Although Madam Wang had once remarked that all the misfortunes were due to Lin Bosu’s lack of kindness, Wang Hongwen repeatedly sent messages to Lin Cui’e, assuring her that once her mourning period ended, he would marry her. However, if the Wang family was not as magnanimous as they appeared, and if they scrutinized the shortcomings of the Lin family’s children and projected them onto Lin Cui’e, subjecting her to endless criticism after marriage, she would undoubtedly suffer greatly.
Before arriving in Baishui Town, Lin Cui’e had already agreed that if Wang Hongwen could wait for her for three years, she would marry him. Now that the Wang family had come to propose, it was too late to back out, which was why Dalang had given Lin Fang those instructions. The past could not be undone, and there was no choice but to accept it. If Tang Manyun, during her stay with the Lin family, could perceive their good upbringing and thus not look down on Lin Cui’e, it might help Lin Cui’e fare better in the Wang household.
After understanding the situation, Lin Fang found Tong Shi’s words reasonable. It wasn’t that their family was usually undisciplined or unstable—Dalang simply wanted Lin Fang to be mindful of her words and actions these days, to restrain her usual willfulness and temper. However, Lin Fang felt that this might not necessarily benefit Lin Cui’e. Marriage was a long-term commitment; one could suppress their true nature temporarily, but over time, it would inevitably resurface. If the Wang family then began to resent her, wouldn’t that be worse?
Lin Cui’e herself was lively and somewhat feisty. Whether in Liangping Town or here, her temperament had remained largely unchanged. Wang Hongwen had likely been aware of this when he took a liking to her. If she suppressed her true nature, she would become a different person. If the altered Lin Cui’e were to live with Wang Hongwen, it was uncertain whether he would still love her. Even if he did, living as someone else would strip life of its joy.
As everyone discussed the matter, the person at the center of it all, Lin Cui’e, remained silent. Li Cuimei, heartbroken, asked her, “What are your thoughts? Speak freely. None of us are inflexible. You’re the one getting married, the one who will live with Wang Hongwen. Your opinion matters most.”
Lin Cui’e smiled bitterly. “Uncle, Aunt, Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, please don’t trouble yourselves over my affairs. Since I’ve already promised Wang Hongwen, no matter what happens after marriage, I won’t go back on my word. Besides, all this is just speculation. Even if his family truly mistreats me, if I marry someone else who knows nothing of our family, who can guarantee they’d treat me better than the Wangs?”
Her words were a gamble, but no one present could argue against them.
Lin Zhongsi and Tong Shi had fallen in love while working together, and Dalang and Li Cuimei had known each other since childhood. But how many were fortunate enough to have such encounters? Since ancient times, blind marriages were the norm. Lin Cui’e and Wang Hongwen were relatively lucky—thanks to Li Cuimei’s familial ties with the Wangs, the two families had interacted often, allowing Wang Hongwen and Lin Cui’e to know each other somewhat. Most couples had never even met before marriage.
Tong Shi ended the fruitless discussion. “Enough. Tang Manyun is pregnant, and I won’t let her leave anytime soon. Tomorrow, Dalang will send someone to Liangping Town to inform the Wangs of Tang Manyun’s condition. Even if her family rushes here day and night, it will take days. In the meantime, everyone should engage Tang Manyun in conversation to gauge the Wangs’ intentions. If necessary, be direct. Remember, she’s pregnant—don’t tire her out.”
With no other options, everyone fell silent. Only Lin Fang caught the implication in Tong Shi’s words and asked excitedly, “Second Grandmother, does this mean you’ll stay with us and not leave immediately?”
Tong Shi laughed and pulled Lin Fang close. “Yes, you clever girl. I’ll stay until your Sixth Aunt gives birth and decide then. If you treat me well, I might even stay longer. Are you happy?”
Lin Fang wasn’t the only one overjoyed—Dalang and his wife were equally moved. To them, Lin Zhongsi and Tong Shi were like parents. Having them stay was deeply emotional.
By the time Chen Dong dragged the reluctant Chen Shiyuan over, the family had calmed down, and servants were setting the table. Before Lin Fang returned, Tong Shi and Lin Zhongsi had snacked on some pastries, but for their large frames, it was barely enough. When the meal was ready, they ate heartily, their lack of decorum astonishing even Chen Shiyuan.
After dinner, Tong Shi took Chen Dong’s pulse, her furrowed brow making Chen Dong anxious. She dared not speak, fearing she might disrupt Tong Shi’s diagnosis.
Finally, Tong Shi asked, “Since you and Fang’er are close, I assume you’re not the timid type. I’ll ask you directly, and you must answer truthfully. I’ve only heard bits about your past from Fang’er’s parents—that you once had vitiligo, were treated by an old monk, and recovered well. But when it comes to gynecology, he’s no match for me. Tell me, have you ever suffered severe cold exposure?”
Chen Dong was stunned but answered honestly, “Yes, over a year ago, I fell into our family’s pond in winter.”
“Afterward, what medicine did you take? Do you remember?”
“It was brewed and brought to me. I don’t know the ingredients, and most of the time, I secretly poured it out.”
“Before falling in, had you taken any tonics or other medicines?”
“A few, but not much. I poured most of those out too.”
“As a child, did you have any major illnesses?”
“I don’t remember much, but I often caught colds, each lasting over a month.”
“After recovering, did you notice any lingering discomfort?”
“I became more sensitive to cold, especially in my abdomen, as if cold air seeped in.”
Tong Shi, having seen countless patients, wasn’t surprised by Chen Dong’s actions. What troubled her was whether to disclose the diagnosis. The truth could devastate even an adult, let alone a child under eight.
After a long silence, Chen Dong, sensing something amiss, asked, “Second Grandmother, is there something wrong with my health?”
Tong Shi nodded. “Yes. Your constitution is unusually cold, likely from the winter immersion and lack of proper care afterward. Without knowing your full history, I can’t say more.”
Chen Dong, uneasy, pressed further. “Second Grandmother, though young, I’m not fragile. If there’s more, please tell me. I can handle it.”
Impressed by her maturity, Tong Shi sighed. “Very well. This will come out eventually. Early treatment might help.” She paused, then said bluntly, “Your pulse suggests this condition didn’t arise overnight. External factors—like the cold—played a role, but internal ones too. Some medicines you took as a child contained cold-inducing toxins. Thankfully, you didn’t consume them all, or you’d be dead. Even small amounts accumulated over time, harming a child’s body. The winter plunge activated these toxins, worsening your condition.”
She stopped there, but the grave expressions around her told Chen Dong the severity. Trembling, she asked, “How bad is it?”
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