Wang Qingyun and Luo Yin originally wanted to get the old man and old lady on their side to mediate justice for them. That's why they brought up the matter of Tian Shi wanting to transfer their child to Wang Qingshan and He Shi to the elders. They had hoped the elders would stop Tian Shi, but unexpectedly, after hearing the matter, the old man and old lady wavered, clearly showing some inclination toward Tian Shi's idea.

This left Wang Qingyun and his wife, who had fully expected the elders to uphold justice for them, extremely worried. If the old man and old woman also supported Tian Shi, then their newborn son would almost certainly be given away. Thinking of this, Luo Yin couldn't help but weep. What was the point of all her usual forbearance if, in the end, she couldn't even keep her own child?

Wang Qingyun felt distressed seeing Luo Yin cry. He didn't want his son to be given away either; otherwise, his own flesh and blood would end up calling his second uncle 'Father.'

Tian Shi, observing the slight shift in expression on the faces of the old man and old lady, felt smug. See, even the elders agreed.

"Father, Mother, I don't mean to deliberately make things difficult for Qingshan and his wife, but I just think Qingshan has never had a biological son. Though they adopted one, that child is ultimately an outsider, aren't they? If that child turns out to be ungrateful later, who will see Qingshan through his final years? Qingshan and his wife are so pitiful, while Qingyun and his wife already have two sons; giving one away won't empty their home. Furthermore, Qingshan and his wife are right here in the village; even if the child is given over, they can still keep an eye on him. Besides, Qingshan and his wife are decent people; they wouldn't mistreat the child," Tian Shi stated.

The old man, upon hearing this, felt for the first time that his eldest daughter-in-law's words held some merit. Moreover, it reminded them that Qingshan and his wife would never have children of their own in this lifetime. He hadn't approved of the child Qingshan and his wife adopted earlier, as an outsider of unknown origin was ultimately unreliable. If the child grew up and didn't support them, they would have nowhere to turn. Tian Shi's idea now could solve this problem. If Qingshan and his wife adopted Qingyun's son, setting aside the fact that the child was already part of the Wang family, the future inheritance of Qingshan and his wife would pass to their own Wang kin, rather than an outsider of dubious background.

The more the old man pondered, the better he thought the suggestion was. Just as he was about to speak, he remembered that the principal party involved hadn't agreed yet! Right, the child was barely two days old, and the family was already plotting to give him away; of course, Qingyun and his wife wouldn't agree. However, this matter concerned whether his eldest grandson would have someone to see him off in death, so Qingyun and his wife would just have to be wronged. Of course, the elders would compensate them later.

The old man cleared his throat. "Qingyun, your mother is right. The child your elder brother and his wife adopted is ultimately of unknown origin. If anything untoward happens in the future, your elder brother will have no one to attend his funeral! You two brothers have such good relations, and your brother has treated you well. Can you bear to watch him have no one to care for him or see him off later?"

Wang Qingyun considered that while his relationship with his elder brother was indeed good, this was his own biological son, born only days ago. How could he bear it? Thinking this, Wang Qingyun pleaded faintly, "Grandpa!"

The old man continued to persuade him. "Qingyun, don't worry. Your elder brother and sister-in-law are decent people; they will certainly treat the child well and won't let him suffer any hardship."

Wang Qingyun couldn't think of a way to refuse, so he simply lowered his head and remained silent.

Wang Qingyun was at a loss, but Luo Yin on the other side was unwilling to accept this. This was a major issue concerning whether her biological son would be raised by her own household, and she would not yield so easily.

Luo Yin wiped away her tears and stated firmly, "Grandpa, no matter what, I do not agree to this. The child I bore through so much hardship—I will never let him be given away."

Everyone in the room was taken aback by Luo Yin, who was usually obedient and considerate of the greater good, saying such a thing. They all stared at her in astonishment.

Tian Shi was the first to react, then loudly rebuked, "Qingyun’s wife, how dare you speak to your elders like that! Do you have any respect for us elders at all!"

Luo Yin, hearing Tian Shi's sharp words, was not intimidated. Instead, she raised her head and addressed the old man and the others, "This is my child; I will never allow him to be given away, no matter what."

Seeing that Luo Yin paid her no mind, Tian Shi grew furious and was about to speak when the old woman sitting on the heated brick bed said, "Although you gave birth to the child, he is still a child of our Wang family. Our Wang family has the right to decide where this child goes in the future. Of course, I know you cherish your son and cannot bear to part with him, which is why I said those things. I won't press the issue this time, but if you speak to your elders like that again, I will not be so lenient." The old woman then turned back to Wang Qingyun, "Qingyun, your wife is still in her confinement month; hurry up and help her back to the room before she catches a chill."

Wang Qingyun looked at the attitude of the family elders and knew they had already decided to give his son away. However, he and his wife could not resist; even taking the matter to the clan would be useless, as his elder brother's family truly lacked a biological son! The clan members naturally wished for the future inheritor of the elder brother's estate to be a Wang family member, not an outsider of unknown origin.

Thinking this, Wang Qingyun dejectedly went to help up Luo Yin, preparing to take her back to their room. Unexpectedly, the moment he steadied her, Luo Yin shook him off.

Luo Yin flung off Wang Qingyun’s support and glared at him. She hadn't expected Wang Qingyun to give up without even putting up a fight. If even the child's father had surrendered, how could she possibly object alone? At that moment, she wished she had never married into the Wang family.

Luo Yin didn't say anything more to those in the room and walked out of the old woman's quarters step by step.

The old woman watched Luo Yin walk away and said to Wang Qingyun, "Your wife is still confined; go back and take good care of her!"

The old man objected immediately. "We still need to go to the second son's house. This has already delayed us for so long; let's hurry over! As for Qingyun’s wife, just have Qingyun bring her food at noon."

The old woman considered this and agreed, saying no more in opposition.

Wang Qingyun naturally knew there were other matters today, so he didn't argue. However, he was still worried about his wife. Before leaving, he went back to their room to check on Luo Yin and found her sitting on the heated brick bed, lost in thought.

"Wife, you are still weak; hurry up and lie down to rest!" Wang Qingyun walked over and persuaded her. Seeing that Luo Yin ignored him, he continued, "I have to go help at Second Uncle's house now. You rest well here, and I'll bring you food at noon."

Luo Yin’s heart sank even further. Their son was about to be given away, yet he was preoccupied with going out to help. Did her son mean so little to him in his eyes? Luo Yin looked up at Wang Qingyun without uttering a word.

Being stared at by his wife made Wang Qingyun feel guilty, and he lowered his head. "I know you are still upset, but Grandpa and the others are also right; Elder Brother's family still has no biological son. Besides, Elder Brother and his wife will surely take good care of the child."

Wang Qingyun himself felt terrible, but he had to speak this way now, both to persuade his wife and to convince himself.

Luo Yin only stared blankly at Wang Qingyun, then silently climbed onto the heated brick bed and pulled the quilt over herself.

Seeing that his wife had finally settled down to rest, Wang Qingyun breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I'll bring you food at noon. You rest well for now."

Luo Yin paid no attention to Wang Qingyun’s words, and Wang Qingyun didn't mind; he knew his wife must be miserable right now.

After waiting for a while and seeing no reaction from Luo Yin, Wang Qingyun finally left.

Everyone from the old residence went to Wang Youfu's house, leaving only Luo Yin alone in the entire home. However, Luo Yin didn't mind, as this had been arranged the day before. At that time, the old woman had even asked if she wanted someone to stay behind to look after her, but she had refused. Still, it was better that everyone had left now.

At Wang Youfu's place, those who saw the late arrival of the group from the old residence didn't know how to react. They had initially thought the old residence contingent wouldn't come today, never imagining they weren't skipping it, just arriving late. Naturally, arriving late gave a very poor impression.

The old man was certainly aware that their tardiness was inauspicious. He immediately said to those helping out, "We apologize; we are late."

Since the old man had apologized, the others couldn't say much. They resumed their work, though they wondered if the old residence was truly delayed by an unforeseen issue or if they had intentionally arrived late. But then they thought again; since the old man placed such importance on Wang Qingchen passing the provincial examination, he likely wouldn't deliberately be late. What could have held them up?

Wang Youfu and Yang Shi were also confused by the actions of the old residence. What exactly was the old residence planning? However, after thinking for a while and coming up with nothing, the couple stopped bothering to speculate; as long as the people had arrived, that was what mattered. (To be continued)