Lin Family’s Lucky Treasure

The Holy Dynasty had only just emerged from the ravages of war. News of victory spread like wildfire, and the entire nation rejoiced. Everywhere, people were eager to rebuild what had been lost. Lin Family Village, however, nestled deep in the mountains and far from the heart of the conflict, had been spared the devastation of battle. The villagers lived in peaceful harmony.

"Will this weather never end?" grumbled Old Madam Wu, wife of the village chief, as she sat idly beneath the great tree at the village entrance with several other elderly women. "It hasn't rained all year! How are the crops supposed to survive? They're withering right before our eyes."

The Lin surname was common here—half the villagers bore it. Hearing Wu's complaint, Old Madam Lin chimed in, "Exactly! If this drought continues, there'll be no harvest. How are people supposed to live?"

Sighs and murmurs of agreement rose and fell among the group.

Old Madam Wu's sister-in-law, a younger woman from the Lin family, changed the subject, "By the way, sister, isn't it about time Third Son's wife gives birth? It's been months now."

This pregnancy was a precious one for the young Mrs. Lin—not just for her in-laws, but her own family in town, the wealthy Mengs, had been sending eggs, brown sugar, and chicken every day. The in-laws might be poor, but the maternal family had money to spare. And being the youngest daughter of the Mengs, many men in the village were green with envy—how much good fortune m