Chapter 8 The concubine's face was earned through her brains.

"I will not take a concubine. Either I marry Zhao Yufang, or I will not. Father, you can decide for yourself."

Shen Chu looked indifferent and left the study directly after speaking.

Marquis Changning smashed a teacup in anger, yelling, "You worthless wretch!"

At lunchtime, Aunt Qiao came to Chen Chu's courtyard.

Shen Chu glanced at her and said, "If you're here to persuade me to take a concubine, you'd better keep your mouth shut."

Aunt Qiao took out a scallion-oil chicken and placed it on the table. Smiling, she tore off a chicken leg and handed it to her, leaning closer and whispering:

"I'm not crazy, why would I advise you to take a concubine?"

"You don't even have that thing, so why would you take a wife and concubine? It's like a starving dog crawling into a latrine—you're just asking for trouble!"

The chicken leg in Chen Chu's hand suddenly lost its appeal. "Can we use a different analogy?"

Aunt Qiao smiled and said, "The words may be rough, but the principle is sound."

"You don't need to worry about this. I've already told the Marquis that I had a master at Jingguo Temple calculate your fortune."

The master said that you should not lose your virginity before the age of twenty, otherwise you will suffer a bloody disaster. Therefore, you cannot marry or take a concubine before the age of twenty.

Shen Chu gave Aunt Qiao a thumbs up.

This reason is perfect; it can help her reject all marriage proposals.

“When it’s not about my father, my aunt is still quite sharp.”

Aunt Qiao rolled her eyes at her, "What are you saying? The Marquis is my life. When it comes to life, what's the point of having a brain?"

Shen Chu choked so badly that she couldn't eat another bite of the chicken leg.

She wiped her hands and asked Aunt Qiao, "How did Father take you as a concubine back then?"

Aunt Qiao smiled as brightly as spring flowers as she recalled the past.

"Your maternal grandparents suddenly passed away. I am the only daughter in the family. The Qiao family members are like hungry wolves, forcing me to hand over the family business."

That's when the Marquis appeared. He descended from the sky like a god, protecting me behind him and driving away the Qiao family members.

He was so handsome and perfect, with a chivalrous heart, that he was captivating.

I am a merchant's daughter, and he is a high-ranking marquis. Our social statuses are worlds apart, yet he has always treated me with courtesy and gentleness.

We fell in love at first sight, and then became even more devoted. Love blossomed, and everything fell into place naturally, leading us to be together.

Shen Chu raised an eyebrow: "You became a concubine so naturally? He didn't use any tricks on you?"

She had always been curious about this question.

The Qiao family were wealthy merchants, so they should have had many suitors. With such a large fortune, what kind of man could Aunt Qiao not find? Why would she want to become a concubine of the Marquis of Changning?

Aunt Qiao was shocked. "A-Chu, what are you saying? The Marquis is a gentleman. How could he possibly scheme against me?"

Everything that happened between us was of my own free will. The Marquis truly loved and cherished me; he said he would only love me for the rest of his life.

She leaned close to Shen Chu's ear and whispered, "His relationship with Madam is just a formality. You don't know, do you? He hasn't touched Madam for many years."

How would you know whether someone touched it or not?

"I trust Lord Marquis, he wouldn't lie to me."

Chen Chu was exhausted. "Because I believed in him and loved him, I was willing to use my dowry to support this family?"

Aunt Qiao sighed, resting her chin on her hand, "The Marquis actually had a very difficult time. Your grandfather was incompetent; when he handed over the Marquis's mansion to him, it was just an empty shell."

It's pitiful that he's struggling to support the Marquis's mansion all by himself, living a very hard and tiring life. Ah Chu, if I don't help him, who else can?

Although the Marquis has no money, he has a heart that loves me.

Perhaps recalling her past acquaintance with Marquis Changning, Aunt Qiao's eyes were filled with tenderness.

"The Marquis never mentioned spending the Qiao family's money. He said that scholars shouldn't talk about money so often, it's vulgar."

It's because I feel sorry for him; he's well-versed in literature and full of ambition, yet he has no place to display his talents.

So I took the initiative to pay money to help him, which helped the Marquis get a job in the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War.

"Priceless treasures are easy to find, but a true lover is hard to come by. As long as you, my lord, treat me sincerely, I don't care about money and other material possessions."

Looking at her aunt's fair and beautiful face, Shen Chu couldn't help but twitch her fingers.

My aunt's face is so beautiful, she must have traded her brains for it.

"Hasn't Auntie ever thought that supporting the family should be Father's responsibility? Father uses the money of a concubine like you. Don't you think he lacks any manliness?"

Aunt Qiao disagreed, "A man's character isn't shown here. Besides, your father and I are one, what's wrong with spending a little money on him?"

"You have to spend money on him and support his wife and children?"

"The Marquis said that he has given all his love to me. My wife has been living alone all these years. Spending some money is a way to make up for it."

Chen Chu pinched the bridge of her nose. "On my way to the capital, Madam sent people to kill me several times. This time she even poisoned me. Wake up. The problems between you two cannot be solved with money."

"You are merely a concubine in the Marquis's household, and have no obligation to support this family. Aunt, let's take back the shop's profits."

Aunt Qiao hesitated for a moment, "If we take the shop back, the Marquis's salary alone won't be enough to support this family. The Marquis will have to work much harder."

As for the assassination and drugging, I've already told the Marquis. He warned that old hag, and I'm sure she'll behave herself from now on.

Shen Chu was speechless at her naiveté.

"If I die on the way to the capital, will the Marquis kill the Lady to avenge me, or will he just issue a perfunctory warning?"

Aunt Qiao's expression changed slightly, and she spat twice.

"Why are you saying such discouraging things? You came back to me perfectly fine, didn't you?"

Shen Chu's eyes flickered slightly, but she remained silent.

"My only regret over the years is that I couldn't raise you by my side and you suffered. Fortunately, you're back now, and I will make it up to you in the future."

Aunt Qiao took out two silver notes from her bosom and stuffed them into Chen Chu's hand.

"You're about to enter officialdom; if you go out without any money, people will laugh at you."

You can keep this money. I'll give you a thousand taels of silver every month for pocket money.

Don't even think about taking back the shop's profits. If you need money, just tell me anytime, and your aunt will give it to you.

Aunt Qiao left.

Chen Chu sighed. Whenever the Marquis of Changning was involved, Aunt Qiao would get confused.

It seems that we'll have to find a way to get back Aunt Qiao's dowry ourselves.

------

In the afternoon, Marquis Changning sent someone to inform Shen Chu that the old lady had agreed to let him take Zhao Yufang as a concubine, and that a banquet would be held tomorrow for him to take Zhao Yufang as a concubine.

"The Marquis said that he would only hold the concubine-taking ceremony first, and the eldest son would consummate the marriage when he turned twenty."

Shen Chu sneered.

She was curious about how Marquis Changning had persuaded Old Madam Shen. Judging from Old Madam Shen's attitude that morning, she was clearly determined to make her marry Zhao Yufang.

Why did you suddenly change your mind?

She sent Hongxiu out to inquire.

Less than half an hour later, Hongxiu returned and said, "The Marquis has agreed to give the hot spring estate in Qinghe to the old lady's family, and has also agreed to let the old lady have Zhao Yufang as her concubine."

That hot spring estate was bought by Aunt Qiao two years ago and given to the Marquis.

Shen Chu sneered, "She's using her aunt's things to act all high and mighty, and she's even scheming against her life."

"Young master, you don't really intend to take Miss Cousin as a concubine, do you?"

Hongxiu asked with concern, "How can you two women sleep in the same bed?"

Shen Chu twirled her fingers, chuckled softly, and picked up her pen to write a letter.

"Take this to the Marquis."

Marquis Changning was discussing taking Zhao Yufang as a concubine in the old lady's courtyard when he received a letter from Shen Chu. Upon opening it, he was furious.

"That wretched child!"