Chapter 411: I Will Not Take a Concubine, No Matter the Reason

Chapter 411: I Will Not Take a Concubine, No Matter the Reason

Tang Shuyi understood Jianing’s feelings; if someone were persistently attempting to become a concubine to Xiao Huai, even if he wouldn’t agree to it, the situation would still be disgusting. Especially since Jianing and Xiao Yuchen had likely never discussed taking concubines.

Without Xiao Yuchen's agreement, and being nearly a year into the marriage without pregnancy, the distress caused by such circumstances was understandable. But to achieve a satisfactory resolution in any matter, there is a process, and the development of feelings between spouses is no exception.

Tang Shuyi decided not to interfere too much in this matter, letting the young couple resolve it themselves. If they couldn't, she would step in.

When Xiao Yuchen finished his duties, he heard that Jianing was in the World Peace Garden and went straight there. Tang Shuyi, Jianing, and Xiao Yuzhu were playing cards. Upon seeing him arrive, Cui Yun stood up to offer her seat, but he said, "No need, continue your game."

As he spoke, he sat down next to Jianing to assist her with her hand. Jianing turned and smiled at him, while Xiao Yuchen placed his hand under the table, holding hers. They said nothing, yet the air seemed filled with many a pink bubble.

Seeing the couple so, Tang Shuyi couldn’t help but laugh, and Xiao Yuzhu said to Xiao Yuchen, "Big brother, sister-in-law has lost a lot of silver."

Xiao Yuchen squeezed the soft hand in his and said, "No matter how much she loses, I will cover it."

This statement made both Xiao Yuzhu and Tang Shuyi laugh, and Jianing playfully scolded him with her eyes. Then, Xiao Yuzhu added, "What about what I lost?"

Xiao Yuchen replied, "I will cover your losses as well."

After the conversation, Xiao Huai returned and took a seat beside Tang Shuyi. They played for a while longer until dinner was ready, and the family moved to the dining room to eat together. Throughout the meal, neither Tang Shuyi nor Jianing mentioned the events of the day.

After dinner, when the children had left and returned to their chambers, Tang Shuyi finally spoke to Xiao Huai about the afternoon's events, adding, "Lan Feibai has made it to a second-rank official, clearly no simple feat. I hadn't expected such chaos in his inner court

Xiao Huai sat down beside her and said, "Living with wives and concubines will naturally not be peaceful, especially when his favored concubine is also his childhood sweetheart."

Tang Shuyi sighed, "Jianing and Yuchen shouldn't argue over this."

Xiao Huai put his arm around her shoulder, "The young couple will need to adjust to each other, you shouldn't worry too much."

Tang Shuyi looked at him with a smile, "It seems we didn't need much adjustment."

Xiao Huai replied, "I follow my wife's lead in everything, is there anything to adjust?"

Tang Shuyi chuckled, and Xiao Huai, with his arm still around her shoulder, joined in the laughter.

Breeze Garden

After her bath, Jianing sat on the couch, her hair being twisted into shape by one maid while another applied salves to her legs and feet. Yet amidst this pampering, a pensive look clouded her face.

Seeing her like this, her senior maid whispered, "Your Highness, the Heir's affection for you is deep. There's no need for worry."

Jianing remained silent. How could she not worry? Yet she knew such worries were futile. It wasn't just that Xiaoyu Chen hadn't promised never to take a concubine; even if he had, she could not rest easy. Who could foresee the future?

So, she thought, grasp what must be grasped and do what one must do.

Xiaoyu Chen returned to the bedroom after his bath to find such a scene: his wife reclined lazily on the couch, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall, a few strands clinging to her cheeks, adding a touch of allure to her delicate face. Her slender, porcelain-white legs extended from beneath her skirt, glowing faintly.

Her exquisite, fair feet rested on a maid's thigh, being coated with a milky balm fragranced with gardenia – a scent she favored, and he had grown accustomed to, but at that moment, it sent his blood racing.

With a gesture, he dismissed the maids attending her, leaving just the two of them. Xiaoyu Chen sat beside her, and as their eyes met, Jianing began to speak, but he silenced her with a kiss...

The kiss was fervent and lingering, their breaths growing ragged. Xiaoyu Chen's hand ventured beneath Jianing's skirt, caressing her smooth, slender waist. But as his hand moved upward, it was gently stayed.

Jianing's hand pressed lightly against his chest, pushing him away. Xiaoyu Chen's lips parted from hers, and he looked at her, breathing heavily.

"I have something to tell you," Jianing managed to say, her breath still uneven.

Xiaoyu Chen hummed in response, his lips seeking her neck again. Jianing pushed with a bit more force, "I really have something to say."

She sat up straight, and Xiaoyu Chen embraced her waist reluctantly, "Go ahead."

Jianing met his eyes, "You know of Lanshu Yu, right?"

Xiaoyu Chen looked confused, "I'm not aware."

Jianing clarified, "The illegitimate daughter of Lan Feibai from the Secretariat."

Xiaoyu Chen still didn't know who she was but nodded for Jianing to continue. She then revealed, "Lanshu Yu is now desperately trying to become your concubine."

Xiaoyu Chen was first stunned, then spoke with displeasure, "Has the Lan family brought this nuisance to you?"

Jianing nodded, recounting the afternoon's events. Though she tried to mask it, her eyes and tone betrayed her anxiety.

Xiaoyu Chen's heart clenched, his grip tightening around her. He looked into her eyes earnestly, "I will not take a concubine, not for any reason."

Upon hearing his words, Jianing's heart eased, enveloped in sweetness, tears gathering in her eyes. Xiaoyu Chen, seeing this, tenderly wiped away the tear at her eye corner, "It will always be just us two, like this."

Jia Ning nodded, wrapped her arms around Xiao Yuchen's neck, and her lips found his in a tender kiss…

…………

After leaving the Duke Dingguo's residence, Lady Lan turned her head to glance at Madam Rong being escorted by a burly maidservant, a smile on her face as she climbed into the carriage, while Concubine Rong was pushed into another.

As the carriage rattled on, Lady Lan’s face remained adorned with a triumphant smile. Seeing this, the nanny across from her said, "My lady, Madam Rong will not be able to turn the tables this time."

Yet Lady Lan replied, “It’s still not enough.”

The nanny’s face showed confusion, only to hear Lady Lan continue, “The Duchess of Dingguo and Princess Jia Ning are not meddlesome; a mere scandal like this, after a simple apology from the master to the Duke, might soon be forgotten. The old lady and the master have doted on them for so many years; after this blows over, their tears and pleas will likely bury the matter.”

The nanny's face showed concern, “But what if it doesn't?”

Lady Lan’s smile did not waver as she said, “We’ll stoke the flames. Let the third miss continue the ruckus. Later, send a message to the Marquess of Anyuan's mansion for Shu Ying to come and visit her tomorrow.”

The nanny nodded; the third young miss had always been jealous of the second, who had married into the Marquess of Anyuan's household. With the second miss’s visit tomorrow, there would be no need for words—the third miss would surely resume her antics.

However…

With a concerned tone, the nanny said, “What if the third miss causes a stir that angers the Duchess of Dingguo and Princess Jia Ning?”

Neither the Duchess of Dingguo nor Princess Jia Ning were figures to be trifled with.

A frown marred Lady Lan’s brow; she had plotted against Lan Shuyu, stirring her into a frenzy over a marriage proposal, but she had not anticipated that Lan Shuyu would set her sights on Xiao Yuchen, seeking to become his concubine. Had it been another household, she might have used the situation to her advantage, but she dared not meddle with the Duke Dingguo's household!

After pondering, she said, “Let nature take its course.”

After all, she had never intended to exploit the Duke Dingguo's household.