After taking her pulse, Doctor Yang smiled, "Congratulations, you're going to be a father."
"Really?"
"It's true, over a month pregnant."
"But why is my wife like this? And my mother suspected my wife was pregnant before, but she looked so disappointed."
"Drowsiness is normal. A pregnant woman's psychology is unpredictable; she can have dozens or hundreds of thoughts in a minute. It's alright, just coax her more, that's your specialty."
Doctor Yang left. Mother Li, with her daughter, asked her son, "Zhengguo, what did Doctor Yang say?"
"Yes, Big Brother, is Sister-in-law pregnant? Will I be an aunt?"
Li Zhengguo pointed to the door of his west room, "Minmin, you guard here. No one is allowed in."
"Oh, okay." Li Min sat down with a stool.
"Mother, come in with me, I have something to tell you."
After Mother Li entered the room, Li Zhengguo closed and locked the door, then sat by the bed and pointed to the stool by the bed, "Mother, please sit."
Mother Li sat down nervously. Her son's expression was serious, which made her a little scared.
Li Zhengguo took a deep breath and recounted Doctor Yang's jest, his own suspicions, and Zhao Xiaofang's complaints about the eldest cousin to his mother.
"...Mother, when I boil water for Tiantian, I have to go to the kitchen. Every time I go, she says that to the eldest cousin. At night, I try to use water from the thermos as much as possible."
"Tiantian kindly saved someone. Regardless of who that person is, did she do something wrong? Is it so inconvenient to use a little hot water? What did Tiantian say?"
"How terrifying a woman's jealousy can be, you should have known from the previous generation. Do you think Doctor Yang's guess is correct?"
"Have you and Minmin ever felt I doted on Tiantian too much? Have you ever been jealous in your heart? Minmin, even if she's jealous, she says it immediately. What about you? Have you ever resented Tiantian?"
"As Tiantian said, every woman considers her son her own possession. I called you in to remind Zhao Xiaofang, but as I spoke, I started thinking of you."
"I don't care about your mindset. For Tiantian, I wish I could give my life and soul to her. I love her so much that I fear nothing."
"If the resentment in your heart accumulates, then I will take Tiantian and leave. Minmin and Suozhu will surely take care of you."
The disheartened Mother Li was pushed out by her son.
Li Min anxiously pulled her mother, "Mother, what's wrong? What happened to Sister-in-law?"
Mother Li came to her senses. She hadn't even asked about Tiantian's check-up results yet. "Minmin, have you ever been jealous of your sister-in-law?"
"Of course, I'm jealous! My elder brother practically treats Sister-in-law like a baby, pampering and coaxing her. It makes me so jealous. No matter how I teach Suozhu, he never learns, it drives me crazy."
Her daughter's jealousy was straightforward and didn't seem too terrifying. The kind of jealousy that was hidden behind smiles and sweet words, or even malicious intent, was far more frightening, just like her second sister-in-law.
Since she learned that her eldest nephew was indeed Yaoguo, she had speculated about her second sister-in-law's psychology. Firstly, it was jealousy that she and her sister-in-law both had sons in their first pregnancies. Secondly, it was jealousy of her husband's devotion to her.
After her own childbirth, when her body had problems, her husband cared for her day and night, leaving Yaoguo to his mother's care. This was something any woman would be jealous of.
Which woman wouldn't want to be the sole woman in her husband's heart? Which woman wouldn't long to be pampered by her husband like a little girl, just like her daughter-in-law was now?
She did have some resentment. Even she, who had received her husband's full love, had resentment towards her daughter-in-law. What about other women? Zhang Fangcao and Zhao Xiaofang?
Even Damai could see it, and her son had noticed it. She couldn't let this family fall apart, nor could she let her sister-in-law and second sister-in-law, who knew Yaoguo's identity, mock them.
...
"Third Aunt?" Zhao Xiaofang was surprised, "Where... where are we going to live?"
"On the foundation of your house, didn't you build a makeshift shed? Rongguo sleeps there at night guarding the materials. As his wife, you should stand by his side. He has just separated from the family and needs your comfort and encouragement even more. Move the bed over. It's not too cold at night now, you can use blankets if you feel cold."
Mother Li was determined to drive her out, and Zhao Xiaofang's excuses were useless, especially since her health was fine.
Damai happily came to pack things. No matter how good her uncle's family was, it wasn't as comfortable as living in their own home. Moreover, her mother...
Li Rongguo came to move the bed, not letting his wife help at all.
Zhao Xiaofang stood aside watching.
Mother Li couldn't stand it, "Rongguo, Xiaofang's health has fully recovered. Doctor Yang said she's healthy enough to lift two hundred jin."
"Really?" Li Rongguo's face lit up with joy. "Xiaofang, I'm so happy your health has completely recovered. Don't worry, life will be even better from now on."
Zhao Xiaofang looked at Third Aunt in shock. What did Third Aunt mean? When did Doctor Yang say that?
Mother Li smiled gently at her, "Xiaofang, Rongguo truly cherishes you. You must take good care of yourself. You've been through hardship, and now you'll finally have good days."
"Uh, yes, thank you, Third Aunt. We will."
Reminded by Third Aunt, Li Rongguo didn't let his wife do any more work and made three trips back and forth to move the wooden bed away.
Damai pulled her mother, who was reluctant to leave the courtyard, "Mother, let's go home, back to our own home."
As Zhao Xiaofang stepped out of the courtyard, she was met with sarcastic words.
"Oh, you've been kicked out? Did you really think this Li family was your home? Letting you stay for more than ten days was already generous. How does it feel to be driven out?"
Zhao Xiaofang looked at Zhang Fangcao, who was mocking her. This Zhang Fangcao had completely changed. Ever since Tian Jing exposed her true colors, she had been changing step by step.
Now, especially after offending all the villagers, who were afraid of her extorting them and thus avoided her, this woman had become even more arrogant.
Even without leaving her house, she had heard many things. "My cousin-in-law is pregnant, so it's not appropriate for me to stay here."
"Mother~" Damai forcefully shook off her mother, tears welling up in her eyes, "Where is your conscience? Eaten by dogs?"
"Damai, I..." Zhao Xiaofang felt a hint of panic. She hadn't said anything wrong.
"Hahaha, so that's how it is! I said she was very superstitious, but no one believed me. Now, you should believe it, right?"
Zhang Fangcao said loudly and happily to the surrounding villagers.
"Mother~ Is this what you want? Whose life is it? Where is your face?"
Damai turned and ran, no longer caring about her mother, who had become unrecognizable.
Mother Li sighed. People's hearts are truly difficult to fathom. "Xiaofang, Tiantian is indeed pregnant, but she's feeling unwell. It was I who sent you away. You should speak the whole truth. Zhang Fangcao, when you report this, don't misdirect. Doctor Yang just left. How could Tiantian send Xiaofang away? It was I who did it, out of taboo."
"Ah? Right, right, right, right. My cousin-in-law is asleep, I forgot to mention it."
Asleep? Had she really offended something?
"Hahaha." Zhang Fangcao laughed happily. Tian Jing had saved a thankless wretch! "She's asleep just after becoming pregnant, the baby might not be well. Unlike my baby in my womb..."
"Exactly, unlike the baby in your womb, mine is sturdy. You dare to bump into any pile of stones, and now everyone is afraid of you. We're just afraid you'll throw your belly into someone else's house."
Sister-in-law Niu, having heard that the Li family had invited Doctor Yang, had come to see for herself and witnessed this scene.