Therefore, Marquis Changyi has had no other hobbies these years except taking concubines, holding wedding banquets, taking concubines again, and holding wedding banquets again.

In any case, he would announce to the world every time that he had held a banquet and that all the women he brought into the house were his concubines, and that the mistress of the house could not be killed or beaten at will.

The Marquis was well aware of his wife's methods.

Although he wanted to have a son, he didn't want those innocent women to lose their lives so easily.

From Lady Hou's perspective, Marquis Changyi was nothing but a lecherous fiend.

But from Changyi Hou's perspective, having children and grandchildren was his duty as a man.

Everyone knows what's bothering Marquis Changyi.

No one cared about the money spent on sending a gift to Marquis Changyi every year.

Of course, the gifts became thinner and thinner with each passing year.

After all, other families only accept gifts once, but his son doesn't, yet they hold weddings every year.

All the officials in the capital shared the same hope that a son would be born into the Changyi Marquis's family.

Unfortunately, nearly 30 years have passed, and Marquis Changyi has still not produced another son or daughter.

This matter requires further consideration.

She was once capable of bearing children, but only the Lady of the Marquis gave birth; none of the concubines produced any.

Now, he has a bunch of concubines, but neither the wife nor the concubines have children. It's like he's just sitting there without doing anything.

However, the prevailing view these days is that if a woman doesn't have children, it's always her fault.

It's a bit too far-fetched that if only one woman has a problem, then more than a dozen women also have problems.

Zhao Minggeng originally didn't know about the Marquis of Changyi, but someone had to explain it to him.

This guy is a real character.

"In that case, I wonder if Your Excellency has invited the imperial physician to take your pulse? I've heard that childbirth isn't just a woman's problem."

It could happen to us men.

For example, certain diseases, injuries, or poisoning can lead to infertility.

If the family physician keeps saying there's nothing wrong, I'll start to suspect that there's something wrong with his medical skills or his character.

What was said in jest was taken seriously by the listener. Zhao Minggeng had spoken so boldly.

The sound wasn't particularly loud, but it was heard by Changyi Hou, who was looking around for people to clink glasses with.

Marquis Changyi's old face immediately darkened.

He didn't feel offended at all; on the contrary, he felt that what the person said made sense.

Over the years, it has been the physicians of the prefectural hospital who have taken his pulse.

They always said he was in good health, and never said that the problem might be with him.

Marquis Changyi had his doubts, but he kept deceiving himself.

Over the years, his wife has been virtuous and kind, and has never argued with him because of his taking a concubine. She has managed the household and the outside world in an orderly manner.

Aside from not being able to give him a legitimate son, he had no other faults.

Moreover, the two were very much in love when they were young.

Therefore, Marquis Changyi was unwilling to think about the problem from the perspective of his wife.

He believed that to have doubts would be disrespectful to his wife.

He believed that taking a concubine was a matter of course.

Which family doesn't have several wives and concubines?

What is a concubine? To put it bluntly, she is a servant, a plaything to please her master, and of course, a tool for procreation.

Taking a concubine and loving one's wife are not contradictory.

Now, the thing he had been afraid to face was directly pointed out by Zhao Minggeng in front of everyone.

Marquis Changyi's old heart still felt like it had been pierced through.

Zhao Minggeng, who had been sitting in his seat, did not notice what was happening behind him and continued chatting idly while holding his wine glass.

However, I suddenly noticed that everyone at the table had strange expressions.

Zhao Minggeng then turned around and glanced back.

He put down his cup, as if what he had just said was no big deal, like the temperature of the weather.

"My lord, congratulations!"

Upon seeing Marquis Changyi standing behind him, Zhao Minggeng quickly rose to greet him and offered his blessings.

One doesn't hit a smiling face. Seeing that Zhao Minggeng showed no mockery or ridicule, but instead appeared open and honest,

The slight displeasure that had been weighing on Changyi Hou's mind had mostly dissipated.

"Are you Doctor Zhao?"

Marquis Changyi was somewhat surprised, never expecting Zhao Minggeng to attend his wedding banquet.

Not long ago, when Zhao Minggeng visited the Marquis's residence, his upright and unyielding demeanor made Marquis Changyi feel a jolt in his forehead.

At the time, I wondered how someone with such a straightforward temper could survive in officialdom for so long without being killed.

Changyi Hou was somewhat surprised to see Zhao Minggeng so sincerely congratulating him.

I wonder how Marquis Changyi developed his eyesight.

He believed that Zhao Minggeng's blessing was heartfelt.

His eyes were clean and clear.

In a different time and setting, Changyi Hou felt that he actually quite admired this young man.

Looking at Zhao Minggeng's age, I imagined that if I had fathered a son when I was younger, he would be about the same age as Zhao Minggeng.

Sighing inwardly, for the first time ever, Marquis Changyi took the initiative to clink glasses with Zhao Minggeng and even inquired about his family situation.

This move surprised many people.

After all, not everyone can catch the eye of Marquis Changyi.

After exchanging pleasantries with Changyi Hou in a very calm manner, Zhao Minggeng returned to his original seat.

He continued chatting with his colleagues.

As for the dishes on the table, Zhao Minggeng only ate a few bites of vegetables and then stopped eating.

The thick layer of lard made Zhao Minggeng lose his appetite.

Fortunately, he ate a roast goose before leaving home; otherwise, he would probably be starving by now.

Despite serving in the Ministry of Revenue for so long, not a single one of his colleagues knew that Zhao Minggeng was a big eater.

When Zhao Qingyan brought him food, he said he would give him a whole roasted lamb for every meal, but his colleagues thought he was just talking nonsense.

Upon seeing Zhao Minggeng, he only ate a few bites of vegetables and then refused to touch his chopsticks again.

His colleagues automatically assumed that Zhao Minggeng was used to eating delicacies.

People generally have small appetites, and at this banquet, everyone basically shares the same attitude: to build relationships.

Nobody comes here just to eat.

Zhao Minggeng was just going through the motions. He was a human being, not someone to be worshipped on a pedestal, so naturally he had to interact with everyone.

The negative consequences of the tax-free farmland policy must be eliminated.

While Zhao Minggeng was forced to continue his business, Changyi Hou secretly sent his trusted confidant to invite the most famous doctor in the city.

This is to avoid Lady Hou.

If the Lady of the Marquis saw this, she would only assume that the woman was taking the pulse of her newly acquired concubine.

If they can have children, keep them; if they can't, send them back.

They haven't even consummated their marriage yet, so don't tarnish her reputation.

Marquis Changyi's reasoning was quite righteous; where could one find such a kind-hearted gentleman these days?

That's why the concubines in the Changyi Marquis's mansion lived in such harmony.

Since none of them have had children, there's nothing to fight over. It's better to win over Marquis Changyi's heart.

Everyone can finally live a peaceful life.