Crossing Over to Yamada Love

"Madam, you've worked hard. Please lead your daughter-in-law upstairs to wash up," Master Xue called out after seeing that the maid had prepared the water.

"Let's go, Lan'er, let's wash up." Madam Xue led Mo Lan and Granny Bai to the field and washed up.

Mo Lan placed the remaining sticks at the edge of the field. She would need them in a couple of days to build trellises for the cucumbers, and she also needed to make some shorter ones to support the tomatoes.

After everything was tidied up, Third Master Xue, Madam Xue, and Xue Lingfeng went to the flower hall for tea, while Mo Lan went to arrange dinner.

For dinner, I made braised fish with vermicelli, tofu with scallions, cornbread, and millet porridge.

Seeing his wife, son, and daughter-in-law eating with gusto, Master Xue also felt his appetite return. That's how it is when everyone is eating well; it makes you want to eat too.

"Madam has a good appetite." Seeing that his wife had already eaten two cakes and was even taking a third, Master Xue couldn't help but speak up.

Madam Xue glanced at him and continued, "We've been cooking all afternoon, how could our appetites not be good? But sir, you seem to have only been watching and haven't even touched anything, how come you have such a good appetite?"

Hearing his wife's question, Third Master Xue laughed and said, "Seeing how much my wife is enjoying her food, I also feel a great appetite, so I ate a little more."

Xue Lingfeng and Mo Lan exchanged a glance. It was good that their in-laws got along like this. If their father could continue like this and come to the villa to keep their mother company often, it would be nice. They thought their mother would be happy about it.

After dinner, Mo Lan and Xue Lingfeng took their leave. Third Master Xue stayed to talk with his wife until she became sleepy, then he returned to his own courtyard. Actually, he wanted to stay, but since his wife didn't ask, he felt embarrassed to linger. How long had it been since he had shared a bed with his wife? His memory was a bit hazy, and he really couldn't remember.

The next day, Mo Lan did not take her mother-in-law out to dig for vegetables, because her father-in-law was there and she wanted them to spend more time together.

Early in the morning, while Madam Xue was watering the vegetables, Third Master Xue also came down to help. Seeing the two of them busy and having a great time, Mo Lan felt that this was a good start. It would be a good thing if her parents-in-law also liked this busy, simple, and fulfilling farm life.

And so, Third Master Xue settled down at the villa. These days, he helped Madam Xue and Mo Lan tend the vegetable garden every day. He even stopped being picky about food, eating whatever Mo Lan made.

After a week, he felt that his physical strength had improved, and he even laughed more often, which surprised him greatly.

Mo Lan noticed that her mother-in-law was smiling more often, and thought to herself: It seems that my mother-in-law isn't entirely heartless towards my father-in-law. I hope they can continue to get along like this.

That afternoon, Mo Lan returned to her parents' home because news came that her sister-in-law, Chen Shi, was pregnant.

Upon arriving at the Mo family, seeing Chen Shi blushing shyly yet looking happy, and seeing the smiling faces of the Mo family, Mo Lan felt a pang of sadness in her heart, wondering when she would be able to conceive.

After congratulating Chen, Mo Lan gave her many gifts. Although everyone was chatting happily, her smile didn't reach her eyes.

Just a few days ago, Doctor Qin took her pulse and gave her the same old explanation: her health had improved a lot, but getting pregnant was still a long shot!

"Girl, what's wrong?" Madam Wang noticed something was wrong with her granddaughter and asked her secretly when no one was around.

Seeing her grandmother's concerned expression, Mo Lan felt a pang of sadness, and tears almost welled up in her eyes. Not wanting her grandmother to worry, she shook her head.

How could Wang not understand her granddaughter? Something must have happened to her. What could it be? What could be troubling her?

"Girl, is there something wrong with your health? Did you catch a chill that time?" Madam Wang asked anxiously.

Mo Lan shook her head and sighed. Her grandmother had guessed it; she couldn't hide it anymore.

"Grandma, it's because I'm naturally prone to feeling cold; it's not really related to catching a chill that time," Mo Lan told the truth.

"What did the doctor say?"

"They say I have difficulty conceiving. If the heavens don't cooperate, I'm afraid I'll never be a mother in this lifetime." After saying this, Mo Lan couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

Mrs. Wang was stunned. How could this be? Seeing her granddaughter's miserable state, she pulled her into her arms and gently comforted her.

"Girl, how about we see another doctor?"

"It's no use. I've asked several doctors, and they all say the same thing. The doctor who's examining my pulse now is a gynecological expert." Mo Lan sobbed softly.

"What about the folk remedies? And how was that area treated before?" Wang asked persistently.

"Folk remedies? There don't seem to be any folk remedies. There were hospitals where I used to live, but they all conducted thorough examinations and treated patients based on their individual conditions. Some cases required the use of equipment to cure them. Even if I knew the technology, I couldn't do anything without it." Mo Lan stopped crying, but she had no solution for her illness.

Wang didn't quite understand, but she heard clearly that her granddaughter was saying there was no other way, no folk remedy.

"Girl, I've heard that some temples are very effective in granting wishes for children." Wang was in a hurry and, not knowing anything about medicine, thought of temples.

“Grandma, that’s all superstition. It’s impossible. They’re just using people’s desperation to swindle money from you. If you happen to get pregnant, they’ll say it’s their doing and make you pay. If you don’t, they’ll say you haven’t done enough good deeds. Whatever they say makes sense. I don’t believe in any of this.” Mo Lan shook her head and refused.

"What about your mother-in-law and Feng'er?" Wang asked with some concern.

“My mother-in-law and husband both know about it, but the Xue family doesn’t. My mother-in-law hasn’t said anything, nor has she mentioned taking a concubine. I guess she doesn’t want to put pressure on me,” Mo Lan said, feeling a pang of sadness.

One, two, or three years can be delayed, but if she still hasn't conceived after three years, her father-in-law and the Xue family will probably intervene, and there will likely be a lot of trouble then.

"Girl, why must Heaven make you suffer so much? My heart aches for you. Heaven, whatever punishment you have, take it out on this old woman. Just let my Lan girl give birth to a healthy baby. I'm willing to shorten my own lifespan..."

Just as Wang was saying this, Mo Lan covered her mouth to stop her from speaking. Mo Lan's eyes reddened, and she said, "Grandma, what are you doing? Lan'er would rather not have children than see you suffer. As long as you live a long and healthy life and stay by Lan'er's side, Lan'er will not complain even if we don't have children."

"Silly girl." Madam Wang hugged Mo Lan and tears streamed down her face.

"What's wrong? Lan'er, why did you make your grandma cry again? Your grandma's eyes are not good, don't make her cry all the time." Qiu Shi came in and saw this scene, and spoke up.

"Yes, I understand." Mo Lan took a handkerchief and wiped away Wang Shi's tears, then wiped her own eyes haphazardly.

"Mother, please sit down." Mo Lan hurriedly invited Qiu Shi to sit down.

Qiu grabbed Mo Lan's hand and asked, "Daughter, what's wrong?"

Mo Lan smiled and shook her head, saying, "It's nothing. I just talked about something sad, and that made my grandma cry."

Knowing her daughter was unwilling to talk about it, Qiu didn't press further and instead changed the subject, asking, "Daughter, you and your sister-in-law are getting married in just a few days. Your sister-in-law is pregnant now, what about you? Have you noticed anything? Has your mother-in-law been urging you to get married?"

Qiu had intended to change the subject, but her question touched on Mo Lan's sore spot. Mo Lan suppressed her grief and forced a smile, saying, "Not yet, Mother-in-law hasn't urged me. She said there's no rush, I can have it anytime."

“Daughter, your mother-in-law says there’s no rush, but we still need to hurry. Only by getting pregnant and having a baby can you gain a foothold in your husband’s family; otherwise, you’ll be at a disadvantage. Look…”

Before Qiu could finish speaking, Wang said in a deep voice, "Alright, that's enough."

Mrs. Qiu was taken aback. What was wrong with her mother-in-law? She had never treated her daughter-in-law like this before. What had she done to upset her mother-in-law? She hadn't said anything wrong, just told her daughter to have a baby soon. What was wrong with that? Why was her mother-in-law unhappy?

She looked at her daughter, hoping for a clue, but why did her daughter also have a strange expression? And what were they crying about just now? Her daughter-in-law was pregnant, which was the direct descendant and great-grandson of the Mo family—what a joyous occasion! Yet the mother-in-law and daughter were so heartbroken. Was it related to the daughter-in-law's health?

"Lan'er, you...you..." Qiu dared not speak or even think, for fear that if she spoke, it would be confirmed.

"Mother, don't panic, don't shout, don't make a fuss. It's nothing." Mo Lan hurriedly pulled Qiu Shi back.

"Lan'er, tell your mother, is your body the same as your aunt's?" Qiu finally asked.

Mo Lan paused for a moment, then nodded.

"Is it serious? Is it that you can't have children or something?" Qiu's face changed color as she pressed for an answer.

“It’s because I’m naturally cold-natured and have difficulty conceiving. It’s difficult, but there’s always a chance I might get pregnant,” Mo Lan replied to Qiu Shi.

Upon receiving the answer, Qiu felt deflated and lost all her energy.

"How could this happen? How could this happen?" Qiu muttered to herself. Suddenly, she stood up, grabbed Mo Lan's shoulder, and asked, "Have you seen a doctor? Have you taken any medicine?"

After asking the question, she sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed) dejectedly, saying, "I must be crazy. Why didn't you call a doctor? You've been taking medicine for days. I thought you were just taking care of your health. Who knew it would turn out like this? What terrible things have I done?"

At this point, she suddenly stood up again, staring intently at Mo Lan, her eyes red, and said, "Lan'er, it's all my fault. I must have committed some sin in my past life to punish you, making you born with a cold constitution. I'm so sorry."

After Qiu finished speaking, she hated herself so much that she raised her arm and slapped herself twice across the face, saying as she did so, "It's all your fault, it's all your fault that you ruined our daughter."

Before she could strike again, Mo Lan rushed forward and hugged her. She hadn't reacted in time; she hadn't expected her mother's reaction to be so intense, which had momentarily stunned her.

"Mother, Mother, please don't be like this. This has nothing to do with you. Aren't you making your daughter feel bad?" Mo Lan cried out, feeling both sad and heartbroken for Qiu Shi.

"My daughter, my poor daughter." Qiu hugged Mo Lan and cried. Wang also leaned against the kang and couldn't stop shedding tears. For a moment, everyone in the room was sad.