Old Madam Wang handed Wang Nuannuan back to Qian Jinping without saying a word.
She collected the finished dishes and chopsticks, told the mother and child to rest well, then walked into the courtyard and said to Old Master Wang:
“Old man, take the second and third sons and go. Leave early and come back early. No need to go too far—just make sure the villagers can see you coming down from that side of the mountain.”
Old Master Wang nodded and left with Wang Erzhu.
While clearing the dishes, Zhao Shuqin spoke gently to Old Madam Wang:
“Mother, don’t you think our Nuannuan is a lucky girl? Jinping doesn’t have milk, and suddenly a nanny goat runs down from the mountain to bring milk for her.”
Zhang Xiuer chimed in from the side:
“That’s right. Jinping didn’t have much milk even before—back then Shengman had to share Shuqin’s milk with Shengyi. Now it’s perfect, we have a goat.”
Old Madam Wang’s eyes flickered slightly.
“Yes, our little Nuannuan is blessed. But this kind of thing should only be said at home—don’t talk nonsense about it outside.”
As she spoke, she subtly pointed upward.
Zhang Xiuer and Zhao Shuqin immediately grew serious. They understood—those in power were always wary of talk about spirits and supernatural things. If someone with ill intent heard it, who knew what trouble it might cause?
“Mother, we understand. Don’t worry,” they replied in unison.
Old Madam Wang felt reassured.
All three of her daughters-in-law were good women, not the kind to gossip outside. She cared deeply for them because of that.
However, the eldest daughter-in-law’s natal family was another matter. She would have to privately remind her not to let her family know.
As evening fell and the sun set, it was not yet farming season, so people ate early. Villagers were already gathering in small groups by the roadside stones, chatting idly.
At that moment, someone sharp-eyed spotted Old Master Wang coming down from the eastern mountain with his three sons, leading a nanny goat and three kids. Wang Dazhu was also carrying two bloodied wild rabbits.
The crowd immediately grew noisy.
After all, many people went up the mountain to hunt, but most came back empty-handed. Ordinary farmers rarely knew how to hunt.
Some experienced ones might catch a pheasant or rabbit occasionally—but no one had ever returned like the Wang family, bringing down four live goats.
“Uncle Wang, what a harvest you’ve got!” a simple-looking man grinned.
Old Master Wang looked up—it was Yang Lin from the front courtyard, someone close to their family.
“Yes,” he replied with a smile. “The third son’s wife just gave birth, so we thought we’d hunt some game to improve the meals.”
Someone muttered from the crowd:
“Who knows where they stole it from, claiming they hunted it. I’ve been to the back mountain so many times and never saw any goats.”
Another immediately snapped back:
“Ding Ergou, watch your mouth! With how lazy you are, who knows if you’ve even been to the mountain—you think you’d see anything?”
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
Old Master Wang simply smiled and looked toward his old friend, Old Wu.
“Old friend, come over for a meal tomorrow. We got lucky today—when we went up the mountain, we found a nest of goat kids. The mother goat was right there. If she hadn’t just given birth, she wouldn’t have been so easy to catch.”
Old Wu, with his square face, laughed.
“Alright, then I’ll shamelessly come freeload tomorrow. You haven’t eaten yet, right? Hurry home.”
Old Master Wang nodded. Wang Erzhu greeted his friends cheerfully, and the family headed back.
From afar, Old Madam Wang recognized her husband returning and quickly called the daughters-in-law to set the table inside the main hall.
The three grandsons rushed toward their grandfather, cheering:
“Grandpa caught goats! Grandpa caught goats!”
Old Madam Wang smiled warmly in the courtyard, but when they reached the gate, she paused slightly.
Not only was there a mother goat—but also three kids.
Without asking too much, she spoke with mild surprise:
“Oh! Old man, you really did well this time—you caught a whole nest of goats!”
Old Master Wang smiled and nodded, giving his wife an approving look. After so many years together, their understanding was perfect.
Wang Dazhu tossed the two rabbits beside the well, planning to clean them after dinner.
Wang Erzhu and Wang Sanzhu tied the goat near the vegetable patch.
Zhao Shuqin fetched a basin of water, mixed in some cool water, tested the temperature with her hand, and brought it over for the men to wash up.
The family gathered at the table. Wang Tiezhu checked on Qian Jinping and the baby, then closed the courtyard gate.
Wang Erzhu suddenly said excitedly:
“Mother, our Nuannuan really is a lucky girl! I’d say Third Brother’s daughter is truly a blessed child—she just arrived and already brought so many good things to our family.”
Old Madam Wang, Zhang Xiuer, and Zhao Shuqin all looked at the men in confusion.
Old Master Wang tapped the table lightly with his chopsticks and explained:
“When your second and third brothers and I went up the eastern mountain and circled back to our rear mountain, we met up with your elder brother.”
“As he was leading the goat up the mountain, three more kids ran out from the grass. They must belong to the same mother. Once he led the goat, the kids followed along.”
Hearing this, Old Madam Wang’s furrowed brows relaxed.
“That’s a good thing,” she said. “We’ll keep the mother goat to feed Nuannuan. When the three kids grow up, we can sell them. It just means more work later.”
Old Master Wang nodded.
“Alright, let’s eat first. It’s late—rest early after dinner. Tomorrow, the eldest and second sons should build a shelter for the goats, at least something to keep out the wind and rain.”
Though spring had begun, the nights were still cold.
After cleaning up, Old Madam Wang urged the children to go to bed, then shuffled off to prepare hot water for her husband.
When she entered the room with the foot-washing water, Old Master Wang was sitting on the heated kang bed, his eyes flickering with thought.
She placed the basin in front of him without speaking, took off her outer clothes, and began making the bed.
After washing his feet, Old Master Wang poured out the water, blew out the candle, and lay down. His eyes, however, remained bright in the darkness.
“Old man… do you think everything that happened today was just a coincidence?” Old Madam Wang finally asked.
After waiting a long time without an answer, she thought he had fallen asleep. Just as her thoughts began to wander, his voice sounded:
“Does it matter?”
She froze, then turned to look at her husband of decades.
Yes… did it matter?
No matter what, the child belonged to the Wang family. Some things simply weren’t that important.
And besides, signs of light often meant good fortune. Perhaps this little granddaughter of hers was even a fairy descended to the mortal world.
Old Madam Wang played out a whole story in her mind—and convinced herself of it.
Just then, Old Master Wang spoke again:
“The third son has always been thoughtful. He’ll speak properly with Jinping—there won’t be any problems.”
“The second son is quick-witted. He’s probably already suspicious. It won’t stay hidden forever.”
“Shuqin is timid but kind-hearted—no need to worry about her.”
He paused.
Old Madam Wang understood.
Among all of them, the one she worried about most was actually Xiuer—the one most like herself.
Xiuer was loyal to the family, but her natal family was unreliable. If she accidentally let something slip, it could cause real trouble.
Old Madam Wang patted his hand.
“I already spoke to Xiuer privately today. She understands things clearly—even better than the eldest. It’s just that her mouth is sometimes faster than her mind. We’ll just have to remind her often.”
She was about to say more when she heard soft snoring beside her.
She muttered inwardly—this old man fell asleep quickly—then pulled the blanket over herself and went to sleep as well.