Chapter 195

Wang Yuan’er saw Wang Min’er’s daughter—a tiny, fragile baby, her small body no longer than Wang Yuan’er’s forearm. Wrapped in swaddling clothes, she resembled a little kitten. Even her cries were weak, barely audible whimpers, her scrunched-up face tugging at the heartstrings.

Wang Min’er, however, felt little affection for her daughter. She had desperately hoped for a son, someone who could secure her position in the Tang family or serve as her support in the future. Sons were always preferable, but instead, she had given birth to a girl—a girl who had nearly cost her her life. She couldn’t bring herself to feel warmth toward the baby. If not for Wang Yuan’er’s reminder that this might be her only child in this lifetime, she wouldn’t have even wanted to hold her.

When Wang Min’er finally held the swaddled baby, the child opened her eyes slightly, meeting Wang Min’er’s gaze with a half-lidded look. At that moment, Wang Min’er’s heart softened, and tears began to fall. Her only child—this was her only child.

The bond between mother and daughter was undeniable. As Wang Min’er cried, the baby began to cry as well, leaving Wang Min’er flustered and unsure of what to do.

Wang Yuan’er sighed at the scene, stepping forward to take the baby. She turned to a servant woman nearby and asked, “Was a wet nurse not arranged?”

The servant hesitated before shaking her head, and Wang Yuan’er’s anger flared. The Tang family’s neglect was truly outrageous.

Which respectable family wouldn’t prepare a wet nurse? Even if the mother wished to breastfeed, that wasn’t always allowed. Now, whether the mother could breastfeed or not was one matter, but the Tang family’s failure to make arrangements for a wet nurse showed their neglect—they didn’t value the mother and daughter at all.

No matter how flawed Wang Min’er might be, the daughter she gave birth to was still the Tang family’s bloodline. If they didn’t care about their own blood, how were they any different from hollow plants?

“What has the little girl been eating since she was born?” Wang Yuan’er asked, holding back her anger.

“There are sheep on the estate… she’s been drinking sheep’s milk,” the servant woman stammered, clearly frightened by Wang Yuan’er’s commanding presence.

“Does the Tang family not even plan to hire a wet nurse? This is still a young lady of the household!” Madam Zhang couldn’t hold back, her voice rising sharply.

A maid standing nearby curled her lips in disdain. “What young lady of the household? When the birth was reported to the main house, they simply said ‘noted’ without even sending a token reward. They only gave orders to look after her.”

Startled by Madam Zhang’s loud voice, the baby began crying even harder. The servant woman hurriedly tried to soothe her, but the crying didn’t stop.

“Give her to me!” Wang Min’er had already undone her bodice, evidently preparing to nurse the baby herself.

“But your body—how can you handle this?” Madam Zhang’s eyes turned red. Having just endured a difficult labor and still recovering, nursing would surely drain even more of her vitality.

“Should I just let her starve?” Wang Min’er’s eyes reddened as she took her daughter into her arms. It was her first time nursing, and her posture was awkward, leaving her flustered and in tears.

Wang Yuan’er and Madam Zhang stepped in to help her adjust, but the little girl struggled to latch on and couldn’t draw any milk.

“Come on, eat!” Wang Min’er grew increasingly anxious. Finally, she felt the milk flow into the baby’s mouth, and her heart ached, sour like the unripe fruit on a peach tree.

“Has she been given a name yet?” Wang Yuan’er asked as she watched the little girl feed contentedly.

Wang Min’er gave a bitter smile, her face full of resentment. “The Tang family hasn’t even sent anyone to check on us. What’s the point of naming her?”

As expected, Wang Yuan’er sighed inwardly. After a moment, she said, “A formal name can wait, but let’s at least give her a nickname. We can’t just keep calling her ‘the little girl.'”

Wang Min’er nodded indifferently.

Wang Yuan’er pursed her lips as she looked at the baby’s small face. Her birth had been fraught with hardship. After some thought, she said, “Let’s call her Zhilian—Half-Branch Lotus.”

Half-Branch Lotus, also known as Purple Lotus Grass or Wild Summer Wither Grass, is a resilient plant that renews itself year after year. The name symbolized hope for the little girl to grow strong and live a peaceful life.

“Zhilian, Zhilian,” Wang Min’er murmured the name twice, gently stroking her daughter’s tiny face.

After Little Zhilian had her fill, she yawned and fell asleep.

Wang Min’er wanted to place her on her own bed, but Wang Yuan’er intervened. “You need rest, too. If she cries during the night, how will you recover properly?” she said.

Saying this, Wang Yuan’er took Little Zhilian and handed her over to the servant woman, fixing her with a sharp gaze. “This is Third Young Master Tang’s firstborn daughter. Regardless of the circumstances, she’s more important than you. Take good care of her, and if anything happens to her, you won’t escape the consequences!”

It was both a warning and a threat.

The servant woman carried Little Zhilian away. No matter how much disdain she may have had for Wang Min’er and her child, Wang Yuan’er’s words were undeniably true—if anything happened to the little girl, the servants involved would surely bear the blame. It was unthinkable for the young mistress to suffer while the servants remained unscathed.

Feeling uneasy, Madam Zhang followed the servant to keep an eye on things.

Wang Min’er sat wrapped in her blanket, staring blankly into space, lost in thought.

Wang Yuan’er, observing her pale and gaunt face, felt a surge of pity but resisted the urge to ask if she regretted anything. What good would regret do at this point?

She pulled over a chair, sat down, and asked in a calm tone, “What are you planning to do?”

Wang Min’er looked at her blankly as if searching for answers. What could she do?

Madam Rong had ruined her body, ensuring that she would never be able to bear children again. Of course, Wang Min’er wanted revenge, but how could she achieve it?

As these thoughts filled her mind, her face became consumed with resentment and hatred.

“Are you seriously thinking of confronting Madam Rong head-on?” Wang Yuan’er observed the changes in her expression and accurately guessed her thoughts, her tone growing stern.

“She’s as venomous as a snake, destroying my ability to be a mother. I can’t swallow this grievance,” Wang Min’er said bitterly.

“You should be thankful she spared you and Zhilian’s lives. Don’t forget—this is someone who killed a servant over a cat. And you—sharing her husband? Do you think she harbors any goodwill toward you? I advise you not to act impulsively, or you’ll be like an egg smashing against a stone, leading yourself to ruin,” Wang Yuan’er said coldly.

“You…” Wang Min’er bit her lip.

“After escaping death once, haven’t you learned your lesson? Have you not been taught enough?” Wang Yuan’er said with disappointment. “Dying once wasn’t enough for you to see reality clearly?”

Wang Min’er froze for a moment before saying quietly, “I know. You just want to mock me and inwardly curse me as deserving this.”

Wang Yuan’er couldn’t help but laugh bitterly in anger. Pointing at Wang Min’er, she said, “If you weren’t carrying the Wang family’s name and bloodline, why would I care whether you lived or died? There’s already enough going on at home—Second Uncle is still in prison, your eldest uncle has died, and your mother is treated poorly both at her maternal family and by her in-laws. She still has to worry about you, and yet you continue to act so recklessly.”

“My eldest uncle has died?” Wang Min’er froze in shock. Her mother hadn’t mentioned anything. She quickly asked, “What happened? What’s going on?”

“It’s all because of your eldest uncle that your father ended up in jail.” Having returned from checking on Little Zhilian, Madam Zhang overheard this and explained the entire sequence of events. She added, “Now your aunt hates me, and your grandmother isn’t fond of me either. Min’er, you must strive to succeed.”

Thinking of her own hardships, Madam Zhang began to tear up.

Wang Min’er looked utterly dejected. Everything had been fine during the New Year, so how had things spiraled into such chaos?

“You should be thankful you gave birth to a daughter. If it had been a son, you might not have lived to see us,” Wang Yuan’er said, unable to hold back. “Madam Rong has only been married to the Tang family for a short time, yet she’s already learned everything about you and acted against you. Her methods are ruthless. You’re a nobody—a nameless, powerless concubine. How can you fight her?”

“So we’re just going to let it go?” Wang Min’er’s expression twisted with rage. “She harmed me, she ruined my life…”

“Unless you no longer wish to live, you can go ahead and fight her. But if you’re gone, there’s nothing left. If you can’t think for yourself, then think for your daughter. Some things, people may do in secrecy, but heaven is always watching. As long as you’re alive, even if there’s no wood to burn, the green hills will still stand,” Wang Yuan’er advised her. “Living is the only way you can plan anything. A mother must be strong.”

Wang Min’er looked at her, tears silently falling once again.

“For now, the most important thing is to take care of your health. You know better than anyone how much harm your body has suffered. If you don’t cherish yourself, all else will be in vain,” Wang Yuan’er continued.

She didn’t want to be harsh, but since this path had to be walked, Wang Min’er would have to grit her teeth and get through it. Wang Yuan’er didn’t expect Wang Min’er to achieve wealth or status in the Tang family, but at the very least, she wanted her to live well. The road ahead was still long.

Truthfully, Wang Yuan’er wanted to say that if she were in Wang Min’er’s shoes, she would stay on the estate with Zhilian, living peacefully and avoiding conflict. At the very least, it wouldn’t bother anyone, and she could live freely. But would Wang Min’er listen?

Time and again, Wang Yuan’er had counseled her, yet her advice always went in one ear and out the other. After nearly losing her life, would Wang Min’er finally awaken to reality?

Wang Yuan’er didn’t want to dwell on it. Out of their shared family name and bloodline, she had done her utmost to help.

The Tang family, consumed by the chaos caused by Tang Xiu’an’s actions, had no time to concern themselves with Wang Min’er’s premature labor. Initially, the elderly matriarch of the Tang family seemed interested, but upon learning that a girl was born, she lost all enthusiasm, waving it off with just an acknowledgment.

After all, once grown, a girl would belong to another family—what use could she possibly bring?

The only one truly pleased by the news was none other than Madam Rong.

“Ha! That wretched girl really is a worthless life. She crumbled after just a little scare and gave birth to another worthless girl,” Madam Rong gleefully clapped her hands in delight.

“Third Madam, you can rest easy now. It’s a premature baby and a girl at that—whether she even survives is uncertain. As for Wang Min’er, with her ruined health, she won’t ever be able to bear children again. No matter how bold, a barren woman won’t be able to make waves!” said Nanny Rong with a laugh.

Madam Rong scoffed. “If it weren’t for your suggestion to accumulate some blessings for yourself, that wretch would’ve already met the King of Hell. What a waste of my careful planning—it turns out she’s just a petty fool from a small family. I truly overestimated her.”

Nanny Rong nodded in agreement.

“Let the mother and daughter stay at that estate. There’s no need to report anything to me about them,” Madam Rong said, raising her freshly polished nails. Suddenly, she frowned and clutched her stomach.

“Third Madam?” Nanny Rong noticed her sudden pause and looked over.

Feeling the familiar sensation rushing through her like a tide, Madam Rong sighed and said, “Fetch me a change of clothes and help me get dressed.”

Nanny Rong hesitated before quickly understanding. She comforted her, “You and Third Master have only been married for over a month. There’s no rush!”

“I’m not in a rush. The one who’s in a rush is that little wretch,” Madam Rong said arrogantly, raising her chin. “A worthless troublemaker with no role to play is like a kite with a severed string, destined to crash and fall.”