The oxcart ambled along, finally arriving at the Zhao residence right around breakfast time. Mrs. Zhao had already peered out the courtyard gate several times, waiting for them. Old Man Lin saw his daughter arrive with the child and didn't say much, simply inviting Hongxia and the child to eat, even asking Erniu to stay. Erniu declined, saying his own family was waiting, and left.

After the meal, once Old Man Lin had gone out, Mrs. Zhao sent Yuanzhu to play outside with Yuanbao, then pulled Hongxia into the house. Without beating around the bush, she laid the matter out to Hongxia. Hongxia listened to her mother, utterly astonished, and questioned, "Mother, what do you mean Big Sister can't bear children? Didn't she already have two? How can she suddenly be unable to?"

"They say after giving birth to Xiaofang, her body never recovered properly, and now she simply can't conceive. That’s why I wanted to discuss this with you," Mrs. Zhao murmured softly.

Hongxia listened to her mother’s words. Though surprised, she remained relatively calm. Lately, her own husband had become increasingly outrageous; he’d even suggested selling their land. If the fields were sold, she and her children’s lives would become even more precarious. Would they have to revert to the old days of constantly borrowing and begging? Even if the child in her womb were born, she might not be able to feed it. She truly didn't want this baby.

Seeing Hongxia remain silent, Mrs. Zhao assumed she was reluctant to part with her child and disagreed, so she began to press: "Hongxia, think about it. Your situation at home is already so dire; bringing another child into the world will be a huge struggle. You can barely support the two you have now, and pregnancy and childbirth require considerable expense. Where are you going to find that money? While your mother’s family can offer some assistance, your father and I have reached our limit."

"If the child is born and your Big Sister raises it, it will certainly be better off than staying with you. Their household desperately needs a male heir, and since she can’t have more now, you don't have to abort this one. Hongyun can cover the costs of your pregnancy and delivery. Think about it—giving the child to your Big Sister is better than you abandoning it now; it at least gives the child a chance at life, doesn't it?"

"Consider it helping your Big Sister, or consider it easing your own burden. As long as you are willing to do this favor for your Big Sister, Mother will be grateful. You've seen the life your Big Sister endures at her in-laws' because she lacks a son. You are sisters; please help her," Mrs. Zhao continued to persuade.

Hongxia was lost in her own thoughts, failing to register a word her mother said. Mrs. Zhao, having spoken a whole basketful of arguments, grew anxious seeing Hongxia’s continued silence, interpreting it as refusal: "Hongxia, it’s not entirely for your Big Sister's sake; I also don’t want to see the child inside you vanish. It is your child, after all."

After a long moment, Hongxia finally looked up, meeting her mother’s gaze, and said, "Mother, I agree. I didn't want this child anyway. Since Big Sister wants it, I will bear it, and she can raise it afterward. It will be better off with her than with me. In fact, I should thank Big Sister. However, Mother, no one can guarantee whether this child will be a boy or a girl. What happens if it’s a girl?"

Mrs. Zhao had already considered this. "If it's a girl, your Big Sister will have no recourse; she’ll just have to accept it as a lack of fortune. Whatever happens then, happens. As for you, I will subsidize you a bit then. One girl won't consume too much. Girls will eventually marry out; don't worry too much about that. Does that sound acceptable?"

Hongxia felt her mother’s logic was sound. "If Mother thinks that’s the best way, then let it be so. I have no objection."

Mrs. Zhao suddenly remembered something and spoke with sudden gravity: "Hongxia, although you are both my daughters, I must make this perfectly clear right now. If you agree to this arrangement, once you give birth, the child goes directly to your Big Sister. From then on, publicly and privately, it will be your nephew or niece. You can never take it back, no matter how your own life fares in the future. If you try to reclaim the child later, your Big Sister will have no way to live, and Mother will never acknowledge that child as yours."

"Don't blame me, Mother. Think carefully. If you truly want this child, I, as your mother, will not force you, as I have two daughters. But once you consent, you must be prepared for this consequence. Also, how will you explain this to your husband? Have you thought that through?" Mrs. Zhao’s words were starkly serious.

Seeing her mother’s stern expression, Hongxia hesitated slightly. Yes, what Mother said was indeed something to consider. Once she agreed, she had to follow through. Mrs. Zhao saw Hongxia pondering and quietly left the room, allowing her space to think. Forcing her now might lead to regret later, which would make things far more difficult.

Hongxia only thought for a moment before telling Mrs. Zhao she had made up her mind; she still agreed to give the child to Big Sister and vowed never to go back on her word, even swearing an oath before her mother. As for her husband, Hongxia told her mother the full truth: "Da Fa doesn't know I’m pregnant at all; I never told him. He rarely comes home anymore and pays little mind to me or the children. The day before yesterday, he threatened to sell the land, so I hid the land deed. Yesterday at home, he almost came to blows with me; I ignored him, and he left for wherever he went afterward. You don't need to worry about that part."

Upon hearing Hongxia’s confession, Mrs. Zhao felt a mixture of joy and worry. The joy was that Da Fa was unaware of the pregnancy, which made things much easier; Hongxia's in-laws were long gone, so no one would interfere with this matter. The worry was how Hongxia would manage her life going forward. She already had two children; she couldn't stay living at her mother's house forever. If Da Fa actually sold the deed one day, what would become of them?

Furthermore, Hongxia had lost a frightening amount of weight during these past two visits, looking as fragile as if a strong wind could blow her away. Her two children also had a sallow, yellowish complexion, suggesting they likely didn't even have enough staple food at home. Mrs. Zhao couldn't help but resent Zhou Da Fa—that wretched man, neglecting his wife and children while carousing outside day and night. It would be better if such a man died sooner. Hongxia managing a few acres of land, even as a widow, would still allow for a quieter existence.

During Hongxia's pregnancy, Mrs. Zhao could look after her. But after the child was born, she would need to figure out a solution for Hongxia's future. Da Fa was clearly unreliable. If her daughter continued down this path, her future was uncertain. But now was not the time to dwell on that; the immediate task was to keep the matter concealed, Mrs. Zhao thought to herself.