Chapter 51 A Worry

Chapter 51 A Worrying Matter

Jian Ru now understood the reason behind Madam Li's earlier hesitation.

Though Jian Ru had never personally witnessed the practice of taking a concubine, he had heard about it—how some wealthy men, in addition to their principal wives, would keep several concubines.

Zhang Jiao had once told him that this was called "enjoying the blessing of having multiple wives," a privilege only truly capable men could enjoy. She even mentioned that the Village Head in their village had almost taken a concubine, but his formidable wife, accompanied by her brothers, confronted the woman, scratching her face to ribbons and successfully scaring her away from ever entering their home.

Jian Ru had listened to the story but hadn't given it much thought.

Now, hearing his elder sister Jin Hui mention it, he was utterly astonished.

In any loving couple, how could there be room for a third person? How could anyone tolerate such an intrusion?

What’s more, this matter had been brought up by his sister-in-law herself to their mother-in-law. Jian Ru truly couldn’t fathom her reasoning.

Jin Hui, seeing his expression, knew exactly what he was thinking and explained, "Qing Lan wants Jin Feng to take a concubine so that he can have a child—a son or daughter."

Jian Ru hesitated, "Did... did Big Brother ask for this?"

Jin Hui shook her head, "Not at all! He doesn’t even know about it yet!"

Jian Ru was surprised, "Then what did Mother say?"

Jin Hui replied, "I was there when Qing Lan brought it up to Mother that day. Mother was furious and scolded her severely, saying that the Li family has no such tradition. She also accused Qing Lan of trying to manipulate her, using the concubine issue as a way to retreat while advancing, thereby shaming the Li family."

Her words were harsh, and even Jian Ru felt uncomfortable hearing them.

Sure enough, Jin Hui sighed and continued, "As soon as Qing Lan heard this, tears started pouring down her face. No matter how I tried to comfort her, it was no use. Her eyes were so red it was heartbreaking to see. She cried and said she had no ulterior motives—she just wanted Jin Feng to have an heir and not be held back by her. She said she’s been suffering every day, blaming herself for not being able to conceive and keep a child. She feels she can’t go on like this anymore."

"Seeing her like this, Mother’s anger subsided, and she spoke to her gently and comforted her," Jin Hui imitated her mother’s tone, "If a concubine enters the household, your husband will belong to two people. At night, he might not sleep with you but with someone else. Any child born will not be related to you by blood, and you won’t be able to enjoy the joys of raising a family. Do you really think such a life would be easier?"

Jian Ru nodded, feeling that his mother-in-law made a valid point.

"What did Sister-in-law say then?"

Jin Hui said, "She didn’t say much. After crying for a while, Mother told her to go back and think it over carefully, and to come back only after she’s made a decision."

Jian Ru frowned, sensing that his mother-in-law’s words carried an underlying meaning.

Jin Hui added, "Mother didn’t want me to tell you. She was afraid you’d worry and get upset before you’ve fully recovered. She also feels somewhat guilty, thinking that her usual careless remarks might have put too much pressure on Qing Lan, and she’s embarrassed to let you know. But I thought about it—in this family, aside from Jin He, you’re the only one Qing Lan can confide in. You don’t need to bring it up with her directly. If she wants to talk, she will; if not, just let it be. If she visits you in the courtyard these next few days, maybe just share something amusing to cheer her up."

Jian Ru agreed readily, "Alright, Big Sister, I understand."

Jin Hui looked at him and said, "You really have such a good nature—straightforward and honest." She sighed again, "Actually, Qing Lan wasn’t always like this. In the first couple of years after she married into the family, she was always cheerful. It’s just these past few years, with the pressure of not having children, that she’s changed. Mother sometimes speaks without thinking, and Qing Lan’s own family keeps pressuring her, never giving her peace of mind."

"Jin Feng, on the other hand, doesn't have any major flaws on the surface, but he’s not exactly considerate. My little brother has always been the type who needs to be nudged to take every step. He rarely takes initiative and often needs reminders."

Jin Hui shook her head, and Jian Ru sighed as well. For a moment, neither of them had any good solutions and could only sit facing each other, worrying.

The door creaked open, and Li Jintong entered with a plate of sliced muskmelons.

Jin Hui took it from him, "Little Brother, Xiao Ru, try these. I bought them yesterday from the old homestead. They were just harvesting the melons when I arrived, and the fragrance was so enticing I brought back several baskets—one for each courtyard around here."

Li Jintong pulled up a chair and sat down. The three of them chatted while eating the muskmelons.

Li Jintong asked his elder sister how the farming was going on her land. Jin Hui said the growing season had been good this year, and the crops were growing well. She just hoped that come July and August, it wouldn’t rain as heavily as last year.

Even though the Li family’s fields were on higher ground with plenty of sunlight, last year’s excessive rainfall had still reduced their harvest.

Remembering last year’s events, Jin Hui looked at the couple and said, "But if it hadn’t been for the heavy summer rain last year that caused the riverbank to wash out, and if Little Brother hadn’t accidentally fallen in, you two wouldn't have found such happiness together. In the end, it was a close call but everything turned out fine, a bad thing turned into a good one."

Jian Ru nodded in agreement, while Li Jintong fell quiet for a moment, as if lost in thought, before finally curving his lips into a slight smile.

After finishing the muskmelons, Li Jintong handed them cloths to wipe their hands and took the plate outside to clean up.

Jin Hui stood up and said to Jian Ru, "Well, I should be going now. You rest well indoors."

Jian Ru walked her to the door. Jin Hui turned back and waved, "No need to see me out. It’s just a few steps to my room. Don’t come out and catch a chill."

Jian Ru had no choice but to stay at the door, watching her leave.

After returning inside, Jian Ru sat down at the desk and pulled out a book to read, but for a long time, he didn’t turn a single page.

When the Second Young Master finished cleaning up and came back inside, he saw Jian Ru sitting at the desk, spacing out. He didn’t disturb him, instead quietly sitting beside him and picking up a book to flip through idly.

Jian Ru snapped out of his reverie and turned to look at him.

At that moment, the Second Young Master’s delicate brows were slightly lowered, his long, thick eyelashes casting fan-like shadows under his eyes. His smooth and silky hair fell softly against the nape of his neck.

Jian Ru couldn’t help but imagine—if this Second Young Master didn’t belong solely to him, he felt bitterness welling up in his heart, ready to pick a fight with anyone.

After a while, perhaps because his gaze was too intense, the Second Young Master became aware and looked up at him, smiling.

Jian Ru was so captivated by that smile that his heart fluttered with enchantment. He stood up and threw himself into the Second Young Master’s arms.

The Second Young Master quickly put down his book and opened his arms to catch him, letting Jian Ru sit sideways on his lap.

They held each other for a while, and even though Jian Ru felt hot, he didn’t let go.

Only when the bitterness in his heart had subsided did he straighten up and stroke the ends of the Second Young Master’s long hair, saying, "I want to bathe tonight."

The Second Young Master carefully examined the half of his face that was only ointment-covered, and said, "It’s better to wait a little longer, just to be safer."

Jian Ru didn’t say anything, just gazing at him imploringly.

After just a short moment of this, the Second Young Master relented helplessly, "Alright, but be careful not to get your face wet."

Only then did Jian Ru settle back against his shoulder again.

After a while, Jian Ru asked, "Did you hear what Big Sister said earlier?" Jin Hui hadn’t been worried about her little brother overhearing—through the thin door, he would have heard some of it. She was more worried about Xiao Ning in the courtyard hearing and spreading the story, which would invite ridicule.

The Second Young Master nodded, "Most of it."

Jian Ru was never one to beat around the bush. He asked, "From what Big Sister said, does Mother... have other thoughts about this?"

The Second Young Master frowned slightly and remained silent for a moment before saying, "Mother has her own ulterior motives."

He couldn’t speak ill of his elders, so he couldn’t elaborate further, but Jian Ru already understood the gist of it.

Madam Li had always been troubled by the fact that Big Brother and Sister-in-law had no children, worrying that they would have no one to care for them in their old age.

Initially, she hadn’t had any other ideas, but now that Sister-in-law had taken the initiative to suggest taking a concubine for Big Brother, if Sister-in-law ultimately decided to go through with it, Madam Li might not oppose it too strongly.

Jian Ru hadn’t spent much time with Big Brother and didn’t know him well, but he knew he wasn’t the type to be unfaithful. However, he also wasn’t particularly stubborn.

If both Madam Li and Li Qinglan insisted on him taking a concubine, Big Brother might very well give in.

Thinking of this, Jian Ru couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

The Second Young Master gently stroked his back and said, "I shouldn't really get involved in such matters, but if there's a chance, I'll have a word with Big Brother. There will always be a solution. Don’t worry about this, just focus on healing up."

Jian Ru nodded and hummed in agreement.

...

In the evening, Xiao Ning heated water. The Second Young Master insisted that Jian Ru not lift a finger, so he and Xiao Ning filled the bathtub little by little themselves.

Jin Hui often said that her younger brother didn't know the first thing about household chores, as Jian Ru usually took care of everything at home. But recently, the Second Young Master wouldn't let Jian Ru lift a finger—he had washed clothes, cooked porridge, and handled all the cleaning. In the days right after Jian Ru’s surgery, he had stayed up night after night to take care of him.

Jian Ru was afraid he would exhaust himself, but perhaps driven by determination, the Second Young Master pulled through without a hitch. Not only did he not fall ill, but with better sleep these past few days, he even looked better rested.

This time, the Second Young Master had Jian Ru bathe first so he could add hot water for him as needed.

After Jian Ru finished bathing, the Second Young Master didn’t change the water but used the same water for his own bath.

By the time the Second Young Master finished bathing, dried his hair, and returned to bed, Jian Ru was lying half-asleep on the sheets, wearing his cool, smooth vest, with the thin quilt covering only the lower half of his body.

The Second Young Master sat on the edge of the bed and asked softly, "Ready to sleep?"

Jian Ru shook his head. "Not yet."

The Second Young Master got up to pour a cup of water, tasted it to check the temperature, then brought a full cup to the bedside. But Jian Ru refused to sit up.

Unable to persuade him, the Second Young Master drank the water himself, then leaned down to share it with him mouth-to-mouth.

After drinking, the Second Young Master asked, "I’ll get a book. Which one would you like to read?"

Jian Ru replied, "No reading today."

This wasn't like him at all, as he was always eager to learn. Thinking he might still be dispirited about Big Brother and Sister-in-law’s situation, the Second Young Master studied his face and asked, "Shall I keep you company with some conversation?"

Jian Ru answered, "Alright."

The Second Young Master took off his shoes and climbed into bed, lifting a corner of the quilt to cover himself. But the moment he lifted it, he froze.

"Did you... forget to bring your pants?"

Jian Ru’s lower body was bare—the moment the quilt was lifted, the full curves of his buttocks came into view.

Jian Ru turned his head to look at him, his face flushed, and said, "I brought them."

Seeing the look in his eyes, the Second Young Master finally understood his meaning. His Adam’s apple visibly bobbed, and his voice grew slightly hoarse. "If we accidentally touch your face, it’ll hurt."

Jian Ru mumbled, "We’ll just be careful not to touch it."

The Second Young Master didn’t say yes, but his hand remained on the lifted quilt, and his gaze stayed fixed on what was beneath it.

Jian Ru’s eyes were shining with moisture. "It’s been too long... I want..."

The Second Young Master’s already shaky resolve shattered completely.