As Xiao Cao applied the needles, Du Shi, who had been leaning against Han Shi with a deathly pale face, gradually lost consciousness.

“Mother! Mother…” Wenren Xi, noticing the situation, panicked instantly and became extremely anxious.

“Fifth Sister, don’t worry. Your mother’s emotions were too turbulent, so I temporarily put her to sleep. There’s no need for concern, don’t be anxious,” Xiao Cao calmly reassured her, while her hands never stopped working.

Wenren Xi’s lips trembled. She glanced at Xiao Cao with a complicated expression, and after a brief pause, said in a voice as soft as a mosquito, “Thank you.”

Xiao Cao let out a small sigh of relief when her work was temporarily done.

“Xuan’er, how is your Second Aunt?” Han Shi asked quietly.

“Not too well.” Xiao Cao frowned slightly, “We’d better send her back first. I’ll prescribe some medicine for her, and then we can discuss the specifics.”

“Do as the fourth girl says, send her back for now,” Old Madam Wenren suppressed her anger as she glared at her second son. “I didn’t interfere with your nonsense before, but if I ignore this today, who knows if one of these days someone might end up dead?”

Wenren Zhongyong wanted to argue, but seeing his mother’s stern expression, he could only mutter to himself in silence.

“Everyone else, it’s time for dinner.”

Old Madam Wenren gave the order and seemed ready to accompany them to the second household’s courtyard.

Once the old madam’s temper rose, no one could stop her. As the eldest son, Wenren Taibo couldn’t appropriately accompany them to the second household’s courtyard. But with Han Shi present, there was no need to worry. Furthermore, Yan Shi from the fifth household stepped forward to support the old matron. Wenren Taibo left it at that and said no more.

Wenren Zhongyong always showed no kindness to his wife. To be honest, if Du Shi were to die, he’d probably be quite happy. At over forty years old, to be slapped in front of everyone by his mother — he had never been so humiliated. He wasn’t bold or foolish enough to resent his own mother, so this grudge naturally fell on Du Shi. Now, because of Du Shi, dinner was delayed, which made him very displeased, though he dared not show it.

After Du Shi was brought back, she was placed on the bed. Xiao Cao prescribed some medicine and instructed the servants to fetch it immediately and bring it once prepared.

“Fourth girl, tell me what’s really going on with your Second Aunt,” Old Madam Wenren gestured for Xiao Cao to come closer.

Xiao Cao hesitated slightly. “Second Aunt is pregnant, though it’s still early — less than a month along…”

“Really? Is she truly pregnant?” The stern-faced Wenren Zhongyong suddenly burst into ecstatic joy.

However, Xiao Cao didn’t even bother to spare him a glance.

The others, hearing the news, did not know what expression to wear. By convention, they should be happy; after all, it was extremely difficult for Du Shi to conceive again. Yet, looking at Du Shi’s current condition, pregnancy might not necessarily be a good thing.

“Fourth girl, are you sure?” Some didn’t doubt her, but they were wary, uncertain if the news was cause for celebration or worry. They craved further confirmation, hoping for a clearer answer from someone else.

“I’m sure. I’ve spent a lot of time studying gynecology. However… Grandmother, I recommend terminating this pregnancy. Second Aunt’s body is too weak…”

“What? Terminate the pregnancy?” Wenren Zhongyong flew into a rage. “I’ve waited over twenty years for a legitimate son. Who dares touch this child?”

Xiao Cao swiftly turned her head, glaring at Wenren Zhongyong with eyes as sharp as knives. “Shut up! No one’s even talking to you.” It’s just an embryo for now, and you’re already calling it a legitimate son? Have you gone mad?

Wenren Zhongyong was momentarily startled but soon flew into a fit of rage. “You insolent brat! Is this how you speak to your elders? You’re just a wild girl from the streets with no manners! Before being added to our family’s genealogy, you should first learn the rules. To behave so crudely in front of others, aren’t you ashamed to disgrace the Wenren family?”

“I can be part of the Wenren family or not. I’ll still live perfectly fine either way. Don’t try to use your elder status to suppress me, because I don’t care.” Xiao Cao showed no fear and directly confronted him. “If we’re talking about disgracing the Wenren family, you’re at the forefront, Second Uncle.”

“You brat…”

“Shut up and keep to yourself!” Old Madam Wenren pointed at Wenren Zhongyong with scorn before turning back to Xiao Cao. Though her anger hadn’t completely subsided, she gently patted Xiao Cao. “What do you mean by not being part of the family? Don’t say such shameful things. Your parents searched for you for years, yearning day and night for your return. Your words would break their hearts.”

Seeing Han Shi’s concerned look, Xiao Cao’s tone softened. “Grandmother, Mother, it was my fault. I won’t say things like that again. As for Second Aunt… her body is far too fragile to carry this child. The fetus is already unstable and could miscarry at any moment. Even if, by some miracle, the pregnancy continues, the risks during childbirth will be enormous. One wrong move could lead to both mother and child losing their lives. And even if, by some stroke of incredible luck, the child is born, it will almost certainly be weak or have congenital defects. A child like that…”

Even a healthy baby could be lost to the smallest of complications, let alone a frail one.

In a time when infant mortality was exceedingly high, for the Wenren family to have produced so many children already could only be considered a blessing from heaven.

Old Madam Wenren found herself in a dilemma. No matter what anyone said, a son was always more important than a daughter-in-law. The reason she sided with Du Shi was simply because her son had gone too far, even losing the minimum level of dignity a man should have.

But she was well aware of her son’s obsession. Du Shi had managed to get pregnant again; no matter how slim the chances, there was still a glimmer of hope. However, could they truly prioritize an unborn child whose future was uncertain over Du Shi’s life?

“Grandmother, people say ‘you reap what you sow.’ If you plant beans, can you reasonably expect pumpkins to grow? Wouldn’t it be ridiculous to blame the land for this?”

Xiao Cao’s eyes swept over Wenren Zhongyong as she gently continued.

“Whether a child is male or female is determined by the man, not the woman. Generally, it’s a 50-50 chance. If no son is born despite multiple attempts, it’s simply a matter of lacking luck in this regard. How can one force such things?”

“Every child is a gift from heaven. Compared to those who are unable to have any children at all, shouldn’t we consider each birth an extraordinary blessing?”

“When a woman bears a child, she subjects herself to tremendous risks. How is it fair to condemn her for giving birth to a girl and subject her to relentless accusations? What bitterness must she harbor?”

Xiao Cao’s calm gaze landed squarely on Wenren Zhongyong as she steadily pressed on.

“If it’s a son you desire, then treat her well. As long as she’s cared for properly, there’s no reason she can’t conceive again. But persisting with this reckless plan of forcing her body to carry a child when it’s unfit is nothing short of cruelty. If you continue committing such sins, don’t be surprised if you find yourself cursed never to have a son!”

Though Xiao Cao hadn’t named names, her words were as sharp as if she’d pointed directly at Wenren Zhongyong’s face and cursed him.

“Xuan’er!” Han Shi immediately tried to stop her. No matter what attitude Old Madam Wenren had, that was still her son. She could scold him, but it didn’t mean others could.

Nevertheless, Xiao Cao’s words rang true. It deeply resonated, especially in a world where women were often blamed if they couldn’t produce a male heir. Women themselves would blame their “failings,” completely unaware that the issue might lie elsewhere. Reflecting carefully, Xiao Cao’s arguments seemed to lead to a startling yet undeniable truth — you reap what you sow.