As he grew older and his official position rose, Wade seemed to have achieved success, but only he knew that in the dead of night, he often relived in his dreams the warm moments when he and his wife drew their eyebrows and fixed their hair in front of the mirror.
However, every time he woke up from his dream and faced the window alone, his wife's face in the dream was still clearly visible, but his own hair had turned gray, as if he were in another world.
Time is like a dream, and the past is like smoke.
Whenever he caught a glimpse of Hao Ren and Jiang Shu walking hand in hand under the moonlight, Wade's mind couldn't help but recall the loving times of their youth.
Hao Ren and Jiang Shu have been supporting each other for more than ten years. Even after his wife gave birth to two daughters, Hao Ren withstood the social pressure of "There are three unfilial acts, and the worst is to have no descendants" and never took a concubine. Wade deeply admired his persistence.
Because of this, although Wade rarely interacts with others, he always has a special respect for Hao Ren.
At this moment, Hao Ren embarrassedly asked his student Liao Lingxi to toast Wade and hoped that Wade could give him academic guidance.
Wade casually asked a few questions about classics and history. Although Liao Lingxi's answer was not surprising, he gave him a high evaluation in front of many colleagues and subordinates: "He is gifted and will become a great man."
As a great scholar and the Minister of Personnel, Wade's praise of Liao Lingxi naturally attracted the attention of others, and Hao Ren and Liao Lingxi, father and son, were also ecstatic.
At this moment, the joyful sound of gongs and drums suddenly came from outside the restaurant.
Everyone looked out the window, originally wondering which family was welcoming a new bride, but when they saw the huge procession carrying a pink sedan chair, they couldn't help but feel surprised.
"Which family is taking in a concubine, and why is it so ostentatious?"
"Perhaps the master of this house particularly dotes on this concubine, and the wife of the principal wife is also exceptionally virtuous and kind, so she can tolerate her husband taking a concubine with the same pomp and ceremony as an ordinary man."
"That sedan looks like it belongs to an official family. I wonder which lord is taking a concubine today. Let's go and have a bowl of wedding wine tonight."
Colleagues were joking with each other, and Wade glanced at the grand scene outside the window, but couldn't help frowning.
Hao Ren knew Wade's temperament very well, and immediately shook his head and sighed, "Taking a concubine so extravagantly, I'm afraid it might be suspected of favoring the concubine over the wife."
Wade nodded in agreement, believing Hao Ren's views coincided with his own. "According to the laws of the Western Wei Dynasty, if a concubine usurps the authority of the wife, she shall be punished with ninety strokes of the cane. I wonder which family would dare to so blatantly violate the law and allow a concubine to surpass the authority of the wife."
Many officials echoed the voice and reached a consensus.
"This is really against etiquette."
"I will report this matter to the court tomorrow morning."
Although they prefer the charming concubines in their homes, they all know that this preference must not be expressed openly, so as not to damage the dignity of the wife and attract criticism of favoring the concubine over the wife.
Hao Ren wondered which noble had taken a concubine so ostentatiously, but it certainly wasn't him. In everyone's eyes, he was an impeccable man.
At this moment, Wade sighed sincerely: "If I were to say who I admire most in the capital, it would be the Protector of the Country. He and his first wife have been together for twenty years, and their love is as strong as ever. Even though there is no hope of having children, he can stick to his beliefs and not be swayed by external things."
Upon hearing this, Hao Ren smiled with relief. "Having Ah Shu by my side in this life is enough for me. If she can give birth to a son for our mansion, he will be the heir. If there are no children, we will choose a talented person from the side branches to adopt as our heir."
After hearing this, Wade nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of admiration.
The officials around him also echoed: "The love between the Duke and his wife is as deep as the sea."
"Among the lovers in the world, the Protector of the Country is the best. No one can surpass him."
At this moment, a waiter from the restaurant came over with a plate of peanuts. As soon as he entered the door, he enthusiastically congratulated: "Congratulations to the Protector of the Country, congratulations to the Protector of the Country."
Hao Ren was already in a good mood at the moment, but when he saw the waiter congratulating him so abruptly, he couldn't help but feel a little surprised: "Why should I be so happy?"
The waiter put down the peanuts with a mischievous smile on his face. "The whole capital has heard that the Duke has taken a cousin as his concubine today. It will be a beautiful addition to the family, and the family will hopefully expand. Isn't this a great joy?"
As soon as the words fell, the entire hall fell into silence. The officials who had just been praising Hao Ren's affectionate attitude now showed complicated expressions.
Wade frowned, his expression suddenly becoming as gloomy as a dark cloud.
Hao Ren himself was in a state of confusion: "Take a concubine? When did I ever think of taking my cousin as a concubine?"
He really knows nothing!
Xia Zhiyu's ugly appearance made him feel unbearable even to look at her for a second. How could he possibly take her as his concubine? He temporarily handed over the power of housekeeping to her simply because Jiang Shu was away and his mother was bedridden, leaving many chores in the mansion unattended. By the way, it could also stimulate Jiang Shu and encourage her to return to the mansion.
The servant slyly chuckled, "Duke, why are you still pretending? Didn't you personally hand over the stewardship of the palace to your cousin? The Duke's wife was away at her parents' home recuperating. When she heard about this, she personally approved your taking of a concubine. You should be secretly grateful to have such a magnanimous lady! Xia Zhiyu has borne you offspring, a blessing that means you won't have to worry about having no successors in the future."
Jiang Shu actually took a concubine for him?
Hao Ren just thought this was ridiculous. Even if his mother arranged this marriage for him on her deathbed, it couldn't be Jiang Shu's doing!
Wade's face turned completely pale, and he cursed inwardly, thinking that his previous praise of Hao Ren was simply a huge joke!
He stood up angrily and snorted coldly, "Since the Duke of Protectorate is enjoying such a good life, I won't waste your precious time here! However, while your wife is pregnant, you actually let your concubine usurp the position of the wife. This is truly an act of favoring the concubine over the wife. Tomorrow, I will personally expose your actions in front of the Emperor!"
Hao Ren was in a panic at the moment, like a deer cornered by a hunter, at a loss as to what to do.
After going through numerous difficulties, he finally persuaded Wade to come and even won his favor. However, things are unpredictable and he ended up losing more than he gained.
He desperately tried to salvage the situation: "Master Wei, please listen to my explanation. Ah Shu might just be upset with me, which is why she acted so rashly. I really don't have any intention of taking a concubine!"
Wade's eyes were as cold as ice, and he couldn't help but feel disappointed, as if the person he had seen before was just an illusion. "You still lack a sense of responsibility! In this world, no woman is willing to share her husband with others. Isn't it because of the pressure you put on her that made your wife take a concubine without permission? If you had flatly refused, if you had resolutely protected her, how could she have been so reluctant to give up her husband?"
Wade died, his eyes becoming a little moist with a hint of old age. His rebuke seemed to be directed not only at the treacherous Hao Ren at this moment, but also at his past self who was not brave enough.
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