"Oh, isn't this the very famous Madam An from Linjia Village? I heard you're incredibly strong, stronger than many men!" Granny Ma walked over carrying a basket and immediately spotted the woman carrying a load across the road.
"Look at you, what do you need so much strength for, a woman? You still have to go out and do chores."
"Instead of showing your face in public and earning such a pittance, it's better to have a son sooner so you can hold your head high!"
"Look at my daughter-in-law, she's about to give birth to a big, healthy grandson!"
Grandma Ma was very pleased with herself, as if she would soon get what she wanted.
Lin Anniang carefully examined the woman standing behind her. The woman's belly was already very large, but her face was extremely pale and bloodless. She looked very weak and did not look like a pregnant woman who was about to give birth.
The daughter-in-law didn't say anything, just stared blankly into the distance.
“Grandma Ma, you’re right, we really need a son. Do you know any traditional remedies?” Lin Anniang asked without changing her expression.
Granny Ma, on the other hand, was puzzled: "Isn't your husband dead? Are you trying to cheat on me? I told Granny Lin during the day to give you a good talking-to. You..."
"Shh, Granny Ma, please keep your voice down. The people here have bad tempers. What if they think you're too noisy and come over to beat you up?" Lin Anniang said sincerely.
Grandma Ma: "..."
"Listen to me, although my husband passed away recently, I became pregnant with his child several months ago. If you don't believe me, ask Grandma Gongsun from Linjia Village; she knows best!"
"This is my only chance in this life, so I have to try my best to have a son. Granny Ma, do you have any suggestions? I'll give you ten taels of silver as a reward, how about it?"
This morning, Lin Anniang sold all the jujube cakes and most of the wild vegetable boxes, earning only two taels of silver, which just made up for the previous eight taels of silver.
Granny Ma was taken aback: "Are you really willing to give me ten taels of silver as a reward?"
"Let me tell you, I won't easily reveal this method to others, otherwise, if everyone came to me begging, how could I possibly handle it?" she said proudly.
"Grandma Ma, don't worry, am I that kind of person? For the sake of my son whom I haven't even met, I have to keep this a secret!" Lin Anniang wrapped up the remaining two leek boxes and stuffed them into the other woman's arms.
"This is something I made myself. I'll fry it in oil when I get home, and it'll smell delicious!"
Seeing that she was so cooperative, Granny Ma put her worries aside and whispered, "If you really have this idea, then come with me to a courtyard later. I'll put in a good word for you and give you a chance to have a son too!"
"Let's get this straight, you have to give me ten taels of silver in advance, not a single coin less!"
Lin Anniang immediately stuffed another ten taels of silver into her hand.
On the other side, Old Lady Gongsun, who had already received the message from the Mountain Goddess, also came to several families who only had daughters.
She took out all the wooden carvings of mountain gods that Lin Xiu had carved and gave one to each of these farmers.
"Listen carefully, that's what you'll do when the time comes..."
Grandma Gongsun gave her instructions again and again, and the elderly people in these farming families were still somewhat tempted.
“Ancestor, we’ve heard about this too. It seems that as long as you believe in that Goddess of Fertility, you can really have a son. My older sister already has a grandson!”
An old woman whispered.
"Yes, Old Madam Gongsun, this Goddess of Fertility has brought sons to several nearby villages. How could she be an evil spirit?"
The third daughter-in-law of the Wu family was very tempted.
She's been married for almost two years and has only given birth to one daughter. Even now, she feels ashamed and envious of her sisters-in-law who all have sons.
Grandma Gongsun glanced at them and snorted coldly, "I had no idea that the villagers of Linjia Village were so biased, thinking that their daughters weren't their own flesh and blood?"
"What? So, does that mean I, an old lady, am no longer in charge of you?"
The old men shook their heads repeatedly, shaking them like rattles. Who would dare to go against Old Lady Gongsun? She was the ancestor of Linjia Village!
"We're about to face war and famine. You won't even be able to feed yourselves, yet you're still thinking about these things. I think you're just too well-fed!" The old woman banged her cane hard, making a loud thud.
"Don't you know that every pregnant woman who prayed to the Goddess of Fertility for a son died in childbirth?"
"If you don't want your lives, go ahead and try!"
Upon hearing this, Wu's third daughter-in-law, who had just been very tempted, shuddered.
Forget it, if this kind of desire for a child is exchanged for her own life, then she should still keep her daughter!
"It's good that you understand. This is a task assigned by the Mountain Goddess. The Mountain Goddess herself said that guy is a demon, so how could it be false?"
"If anyone is misled by those people, I will stand up for my second son and expel you all!"
Old Mrs. Gongsun's face was fierce.
"Alright, go and take a look around. Ask your older sisters and younger sisters how to sneak into those houses that offer children."
"If we complete this mission, the Mountain Goddess might bestow blessings upon us, or even teach us how to make other foods. We've weighed everything carefully; which one is the most important!"
…
county seat.
Lin Anniang successfully infiltrated Granny Ma's group and followed her toward the familiar courtyard.
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