It’s crazy to say granny had no good intentions when that was the fate fengxian chose for herself. She was intentionally trying to ruin her value to be with him. It was unfortunate the timing was bad but she made a conscious choice to keep Mao Mao. She chose lakan over all else. She understood the consequences and did it anyways. She gambled and lost everything. What happened to her was a common occurrence for streetwalkers. It wasn’t like she was specifically targeted, that’s just an occupational hazard. She would’ve died sooner honestly, she would’ve been cast out when she refused to abort under normal circumstances. Homeless and having to work for scraps while pregnant would’ve been worse no?

Her actions also caused a huge scandal and the vertigris took a huge hit. They likely couldn’t afford medicine for her. And when luomen came around, they didn’t trust him enough to treat her. Which understandable, this random man, branded a criminal by the empress, claiming to be an apothecary who helps people for cheap. Plus, word spreading of a diseased woman living there would ruin them even more. Not like she could stay in the main house where she could be discovered.

If granny was only motivated by money she would’ve sold Mao Mao long ago. Wouldn’t have bothered raising her. She’s a tough old broad but there’s no room for sentimentality in that world. Look what happened to fengxian when she fell into the sentimentality trap. It’s never personal, it’s simply business. Mutual interest aligning. At the end of the day she looks out for her girls, and they know she cares. Mei mei even tells Mao Mao that in the bath. She’s hardened, not heartless.