Birthing a child is no momentary affair, yet drawing the hot water was quickly seen to. The three sisters-in-law, having prepared the hot water and readied eggs and other simple foods, also went out to the courtyard to wait for when Wang Guifang would deliver.

“It truly is one’s own flesh and blood; it’s just different from us. They are a biological daughter, so when she gives birth, people bustle about preparing this and that, worrying over this and that. We are daughters-in-law, so when we gave birth, we deserved no one to dote on us,” said Madam Tian with a hint of acrimony.

Madam Tian spoke this way because she was the one who brought the basin of hot water for the midwife to wash her hands earlier. Watching the Old Madam’s frantic anxiety then had genuinely soured her mood. Madam Tian reflected that she had borne three sons, yet had the Old Madam ever shown such urgency? No. But now, it was the youngest sister-in-law’s turn to give birth, and the Old Madam was anxious to this degree; her favoritism was showing right down to her armpits. After all, the children she bore were the Old Madam’s true grandsons, whereas the youngest sister-in-law’s child, even if a boy, would only be the Old Madam’s maternal grandson. Between a maternal grandson and one’s own grandson living under the same roof, which was closer?

Madam Yang and Madam Zhang heard Madam Tian’s words but offered little reply. They were well aware that Madam Tian was referring to the Old Madam’s different treatment of daughters-in-law versus daughters. But wasn't that just human nature? Furthermore, the two of them had always gotten along wonderfully with their sister-in-law, Wang Guifang, and they felt great pity for the suffering she had endured previously. Now that their sister-in-law was finally doing better, with only the birth left, they were quite concerned for Wang Guifang inside and had no mind to discuss the Old Madam’s unfairness with Madam Tian.

After speaking, Madam Tian noted that both Madam Yang and Madam Zhang had ignored her, which fueled her displeasure. However, she dared not voice it loudly, as the Old Master was sitting nearby. With a mere huff, she found a small stool and sat down.

Li Wu, who had called for the midwife, listened to the faint moans coming from the room, his heart twisted with worry. He suspected that if the Old Master and the others hadn't restrained him, he would have already burst into the delivery room.

Fortunately, Wang Guifang’s delivery did not drag on long. Before long, everyone heard a sharp cry from the room, followed shortly by the infant’s wail and the midwife’s joyous proclamation: “Congratulations, congratulations! A big, healthy baby boy!”

Hearing the midwife’s words, those outside finally breathed a collective sigh of relief. Now that the baby was born, Li Wu could no longer hold back; he strode quickly into the delivery room, approached his mother-in-law to check on his son, and then hurriedly asked, “Mother, is Fang’er alright?”

“She’s fine, just terribly exhausted right now. A good sleep and she’ll be right as rain,” the Old Madam replied.

Only then did Li Wu let his heart settle. Hearing his wife’s earlier screams had truly felt like his heart was about to leap out of his chest; he had been terrified something might happen to her.

Madam Yang and Madam Zhang, who had followed Li Wu in, also relaxed upon hearing the Old Madam’s words.

Once assured of Wang Guifang’s safety, Li Wu walked over and sat by the edge of the kang, gazing at his sleeping wife, feeling an indescribable sense of contentment.

The Old Madam looked at Li Wu and her sleeping daughter, nodding with satisfaction. Then, she carefully wrapped the grandson and placed him beside his mother.

After setting the baby down, the Old Madam finally felt the full weight of her exhaustion. Her entire being had been taut while managing her daughter’s labor, so she hadn't noticed until this sudden slackening that the fatigue was washing over her.

The Old Madam desperately needed rest, so she didn't force herself to stay, leaving the delivery room. Seeing the couple inside, Madam Yang and Madam Zhang also felt it improper to linger. After confirming Wang Guifang was resting, they followed the Old Madam out.

As soon as the Old Madam emerged, the Old Master rushed to inquire about his daughter’s condition. Upon learning she was merely tired and resting, his worry eased. Hearing the fatigue in the Old Madam's voice, the Old Master said nothing more, simply bidding the others farewell and leading the Old Madam back for rest.

With the Old Master and Old Madam gone, the others naturally didn't linger, especially as it was already so late. However, Wang Youfu, mindful that everyone had eaten poorly at supper, instructed Madam Yang to reheat the remaining food and send some over to the old homestead and the third branch.

Madam Yang had already intended to do the same, so as soon as she returned home, she busied herself, calling upon Wang Qinghua and Wang Qingchen to quickly deliver the food to the old homestead and the third branch.

The next day, Wang Qingchen began contemplating how to inform his family that he needed to return to the county seat soon. Wang Youfu would likely be easy to convince, but Wang Qingchen suspected Madam Yang might be less than willing for him to leave home again so quickly.

Regardless, he had to return to the county. Thus, Wang Qingchen first went to Wang Youfu, announcing his intention to go to the county, using the reason that he needed to prepare for the Metropolitan Examination (Huishi).

Wang Youfu heard that his son was preparing for next year’s Huishi and naturally had no reason to object. He had been hoping his son would achieve great things, so he certainly wouldn't hinder his son's progress, and agreed without many questions. With Wang Youfu’s consent, all that remained was Madam Yang’s approval.

So, Wang Qingchen went to tell Madam Yang about his plan to go to the county. Predictably, Madam Yang was extremely reluctant when she heard Wang Qingchen was leaving again.

“Qingchen, you’ve only been home a few days, and now you must leave again?” Madam Yang said with reluctance.

“Mother, the Headmaster at the County School is willing to mentor me; that’s a rare opportunity. I can't keep staying home; I must go to the County School. With the Headmaster’s guidance, perhaps the Huishi will be within reach,” Wang Qingchen explained.

Hearing her son’s reasoning, Madam Yang became conflicted. Naturally, she wished for her son to succeed and have great fortunes, but equally, she did not want him to leave home again. After all, he had been away for so long already, and now, having just returned, he was leaving again after only a few days—she naturally missed him.

After thinking for a moment, Madam Yang said, “Qingchen, Mother knows not to delay your prospects, but how long have you been back? Even if you must prepare for the Huishi, there’s no need to rush it this very day or the next! I think you should stay home for two more days so Mother can talk with you properly. What do you say?”

Wang Qingchen managed a wry smile upon hearing Madam Yang’s request. “As long as you don't talk to me about marriage, anything else is fine.”

Just as Wang Qingchen thought this, Madam Yang continued, “The reason Mother wants you to stay two more days is precisely so we can find a good daughter-in-law for you. You are old enough to be matched now.”

Wang Qingchen rubbed his forehead; what he feared most had come to pass. But this was no time for lamentation. He quickly interjected, “Mother, isn't it a bit too early for that? Your son was thinking of discussing it only after the Huishi. How about that?”

“After the Huishi? That will be next year! How old will you be then? Don’t worry, we’re only discussing an engagement now, not the wedding. We can settle the arrangement now and marry next year!” Madam Yang countered.

Wang Qingchen was momentarily speechless, unsure of how to refuse. Should he say he already had someone in mind? That seemed unreliable, didn't it? Unless they were from a farming family or a minor household, which daughter would Wang Qingchen even see, let alone favor? If he said that, while Madam Yang wouldn't outright refuse, she would certainly inquire about the family's background. If she wasn't satisfied, she would likely start proposing the daughters from the prominent families in town that she had her eye on! Thinking this, Wang Qingchen quickly abandoned the idea of using that excuse.

“Mother, we’ve only just started making inquiries about those families; we don’t know what kind of people they are. If we are deceived by mistake, my entire life could be ruined!” Wang Qingchen feigned concern.

Madam Yang considered this and found some merit in his words. However, she still insisted, “Don’t worry about that, Mother will ask a matchmaker to inquire about them.”

“Mother, in my opinion, that won't work. Most matchmakers will only speak well of the side that gives them an advantage. Think about it: the families you mentioned are almost all respected households in town. Even if the matchmaker hasn't received a bribe, they wouldn't dare speak too freely! Otherwise, if those families heard, wouldn't they give the matchmaker trouble? Matchmakers aren't fools!” Wang Qingchen continued.

Madam Yang grew a little agitated. “Then what is to be done? Should we stop discussing your marriage entirely?”

Wang Qingchen didn't directly say he wouldn't discuss marriage but instead proposed, “In my view, these matters are best investigated by our own family.”

“How can we investigate the affairs of those families?” Madam Yang asked, perplexed.

“Mother, don’t we have the mill? Many people come to our mill in town. We can have the workers there try to engage people in conversation and perhaps find some information. If that doesn't work, don’t we still have Second Cousin’s and Qingtong’s shops?” Wang Qingchen offered suggestions.

“That’s true; we can do our own investigating,” Madam Yang realized.

Seeing that Madam Yang was leaning toward adopting his suggestion, Wang Qingchen quickly added, “However, Mother, if our family investigates ourselves, it will certainly take a considerable amount of time. I can’t very well stay home waiting indefinitely, can I?”