As soon as I opened my eyes in the morning, Wen Yuzhen had already brought breakfast to my bedside. A bowl of millet porridge that had been cooked until the rice oil was seeping out, two perfectly round poached eggs, and a small dish of her own pickled, crisp and delicious pickled vegetables.

"Mom, you can get up and eat by yourself." Su Wantang sat up in bed again, looking a little embarrassed.

"That won't do!" Wen Yuzhen placed the small table on her lap. "You're carrying two babies now, it's like someone is pregnant twice! You're precious, you can't get tired. Eat quickly, then lie down for a while."

Su Wantang couldn't refuse her, so she obediently picked up the spoon. She knew in her heart that her mother-in-law genuinely cared for her. This affection was heavy and warm, making her heart burn.

After finishing her meal, she wanted to get out of bed and walk around. Just as she put on her shoes, Wen Yuzhen brought over a basin of hot water.

"Come on, soak your feet in hot water to improve blood circulation."

Su Wantang was both amused and exasperated. She felt like she was being turned into a helpless person who couldn't take care of herself. But looking at her mother-in-law's weathered yet caring face, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.

This almost suffocating care, in the eyes of those with ulterior motives, takes on a different meaning.

Li Hongxia's family lived diagonally across from the Lu family's courtyard. Her husband was also a platoon leader in the regiment, but her life was far less comfortable than Su Wantang's. Her mother-in-law lived with them and was a formidable figure, managing everything inside and outside the home. She kept a close eye on her daughter-in-law, Li Hongxia, and would nag her for ages if she used even a little more coal or an extra kilowatt-hour of electricity.

She'd disliked Su Wantang for a long time. Why was it that while her husband was a regimental commander, she got to live in a small house with a yard? Why was she so beautiful, like someone from a magazine?

Li Hongxia had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Su Wantang's country mother-in-law. In her mind, what country mother-in-law wasn't a master at disciplining her daughter-in-law? She was sure Su Wantang, this pampered city girl, would be thoroughly disciplined! Then, she could enjoy the spectacle from behind the wall every day.

For several days in a row, the Lu family courtyard was quiet. There was no sound of arguing, not even a loud voice. Li Hongxia felt an itch in her heart, as if a cat's claws were scratching at her.

That afternoon, the weather cleared up for once. Li Hongxia made an excuse that she was out of soy sauce at home, and carrying an empty bowl, she headed to the Lu family's house. She wanted to see for herself what Su Wantang was up to.

She froze as soon as she reached the gate of the courtyard.

In the courtyard, Wen Yuzhen was squatting in front of a large wooden basin, washing clothes with great effort.

And what about Su Wantang?

She moved a chair and sat comfortably in the sun not far away, wrapped in a thick military overcoat, with a small blanket covering her knees. She held a knitting needle in her hand and was slowly knitting something, a serene smile on her face. The sunlight shone on her, making her seem to glow.

Li Hongxia's eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

When she looked again and saw the clothes floating in the wooden basin, she almost choked.

Inside, there were not only men's military uniforms and women's outer garments, but also... women's underwear and socks!

A mother-in-law actually washes her daughter-in-law's underwear?

This is unheard of! Is Su Wantang the Empress?

Just as Li Hongxia was too shocked to speak, Wen Yuzhen straightened up, rubbed her back, picked up the basin, splashed out the dirty water, and then scooped up clean water again.

She turned around, saw Su Wantang, and her face immediately lit up with a smile: "Wantang, are you cold? Would you like me to make you another cup of malted milk powder?"