Wang Youfu retired first, and soon after, the younger ones—Caiyun, Qinghe, and Nian’er—could no longer keep their eyes open and needed to sleep as well. Madam Yang and Luo Qing first saw to washing the children before coaxing them to bed. Only then did the adults settle down with Wang Qingchen for a proper talk.

Wang Qingchen had been away for so long, and now, having just returned that day, he had immediately gone to the elder house. Madam Yang had been busy preparing food and wine, so she hadn't truly had a chance to sit down and speak with her son. Now, finally, she had the opportunity. She drew Wang Qingchen closer, inquiring about his journey—if he had fallen ill, if he had suffered any hardship, and so on.

Wang Qingchen answered all of Madam Yang’s questions earnestly; he was quite happy to talk with his family. Of course, it would have been even more perfect if the conversation didn't inevitably steer toward his marriage prospects.

“Qingchen, you are not getting any younger, and now that you’ve passed the Juren examination, Mother is thinking it’s time to arrange a good match for you. What do you say?” Madam Yang asked.

Wang Qingchen hadn't expected his mother to bring up this topic so abruptly, and he was momentarily at a loss for words. In Wang Qinghua’s eyes, however, his brother’s reaction was simply due to shyness. Thus, Wang Qinghua showed great "thoughtfulness": “Mother, Qing’er is pregnant now and cannot stay up late. We should return to our room to rest.”

With that, Wang Qinghua winked at his younger brother and helped Luo Qing back to their quarters, leaving Wang Qingchen and Madam Yang alone.

Even with Wang Qinghua’s considerate departure, Wang Qingchen still didn't know how to address the subject of his marriage with his mother.

Wang Qingchen scratched his head, then suddenly realized something, and asked, “Mother, Sister-in-law is pregnant again?”

Madam Yang nodded, her face beaming. “Yes, we only discovered it a few days ago. If this child turns out to be a boy, then your elder brother will finally have an heir!”

Upon hearing how much importance Madam Yang placed on her eldest daughter-in-law’s current pregnancy, Wang Qingchen quickly shifted the focus entirely onto her, emphasizing the circumstances of her expecting child.

“Mother, has Sister-in-law been craving anything sour or spicy lately? I heard people say sour means a boy, spicy means a girl—is that true?” Wang Qingchen inquired.

“Who told you that?” Madam Yang was puzzled. In her view, how would her second son come to know such things?

“Hmm, let me think… I truly can’t recall who mentioned it. But I think this baby Sister-in-law is carrying might be a boy,” Wang Qingchen stated.

“A boy? Really? How can you tell?” Madam Yang grew excited.

...

And so, the original topic was successfully diverted by Wang Qingchen to the matter of whether Luo Qing’s unborn child was male or female. Madam Yang, however, hadn't quite caught up, mainly because she was overly anxious to know if her eldest daughter-in-law was carrying a son.

As the discussion wound down, Wang Qingchen yawned. “Mother, it’s very late now. Let me escort you back to your room to rest!”

Madam Yang, who had been eagerly listening to Wang Qingchen’s analysis, suddenly realized how late it was. She quickly exclaimed, “Oh dear, it’s all my fault for keeping you talking at this hour. You just got back by carriage today and should be resting early, especially since you have to rise early tomorrow to pay respects at the ancestral graves! Quick, you go rest; I can manage getting back to my room myself.”

Wang Qingchen laughed. “Mother, don’t worry, I’m full of energy. This is nothing!”

“That’s good to hear, but you really should go to bed now. Mother will go rest too,” Madam Yang insisted.

“Yes!” Wang Qingchen replied.

The next day, Wang Qingchen managed to drag himself out of bed with great difficulty. Before even finishing dressing, he let out a huge yawn; he was utterly exhausted.

After getting up, Wang Qingchen splashed cold water on his face, which helped him feel much more alert. Seeing the refreshed Wang Qingchen, Madam Yang finally relaxed.

The rest of the family had also risen early. Wang Qingchen ate breakfast with them before heading to the elder house.

When Wang Youfu’s family arrived at the elder house, the Third Branch was already there, waiting specifically for them. Once Wang Youfu’s group arrived, the Old Master saw that everyone was present and led the entire Third Branch family in setting off.

The Old Master treated this ancestral tomb visit with great solemnity and had naturally made thorough preparations. Wang Qingchen simply needed to follow the Old Master’s instructions.

After the ceremony concluded, the Old Master felt a deep sense of fulfillment. He believed that now the ancestors knew their Wang family had produced a Juren, those in the underground would surely feel gratified.

On the way back, the Old Master’s mood was noticeably better than the day before. He let go of the previous day’s issues between the First and Third Branches and instead chatted congenially with the three brothers as they returned.

Upon reaching the elder house, the Old Master kept Wang Youfu and Madam Yang, who were preparing to leave, behind to discuss the arrangements for the celebratory banquet. Wang Qingchen, as the honored guest, naturally remained as well. The others departed, as they all had their own matters to attend to.

The Old Master did not mention yesterday’s events, focusing only on discussing with Wang Youfu whom to invite and how the feast should be organized. Since the Wang Youfu household had hosted banquets before, they naturally had experience. Therefore, the Old Master only stressed a few details, leaving the rest to them.

Consequently, it didn't take long for the group to finalize their plans: the banquet was set for five days hence.

Once the discussion concluded, Wang Youfu and his family prepared to depart. At that very moment, Luo Yin’s labor began—Luo Yin was going into childbirth.

Madam Yang froze for a beat upon hearing the news, then immediately rushed off to help. At the elder house, only Luo Yin herself, Madam Tian, Wang Youliang, the Old Master, and the Old Mistress remained; everyone else was busy elsewhere.

The Old Master took the news of Luo Yin’s labor seriously and quickly commanded Wang Youliang to summon the midwife. However, immediately after giving the order, he felt uneasy. Given Wang Youliang’s current state, the Old Master didn't feel he could place all his hope on him. So, the Old Master quickly added, “Second Brother, you go with your elder brother!”

Wang Youfu understood this was not the time to discuss other matters, so he quickly took Wang Youliang with him to fetch the midwife.

After the brothers left to call the midwife, the Old Master instructed, “Qingyun’s wife has given birth before; whatever procedures you followed then, follow them now!”

Then, the Old Master spotted Wang Qingchen standing nearby. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Qingchen, there aren't many people here right now. You go to the town for me and bring Qingyun back. He hasn't been gone long; he’s probably just arrived in town. Go fetch him and tell him his wife is about to deliver.”

“Yes!” Wang Qingchen responded and hurried out of the elder house.

In truth, even if the Old Master hadn't commanded him, Wang Qingchen would have found an excuse to leave. Frankly, he felt a deep apprehension about going near the delivery room; the sounds of the laboring woman made him uneasy.

Wang Qingchen first returned to his own home to inform his sister-in-law, as Luo Yin was her cousin. Then, he visited his Third Uncle’s residence; his Third Uncle and Aunt should still be home, and perhaps they could assist once they reached the elder house.

Only then did Wang Qingchen hurry off to town to call Wang Qingyun back.

When Wang Qingchen arrived at the eating establishment in town that Wang Youliang had opened, he quickly found Wang Qingyun and relayed the news that his wife was in labor.

Wang Qingyun was stunned to hear it. He couldn't believe his wife was due so soon after he had just left. He immediately dropped everything, gave a few hurried instructions to the shop assistants, and rushed back home with Wang Qingchen.

By the time Wang Qingchen and Wang Qingyun returned, many people were already at the elder house, lending aid. However, the baby was still a long way from being born. The midwife had already gone inside, and everyone was now waiting for the child’s arrival.

Luo Qing was also outside with the others, not having entered the delivery room. Wang Qingchen presumed others feared she might be jostled or harmed if she went inside.

Luo Qing’s gaze was somewhat distant. At times, she worried about whether her cousin’s delivery would go smoothly; at others, she recalled her own childbirth experiences. She even pondered whether her cousin’s child would be a boy or a girl, and what the gender of her own baby might be.

Wang Qingchen noticed his sister-in-law looked pale, unsure if she was frightened by the shrill cries from the delivery room or some other cause. He instantly regretted telling her about Luo Yin’s impending labor.

After some thought, Wang Qingchen approached her and said, “Sister-in-law, since you are pregnant, perhaps you should go back and rest. There are plenty of people here; I’m sure nothing will go wrong.”

Luo Qing looked up and saw it was Wang Qingchen. She managed a strained smile. “No need. Even though Cousin is inside giving birth and I can’t help much, I still want to stay here, or I’ll feel restless.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Qingchen stopped persuading her and said instead, “Then sit here and rest for a while. I’ll go pour you a cup of water!”

“Ah? No need. I’m not thirsty. If I want water, I can get it myself.”

“It’s fine, you just rest here! I’ll be right back,” Wang Qingchen insisted.

Wang Qingchen turned to find water. Because everyone who could help was busy with Luo Yin’s delivery, no one was attending to fetching drinks. However, plenty of hot water had been boiled, so Wang Qingchen quickly filled a bowl and brought it over to Luo Qing.

Luo Qing accepted the hot water, murmured her thanks, and then lowered her head again.

Wang Qingchen felt worried for Luo Qing but didn't know what else he could do. He could only hope that Luo Yin would deliver the baby quickly.