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Among them were those with differing perspectives who chimed in.

"In my opinion, having a blood tie is better than not having one."

"At the very least, this child is from your husband's family line. I've seen many adoptive families end in divorce, with the child left to the mother while the man remarries and has children with someone else."

"In your case, at least your husband won't abandon you."

Wei Zhenjing knew that they were speaking the truth, so she nodded. "I've thought about that too. If nothing else had happened, I would have diligently raised the child. The moment I decided to take care of the child, I knew I had to take on that responsibility."

It was clear that Wei Zhenjing was indeed a responsible person. Raising a child was a laborious task, and she had originally been a fashionable urban woman, always well-dressed and meticulous about skincare and self-care. Now, she had become a haggard-looking housewife through sheer perseverance.

"However, what happened later changed my mind."

Someone curious asked, "What happened then?"

A pained expression appeared on Wei Zhenjing's worn-out face. "I discovered that my stepdaughter hated me and was targeting me."

"It started with meals. She'd say the food, which was perfectly fine, didn't taste right and needed to be redone. Or she'd claim the water was cold even when it was still warm, insisting on a fresh pot. For some unreasonable demands, I did feel uncomfortable, but I tried my best to fulfill them for the sake of the child."

"For this reason, I consulted professionals, who analyzed that my stepmother might be suffering from postpartum hormonal imbalance, coupled with the stress of my sibling's departure, which led to postpartum depression."

"I empathize with her feelings and have been extra cautious in taking care of her and the child. But then, I noticed that sometimes she looks at me with hatred. On occasions when I return after a busy day to find my husband happily chatting with the child and my stepmother, she would turn sullen the moment I appear, her eyes darkly piercing into me."

Every time Wei Zhenjing recalled those moments, she shuddered as if chilled by a venomous snake's gaze.

"The situation is much more complicated than I imagined. I can no longer endure my stepmother, and I'm also worried about future entanglements involving the child. Hence, I want to return the child and try to conceive on my own. If that fails, adoption would be my last resort."

As she spoke, a plea appeared in Wei Zhenjing's eyes as she turned to the girl sitting high above, exuding an otherworldly aura.

"On the show, Master was able to awaken a comatose child with a talisman. Could Master assist me? I truly desire a child of my own. I am willing to do any good deeds or donate any amount to have the chance to carry a pregnancy to term."

There were many such legends circulating among the people.

Couples unable to conceive would often pray to Buddha and, within a year or two, welcome both a son and a daughter into their lives.

Wei Zhenjing had prayed to countless deities, but none seemed to answer her prayers. After watching the show, she saw Chu Yuening as a living Buddha.

"No children? That can't be true."

Chu Yuening's fair face displayed a look of bewilderment as she calculated with her fingers, "You were born in winter, and your birth chart shows multiple combinations of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches associated with the Zi, Wu, Mǎo, and You palaces. Your Wealth Star is also quite strong. People with such a birth chart usually have abundant offspring. According to your destiny chart, you're destined to have two sons and a daughter. There shouldn't be any issues with your fertility."

Wei Zhenjing was stunned, taking a while before she could find her voice, "No problem... How is that possible?"

"I clearly heard the doctor say it directly to me, stating that the abortion damaged my uterus, making it impossible for me to have children in this life."

The neighbors were equally astonished.

"Ning Ning, what's really going on here?"

"Why would a doctor say she can't conceive when her birth chart indicates fertility?"

"Could it be that Ms. Wei didn't receive proper medical attention at the hospital, leading to a misdiagnosis?"

Wei Zhenjing shook her head, flustered, "I went to the best private hospital in Hong Kong, one that has treated many prominent officials and celebrities. The chance of a misdiagnosis there is very low."

"It indeed wasn't a misdiagnosis," Chu Yuening said, lifting her teacup to take a sip.

Wei Zhenjing felt inexplicably disheartened.

Deep down, she still hoped it was a misdiagnosis, leaving room for the possibility of conceiving a child.

"Because—"

Chu Yuening gazed at the green tea leaves in her cup and let out a cold chuckle.

"This entire thing was a setup from the start."

Her words sent the room into an uproar.

Wei Zhenjing's mind buzzed with confusion, her eyes losing all luster.

Putting down her teacup, Chu Yuening asked, "The doctor who treated you is your stepmother's classmate, right?"

Wei Zhenjing was astonished that the master had guessed this detail as well. She recovered from her shock and respectfully replied, "Yes."

"Beryl Hospital is one of Hong Kong's most renowned private hospitals with the best doctors, but it's also notoriously difficult to secure an appointment. Dealing with infertility is complicated, so I thought of going to Beryl Hospital, where they have the best technology. My stepmother then offered that she had a classmate working at Beryl Hospital, who happens to be an obstetrician and gynecologist."

Yet it was this very decision that cast her into the depths of hell.

After her infertility was confirmed, she felt like a sinner before her child-desiring father-in-law and husband, constantly on edge, fearful of offending him with any misstep.

Wei Zhenjing sensed something, her eyes widening abruptly as her heart pounded and her breath quickened. "Master... You mean the stepmother and the doctor conspired to deceive me?"

Chu Yuening nodded.

"Why... why?" Wei Zhenjing was utterly perplexed. "Why would they lie to me? What benefit do they gain from telling me I can't conceive? And in these past few years, I truly haven't been able to get pregnant."

Chu Yuening counted on her fingers, a faint chill creeping into her delicate brows. "Of course you couldn't conceive. You've been consuming meals laced with contraceptives sent by her every day. Even if you did become pregnant, the excessive medications would cause deformities in the child."

Contraceptives! Deformities!

Recalling her stepmother's venomous gaze, Wei Zhenjing's anger surged, her fingers clutching the bag containing the porcelain jar turning white.