As she passed through the courtyard, Li Cuihong was already gone.

Only Zhao Qingsong remained, standing there all alone, punished by her to stand still.

His already torn single-layered clothes were now ragged like strips.

Cold and in pain, the child stood shivering in the courtyard.

Qian Chunhua’s heart ached.

She walked over to him and said, “Qingsong, come to your second aunt’s place and change into some clothes first.”

Zhao Qingsong’s eyes were red as he softly replied, “No need, Second Aunt. If I go, my mother will take it out on you.”

His sensible words stung Qian Chunhua’s eyes with tears.

No, she had to confirm whether the children had truly been switched.

She could not tolerate Li Cuihong committing such evil.

Since Zhao Qingsong didn’t dare leave the yard, Qian Chunhua couldn’t force him.

So she headed to her maiden home to inquire about what had happened back then.

…

At the Qian household, Qian’s mother stared in disbelief at the meat buns. “Are you serious? Your sister really asked you to bring these home?”

Qian Xingshan nodded with a smile. “Yes, really. Sister’s changed a lot today. She even told me I’m welcome to visit her anytime.”

Qian’s mother wiped the corners of her eyes. “That poor child, Chunhua has suffered so much.”

Her son-in-law’s sudden death had made her not only grieve but also worry about her daughter.

When she had gone to check on her daughter, Chunhua was still unconscious.

And that Zhao family’s eldest daughter-in-law, Li Cuihong, had spoken with such a sarcastic tone that she hadn’t felt comfortable staying.

Luckily, Chunhua had woken up.

As long as she was okay, that was all that mattered.

“Xingshan, leave the buns for now. Reheat them tomorrow and take them to Qingyun and Qingfeng.”

“Okay,” Xingshan replied cheerfully.

The buns were delicious, but what mattered more was the restored relationship with his sister.

Knock knock knock—a series of knocks came from the door.

Qian Xingshan opened it and saw Qian Chunhua. “Sister!”

He turned around and called excitedly toward the house, “Mom! It’s sister!”

Qian’s mother beamed and rushed out to welcome her.

“Mom,” Qian Chunhua greeted with a smile.

Only then did she realize that she had left in such a hurry, she hadn’t brought anything to offer.

She had come empty-handed.

But the original host had always done that, so to the Qian family, it seemed completely normal.

“Chunhua.” Qian’s mother held her hand and led her to sit down in the hall.

She examined her daughter closely.

Once sure that she was truly okay, she smiled and said, “Just heard from Xingshan that you said you’d come visit.”

Qian Chunhua felt warmth in her heart at her mother’s affectionate smile. She knew they were worried about the emotional toll of Yongcai’s death.

She quickly reassured her, “Mom, I’m alright. I still have three kids. No matter what, I’ll pull myself together and raise them well.”

Qian’s mother nodded in relief.

Her daughter had taken a heavy blow—but thankfully, she was standing up strong.

Then Chunhua noticed the meat buns on the table had already gone cold. Her mother hadn’t touched them.

“Mom, why haven’t you eaten the buns?” Chunhua knew—it wasn’t because she wasn’t hungry.

Her mother was saving them, probably for her brother.

What she didn’t expect was that her mother actually intended to save them for her three kids.

Qian’s mother smiled, “I already had lunch. I’m saving them for dinner.”

Qian Chunhua didn’t believe that at all and turned her gaze to her brother.

Xingshan gave her a helpless smile.

Qian Chunhua said, “Mom, these buns are meant for you. Have Xingshan reheat them later and eat them while they’re warm. The kids have theirs too. I bought plenty.”

Qian’s mother opened her mouth, wanting to advise her daughter to be frugal—especially now that Yongcai was gone and money would be tight.

But then she thought better of it.

Their relationship had just started to thaw—nagging her daughter now would only upset her.

It could wait.

Qian Chunhua remembered the reason she came and asked, “Mom, did you deliver Qingyun when I gave birth to him?”

She remembered it had been her mother who helped with the delivery.

Qian’s mother was surprised. “Yes, Yongcai wasn’t around then. Your mother-in-law was busy boiling water in the kitchen, so I helped you deliver him.”

Qian Chunhua pressed, “Do you remember if Qingyun had any birthmarks when he was born?”

Her mother replied, “Yes, he had a red birthmark the size of a coin on the right side of his waist.”

Then she added curiously, “Why are you suddenly asking about this?”

Qian Chunhua paused.

If her suspicion was true and the eldest family had swapped the children, there would be a war between her and Li Cuihong.

With her maiden family’s support, it would be better than fighting alone.

At least they could help care for the three children.

Having made up her mind, she told her mother and brother about her suspicions.

“What?!” Qian Xingshan jumped up in anger.

Anyone in Huanghualing Village knew what kind of life Zhao Qingsong had.

Among the whole Zhao family, he was the one who suffered the most abuse.

If his sister’s suspicions were true, then Li Cuihong deserved to be cut into a thousand pieces.

Qian’s mother was more composed.

She thought deeply. “Chunhua, if your suspicion turns out true, how do you plan to handle it?”

Qian Chunhua honestly wanted to sever all ties with the Zhao family.

With the space in her possession, she could live a good life with the kids.

But in this era, breaking ties wasn’t easy.

The most she could achieve was separation.

That was fine too.

As long as she didn’t have to live with the eldest branch, she could do whatever she wanted.

But how should she punish Li Cuihong?

She had no idea.

“I want to go to the magistrate,” Chunhua said. Coming from a rule-of-law society, she was used to resolving things legally.

Qian’s mother shook her head. “Going to court should be the last resort. In Zhao family’s current state, Zhao Daqing won’t support you. He’ll rely on the eldest branch for old-age care.

Even if you report them, if Zhao Daqing says he was the one who made the decision to swap the children and that Yongcai knew but hid it from you, then the officials won’t convict Li Cuihong.”

Qian Chunhua’s mouth fell open. That’s possible?!

“So… we just let it go?”

Qian’s mother thought a moment. “First, confirm whether Qingsong is your child. Then, wait until there are clan elders present and get Li Cuihong to admit she switched the children.

Catch them off guard and nail her down on the matter.

But even if the Zhao clan elders decide to punish her, it won’t be severe. Their main concern is always maintaining family peace and stability.”

For a rural woman, Qian’s mother’s reasoning was impressively sharp and well-organized.

Qian Chunhua was deeply impressed.

Still, she couldn’t swallow this anger.

If she couldn’t go the official route, she would use her own methods to deal with Li Cuihong.

With her mind made up, Chunhua bid farewell and headed back home.

She couldn’t wait to fly back and check Zhao Qingsong’s body for the birthmark.

“Chunhua, don’t be impulsive. If you need help, come home,” her mother called loudly behind her.

Chunhua turned back with a smile. “Got it, Mom!”