opened a shop. Wang Youfu had mapped out numerous paths for a grandson, but now he realized those plans were useless because he had none.

Wang Youfu, feeling dissatisfied, pondered for a while before consoling himself: this was only the first birth; there would be others! Many families in the village also had daughters first before having sons! Thus, Wang Youfu began setting his sights on his son and daughter-in-law’s second pregnancy, completely failing to realize that his daughter-in-law had only just given birth and the next one was ages away!

Because Luo Qing’s delivery coincided with the approach of the New Year, the newborn girl was nicknamed Nian’er (Year Child). As for her formal name, no elder had bestowed one yet.

Luo Qing loved the daughter she bore, yet she knew her father-in-law favored sons. Now that she had a daughter, she worried about his reaction. Why wasn't the child a boy? Even if it had to be a girl, shouldn't it have been after a son?

Luo Qing felt slightly better seeing Wang Qinghua show no displeasure and dote on their daughter. Fine, a daughter is a daughter, she thought. I can always have a son next time. Besides, the girl’s father adored her, so Luo Qing believed her daughter wouldn’t suffer. Contentment settled over her; as long as her daughter was well, that was enough.

When Chen Shi, Luo Qing’s mother, heard the messenger Wang Qinghua report that her daughter had delivered a girl, she felt disheartened too. How wonderful it would have been to have a boy immediately! Why was Luo Yin so lucky, getting pregnant shortly after marrying and immediately producing a son, while her daughter struggled to conceive for so long after joining her husband’s family, only to have a girl?

However, Chen Shi had no time for ‘why’s’ right then. She watched Wang Qinghua’s expression, trying to gauge if he minded his wife having only a daughter. Thankfully, Wang Qinghua showed no sign of displeasure, which brought Chen Shi a measure of relief. After inquiring further about her daughter’s condition, she told Wang Qinghua she would visit tomorrow.

Wang Qinghua nodded, exchanged a few more words with his mother-in-law, and returned to Wang Family Village.

The next day, Chen Shi arrived with some eggs and a plump hen. After handing the gifts to Madam Yang, Chen Shi spoke with her for a time, ensuring Madam Yang wasn't upset about her daughter only bearing a girl, before going to see Luo Qing.

Upon entering Luo Qing’s room and seeing that everything was well provided for, Chen Shi finally breathed a complete sigh of relief.

“Mother, why have you come?” Luo Qing exclaimed joyfully.

“You’ve just given birth; how could I not visit? Lie down, lie down quickly. You need rest now; you can’t be moving around,” Chen Shi instructed.

Luo Qing listened to her mother and remained still. “Mother, I’m useless. I gave birth to a girl. Given Father-in-law’s temperament, he surely won’t like it. Why is my belly so uncooperative? If only I were like Cousin Yin and immediately bore a boy, how wonderful that would have been.”

“What are you thinking about? You are in your confinement period; think less about these things, understand? So you had a girl—can you turn her into a boy? I say, don't be sad. While your father-in-law might be dissatisfied, I see that Qinghua and your mother-in-law show no displeasure. As long as they aren't bothered, it’s fine,” Chen Shi reasoned with her daughter.

Luo Qing nodded upon hearing Chen Shi’s words, “I know what you mean, but the thought of my daughter never gaining Father-in-law’s affection makes me feel sorrow for her. Moreover, you know how long it took me to conceive this time. Who knows when the next pregnancy will be? Furthermore, even if I conceive again, what if the next child is also a girl?”

Chen Shi naturally knew her daughter’s worries were valid, but she couldn't agree with her line of thought now. Otherwise, her daughter might worry herself sick daily, potentially ruining her confinement period, making subsequent pregnancies even harder.

So, Chen Shi reassured her, “You don’t need to worry about that. In our Luo family, spanning several generations, every line has produced sons. Even your paternal aunts all bore sons after marrying into their new families, so you shouldn’t fret. As long as you complete your confinement well and conceive again, you will surely have a boy.”

Luo Qing considered it and found her mother’s words reasonable. Their Luo lineage had never lacked sons; her aunts had all borne sons. Thinking this, Luo Qing felt a great weight lift, her heart unburdened, and she immediately told her mother she was hungry.

Seeing her daughter relax and regain her appetite, Chen Shi was relieved. She went immediately to tell Madam Yang that Luo Qing was hungry.

Madam Yang was somewhat surprised to hear this from Chen Shi. Luo Qing had been eating very little these past few days, and she never asked for food at this hour!

However, despite her surprise, Madam Yang didn't question it; she was delighted her daughter-in-law wanted to eat during her confinement! This meant her daughter-in-law’s recovery would be faster, preventing lingering ailments, and good nutrition would ensure abundant milk.

So, Madam Yang called Madam Wu to prepare some food for Luo Qing. When Luo Qing saw Madam Yang bringing food, she quickly thanked her and tried to sit up, startling Madam Yang, who swiftly moved to press her back down. “Good child, I know you understand propriety, but you are still frail right now; you mustn't move about carelessly, understand? The priority now is to restore your health, so you suffer less later. I developed a chronic ailment because I was careless during my own confinement, and you must not be like your mother.”

Both Luo Qing and Chen Shi felt deeply comforted by Madam Yang’s words. For a mother-in-law to be so considerate toward her daughter-in-law was virtually unheard of in other families. Chen Shi even marveled at the good fortune her daughter had to find such a benevolent mother-in-law, which meant significantly less hardship and fewer grievances in life.

Madam Yang handed the food to Chen Shi, intending to leave the mother and daughter space to talk, and went back out.

Watching Madam Yang move away, Chen Shi smiled at her daughter and said, “See? Your mother-in-law is still so good to you. It’s clear she doesn’t care whether you bore a boy or a girl, so set your mind at ease!”

Luo Qing could certainly see it and nodded excitedly.