21 Delivering by Cesarean Section (Three-in-One)

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Li's mother cherished her grandson, but only because of her affection extending from her love for her youngest son, whom she loved most of all. After a prolonged standoff between them, she finally conceded reluctantly, admitting, "I was the one who took him in."

Chu Yunli sneered, "After all, we've been mother- and daughter-in-law for years, so I know you well enough. Whether you admit it or not, I know it was you. Honestly, you bring in Li Hualin's illegitimate child to raise, and yet you expect me to forgive him? What a fantasy!"

"I sent him away!" For her son’s sake, Li’s mother was willing to give up her grandson. Her suspicions about Zhang Yingying had always been justified. How could she be certain that child was truly of Li blood, given Zhang’s dealings with multiple men?

The only reason she had taken the child in was that they had enough resources—food and care weren’t an issue. If the child really was her grandson and she hadn’t brought him home, leaving him to suffer outside, she feared she would regret it years later.

Now that Luo Meiniang wouldn’t accept him, she would consider herself as having no ties with the child. Whether he was of Li blood or not, he was treated as if he wasn’t.

Soon, Li’s mother convinced herself and immediately ordered her servant, "Take that child back to the Zhou family."

The servant hesitated, "What if the Zhou family kills the child…?"

Li’s mother snapped sharply, "That’s the child’s own fate. It’s not that I don’t want to keep him, it’s that others don’t want him. If anyone’s to blame, blame him for being born in Zhang Yingying’s womb—no one else."

Seeing her anger, the servant hurriedly obeyed.

Li’s mother wore a placating expression. "Meiniang, I’ve done as you asked; please don’t rush off to the magistrate, alright?"

Chu Yunli stroked her chin and nodded. "I won’t go today, but this day will come sooner or later. Tell me, with a son like this, do you feel proud?"

Li’s mother was speechless, utterly mortified—where in the world was the pride?

Chu Yunli continued on her own, "If Li Hualin remains locked up in prison, whenever people mention the Li family, they’ll think of him killing his wife, or that all the men in the Li family are lecherous, willing to murder their own wives for some outside fling… Just thinking about it makes me happy."

She laughed heartily and left.

Li’s mother’s complexion fluctuated wildly; she turned and happened to see her eldest daughter-in-law at the gate. "What are you doing here?" she asked, though what she truly wanted to know was how long she had been there and whether she had overheard those words from Luo Meiniang.

Even among biological siblings, no matter how close they had been in childhood, once married and with their own families, selfishness inevitably crept in. The Li family’s reputation had been dragged down by the youngest son’s misdeeds; it was obvious the eldest daughter-in-law would harbor resentment.

Li’s mother’s thoughts were correct. At this moment, Yang’s face was especially grim. She truly felt she had been cursed for eight generations to have such a troublesome brother-in-law as Li Hualin and a sister-in-law like Luo Meiniang who never relented when she was right. It wasn’t her fault, yet her own children were being implicated. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

"Mother, does Meiniang still refuse to forgive Second Brother?"

Li’s mother sighed, "Yes. Had I known she’d be so ruthless, I wouldn’t have agreed to this marriage back then—no matter what."

Yang cut her off impatiently, "Let’s not dwell on the past. Right now, the most important thing is to prevent Second Brother’s problems from affecting the children. Mother, you don’t want Guangzong or Yaozu to be unable to find wives, do you?"

Li’s mother nodded but looked troubled. "I’ve tried to persuade her many times, but Meiniang won’t budge."

"She has," Yang said, turning serious as she met her mother-in-law’s eyes. "Meiniang said that as long as Second Brother agrees to undergo a full abdominal surgery, she won’t pursue the matter further."

Li’s mother almost screamed, interrupting, "How can you be so cruel?"

Her face flushed with anger, she glared at Yang as if she wanted to devour her.

Yang remained calm. "Mother, I married into the Li family, so I’m one of you. Everything I do is for you and the children. Don’t be anxious. Let me explain slowly." She stepped forward to support her mother-in-law, leading her into the courtyard, and whispered, "Having a child by Caesarean is a huge drain on one’s health. Meiniang lost a child and had another surgery, and the midwife who operated on her almost killed her. Yet she survived. Second Brother is different—he’s a man with no child in his belly. If we bring him home, we can find a skilled doctor to operate on him." She paused seriously and looked at Li’s mother. "Mother, Second Brother will be fine."

Li’s mother was torn. Both her grandson and youngest son were her flesh and blood; she did not want the family’s reputation ruined because of her youngest son. Also, with him locked away in prison, the family’s business was suffering greatly and might not recover for years.

Only by bringing him home could the damage slowly dissipate.

She bit her lip in indecision. "Bring your father and Hualin back to discuss this together."

Performing a live abdominal surgery was cruel beyond measure—survival was nearly impossible. Even if the whole family gathered, no one dared to make such a decision.

As the atmosphere grew tense, hurried footsteps approached.

Li’s father, irritated, scolded, "Where’s the protocol? In such a hurry, one might think the Li family was falling apart."

The messenger, out of breath, gasped, "Second Young Master sent word—he wants to come out. He can't bear to stay in prison any longer."

Since the day before yesterday, the Li family had known that their attempts to send supplies to Li Hualin had been discovered and blocked by Luo Meiniang. They pitied Li Hualin’s situation but couldn’t get anything through. They planned to wait until Luo Meiniang’s watchfulness waned before trying again.

But now, he suddenly wanted to come out.

Li’s mother sprang up anxiously. "What happened to him?"

The messenger wiped sweat from his brow. "I don’t know. As soon as I heard, I came back to report. By the way, Second Young Master said he’d rather be cut open than stay in prison."

Hearing this, Yang brightened. "Father, Mother, this is Second Brother’s own choice!"

In truth, since Li Hualin had ruined the family, there was some resentment in their hearts. They scrambled to save him only because they feared his imprisonment would affect the family for decades. Li’s mother’s pity stemmed from his miserable state.

Thus, while Yang’s plan was bold and harsh, the family quietly accepted it.

The couple exchanged a glance. Li’s father asked, "What do you think?"

Tears streaming down her face, Li’s mother wiped them away. "He’s not just my son. You are the head of the family. You decide. Don’t ask me."

Li’s father sighed, "If I fetch him out, you’ll say I value business and reputation over my son’s life."

Li’s mother glared at him.

Upon realizing she had also decided, Li’s father stopped hesitating. "Prepare yourselves—we’re going to the Luo residence."

Chu Yunli, upon returning home, set aside her accounts to spend time with Luo’s father and the child. The three-month-old was already smiling brightly, and Luo’s father was teasing him happily. Just as the atmosphere grew warm, news arrived that the Li family had come.

Luo’s father snorted coldly. "What a buzzkill! Wave them off! Not seeing them!"

The Li family was determined to bring Li Hualin home and unwilling to leave quietly, so they hinted at their intentions.

Luo’s father looked surprised. "They really want to take Li Hualin back?"

That meant subjecting him to surgery!

The steward said, "That’s what Old Master Li said."

The father and daughter exchanged glances. Chu Yunli called the wet nurse to take the baby away and ordered, "Show them in!"

The Li family entered without preamble, stating their purpose directly.

Li’s mother remained silent; Li’s father spoke. Seeing Luo’s family unyielding, he gritted his teeth. "We will do as you say. Afterwards, I will follow your instructions."

Luo’s father’s expression was complex.

Chu Yunli emphasized, "This isn’t because I’m forcing you; it’s your own willingness."

"Yes!" Li’s father nodded earnestly. "It’s our choice—Li Hualin’s and ours. He did wrong and must be punished. No one else is to blame."

Chu Yunli smiled with satisfaction. "That’s more like it."

The adults, hearing that the two families were willing to reconcile, were especially disappointed. They had long known women would relent for the sake of children. Though disappointed, it was no surprise.

They grudgingly agreed to release him. With Luo Meiniang willing to forgive her husband’s faults, there was nothing else they could do.

After many days, seeing Li Hualin again, he was visibly thinner and disheveled. The sunlight outside prison stung his eyes when he first stepped out. Looking at Chu Yunli, his gaze was filled with hatred. "Luo Meiniang, you poisonous woman."

Chu Yunli arched a brow. "I was thinking whether to spare you, but after this, you’re ungrateful and even hate me. I guess I was fooling myself." She turned away. "Go back. Handle this yourselves."

Once on the carriage, she glanced back. "I’m too timid to watch. There will be blood everywhere. Of course, I’ll find a doctor to see how badly he’s hurt. If it’s not enough... I’ll send him back. I’ll say it again—if you don’t teach him properly, the law will. There’s plenty of time to deal with him."

As the carriage drove away, the Li family stood dumbfounded.

Li Hualin’s heart sank. "What did you say...?"

No one answered.

After several questions, Li’s mother vaguely conveyed Luo Meiniang’s condition: if he was to be cut open again, the old scar might ache painfully.

"I won’t!" he screamed, clutching his mother’s hand. "Mother, there must be another way. At worst, we can pay her off!"

Yang couldn’t stand his entitlement, the way he brought disaster to the family yet expected them to save him. She sneered, "Luo Meiniang hates you. She doesn’t want money."

Li Hualin was tired of his sister-in-law’s conduct and no longer feigned politeness. "You just didn’t offer enough! If a hundred taels won’t do, try a thousand, ten thousand. Luo Meiniang is a businesswoman—there’s no deal she won’t make if the price is right!"

Yang rolled her eyes inwardly. She wasn’t afraid the Li family would bankrupt themselves; even if the parents agreed, Li Huaping definitely wouldn’t.

"No," Li’s mother sighed, glancing at the bustling street and onlookers. "This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s return to the mansion."

The journey back was quiet. Li Hualin schemed how to convince the family to pay compensation. Yang sighed with relief; if things went well, the family business might not suffer too much. After the new year, everyone would forget this matter, and perhaps the child’s marriage would not be affected.

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Li’s father kept glancing at his youngest son. If the doctor really performed the surgery, who knew if he’d survive? Losing a child so young was heartbreaking. Li’s mother felt the same and cried all the way home.

The easiest was Li Huaping. With a chance to turn things around and decisions not being his, if his parents regretted it later, it wasn’t on him. As for brotherly love… It had worn thin since Li Hualin killed his wife and brought disaster upon the family.

As the elder brother, he couldn’t be too harsh. But he thought someone like Li Hualin, a killer, would strike again. No one could predict who’d be next. Whether their parents feared him or not, he was scared.

Each harbored their own thoughts as they returned to the Li estate. Li’s father pondered which doctor to hire or whether to bring a famous physician from another city. Then he heard his wife curse softly. He wanted to ask, but then a woman’s piercing sobs came from outside.

"Aunt, how could you send the child back? You’re pushing him to his doom… If the child dies, I won’t live either..."

Zhang Yingying clutched the swaddled baby, crying her heart out. "Linlang has only this one bloodline. How could you be so cruel?"

Did Li Hualin regret his actions? Naturally not. He only regretted not being ruthless enough to kill Luo Meiniang outright, which caused all these troubles and landed him in prison.

Of course, while imprisoned, he reflected and truly regretted it. He shouldn’t have hurt Luo Meiniang. At worst, he could have made peace with Zhang Yingying. Honestly, his violence wasn’t solely because of Zhang, but also because he was fed up with gossip. Yet, he blamed everything on Zhang now.

If she hadn’t seduced him, bore his child, and accepted a life without status beside him, he wouldn’t have struck. In his mind, the gentle woman who once made sacrifices was gone, replaced by the villain who ruined his life.

He threw back the curtain and froze.

They had known each other for two or three years. Each meeting, Zhang Yingying had appeared elegantly dressed, radiating innocence. Now she was disheveled and filthy, like a rural shrew.

Had she looked like this at first meeting, Li Hualin would never have fallen for her.

Zhang Yingying noticed movement in the carriage and looked up, astonished and then joyful. "You’re alright?"

Li Hualin lowered the curtain. "Take the child and go."

Zhang Yingying was incredulous. "This is our child! You promised to treat him well, to treat me well… Have you forgotten?"

"Get out!" Yang ordered sharply, then warned the elders, "If Meiniang finds out we’re sheltering her, even feeling a little soft, there’ll be trouble again."

She glanced meaningfully at Li Hualin, emphasizing, "Second Brother just got out."

Finally freed, they couldn’t afford to have him sent back.

The Li couple understood and stayed silent.

Zhang Yingying was dragged away, sprawled on the ground, losing all dignity. Li Hualin no longer felt any pity for her.

Back at home, Li’s father was determined to keep his promise but the choice of doctor caused a deadlock.

Li’s mother favored Doctor Zhang, but he was busy; a renowned physician, he had queues of patients and might not take such a case no matter the pay. The harshest was Doctor Yu, whom Yang wanted to hire—if the price was right, no one dared refuse him. He had once amputated a peasant’s leg to save his life but was known for his ruthless methods.

Li’s father wanted to invite a famous surgeon from afar, just in case.

The family argued endlessly. Li Hualin listened, heart sinking. He wasn’t sick! Could he survive such an operation? No one in his family wanted to help him recover; they only sought who would cut him open.

Surgery was a gamble with death. No matter who did it, the outcome was usually fatal.

"I won’t!" he suddenly stood and shouted, "Why won’t you fight for me? What if she forgives me after we pay?"

Li’s mother cried again.

Li’s father grew irritated. He had devoted himself to his son’s troubles, neglecting business. The month was more than halfway through, and shops were earning only a tenth of before. If this continued, they’d have to close. Yet the youngest son still accused him of negligence. If he really didn’t care, he could just have someone kill him to appease the Luo family and save the trouble.

Still, with his son near death, he suppressed his anger and patiently said, "I’ve tried many times with Luo’s family. The only way they’ll forgive you is if you suffer what Meiniang did."

"I don’t believe it." Li Hualin waved dismissively. "You haven’t talked seriously. I’ll go myself."

He ran off.

That was unacceptable.

After finally getting him out, if he roamed and angered the Luo family again, they’d refuse to forgive him and send him back to prison. That would ruin the Li family and their business.

Li’s father and brother chased after him, summoning guards to stop him. They caught him at the gate.

Li Hualin resisted fiercely, shouting that his parents wouldn’t spend money for him.

Li Huaping snapped, "Then you go hear Meiniang’s words in person and give up, alright?"

Li Hualin’s demand was to see Luo Meiniang plead for him. He calmed down and agreed quickly.

So, Chu Yunli, having just returned from the magistrate, awaited the Li family again.

Li’s father and son, wary of angering the Luo family, didn’t say they came to discuss Li Hualin’s fate. Instead, they claimed they came to apologize with humility.

Hearing this, Chu Yunli became interested. She did not invite them in but went out herself.

She stood outside the gate, looking down on the three Li family members and the two women nearby, finally fixing her gaze on Li Hualin. "Do you know your mistake?"

Li Hualin nodded quickly, forcing a smile. "Meiniang, the child is almost a hundred days old. As his father, I haven’t seen him much. May I see him?"

Seeing the father and son interact, Luo Meiniang might soften. After all, she had killed the child’s father, and the child would surely resent her when older. No normal woman wants such enmity with her son.

"No," Chu Yunli said with interest. "I’ve found another father for the child. You are our enemy. The child is too young to protect himself. How foolish would I be to entrust him to you?"

Li Hualin was speechless.

He cleared his throat. "Meiniang, during my time in prison, I thought a lot. I couldn’t eat or sleep well. I dreamed of us—our first meeting, our affection, my joy when we could be together. Every detail is vivid as if it happened yesterday." He knelt. "I truly regret it. I don’t dare ask for reconciliation. I only hope you’ll give me a chance to make amends."

Chu Yunli nodded. "If you survive the surgery and still want to make amends, I won’t refuse."

If he came with silver, she’d accept, but he wouldn’t escape her condition.

The pain Luo Meiniang endured must be shared!

Li Hualin grasped her meaning, deeply disappointed but unwilling to surrender. He pleaded again, "Meiniang, I truly regret it. I’m here to apologize. You can hit or scold me..."

"Really?" Chu Yunli interrupted happily. "I’ve wanted to beat you for a long time." She ordered the guards, "Beat him. Don’t hold back—injure or kill him, it’s on me."

The guards advanced with clubs.

Li Hualin was speechless.

"Meiniang, are you really so cruel?"

Chu Yunli retorted, "Weren’t you looking for a beating?"

Li Hualin could only mumble, "I hope you can forgive me."

Chu Yunli gestured, and the guards swarmed.

Li’s father tried to stop them but got hit twice. He soon noticed his eldest son was unharmed and instinctively ran in that direction.

The two stood nearby, watching the brutal beating. They couldn’t see Li Hualin’s condition, only hearing his agonized screams.

Nearby, Li’s mother cursed incessantly at Luo Meiniang’s cruelty and the Luo family’s coldness. Then she turned her fury on the father and eldest son, accusing Li’s father of heartlessness for not protecting his son. She even dragged Li Huaping into it.

Yang was indifferent to her mother-in-law’s curses but grew irritated when she began abusing the men.

"Mother, even a fool knows getting involved means getting beaten. The family relies on the child’s father now; he’s staying away for us," Yang snapped.

"Nonsense!" Li’s mother, furious, never held back against her daughter-in-law. "He’s just a coward afraid to die."

Yang, fed up, retorted, "If you’re not afraid, you go protect him then!"

The words almost choked Li’s mother.

Yang went further, "Honestly, we shouldn’t have come today. It’s self-humiliation. The surgery alone was enough. A good doctor would have a good chance of saving him. Now, injured so badly, he might kill himself without surgery."

Tears fell from Li’s mother as she accused, "How dare you treat me like this? Is this how the Yang family teaches their daughters to honor elders?"

Yang was exasperated. "If you can’t stand it, divorce me. My family has good values—no one kills their spouse!"

Her last words were a pointed insult.

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Li’s mother’s lips trembled with anger.

While the two women argued, Li Hualin’s screams grew louder, turning to pleas. When begging failed, he began cursing.

Chu Yunli was about to stop, but hearing him curse made her pause.

When the guards dispersed, Li Hualin lay covered in blood, bruised blue and purple, like a puddle of mud, unable to move. Without the Li family witnessing it, no one would recognize him.

Chu Yunli clapped her hands. "No reconciliation. If you dare come again, I’ll beat you again. Of course, you can sue me—I’m ready to face court."

The Li family was speechless.

They feared Luo’s family suing them and dared not go near the magistrate.

As Li Hualin was lifted onto the carriage, despair filled his heart.

At that moment, he truly regretted everything.

If he hadn’t provoked Luo Meiniang, they would still be married. Though gossiped about, he wouldn’t be beaten or seriously injured. No one would be waiting to cut him open.

Li’s father sighed, "With injuries like this, even a skilled doctor might not save your life."

Li Hualin was stunned. "So I’m just waiting to die?"

He grabbed his father’s robe. "Father, I don’t want to die. Please take me away!"

Exhausted and in pain, he felt near death.

Li’s father looked at him with pity. "Hualin, blame me for not educating you well. I thought the business would be in your brother’s hands and wasn’t strict with you. It’s my fault. Next life, choose your parents carefully—don’t be like me."

Li Hualin gasped in anger.

So even his father thought he was dying soon?

How could a father watch his child die so coldly?

He wondered and asked, "You say I’m spoiled, but I couldn’t kill my own child... I hurt Meiniang and left a child behind..."

Li’s father looked guilty; his face softened.

For Li Huaping, this was a bad sign. If his father softened, he might plead for Second Brother again, causing more trouble. What if they angered the Luo family?

He sneered, "Hualin, you think you’re kind? If so, you wouldn’t harm your wife. And if I’m not mistaken, the Luo family has branches in the city. You kept the child not out of love, but because without Luo blood, you couldn’t inherit the entire business. Am I right?"

Li Hualin panted, "No."

Li Huaping insisted, "Yes, it’s true! Father, Uncle Luo treated him like his own. Sister-in-law trusted him with the business, just like us with her. Yet he fathered an illegitimate child and wanted to cut off the family line. He’s not worth saving."

Seeing his father’s grim face, he softened. "Still, if Hualin survives, he won’t be allowed in the mansion. One, he’ll harm business; two, I don’t want to live with such a man. We’ll buy a countryside estate and keep him there."

Li Hualin’s heart sank deeper.

Even if he lived, he’d be confined to a villa in the suburbs. Only slightly better than prison. What was the point of this struggle?

Prison life was harsh—bad food, no bedding, damp and foul-smelling, rats and insects everywhere. Once, a rat even crawled on his face—disgusting, but at least he wasn’t in danger of dying. Coming out, being cut open, then sent to recuperate in a separate house—was this just to clear the family’s name?

What if he died?

At least dying outside wouldn’t carry the stigma of killing his wife. But if one is about to die, who cares where or how? What will people say after?

He didn’t want to die.

Li Hualin closed his eyes and fainted from pain. When he woke, he was back in a familiar courtyard.

This was where he had lived, even stayed briefly after marriage. Everything looked the same.

His eyes scanned around and quickly noticed something wrong. Four guards stood at the door, two by the bed, others patrolled outside. They were treating him like a prisoner.

He urgently needed to urinate and moved slightly, pain shooting through his body. Even this small noise caught the guards’ attention.

"Second Young Master, you’re awake?"

He was desperate, about to wet himself. Before he could speak, the man ran out, and another followed him to the door.

Luckily, a guard came to help him clean up. "Second Young Master, the master brought a doctor from afar—a surgeon who once operated on a pig. The pig survived…"

Li Hualin was incredulous. "A doctor for humans or pigs?"

He was not a pig!

In truth, his father’s intentions were sincere, but it did little to comfort him.

The family arrived quickly. Li’s mother began crying even before entering. Seeing this, Li Hualin’s heart sank further.

"Mother, I don’t want to be cut open."

Li’s mother wept louder and ran out.

Yang hurried to support her. "Mother, don’t be too upset. When you do wrong, you must be punished. Think of Second Brother as paying with his life."

The words rang in Li Hualin’s ears, fueling his anger.

A doctor came to change his bandages, causing intense pain. His vision darkened, but he dared not faint. His family had accepted he might die. He feared that if he lost consciousness, he might never wake.

People say distracting oneself eases pain. Li Hualin asked casually, "Is Yao Qiushan really Father’s son?"

Li’s father was exasperated. That unlucky son always hit a sore spot.

Hearing this, Li’s mother, who had been avoiding him, rushed in crying. "Who knows? The Yao family insists he’s your father’s blood. You don’t believe it but can’t let go."

Though she spoke to the youngest son, she meant for the eldest to hear. She had never had a chance to say it until now.

Li’s father denied it.

But Li’s mother didn’t believe him, accusing him again and mentioning his secret inquiries about which clerk the magistrate had assigned to audit accounts.

She questioned, "The Yao family stole from us like rats and should return it. If you don’t want to save him, why ask these things? That woman fooled you, yet you follow her like a fool…"

"Smack!"

A sharp slap rang out—Li’s father had lost patience and struck her.

Li’s mother reacted with wails and shouts, "How dare you hit me? Do you think you’re right? You keep a woman and child on the side, thinking you’re a big man? If my father were alive, he wouldn’t let you get away! He’d come at night to seek justice for me…"

Li’s father was overwhelmed. What nonsense was this?

Li Hualin regretted bringing this up. Already in pain, the noise made his head ache more. His vision blurred; he bit his tongue to stay conscious.

"The doctor’s here."

Hearing that, Li Hualin suddenly snapped alert and opened his eyes. He faintly saw a plump doctor carrying a medicine box, holding a gleaming sharp knife—bigger and sharper than the one he had handed the midwife!

If not for the medicine box, the man looked more like a butcher.

Li Hualin’s eyes widened; he tried to speak, "Let him go, let him go..."

His voice grew louder; though unable to move, he wriggled on the bed.

Li’s father gritted his teeth. "Tie him down."

Li Hualin was stunned. "Do you think I’m a pig?"

"I don’t want to!" he struggled. "Father, I don’t want to die… Even tigers don’t eat their young… Don’t do this to me. I know I was wrong, really wrong… I regret it. I’ll be good from now on..."

Tears streamed down his face.

Li’s father was speechless. "I’m just letting the doctor see if you can survive. I tied you up because you might thrash around."

Li Hualin muttered, "Liar!"

Author’s note: Leave a comment on this chapter to receive a red envelope~ The next chapter will have one too~ This story is nearing its end. Thanks to all the angels who voted with king’s tickets or watered me with energy between 2022-02-28 11:02:15 and 2022-02-28 23:57:50~

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