AWB Chapter 74 Being a concubine
Chapter 74 Being a concubine
This question... Xie Jing frowned slightly; he really didn't know the answer.
His mother was the only woman he knew who could get close to his father, but the two were not very intimate.
He was really unsure about this matter.
Xie Jing was rarely stumped by a question and remained silent for a moment.
“Of course Father likes Mother,” Xie Jingchun interjected.
Xie Jing and Xie Jue turned to look at him at the same time.
"Why do you say that?" Xie Jing asked, puzzled.
As a child, he naturally hopes that his parents have a good relationship, but he will not deceive himself.
Seeing the distrust in his second brother's eyes, Xie Jingchun's voice became a little more urgent, "I saw it with my own eyes."
“You two weren’t at the poetry gathering at the Prince Qi’s mansion that day. I saw with my own eyes that Father and Mother were hugging each other tightly, and Father was even comforting Mother.”
Xie Jingchun's eyes lit up, and her voice was excited: "This is the first time I've seen my father so gentle. This must be because he likes me."
"Does liking someone mean you'll hug them?" Xie Jue asked, blinking.
"Of course," Xie Jing replied affirmatively.
Upon hearing this, Xie Jue moved closer to him and said, "Then, Second Brother, give me a hug."
He wanted to see if his second brother liked him.
"Third brother, we don't have the same relationship as Father and Mother." Xie Jing turned aside, avoiding Xie Jue's approach.
He wouldn't hug a snotty-nosed little boy.
Seeing Xie Jing's resistance, Xie Jue sniffed, feeling a little wronged; his second brother didn't like him...
Seeing his mentally challenged younger brother like this, Xie Jingchun opened his arms to him and said, "Don't cry, I'll hug you."
Xie Jue chuckled twice and then leaped into his arms.
Nan Nan stood behind them and couldn't help but laugh.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the main courtyard...
"Madam, Miss Qiu has arrived," Kang Mama announced.
Lady Hou was already preparing to wash up and go to bed when she heard this, and her brows furrowed slightly. Why was she here so late at night?
But she still calmly instructed, "Let her in."
When Qiu Yueli was brought in by Granny Kang, her eyes immediately turned red upon seeing the Lady Hou.
This was the first time Lady Hou had seen Qiu Yueli like this. "Yueli, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
“Aunt…” Qiu Yueli sat down at the table and, sobbing, told Madam Hou about the two things that had happened that day.
Lady Hou pursed her lips upon hearing this. Although she had high hopes for Qiu Yueli, this outcome was within her expectations.
If Xie Yanli were really so easily moved, he wouldn't have waited until this year to get married.
Moreover, Xie Yanli's marriage to Qin Jiuwei was not of his own volition; it was only completed under duress from the old lady.
"Aunt, what should I do now?"
This was the first time Qiu Yueli had ever been treated so coldly by a man, and she was truly at her wit's end.
But she really couldn't bear to give up Xie Shizi like that.
She wanted to stay by his side... no matter what.
"Originally, I thought that if you could win Yanli's favor, and with his permission, plus my persuasion, it wouldn't be difficult to marry you into the family as a secondary wife."
Lady Hou pursed her lips. "But now... if Yue Li still wants to marry Yan Li, she can only become a concubine, but becoming a concubine is really a disservice to you."
To be a concubine...
Qiu Yueli's heart trembled. Although she was prepared, she still couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness upon hearing those two words.
With her looks and talent, she came to the capital to marry into a high-ranking family and become the mistress of the house, but now she can only be a concubine...
But she simply couldn't let go of Prince Xie.
Qiu Yueli bit her lip, hardened her heart, and said, "Aunt, I am willing to be a concubine!"
As long as she can stay by Xie Shizi's side, he will definitely develop feelings for her over time.
At that time, she can still be elevated to the status of a secondary wife.
Or perhaps, she will become his only wife...
The following day, Yi'an Temple.
"Greetings to the old lady."
Lady Hou came to Old Madam Xie's courtyard early in the morning.
If the old lady wants to arrange for Xie Yanli to take a concubine, she will have to speak up.
Madam Xie put down the porcelain spoon she was using to drink soup and said with a smile, "You've come. Is there something you need?"
Although Lady Hou was sometimes a bit confused, she was still quite intelligent and managed the household affairs well.
Therefore, Madam Xie's attitude towards Madam Hou was still kind.
Lady Hou sat down next to Old Madam Xie. "My daughter-in-law has come this time because of Yanli."
"For the sake of inkstone gifts? What could possibly be wrong with inkstone gifts?" Old Madam Xie frowned.
Lady Hou sighed, "Now Yanli's three adopted sons are growing up and are all sensible and obedient children, but they are not his biological children after all."
She said earnestly, "Yanli is the eldest son of the Marquis's family and will inherit the title of Marquis in the future. What will happen to the title of Marquis if he doesn't have his own children?"
Madam Xie nodded. "I know everything you're saying, which is why I urged Yanli to get married as soon as possible."
"Jiuwei is not only outstanding in appearance, but also handles things perfectly." When mentioning this granddaughter-in-law, Madam Xie's expression was full of satisfaction.
"Look at how well she manages Qinglan Courtyard now, and how well she takes care of her three children. There's really nothing wrong with her."
“That’s true,” Madam Hou pursed her lips, “but Madam, do you know that Yanli and Jiuwei have only shared a room once so far…”
After saying that, she sighed heavily, "I don't know when you'll be able to hold your great-grandchild."
"Ke Yanli, you know your own temperament." Old Madam Xie couldn't help but shake her head secretly.
Lady Hou immediately chimed in, "That's exactly why we need to surround Yanli with more women; who knows, he might just fall for one of them."
"You mean..." Old Madam Xie paused, "...you don't mean you want Yanli to take a concubine, do you?"
Lady Hou nodded slightly. "The more women there are in Yanli Courtyard, the greater the chance of having a child. Moreover, it is quite common for men to have three wives and four concubines."
After listening, Madam Xie felt that there was indeed some truth to it.
Yanli is a promising child, and she naturally hopes that he will have many children.
Moreover, Yanli was not interested in women, so it was naturally not enough for him to have only Jiuwei in his harem.
The two have only shared a room once in all this time, so it seems that Yanli doesn't really like Jiuwei. Otherwise, if some new people came along, he might have met someone he liked.
Now that Yanli has accepted marriage, it shouldn't be difficult for him to take a concubine.
"Do you have someone in mind? Or should you choose one from among the maids of Qinglan Courtyard?"
Lady Hou chuckled and said, "Indeed, someone has been chosen, but not as a maid, but as my niece, Qiu Yueli."
Upon hearing this name, Madam Xie quickly remembered it.
That girl was a very nice girl, and she had a very good impression of her, but...
"Is she willing to be just a concubine?" Old Madam Xie couldn't help but ask.
Lady Hou nodded, "Of course she's willing. I've already asked her about it."
Madam Xie nodded, "As long as the child is willing."
After pondering for a moment with her eyes lowered, Madam Xie continued, "However, we should still ask Jiuwei for his opinion on this matter."
After all, the two had been married for less than two months, and the elders in the family were already arranging for Yanli to take a concubine. It was really not a good thing to talk about it.
Madam Xie instructed, "Go and summon the young mistress. Tell her I have something to ask her."