Having secured the agreement of Er Niu and his wife, Zhao Shi felt half her worry lift. The main issue now was Hong Yun; she felt more confident regarding Hong Xia. After all, Hong Xia herself didn't want a child, and giving the baby to her elder sister was certainly better than the child having no prospects. Hong Xia, being a mother, surely wouldn't prefer her own child to die.

Seeing that the day was growing late and she needed to return home to cook for her old man, Zhao Shi first stopped by Hong Yun’s house. She asked Hong Yun to come over after eating lunch, saying there was something she needed her to do. Hong Yun agreed.

Returning home, Zhao Shi found Old Man Lin already back. Seeing her return, Old Man Lin expressed slight displeasure: “Old woman, where did you go gallivanting off to again? You left early this morning and only just got back now?”

Zhao Shi felt it was better not to let her old man know about this matter yet; she would discuss it if necessary later. Her husband usually kept quiet, but his views often clashed with hers at crucial moments. If she told him and he disagreed, the whole plan would fail. So, she replied, “Nowhere special. I went with Er Niu and the others on a jaunt to the next town over. That town is huge; it’s much livelier than here.”

Hearing that she had gone to town with Er Niu and the others, Old Man Lin’s expression softened: “You old woman, always wandering about with nothing better to do. If Er Niu goes to town, why must you tag along? Did you buy anything?”

“I just tagged along with my sons as they walked through the streets. What is there to buy? It’s getting late; I’ll go cook for you now.” With that, Zhao Shi headed toward the kitchen.

After Zhao Shi ate, Old Man Lin went out again. He preferred to wander around his fields rather than stay home. After eating, Zhao Shi waited quite a while before Hong Yun arrived. Seeing Zhao Shi sitting in the courtyard, Hong Yun asked, “Mother, what did you need me for? You wouldn't say at my own home.”

Zhao Shi glanced towards the courtyard gate, ensuring no one was around. She pulled Hong Yun into the house and shut the door, saying, “Hong Yun, I have a way for you to have a son. Now, it depends on whether you are willing.”

Hong Yun, who had been listless, immediately brightened upon hearing her mother’s words and asked, “Mother, you have a way to cure me, to let me conceive? I am willing, I’ll endure any hardship.”

Seeing Hong Yun’s eagerness, Zhao Shi whispered her plan to her. Hong Yun listened, a little stunned. She had assumed her mother’s ‘method’ was a cure for her illness, not something like this. This, she feared, wouldn’t work.

Hong Yun shook her head and said, “Mother, if I never have a son in this lifetime, I can’t do such a thing. If Da Sheng’s family finds out, I’ll have no path left at all. I disagree.”

Zhao Shi sighed and said, “Silly girl, do you think if your illness becomes known to their family, you will have any other path? The final outcome will be the same, no matter what. You think about it.”

Hong Yun had been trapped these past two days in the dilemma of never being able to bear children, not yet fully considering what her future held. Now that her mother had spoken it aloud, she felt her mother was right—the result would be the same either way. Still, this method her mother proposed was entirely unexpected.

Hong Yun had lived her whole life as an honest person; the lies she had told were few and far between, and none were significant. But to tell such a massive lie now, Hong Yun truly couldn't decide in an instant.

Zhao Shi watched Hong Yun’s silence, knowing she was conflicted. She gently persuaded her, “Hong Yun, though it might seem like I favor Hong Xia more and pay less attention to you, it’s not because I don’t love you. It’s because you are sensible; you don’t need your parents to worry about things, so we are more at ease with you. You are my daughter, and everything I do is for your own good. I won’t force you on this matter; think it over clearly. If you’ve made up your mind, I’ll speak to Hong Xia.

“But don’t take too long—just these next two days. If you agree, I still need to go to Hong Xia’s house and bring her over. You’ll need to make arrangements too; this pregnancy cannot wait, do you understand?” Zhao Shi looked at Hong Yun with heartache.

Hearing her mother’s words, Hong Yun’s nose stung. Since getting married, her parents’ concern for her had indeed lessened. She always felt her parents didn't love her as much, but as a married daughter, she dared not harbor any resentment. Now, seeing her mother willing to do such a thing for her sake, she finally understood that her mother cherished all her children equally, just in different ways.

Hong Yun nodded, indicating she would go back to consider it. If it had been just up to her own deliberation, she might not have agreed so quickly. However, what happened next hastened her decision.

The timing of this event was remarkably coincidental. As Hong Yun walked back from Zhao Shi’s house, before she even reached her own, she ran into her daughter, Da Yuan, on the road. Da Yuan said that her paternal grandmother had arrived and was currently sitting at Second Uncle’s house. Hong Yun was very surprised. Why was her mother-in-law here? She and her family had visited them for the Mid-Autumn Festival not long ago, barely a month past. Why would her mother-in-law show up now?

Hong Yun’s heart immediately began to race. Could it be that her mother-in-law had already learned about her inability to conceive? But upon reflection, that seemed unlikely. Very few people knew; only her older brother, sister-in-law, and mother knew. Surely, it hadn't leaked. If that wasn't it, why had her mother-in-law come so suddenly?

Hong Yun hurried with Da Yuan toward the courtyard of her second elder brother’s home. Reaching the gate, she indeed saw her mother-in-law sitting in the yard, chatting with Second Sister-in-law. Her manner seemed pleasant; perhaps she hadn't learned of the secret. Maybe she had just come to visit since it had been a while since Hong Yun’s family had been back.

Entering the courtyard, Hong Yun respectfully called out, “Mother, you’ve arrived.”

Hong Yun’s mother-in-law acknowledged her and turned back to chat animatedly with Huang Shi. All of Huang Shi’s children were at home, and the mother-in-law was quite complimentary: “Second Uncle’s wife, look how well-behaved your children are! They certainly look like they’ll amount to something in the future. Living in such a large house is truly reassuring to look at; your family’s fortunes might even rival those of the clan elder’s family in our village!”

Huang Shi replied modestly from the side, “Not at all, they are just a few wild children, always running around; what prospects could they have?”

It was rare for Hong Yun to see her mother-in-law with such a bright smile. Seeing her chatting happily with her second sister-in-law, Hong Yun couldn't fathom the reason for her visit, but she was certain her own secret hadn't been discovered.