Lian Manman had already heard about the Chengdong Landlord Liu’s household from Yan Daopo more than once. According to Yan Daopo, Landlord Liu had one wife and four concubines. The original wife was nearing forty and had never given birth. In pursuit of offspring, Landlord Liu successively took four concubines.

As a result, all four concubines did become pregnant and gave birth, but all delivered baby girls.

This year was the first time Landlord Liu’s wife became pregnant, and according to Yan Daopo, Landlord Liu’s wife originally had no fate for sons; it was due to her sincere heart in seeking good deeds and with the help of Yan Daopo’s ritual and special childbearing medicine that she became pregnant. Moreover, ever since the day Landlord Liu’s wife was diagnosed with pregnancy, Yan Daopo confidently asserted that this pregnancy was sure to be a male.

And now, has Yan Daopo’s words truly been fulfilled?

Lian Manman couldn’t help but glance at Yan Daopo. She believed that the matter of Landlord Liu’s wife giving birth was true. Everyone lived in Prefecture City, and Yan Daopo wouldn’t dare to lie about such a matter.

"This old woman will surely have more to brag about in the future." Lian Manman thought silently, without showing any expression on her face.

Lady Zhang listened intently, and after hearing Yan Daopo’s words, she immediately started praying.

"A person’s fate throughout their life is destined by the heavens. However, if one sincerely seeks goodness and touches the heavens, then surely there will be a good reward." Lady Zhang remarked, "This is Madam Liu’s blessing, and you are also accumulating virtues and will surely receive goodness in the future."

"Ah, I’ve revealed too much of heaven’s secrets. I, this old woman, don’t expect any good rewards for myself; my life is just this fate, serving patrons and Bodhisattvas tirelessly and seeing kind-hearted people receive good rewards, which feels sweeter to me than receiving goodness myself..." Yan Daopo said, half-closing her eyes.

At this time, a little maid entered, reporting to Lian Manman that Headman Guo from Guo Family Village had arrived.

"He says there’s urgent business," the maid reported.

Since the maid reported inside, it was natural that Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang were not outside to handle matters. This kind of situation could only be handled by Lian Manman, and it wasn’t appropriate to bring Headman Guo to the backyard to discuss matters.

Lian Manman had no choice but to stand up.

"Mother, I’ll go to the front to take a look, I’ll be back shortly." Lian Manman said to Lady Zhang.

"Go on, dear, there’s nothing to worry about here." Lady Zhang replied.

"Oh, the young lady is capable, managing affairs at home, saving the madam from worries..." Yan Daopo quickly flattered from the side.

Lian Manman left Lady Zhang’s room, thought for a moment, then signaled to the accompanying maid, Shan Xi. Shan Xi understood and did not follow Lian Manman, but stayed at the door of Lady Zhang’s room.

"Why isn’t father at home?" Lian Manman asked the little maid as she walked towards the front.

"Reporting to the young lady, just now the shopkeeper from Shunde Store came, and father went out with him, saying he would be back later and did not let us report inside," the maid said.

It turns out Lian Shouxin had just gone out, and Wu Lang must have gone out earlier and hadn’t returned yet.

While Lian Manman headed to the front, Yan Daopo shuffled her seat a bit inside the room.

"...that big chubby boy was born fair and clean, and when weighed, he was seven pounds, with a tall stature..." Yan Daopo gestured while speaking to Lady Zhang, then purposefully or unintentionally glanced at the maids inside the room.

The topic of Landlord Liu’s household having a chubby baby boy was very much to Lady Zhang’s liking. Lady Zhang enjoyed listening to Yan Daopo’s words and saw Yan Daopo’s gaze. Lady Zhang knew that Yan Daopo feared Lian Manman’s authority, understanding that Lian Manman’s orders were upheld at home, and even the maids in Lady Zhang’s room listened to Lian Manman. Therefore, with these maids present, Yan Daopo dared not speak freely.

Lady Zhang gestured to the maids.

"Don’t stand here anymore, all of you go out. The weather is nice outside, take a walk and pick two pots of flowers to replace the arrangement." Lady Zhang said to the maids.

The maids agreed and left.

"Don’t feel constrained, come up here and sit with me." Lady Zhang sent the maids out and then invited Yan Daopo, "Come chat with me properly."

Yan Daopo hesitated a bit before moving closer to sit beside Lady Zhang.

"...My method for bearing sons is passed down from a celestial master and is not easily given to others. Countless bits of gold are donated here, many want to have a son. It’s not just about money; they need to do good deeds and accumulate blessings to have the fate for this celestial formula...and I need to perform the ritual, this ritual takes away several years of my life span. If the patron has blessings and the karma, they can slowly cultivate that lifespan back. Without that blessing, not only will they fail to have a son, but I can’t restore my lifespan either... it’s a lose-lose situation..."