The more Mrs. Zhao thought about her plan, the better it seemed. If she were truly going to execute it, preparation had to start now. If it were too late, the difference in the pregnancies of Hongyun and Hongxia would become too pronounced, and others would surely notice. Once her mind was settled, Mrs. Zhao planned to discuss the matter with Erniu and his wife upon returning home, enlisting their help to keep everything quiet.

The ox cart didn't arrive home until noon. Since the plan had been mentioned in front of all the children the day before, and even though they were young, Mrs. Zhao worried they might blab. Upon arrival, she immediately sent Hongyun back inside, calling Erniu and his wife into a room. She spoke in a low, firm voice, "Erniu, you two must keep this absolutely secret. Hongyun’s in-laws must never know. I don't know how much the children in the courtyard overheard yesterday; you must tell them not to speak of this elsewhere."

Mrs. Huang considered this. When the topic had come up yesterday, it was only her children and Hongyun's children present in the courtyard. Da Yuan and the others hadn't been there. She suspected only He’er knew. But He’er was sensible. "Mother, I understand. I’ll speak to He’er later. She’s a good girl and won't tell anyone. I doubt the other children even heard anything," she replied.

Mrs. Zhao considered this, nodding slightly. After a moment, her gaze drifted into the distance, and she spoke, "Erniu, now that it’s just the three of us in here, I have something important to discuss with you both. This concerns Hongyun's future happiness. You must listen and absolutely promise not to tell anyone; only we three are to know."

Erniu and Mrs. Huang exchanged a glance. Besides keeping Hongyun's illness secret, what other matter required such discretion? Erniu asked, "Mother, we know that much. Just tell us. Whatever it is, we won't spread it around."

Mrs. Zhao began, "You both know Hongxia is pregnant. She visited me a few days ago, and from her tone, she clearly doesn't want this child. She said Da Fa isn't paying much attention to her, and she’s already struggling to raise the two children she has; more children will only make life harder. I have an idea: what if we make Hongxia’s unborn child into Hongyun’s son? What do you think of this plan?"

Erniu felt momentarily stunned by his mother’s words. He asked, "Mother, what exactly do you mean? How can Hongxia’s child become Hongyun’s son? Are you suggesting we adopt the child out to Hongyun after it’s born? I doubt Hongyun's in-laws would agree to that."

"It’s not adoption. It means Hongyun will give birth to Hongxia’s child—then it is Hongyun’s child. What good is an adopted child? Hongyun’s mother-in-law would never accept that," Mrs. Zhao explained, her logic becoming increasingly convoluted.

Now Erniu was even more confused. How could Hongxia’s child be born to Hongyun? Just as he opened his mouth to question this, Mrs. Huang interrupted, "Mother, are you suggesting Hongyun pretend to be heavily pregnant, and when the child is born, it will be presented as Hongyun’s own, not Hongxia’s?"

Mrs. Zhao nodded emphatically. Erniu was already startled by his wife’s articulation of the plan, and now hearing his own mother confirm it, he exclaimed, "Mother, this simply won't do! How can Hongxia’s own child be given to Hongyun? Even if Hongyun is barren, she can’t steal her own sister’s baby! If people found out, what would happen?"

"Quiet down! Do you want everyone to hear? This isn't stealing; my method is a win-win situation, like slicing tofu perfectly on both sides. If Hongxia has too many children, and her husband doesn't care much for this one, and she can't raise them all herself, wouldn't it be wonderful for the child to be with Hongyun, whose family is much better off? Hongyun's family won't mistreat her child, and we can give Hongxia some money, allowing her to keep the other child too. This will make Hongyun’s life with her in-laws much easier. Don't you see the logic?" Mrs. Zhao coaxed persuasively.

"I actually think it's quite good. Hongyun’s mother-in-law is not like other people. If Hongyun’s body still shows no signs of pregnancy in another while, her mother-in-law might insist on taking her to see a doctor. If that happens, the truth will surely come out, and Hongyun won’t be able to stay with her in-laws," Mrs. Huang supported her mother-in-law’s scheme.

Mrs. Zhao nodded, giving Mrs. Huang an encouraging look. She hadn't expected her daughter-in-law to be so aligned with her thinking this time. "Erniu, think about it. It’s your nephew either way; it makes no difference who raises him, right? Hongxia and her husband, they're unreliable; how can they properly raise a child? Hongyun is different; she certainly won't be harsh with the child."

"I understand, but this is such a huge matter. What if someone finds out someday? Hongyun will surely be kicked out by her in-laws. Besides, Hongyun isn't actually pregnant—how do we manage that?" Erniu was beginning to be swayed by both his wife and his mother.

"You don't need to worry about that part. I have ways to keep it concealed. You just agree to help me keep silent about it," Mrs. Zhao stated confidently.

"No, Mother, Erniu has a valid concern. Think about it: Hongyun is with Da Sheng every day. Pretending to be pregnant will surely be discovered. If she can fool others, how can she fool Da Sheng?" Mrs. Huang also voiced her apprehension.

"I’ve already thought of that. The weather is about to turn cold, and a pregnancy isn't obvious in the first few months. In about two months, I’ll tell Da Sheng that Hongyun needs to come stay at my house for a better environment to nurture the baby. Her in-laws will only visit occasionally; they won't check her stomach up close. Nobody will ever find out," Mrs. Zhao asserted.

Mrs. Huang remained silent, but Erniu suddenly remembered something and spoke up again, "Mother, it’s still not foolproof. What if Hongxia gives birth to a girl this time? Then what do we do?"

Mrs. Zhao looked at Erniu. Yes, that was also her primary worry. "Then there’s nothing more I can do. I, as her mother, have done everything I can. It will depend on Hongyun's fate. But no matter what, I must take this gamble. There’s still a fifty percent chance, right?"

Erniu realized his mother truly had exhausted every means for her sister, even devising such a drastic measure, showing how much thought she had invested. Since his mother was set on this course, although he wasn't entirely convinced, he admitted it was a solution, so he remained quiet.

Mrs. Zhao said, "Erniu, daughter-in-law, I know you are both honest people, and keeping such a huge secret will certainly be difficult for you two. Erniu, for now, I don't need you to do anything else; just help your sister keep this matter quiet by not speaking of it. I will handle everything else. When the time comes for delivery, your wife can come to the labor room to lend a hand."

"You both know there's no one else reliable in this house. The Eldest Brother's wife is a terrible gossip; if I told her today, the news would probably spread through Linjia Village within a few hours. I certainly won't let her know. Furthermore, Qingshan’s wife is also pregnant and has her own matters. And Zhou Shi isn’t a blood relative, so it’s awkward to involve her too deeply. I am counting only on you two; you must help Mother with this favor," Mrs. Zhao confided softly to Erniu and his wife.

"Mother, we understand. Hongyun is my sister too. I would never harm her. We will do as Mother says; we won't tell anyone," Erniu promised Mrs. Zhao.

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