Hong Yun watched Da Sheng escort her mother-in-law back, and then planned to go to her own mother’s house to state her agreement, allowing her mother to prepare accordingly. As Hong Yun passed through Huang Shi’s courtyard on her way to her mother’s, she saw Huang Shi sitting in the yard with her children. She walked in. Huang Shi knew Hong Yun had just been to see her mother-in-law, and seeing Hong Yun’s demeanor, she knew her mother-in-law must have told her everything.

However, since Hong Yun herself didn't bring it up, Huang Shi didn't feel it was right to ask directly, only inquiring, "Your mother-in-law has left? What was she here for? Was everything alright?"

Hong Yun explained the reason for her mother-in-law's visit, relaying every word her mother-in-law had spoken to Huang Shi. Huang Shi was somewhat taken aback; it seemed Hong Yun’s mother-in-law was already this anxious. It appeared the solution her own mother had proposed held some merit, and if anything went wrong later, it would ultimately be because Hong Yun’s mother-in-law had forced the issue.

Huang Shi glanced around, ensuring no outsiders were near, and seeing the few children playing further off, she lowered her voice and said, "Given how anxious your mother-in-law is, do you agree with the plan Mother proposed? Truly, Mother is only looking out for your best interests."

Though Huang Shi didn't directly urge Hong Yun to consent, her words betrayed her underlying approval. Hong Yun picked up on this and asked, "Sister-in-law also thinks Mother is right, that I should agree?"

Huang Shi smiled faintly and replied, "You must make the final decision on this matter yourself. If you are willing, I support you; if you are not, no one will force you. Regardless of what you choose, it is for your own good. Just make sure you have thought it through clearly."

Hong Yun nodded, as if making a monumental resolution, and declared, "I will go to Mother’s now and tell her I agree to this. I will take the gamble, and if anything happens down the line, I won’t blame anyone. I will bear it myself."

Huang Shi said, "Mm, as long as you have thought it through clearly."

With that, Hong Yun hurried toward her parents' home, as if afraid she would change her mind. She didn't stop until she reached her mother's place, telling Zhao Shi that she agreed and asking what she needed to do now.

Zhao Shi paused in thought and asked, "Your mother-in-law just visited, right? Was she pressuring you about having a child?"

Hong Yun nodded and told her mother about the medicine her mother-in-law had brought. Zhao Shi responded, "That works out perfectly then. Over the next few days, you can pretend to boil your mother-in-law's medicine to take it, or you can pour it out—whatever you decide. In about ten days, I will take you out for a trip. When you come back, you will tell Da Sheng you visited a doctor and that you are pregnant. Since you’ve carried a child before, you know what needs to be done; be very careful not to let Da Sheng suspect anything. For these next few days, just take the medicine without drawing attention. Tomorrow, I will send your second brother over to Hong Xia’s place to bring Hong Xia back. I will handle what needs to be said to Hong Xia; don't worry about that."

Hong Yun nodded. Even though she still felt some hesitation about whether this path was right, since she had already agreed, she resolved to let her mother take the lead; there seemed to be no other recourse.

Zhao Shi spoke a few more words with Hong Yun and then rushed off to Er Niu's house, asking Huang Shi to tell Er Niu to visit Hong Xia early the next morning and just bring her back directly, without mentioning anything else. Huang Shi agreed.

At Huang Shi’s house, Lin He, though standing far away with the children, had overheard some of the conversation between Huang Shi and Hong Yun. Since they had returned from Tian Xin Town these past two days, the adults had been acting strangely. Previously, their parents would discuss things openly, but lately, they were always shooing the children far away when talking. Lin He didn't know the specifics, but judging by their reactions, she guessed they were concealing a major secret—one that absolutely could not be revealed.

Now, her grandmother had rushed over demanding that her father go fetch Second Aunt. Nothing seemed amiss at Second Aunt’s house; why bring her over so urgently? A huge question mark hung over Lin He’s mind. After her grandmother left, Huang Shi sat to the side, not working on embroidery as usual, but simply staring blankly.

Lin He walked over and asked, "Mother, has something been happening these past two days? You all keep going out, and Grandma and Eldest Aunt have been tagging along too. Is something wrong with Eldest Aunt’s health?"

Lin He remembered hearing on the first day they returned from town that Hong Yun was ill, so she asked this simply to test Huang Shi. Hearing Lin He’s question, Huang Shi immediately grew anxious and looked around quickly, asking, "What have you learned? What did you hear?"

Lin He shook her head, feigning ignorance. Huang Shi studied her daughter, who genuinely seemed clueless, and her initial alarm subsided slightly. She said, "He'er, though you are clever, there are many adult matters that children like you cannot comprehend. Whether you heard something or found something out, do not tell a second soul. This is a huge matter; do not ask any more questions, understand?"

Huang Shi's serious tone only confirmed to Lin He that this was indeed a significant issue. Since her parents were unwilling to tell her, they must have their reasons. Lin He nodded, deciding to let it go; if it was truly that serious, she wouldn't be able to solve it anyway, so ignorance was better.

That night, much of the family slept poorly. Huang Shi and Er Niu wrestled with whether concealing this matter for the couple was right or wrong, a heavy worry sitting in their hearts. Hong Yun was even more restless, tossing and turning. When she finally drifted off toward morning, she suffered nightmares—one moment dreaming her inability to conceive was discovered by her mother-in-law, who would drive her out; the next, dreaming Hong Xia accused her of stealing her child. She was deeply unsettled.

Zhao Shi, on her end, also found no sleep. She rose before dawn, already contemplating how she would explain things to Hong Xia once Er Niu brought her over. Though she felt Hong Xia would likely agree, it was still a monumental event, and her heart was filled with apprehension.

Finally, daybreak arrived. More than half the household had endured a sleepless night. Er Niu left for Hong Xia’s house at first light, saying their mother wished for Hong Xia to stay with them for a few days. Hong Xia found it a bit strange but asked no further questions. She packed a few clothes and, with her child, boarded the ox-cart with Er Niu.

On the ride, Er Niu noticed Hong Xia’s complexion was poor. He remarked that Zhou Da Fa wasn't even there to see them off so early in the morning, asking, "Where is Da Fa? It’s so early; he surely hasn't gone out to work, has he?"

Zhou Da Fa hadn't returned for several days, and no one knew what he was up to. A few days prior, he had demanded Hong Xia hand over the land deeds, claiming he needed money urgently and intended to sell the family fields. Hong Xia had ignored him, so he searched the house, threw a fit when he found nothing, and left. Hong Xia couldn't be bothered with him. Hearing her second brother ask, she didn't know how to answer. "I don't know. Perhaps he went out on some business."

She sighed as she spoke. Er Niu saw Hong Xia’s state and, knowing the character of Zhou Da Fa, understood a little more. He merely sighed along with her and said, "Go stay at Mother's place for a good while. Don't worry about a man like that."

Hong Xia nodded silently.