After chatting with Old Madam Huang for a while, she turned to Hongyun and said, "Where is the courtyard you are staying in? I want to take a look. Da Yuan actually said that the yard here is much better than your own home."

Hongyun rose and led the old woman toward the small courtyard where they were staying. Upon reaching the entrance, Old Madam Hongyun's mouth fell open in surprise. She had initially thought Da Yuan was just a child talking nonsense, but seeing it herself, she realized it was far better than even Da Yuan had described.

Although the courtyard was not vast, even the surrounding walls were constructed of fired red bricks, whereas her own home still used mud-clump bricks. Looking at the house, the roof was tiled, and every room featured several tiles of that very expensive, translucent glass—truly bright and splendid.

Instantly, Old Madam Hongyun felt a sharp imbalance in her heart. She, the mother-in-law, lived in an old house made of mud bricks, while her daughter-in-law and grandchild lived so well here. Displeased, her words naturally turned harsh. She said, "Daughter-in-law, you live well and eat well here, yet you leave your old mother behind at home without care. No wonder you are reluctant to return."

Hongyun was accustomed to her mother-in-law’s sudden change of mood. With her eyes lowered submissively, she replied, "Mother-in-law, what are you saying? This house was lent to us by Second Brother's family. We needed a place to live since we are working here."

"You are working here? I haven't seen any evidence of it. As for my son, I came for him, and he is still out doing hard labor, not to be seen. You are wandering around everywhere. Are you trying to deceive me, coming to your maternal home just to abandon me for a comfortable life?" Old Madam Hongyun said coldly.

Hongyun knew her mother-in-law's temperament; letting her vent a little was no great matter. If she argued back, the old woman would truly cling on relentlessly. Sure enough, after saying her piece for a while, Old Madam Hongyun saw her daughter-in-law standing quietly to the side and stopped. She sat down in the courtyard to rest for a bit, then resumed her questioning, "You’ve been at your maternal home this long; is there any news in your belly? I wait for it every single day."

Hongyun was startled by the sudden question, unsure how to answer, when Da Sheng returned from within the courtyard. Seeing his mother arrive, he was quite pleased. "Mother, why have you come today? Hongyun and I were just saying we should go back to check on things in a few days, and here you are."

Old Madam Hongyun was also delighted to see her son returned. She told him to sit down and ordered Hongyun to pour tea. In the courtyard, she asked her son if his work was hard, quietly inquired if Da Yuan and his maternal uncles treated him well, and asked how much monthly wages he received.

Hongyun was not far from the courtyard inside the house, and she could hear every word. Thus, while pouring the tea, she lingered in the room a little longer. They were mother and son; let them speak. Da Sheng was not being mistreated by his wife's family here, so there would be no gossip for his mother to seize upon.

When she heard them finish their conversation, she brought the tea out. The mother-in-law told Hongyun to sit down as she emerged, then took out several packets of medicine from the bundle she had brought. She said, "Hongyun, this medicine comes with a prescription. Brew it according to the instructions and drink it."

Hongyun was somewhat surprised. "Mother, I am not sick. What is this medicine?"

Old Madam Hongyun lowered her voice and said, "This is a folk remedy that your husband's eldest sister obtained from someone. She claims it guarantees the birth of a son. Many people have conceived sons after taking this formula. I spent two taels of silver to have your husband's eldest sister bring this secret recipe. You must take it every day, without fail, or it won't work."

"Our Da Sheng is the sole successor to the line; we absolutely must have a son. This medicine is very precious; two taels of silver only bought these few doses. Once you finish them, I will get a few more batches for you, just to be safe," Old Madam Hongyun insisted.

Da Sheng, seeing the few packets of medicine costing two taels of silver, exclaimed, "Mother, what are these few packets of medicine? Two taels is too expensive! If we were to take several more batches, it would cost nearly ten taels of silver! How can a family like ours afford that?"

Old Madam Hongyun looked at her son and said, "Foolish son, what is silver compared to a grandson? Silver can be earned again; but if the family line breaks, how will I face your father and our ancestors? This money is well spent."

She then turned back to Hongyun and added, "I spent a great deal this time. No matter how poor the household, I will buy it for you. Anything will do as long as you bear a grandson. Do you hear me, daughter-in-law?"

Hongyun nodded helplessly, knowing that her mother-in-law was usually very frugal and unwilling to waste money. For her to spend two taels of silver on medicine at once, and even promise to get more, showed that the old woman was truly frantic. If she were to tell her there was no hope at all, she feared she might be thrown out the door immediately.

It seemed she had no choice but to agree to her mother-in-law's methods. She decided that after the old woman left, she would talk to her—she would agree.

Da Sheng could not bear to see his wife in such distress, so he spoke up, "Mother, progeny is fated. We are still young; don't pressure Hongyun. She doesn't want this either."

"I don't believe it! Is it destined that our family will have no grandson to carry on the line? You two are not yet too old; this is the prime time for bearing children. Besides, Xiao Fang is already so big; you should be having another. In a few more years, it might not be easy for you even if you wanted to conceive. While you are young, hurry up and give me a big, sturdy grandson! You all busy yourselves, and I will raise him; you don't need to worry about it," Old Madam Hongyun thought that as long as she had a grandson, everything else was acceptable.

Da Sheng did not wish to argue with his mother over his wife, especially since he couldn't see his mother every day to fulfill his filial duties. Yielding a bit seemed appropriate. He shot Hongyun a look tinged with guilt, and Hongyun returned a smile, signaling that she was fine.

After they sat in the courtyard for a while, Old Madam Hongyun announced she needed to return. Da Sheng and his wife urged her to stay the night, but she refused, saying, "Your little sister is home alone; I won't feel safe late at night. I must go back. Come visit when you have time."

Da Sheng saw that the day was growing late, so he asked his mother to wait in the courtyard while he went to borrow the ox cart from his maternal uncle to take her home. The journey was long, and he worried about her traveling alone. Old Madam Hongyun agreed, and he went to borrow the cart from Second Niu.

Meanwhile, Old Madam Hongyun admonished Hongyun once more: "You must take this medicine every single day. Tell me as soon as you finish it, and I will get more for you. And don't think Da Sheng doesn't want a son; he is just saving your face. I'm telling you, if you cannot bear a son, I will definitely arrange for Da Sheng to take a concubine, and then it will be out of your hands whether you agree or not. As your mother-in-law, I have done everything I possibly can, do you understand?"

Hongyun nodded meekly without speaking. Just then, Da Sheng returned with the ox cart. Hongyun helped her mother-in-law onto the cart and watched as Da Sheng drove her back.