"Quite the opposite," Gu Junzhu said, "Senior Master Wan only has one grandson, Wan Chong. Wan Chong’s mother and father were married, but Wan Chong’s mother was in poor health and passed away shortly after giving birth to Wan Chong. Wan Chong’s father then married a stepmother for Wan Chong, who gave birth to two younger sisters for him."

"Senior Master Wan is deeply influenced by patriarchal values, severely favoring sons over daughters, looking down on his two granddaughters and only pampering Wan Chong."

"Probably for this reason, Wan Chong’s stepmother felt very threatened. She always thought that the Wan family’s inheritance might all go to Wan Chong alone in the future, so Wan Chong’s stepmother urged Wan Chong’s father to get Wan Chong enrolled, to have Wan Chong serve the country."

Ye Xingbei was curious, "What kind of strange operation is this?"

"A self-clever operation," Gu Junzhu sneered, "Senior Master Wan loves Wan Chong dearly, Wan Chong’s stepmother wants to scheme against Wan Chong but finds no opportunity, she has no choice but to seek an alternative route."

"She knows Senior Master Wan admires those who serve the country, so she encouraged Wan Chong’s father to enroll Wan Chong, sending him off to serve the country."

"Her purpose is to send Wan Chong away, to have Wan Chong keep busy with ideals and career so that he can’t touch the Wan family’s inheritance."

"She is quite cunning, but she underestimated Wan Chong. She thought Wan Chong was a spoiled noble son, even if he went to serve the country, he would just idle away, accomplishing nothing."

"She didn’t expect Wan Chong to be very talented and soon be selected into the elite group."

"Recently, Wan Chong had the opportunity for promotion. Given his age, getting promoted once more would signify his promising future. When he reaches the age of Brother Ting and Brother Chuan, he might not achieve their accomplishments but certainly not far behind."

"When Senior Master Wan heard this news, he was overjoyed, treating Wan Chong as the pride of the Wan family, boasting to everyone, and inviting Wan Chong home for his sixty-fifth birthday celebration." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Wan Chong is very filial; he took leave to come home for Senior Master Wan’s birthday celebration."

"Wan Chong’s stepmother got pregnant, reportedly with a boy, five months into her pregnancy, and on the day of Senior Master Wan’s birthday, Wan Chong was intoxicated."

"Wan Chong’s stepmother deliberately provoked the intoxicated Wan Chong, and during their dispute, she intentionally fell down the stairs, leading to her child’s miscarriage."

Ye Xingbei frowned, "How can Wan Chong’s stepmother be so malicious? Is she jealous of Senior Master Wan favoring Wan Chong, afraid that if Wan Chong becomes successful in the future, Senior Master Wan would favor Wan Chong even more, right?"

Gu Junzhu nodded, "Yes, exactly that."

"But how could she bear it?" Ye Xingbei frowned and said, "Her unborn child was already five months old and a boy. Since Senior Master Wan favors sons over daughters, shouldn’t she be desperate to have a son to compete with Wan Chong over the inheritance? How could she bear to use her unborn child to frame Wan Chong?"

"Silly girl!" Gu Junzhu ruffled her hair, "She says it’s a boy, and you believe her?"

"..." Ye Xingbei widened her eyes, "You suspect Wan Chong’s stepmother is actually carrying a girl?"

"That’s the only explanation," Gu Junzhu said, "As you mentioned, Senior Master Wan favors sons over daughters, only loving his grandsons. Wan Chong’s stepmother would have to give birth to a son to compete with Wan Chong over the Wan family’s inheritance."