Wenren Xi was still an unmarried young girl, and terms like “melon seed” or whatever, couldn’t yet be connected with having children in her mind. However, seeing her father’s pale and ashen face, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction, almost wanting to clap with joy.

Her father could maintain a bit of decorum in public, but in private, his temper was horrible. Wenren Xi had to admit, she harbored fear toward her father. Being the second daughter, she was never favored by him, so she rarely approached him unless necessary—neither dared nor willing.

Now her father had finally encountered someone who could rebuke him fiercely, and it was none other than her cousin, who’s only a few years older than her. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted from Wenren Xi’s heart because this was something she’d always wanted to do but never dared to.
In the past, Wenren Xi disliked everyone from the main branch of the family, but now she had completely put aside her prejudice against Xiao Cao. Her fourth cousin was truly a kind person! From now on, she’d view the people from the main branch fairly, as it was clear that the one causing all the trouble was her father!

All this time, because her mother couldn’t bear a son, they endured countless injustices. Yet, no one spoke up for her mother, nor did anyone blame her father. Even Wenren Xi and her sisters, at times, considered it their mother’s fault for not providing them with a brother. But now, this cousin who had just returned—without any blood ties or emotional connections to her mother—stood up and openly declared that all the fault lay with her father, and that her mother bore no responsibility at all.

“Grandmother, it would be best to abort the child in Second Aunt’s womb sooner rather than later. Delaying further might lead to…”

“Xuan’er—” Han Shi spoke again to stop her daughter. Some things were better left implied and didn’t need to be said outright. The final decision should not come from her daughter. Otherwise, if there were any regrets down the road, all the blame would be heaped onto Xuan’er, despite her good intentions. Why should Xuan’er bear that burden? After all, everyone has self-interest, and Han Shi didn’t want her precious daughter trapped in a situation where she’s blamed regardless of the outcome.

In fact, Han Shi understood her mother-in-law’s dilemma. Old Madam Wenren was hesitant to make the decision herself and hoped someone else would shoulder the blame so she could avoid feeling guilty. Wishful thinking!
Wenren Old Madame glanced at Han Shi, aware of her thoughts. However, it was still premature to have Xiao Cao make the decision. After all, she, as the matriarch, wasn’t about to push such a heavy responsibility onto a young girl.

“Fourth girl, if your second aunt’s pregnancy is terminated, are you confident you can nurse her body back to health and give her another chance to conceive?” This was Old Madam Wenren’s primary concern. As for her granddaughter scolding her son, well, she could overlook that, considering that this girl meant well and was kind-hearted deep down.

Xiao Cao lowered her gaze. “The older a woman gets, the greater the risk of pregnancy. Even if she’s nursed back to full health, I wouldn’t recommend Second Aunt attempting to conceive again.”

Old Madam Wenren sighed deeply and was silent for a moment. “Abort the child.” Whether or not to try again later would be Du Shi’s decision. When it came to matters of the heart, this fourth girl was quite stubborn, especially when treating patients. If they said too much, it might deteriorate their relationship.

“No abortion!” Wenren Zhongyong’s face darkened as he glared at Xiao Cao. “Didn’t you say a child is a gift from Heaven? If it’s aborted, are you defying the heavens?” His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Oh, so now that was his argument, huh? And now he just wouldn’t let go, would he?

“A gift from Heaven might come with defects. When you know a child has problems, it should promptly be returned to Heaven rather than suffer later. This child might not even make it to birth, and if it’s born, it will surely be sickly. Without milk, it’ll need medicine straight away. It won’t be able to run or jump, and it won’t be able to do anything but watch others while writhing in constant pain. What can you, as its father, do for it except watch? Besides wagging your tongue, can you care for it? Will you have the patience and tenderness to look after it?” Xiao Cao sneered. “And what if it turns out to be another girl? Wouldn’t you just wish to strangle it at birth?”

Her words turned Wenren Zhongyong’s face an even darker shade of green.
Han Shi couldn’t resist the urge to rub her temples. She always thought her daughter was gentle and reserved, not realizing she had such an explosive temper.

What Han Shi didn’t know was that Wenren Zhongyong had inadvertently trampled all over Xiao Cao’s bottom line. Men like him were, in Xiao Cao’s eyes, the worst kind—scum, a wretch—a man whose life only wasted grain if alive and soil if dead.

“Fourth girl, that’s enough,” Old Madam Wenren spoke again, feeling a growing headache and rubbing her temples.

Seeing this, Xiao Cao immediately softened. “Grandmother…” she said, reaching out to massage her shoulder.

Old Madam Wenren, feeling better, said, “Fourth girl, whenever you think it’s time, write the prescription. The sooner the child is terminated, the sooner you can help nurse your second aunt back to health. After all, whether or not there’s a child in the womb changes the entire medical approach.”

“Mother—” Wenren Zhongyong raised his voice in protest.

“Shut up. I don’t want to hear another word from you right now.” Old Madam Wenren’s cold gaze swept over him like a knife.

Wenren Zhongyong might appear formidable in his back courtyard, but outside, he’d always maintained a dignified demeanor. However, when it came to his mother, all that dissolved into submission and obedience. He had no choice but to concede, despite the desperation he felt. That glimmer of hope for a legitimate son, nurtured over two decades, was too precious to let go because of a few words from Xiao Cao. Thus, he tried once more to fight for it. “Mother, if Du Shi cannot have another child, I will truly be left without a legitimate heir.”

Old Madam Wenren felt anger boiling up inside. Yes, society values legitimate heirs, but when there’s no legitimate son available, why can’t an illegitimate one carry on the family name? Are they holding some high-ranking title that only a legitimate son could inherit? She just couldn’t understand why her son had become so obsessed with this! There were families out there without sons at all, and yet they didn’t behave like this.

“In that case, get a divorce! I’ll find you a younger wife, and you can father as many sons as you want. We’ll see if you’re actually fated for this so-called legitimate son!”

Old Madam Wenren’s health had long been in decline, and she had already relinquished most of her control. She truly didn’t want to deal with all these vexing matters anymore.

Her words stunned everyone. Du Shi was in her forties and in poor health—if they divorced now, it would spell her doom.

Wenren Xi nearly broke down…

But Wenren Zhongyong was even more desperate. “Divorce is out of the question. She either dies, or she requests a demotion to concubine.”
This time, it wasn’t just the others, even Old Madam Wenren could hardly believe what she was hearing. Was this really her son? Or had he been swapped with someone without anyone noticing? How else could his heart be so wicked?

The Wenren family was known for its scholarly refinement and righteous conduct. Though they didn’t demand that their descendants embody all the virtues of a sage, they at least expected integrity, understanding, and kindness. Basic decency, at the very least. Yet Wenren Zhongyong had abandoned all of this.

A divorce would place most of the blame on the husband, but it would still gravely impact the wife’s reputation. As for a woman requesting to step down to concubine status? That would be forcing her to admit fault and live a life of disgrace, essentially condemning her for life. To push a woman into such a situation was no different from pushing her to take her own life.”