Zhao Qianci narrowed his eyes slightly, but what he was thinking was...

"Wang Xiucai, Wang Xiucai, what a waste that you are a scholar."

Regardless of good or bad, you should at least be someone who can explain things clearly.

But here they are, trying to outsmart me.

Don't tell me you forgot to mention it, or that you're sorry. If I ever believe your nonsense again, I'll change my surname.

Why didn't you tell me sooner? I've already informed the women in my family.

My family already has some ideas, and you're trying to get us to accept it slowly? Do you think I'll agree to your family's plans for a celebratory wedding?

Seeing that Zhao Qianci remained silent, Wang Xiucai felt a little embarrassed, realizing that he might have been a bit unkind.

But what I was really thinking was...

"Why is this old man acting so unpredictably? You should say you sympathize with his plight and that everything he does is out of filial piety."

Zhao Qianci, disregarding what Wang Xiucai thought, cursed Wang Xiucai in his heart and said sadly:

"To my shame, the Zhao family is dominated by women. In the Zhao family, the one who can make decisions has never been a man."

Including myself. What I eat and drink every day, even coming here to read, is all decided by my wife.

I did mention this yesterday, but my wife said there was no rush.

The two children need to meet and get to know each other better before they can meet.

My Zhao family is not unable to support our daughter; for her to get married is like being reincarnated a second time.

If I make the wrong choice, I might have to get a divorce, which is too much trouble.

There's another sentence below: if the other party doesn't cooperate, then she'll have no choice but to remain a widow.

Zhao Qianci hesitated to say the following, not wanting to frighten Wang Xiucai.

Next year, when I go to take the preliminary examination, I'll still need Wang Xiucai to vouch for me.

At this moment, Zhao Qianci believed himself to be an extremely kind person, since he hadn't even tried to scare Wang Xiucai.

Wang Xiucai didn't know how to describe Zhao Qianci.

"The thought processes of the Zhao family are truly different from ordinary people."

Normally, which man, regardless of age, would attend a private school? This henpecked husband actually has the nerve to say it so openly.

Wow, I've never seen anything like this before.

I wonder if my nephew, if he were to actually marry this Zhao family girl, would be able to tame her?

Wang Xiucai's inner thoughts were quite active.

But there was nothing he could do; the eldest daughter of the Zhao family was the one he considered the best match for his nephew in terms of family background and age.

Putting aside everything else, just consider the accounting skills of the eldest daughter of the Zhao family, which are unmatched by many men.

Thinking of this, Scholar Wang quickly spoke up.

"Uncle Zhao, why don't you go home and talk to your aunt, and see when it's a good day for us to arrange for the two children to meet?"

If the two children hit it off, we can finalize the matter.

In any case, our two families know each other quite well.

Zhao Qianci stroked his beard.

"Alright, I'll talk to my old woman about it when I get back tonight."

I also don't know how your stepbrother's family makes a living.

"I must make one thing clear: a son-in-law of the Zhao family is not allowed to take concubines."

"What, no, Uncle Zhao, it has always been normal for men to have three wives and four concubines."

"Aren't you afraid people will say that the Zhao family's daughters are jealous?" Wang Xiucai was very puzzled.

Zhao Qianci laughed heartily.

"When you close the door, you're living your own life. Even if you care about what others say,..."

Will people give you a load of rice when you have no food, or a jar of water when you are thirsty?

Life is your own; only you know whether you're comfortable or not.

Why don't you ask your wife if she would be truly happy if you took a concubine?

If she answers that she is willing, then...

There are two reasons for this: firstly, I depend on you for a living and am afraid of being rejected by you, so I have to compromise myself; secondly, I no longer care about you.

It's said that it's normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines, but who knows that having multiple wives and concubines is the root of family chaos?

Wang Xiucai never expected Zhao Qianci to say such unorthodox things.

"This, this..." He stammered for a long time without getting to the bottom of it.

"Mr. Wang, you should go back and ask your nephew what he thinks."

If he can accept never taking a concubine in this life and is willing to swear a solemn oath before marriage,

My daughter, Zhao, may consider him; otherwise, please refrain from further discussion and avoid unnecessary trouble.

After saying that, she reminded Mr. Wang that it was time to go back to teaching.

Mr. Wang made frequent mistakes while teaching today, his mind replaying Zhao Qianci's remarks such as "Zhao family sons-in-law are not allowed to take concubines."

After lunch, I couldn't resist asking my wife the question I'd been wanting to ask all morning.

"My wife, I have a question, but I'm not sure if I should ask it."

Lady Wang was quite surprised. "Husband, has something bothering you?"

Wang Xiucai pondered his words for a moment.

It has been said since ancient times that it is normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines.

If our Tan'er insists on taking a few concubines in the future, would you, Madam, agree?

Lady Wang smiled and said.

"Is this what my husband is asking? Of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is having no offspring. If Tan'er can take a few more concubines in the future to carry on the Wang family line, I will be happy."

"Doesn't my husband want more grandchildren? That would also show that my Tan'er will be capable in the future."

Seeing that his wife approved of having multiple wives and concubines, Wang Xiucai asked her questions.

"So this means that Madam doesn't object to having three wives and four concubines."

"If—and I mean if—if I were to take a few concubines, would my wife be willing?"

Madam Wang's face turned deathly pale instantly. Her lips trembled as she didn't know what to say, and her eyes reddened, with large tears welling up but threatening to fall.

Wang Xiucai was stunned. He quickly raised his sleeve to wipe his wife's tears, but Wang Niangzi dodged her husband's sleeve.

"My lord, is there something wrong with me? Why do you suddenly think of taking a concubine? Have you grown tired of me?"

If my husband insists on taking a concubine, may I personally select one for him?

Does my husband prefer someone with beautiful looks or a good figure? Or perhaps someone who is educated, so she can add fragrance to his life?

He spoke the rest of his words almost in tears, leaving Wang Xiucai completely dumbfounded.

"So, does this mean you agree or disagree? Don't cry."

Since marrying Wang Xiucai, Wang Niangzi had always been a virtuous wife and loving mother, and she had never raised her voice. But at this moment, she really couldn't hold back anymore.

"You want to take a concubine, you don't like me anymore, and you won't even let me cry?"

In all these years of marriage, I have served you and managed this household with all my heart.

Now that I am old and faded, and you have rejected me, do I not even have the right to cry?

I'm going to cry, I'm going to cry. All my sincerity over the years has been wasted.

You can take concubines as you please; let's see how many concubines you can support with your meager income.

Anyway, I, Tan, am already grown up. After my son passes the imperial examinations, I'll arrange a wife for him as soon as possible. Then we, his mother and I, can go out and enjoy our company with our concubines. Waaah…”