Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Despite Shen Yanlan’s tireless efforts day and night, my period continued to arrive on schedule over the following month.

A faint shadow of worry began to cloud his brow.

I suddenly recalled what my mother-in-law had said: if he couldn’t get me pregnant…

Then they would let other men from the clan try.

I walked into the courtyard, my soul feeling as though it had left my body.

A fine, misty rain fell onto my hair, carrying a biting chill. The ground was littered with fallen locust blossoms; their white petals were stained with dirt, leaving them almost unrecognizable.

An umbrella appeared over my head, shielding me from the rain.

Shen Yanlan’s voice was soft. “Huaiyi, don’t think about anything. Just leave everything to me.”

This time, I didn’t feel the usual sense of peace his words brought me.

I turned around and asked, “Shen Yanlan, is my greatest value to your family nothing more than continuing the bloodline?”

Shen Yanlan froze for a moment, his voice deepening. “Did someone say something to you?”

I remained silent.

His tone grew more urgent. “Huaiyi, there are things I’ve kept from you because I was afraid of scaring you-”

“What is the actual truth?” I looked up at him, the next words nearly impossible to voice. “If I can’t get pregnant, would you… would you let other men try?”

Shen Yanlan gritted his teeth, emphasizing every word.

“Even if I die, I will never let that happen!”

“But I’m afraid…” I whispered, my voice trembling.

He suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace, the cold rainwater from his chin dripping onto my shoulder.

I didn’t struggle. I simply stared at the crushed locust petals trampled into the mud.

If things didn’t change, that would be my fate as well.