The moment Old Man Luo returned with the physician in tow, he saw his son and son-in-law locked in a quarrel in the courtyard and immediately stepped in: “What on earth are you two doing?”
Wang Qingyun and Luo Yin’s younger brother stopped arguing only when they saw Old Man Luo returning, leading the doctor.
“Father, you’re back! Hurry and take the physician inside; my sister still hasn’t woken up!” Luo Yin’s younger brother exclaimed.
“What? What happened to your sister?” Wang Qingyun gasped, alarmed.
Old Man Luo ignored Wang Qingyun’s words, and upon hearing his son, he quickly turned to the man behind him. “Physician Lu, I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you.”
Physician Lu didn’t say much, merely allowing Old Man Luo to lead him inside.
Once Physician Lu and Old Man Luo were inside the house, Wang Qingyun became frantic. “Zhuzi, what is wrong with your sister? I’m worried sick! Please tell me!”
“Hmph! Now you’re worried? Where were you before? You should just go back; my sister’s affairs are none of your business!” Luo Yin’s younger brother sneered mockingly.
“Zhuzi, this is no time for anger. Please, just tell me! Or, how about you let me go in and see her? I can’t rest easy if I don’t see your sister!” Wang Qingyun pleaded urgently.
“If you’re worried now, why were you so comfortable leaving my sister to come back alone before?” Luo Yin’s younger brother remained unmoved.
“This, what happened before, it’s not what you think,” Wang Qingyun floundered, unsure how to explain things to his brother-in-law.
“You don’t need to say anything; I don’t want to hear your reasons right now. All I know is that my sister was bullied by your Wang family. Even though our family isn't as powerful as yours, we must demand an explanation for my sister. For the Wang family to let her return to her parents’ home alone right after giving birth—no matter where you take this issue, our family is in the right. If we don’t get a proper accounting, then my sister will just stay here from now on and never return to the Wang family!” Luo Yin’s younger brother declared.
“Zhuzi, it’s hard for me to explain this, but it really wasn't what you imagine. No one intended to bully your sister, truly,” Wang Qingyun tried to clarify.
Luo Yin’s younger brother waved him off dismissively. “What you say is useless; we don’t want to listen. Go back!”
With that, Luo Yin’s younger brother pushed Wang Qingyun out and shut the courtyard gate.
Caught off guard by the shove, Wang Qingyun stumbled and fell hard. However, he felt no resentment; instead, he was consumed by self-reproach. If not for his own carelessness, his wife wouldn't be in this state. And now, not knowing her condition—especially since they’ve called in a physician—suggested the problem was severe. Yet, he was barred from entering, unable to see her, which left him agonizing with worry.
Wang Qingyun picked himself up and paced outside the Luo residence. Given their attitude, they clearly wouldn't let him in. But the physician was allowed inside. He decided to wait outside until the doctor emerged, then he could properly inquire about his wife’s condition.
Meanwhile, inside the house, the entire Luo family waited tensely for the physician’s diagnosis. The result came when Physician Lu, seated by the kang, shook his head, his brow deeply furrowed.
The entire Luo family felt their hearts jump into their throats, fearing the physician might deliver bad news.
“Alas,” Physician Lu sighed deeply. “She only just gave birth not long ago. Her body was already frail; it’s bad enough she wasn’t properly rested, but how could she have been allowed out to catch a chill? Moreover, judging by her pulse, her mood must have been highly agitated; she must have suffered some shock! If she doesn't recuperate properly during this confinement month, trying to restore her body to its former state will be difficult. She will certainly remain weak going forward. And, after this ordeal, it will likely be very difficult for her to conceive again.”
Hearing the diagnosis, Old Man Luo’s wife burst into tears. “What evil have I done? To give away a perfectly good daughter to the Wang family, only for her to suffer such torment now!”
Old Man Luo’s face darkened with concern. He furrowed his brow and, upon hearing his wife’s weeping, snapped with a touch of impatience, “Stop crying! What use is crying now?”
His wife refused to be consoled, sobbing, “It’s my fault, all my fault! I’m the one who harmed my daughter!”
Old Man Luo couldn't do anything about his wife’s distress. “Alright, alright, stop crying. We should be asking the physician now about how to nurse our daughter back to health. Don’t cry anymore; Physician Lu is still here!”
Hearing this, Old Man Luo’s wife wiped her tears and listened as her husband questioned the doctor about post-natal care.
Physician Lu felt uncertain, as women are naturally weak after childbirth. Compounded by their own lack of caution, this ordeal made recovery far from simple.
“Forget it, I can’t promise her body will fully recover, but I can perhaps restore some of its strength. As for her long-term health, I dare not guarantee anything,” Physician Lu stated.
The Luo family listened, feeling profoundly disheartened. Who would want a healthy person to end up like this? Furthermore, if the doctor’s words meant Luo Yin would struggle to conceive again, the Wang family might use that against her later, causing her further suffering.
Old Man Luo looked deeply grieved. “Thank you, Physician Lu. My little daughter’s recovery rests entirely in your hands.”
Physician Lu nodded, then wrote a prescription for restorative tonics. Once the prescription was ready, he gave detailed instructions on how to decoct it and other necessary precautions, concluding by instructing the family to send someone to town to fetch the medicine.
Luo Yin’s younger brother stepped forward, accepting the task of fetching the herbs. He followed the doctor out. As he passed the courtyard gate, he saw Wang Qingyun waiting outside. Enraged, before Wang Qingyun could utter a word, he strode forward and landed a punch squarely on Wang Qingyun’s face, leaving him seeing stars.
“Hiss,” Wang Qingyun gasped, clutching his cheek. “Zhuzi, what—what are you doing?”
“What am I doing? I’m hitting you for my sister!” Luo Yin’s younger brother roared.
“Your sister, how is your sister? Is her health failing?” Wang Qingyun, forgetting his injured face, asked with immediate anxiety.
At this point, Physician Lu understood the whole situation, but he had no intention of involving himself; his duty was strictly medical, not domestic affairs.
However, while Physician Lu intended to remain neutral, others did not share that sentiment. Seeing that Luo Yin’s brother ignored him, Wang Qingyun turned his attention to the physician. “You must be Physician Lu? I beg you, tell me, what exactly happened to my wife?”
Physician Lu hesitated. He had been invited by the Luo family and felt uneasy revealing the patient's condition without their consent. He glanced at Luo Yin’s younger brother, and seeing no sign of refusal, he recounted the details of the patient's condition.
Upon hearing Physician Lu’s words, Wang Qingyun was completely stunned. How could this happen? How had things deteriorated to this point? It was all his fault; he had brought ruin upon his wife.
Luo Yin’s younger brother watched Wang Qingyun’s heartbroken expression but felt no sympathy, knowing this outcome was entirely the fault of the Wang family.
After shooting Wang Qingyun a fierce glare, Luo Yin’s younger brother followed the physician to procure the medicine, leaving Wang Qingyun standing there, struck by a mix of devastation and disbelief.
Meanwhile, at Wang Youfu’s residence, everyone had finished lunch, including Wang Qinghua and Wang Qingchen, who had returned later. Madam Tian noticed her second son was missing and felt puzzled. He had only gone to deliver food to his wife, so why hadn't he returned after everyone else had finished eating?
The Old Madam also noticed this absence. She spoke to Madam Tian. “It’s not so busy now. You might as well go check on Qingyun. See why he’s delayed; perhaps something is holding him up. Go take a look!”
“Yes!” Madam Tian, already concerned, agreed quickly and set off towards the old family house.
On her way, Madam Tian worried that perhaps Qingyun’s wife was displeased with the elders’ decision and was currently arguing with her son. When she arrived, she would have to give her daughter-in-law a stern talking-to; a wife shouldn't be allowed to usurp her son’s authority.
Madam Tian’s mind raced with these thoughts, but when she reached the old house, she found the gate wide open, yet the interior was empty. Not only were Qingyun and his wife gone, but the newborn baby was missing too. A surge of panic hit Madam Tian. Had Qingyun’s wife, dissatisfied with them, convinced her son to take the baby and run away? What was to be done now? Distressed, Madam Tian rushed back to Wang Youfu’s house and reported the situation to the Old Madam.
The Old Madam sputtered, “What? They aren’t home? The child isn't there either?”
Madam Tian nodded vigorously. “Yes, I checked; no one was there.”
The Old Madam slammed the table in anger. “Nonsense!”
As soon as she struck the table, she noticed everyone nearby had fallen silent, watching her and her eldest daughter-in-law. Realizing where they were, she quickly laughed off the outburst, then led Madam Tian to a more secluded spot.
“This is pure folly! Qingyun’s wife just gave birth not long ago, and she’s gone out like this? Does she care nothing for her health? What if she develops a chronic condition? And Qingyun too—how could he indulge his wife in such recklessness? They must have gone to the Luo family’s place. We must find them and bring them back, or our family will become the laughingstock of everyone!” the Old Madam declared.