Luo Qing’s thoughts tumbled over themselves several times before she finally stammered out her worries.

Wang Qinghua felt a strange mix of exasperation and amusement upon hearing the concern Luo Qing had finally voiced. At first, he truly hadn't anticipated that this particular matter weighed so heavily on her mind. However, moments later, a wave of self-reproach washed over him; he blamed himself for not clarifying with his wife earlier. He truly would have been equally delighted whether their child turned out to be a boy or a girl. He had only mentioned wanting a son when speaking to his mother, primarily to preempt her from nagging his wife about needing a grandson. Yet, in his haste to manage his mother's expectations, he had neglected to say the same to Luo Qing, causing her needless anxiety for so long.

Wang Qinghua chastised himself inwardly, grateful that his wife had finally shared her feelings, and also relieved that his younger brother had noticed her unusual demeanor.

“Qing’er, regardless of whether this baby is a boy or a girl, I am overjoyed. Although I do desire a son, we are still young; we will have many more children in the future, and we will certainly have a boy eventually. You must not worry about this,” Wang Qinghua comforted her.

Hearing Wang Qinghua say this, Luo Qing’s unease did not immediately dissipate. After pondering for a moment, she asked hesitantly, “But... but what if we never have a son, even in the future?”

Wang Qinghua paused before replying, “If, after everything, we still do not have a son, then it simply means that fate has decreed I am not destined for one in this lifetime. It will have nothing to do with you.”

Luo Qing listened to his words, thinking to herself how it could possibly have nothing to do with her. Sooner or later, people would talk. Her in-laws treated her so well, and their life was prosperous; to fail to produce a male heir would surely invite harsh whispers.

But seeing how worried Wang Qinghua was about her feelings, Luo Qing couldn’t bear to cause him further distress. She forced a smile onto her face. “I’m fine now, truly. I’ve thought it over too. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, it’s up to heaven’s will. I just hope heaven grants us a son when the time comes!”

Wang Qinghua gently stroked Luo Qing’s head, reassuring her, “We will, we definitely will. Heaven will surely bless us with a son. After all, heaven wouldn’t want to see us go without one forever.”

Luo Qing responded with a soft smile and a nod.

After that, although the thought of having a son would occasionally surface, Luo Qing was no longer consumed by the same deep-seated worry. She had gained a degree of acceptance, her fixation noticeably softened.

The villagers had been looking upon the Wang family with immense envy recently. Look at their household—it seemed one joyous occasion followed another; the Wangs had been blessed with a string of good fortune these past few years. First, the Second Branch suddenly prospered. Then, although their daughter was divorced and returned home, she subsequently found a man even better than her first husband, as if struck by great luck. Even the First Branch, once considered the least promising, now boasted sons who were making them proud—not only were they all securing excellent wives, but they were even building new houses. And the Third Branch wasn't lagging behind either; they possessed solid assets. Although their son was still young, the future was uncertain, but hadn't the Second Branch already produced a Juren (Metropolitan Graduate)? Was becoming a Juren easy? Clearly not. Thus, the Wang family was undeniably flourishing.

Consequently, when the news spread that the Wang family was hosting a celebratory banquet, every villager was determined to attend. Setting aside any genuine desire to offer congratulations, attendance was simply mandatory. They felt they absolutely had to go and absorb some of that good fortune, perhaps enabling their own families to prosper, maybe even managing to produce a scholar like the Wangs someday.

However, these farming folk were inherently sincere. They didn't intend to attend merely for a free meal. Since the Wangs were throwing such a grand feast, they would certainly need many hands to help. Already, several families had approached, offering their assistance for any necessary tasks during the event, urging them not to stand on ceremony.

Wang Youfu’s family, while understanding that the villagers’ enthusiasm stemmed largely from the status of Wang Qingchen, the newly appointed Juren, felt genuinely warmed by the support. Having the community turn out in such numbers gave them considerable face.

Yet, as Wang Youfu’s household busied themselves preparing for the banquet, the members of the Old Residence, who were expected to arrive and offer help, remained conspicuously absent. The reason remained unknown.

Zhang Shi also noticed this peculiarity. Logically, for such a grand occasion, even if the Old Master and Mistress weren't going to work, they should at least make an appearance. Why was there still no sign of them?

Unable to figure it out, Zhang Shi asked He Shi, who was also helping nearby, “Xiujuan, are your grandparents held up by something? They haven’t arrived yet!”

He Shi shook her head. “I came directly here this morning; I didn't pass by the Old Residence. I don't know what’s happening over there. But surely, nothing serious can be wrong? The Old Master has been talking about this banquet constantly. What could possibly detain him now?”

Zhang Shi thought the same, yet no one from the Old Residence had shown up. She conceded that it was manageable during the preparation phase, but if no one from the Old Residence appeared on the day of the banquet itself, that would create real trouble.

“Forget it,” Zhang Shi sighed. “If they aren’t coming, they aren’t coming. Let’s just focus on our own tasks.”

Yang Shi had certainly noticed the absence too, and it made her deeply uncomfortable. The Old Master had been so enthusiastic about organizing the feast, giving instructions left and right; they all assumed he would certainly be present, even if only to sit and preside. To think that not a single person from the Old Residence had shown up was baffling.

Yang Shi was not one to complain often, but at this point, she couldn't hold back. This was her son’s great moment, and the Old Residence was treating it with such apparent disregard. Anyone would feel slighted.

Her unhappiness finally prompted Yang Shi to voice a few complaints to Wang Youfu. In truth, Wang Youfu was also quite displeased. Even if the Old Residence had sent just one person, it would have been better than complete silence. It wasn't that they relied on the Old Residence for essential labor, but the gesture—the mere presence—mattered immensely.

Seeing his usually reserved wife finally venting, Wang Youfu felt no irritation, understanding his own discontent. He replied gently, “Let it go. Perhaps they were truly delayed by something important. If they don’t come, they don’t come. We can manage this well enough on our own.”

Hearing Wang Youfu’s yielding response, Yang Shi nodded in agreement. Indeed, if they wouldn't come, they wouldn't come; it wasn't as if they could drag them over by force.

Meanwhile, at the Old Residence, they genuinely were detained by an unforeseen issue, not that they were unwilling to attend.

The Old Master considered Qingchen’s Juren celebration and the accompanying banquet a major event for the entire Wang lineage; how could he possibly miss it? He had even planned out who should attend from their side: Tian Shi, Wang Youliang, himself, and the Old Mistress. As for the younger generation, Wang Qingtong would sit this one out; instead, Wang Qingyun should go to lend a hand, especially considering how much help the Second Branch provided when Qingyun’s wife was giving birth. As for Wang Qingshan, who had separated into his own branch, there was no need to worry about him; people from his household would surely attend.

However, on the very day they were supposed to go and help, an incident erupted that prevented their departure.

It turned out that Tian Shi, observing that Wang Qingyun’s branch had already produced two sons, began plotting. She reasoned that her eldest son, Wang Qingshan, was unlikely to have any biological sons of his own in this lifetime. Therefore, rather than supporting an adopted child of unknown lineage, it would be better to take one of Qingyun’s sons for Qingshan. At least, this child would be family, and they would surely fulfill their filial duties to Qingshan and his wife later. Who knew if a child adopted from outside would ever be dutiful?

So, that day, taking advantage of her second son being home, Tian Shi presented her idea.

Tian Shi spoke to Wang Qingyun outside the main room, initially keeping her voice low so those inside wouldn't hear. But when she saw Wang Qingyun flatly refusing her plan, she became irritated and shouted, “Qingshan is your own elder brother! Can you bear to let him raise some nameless wild child that he adopted? If that child proves unfilial in the future, can you stand by knowing he’ll have no son to see him off? You aren’t without sons; you have two! What’s the harm in giving one over?”

Tian Shi’s outburst was loud enough for Luo Yin inside the room to overhear, and the matter escalated until the entire household was aware of the argument.

Luo Yin was devastated. The child she had borne through immense struggle was now being coveted by her mother-in-law, intended to be given away. This was unacceptable. She could tolerate much in life, but not this; this was her own flesh and blood, and she could never let him go.

Wang Qingyun shared this sentiment. This was his own son; how could he allow such a thing? Furthermore, didn't his elder brother’s family already have Shuquan? They already had a son; why would they need to adopt theirs? Thus, Wang Qingyun staunchly refused.

When the two parties reached an impasse, the matter was brought before the Old Master and Mistress, which is why the Old Residence failed to attend Wang Youfu’s home.