Chapter 15. Taking a Concubine.
Lord Wen was preoccupied with official matters at court and couldn't recall which Xin'er it was.
He held his teacup in confusion. "What?"
Madam Wen repeated it to him again, saying that it was the illegitimate daughter of Aunt Jiang who was raised on the estate, named Cao Xin, and that Aunt Jiang's husband's surname was Cao.
Then Mr. Wen remembered that Aunt Jiang had a daughter who died not long after. When she asked a Taoist priest to perform a ritual to help her pass on to the deceased, she found a baby girl at the Taoist temple where the ritual was being performed, and brought her back to raise.
After raising her for only a few years, Aunt Jiang was overcome with grief at the sight of her and, seeing her so sad, released her again.
Therefore, the concubine's daughter was recorded in the Cao family genealogy, but she was raised on the estate. She would return to the capital during festivals. I vaguely remember seeing her during the festivals.
"She was quite obedient, wasn't she?" Father Wen didn't have a very strong impression and nodded vaguely.
Mrs. Wen asked happily, "Will things go smoothly?"
Cao Xin's status as an adopted daughter is considered an honor for Wen Qiyan to become his concubine, but that doesn't matter. What's important is that they are cousins who know each other well and are even closer relatives.
“Ji Wanyuan is pregnant. I heard from the old lady that although Qi Yan lives under the same roof as her, they sleep in separate rooms.”
"It's not surprising, after all, the two of them don't really have any feelings for each other. But our son is young and vigorous, and he's in the prime of his life, so he'll definitely want to have many children."
Lord Wen frowned, thinking it might be inappropriate to discuss this matter with Madam Wen.
"What's wrong with it?" Madam Wen asked in return.
At this point, she dismissed the maid and told Wen's father about the commotion they had on their wedding night.
It was said that the old woman heard it from Wen Qiyan's attendant: Ji Wanyuan, who is pregnant, doesn't even consider her own needs and actually drugged Wen Qiyan.
The couple made quite a fuss during the first half of their wedding night, even tearing their wedding clothes and scratching the sandalwood bed frame. How intense must it have been?
When the topic of her son's bedroom affairs came up, Mrs. Wen felt embarrassed, but she had no choice but to speak out.
Drugging...
Lord Wen was not surprised. Ji Wanyuan had a precedent to follow, and it was indeed something she was capable of doing.
only,"……"
"Is the master worried about the Ji family?" Madam Wen asked.
It wasn't just the Ji family's side; his main concern was that bringing in someone would damage the "affection" between the two, causing the eldest daughter of the Ji family to lose interest in Wen Qiyan, which would then disrupt the matters entrusted to him by the Emperor.
While it's important to have many descendants, it's not something that can be done without the affairs of the imperial court.
"Yes." Lord Wen didn't want to discuss official business with Madam Wen, a woman, so he nodded in agreement, indicating his concern for the Ji family.
"It is common knowledge that Prime Minister Ji and his wife dote on their only daughter. It would be unwise to bring her in now."
"Then let's wait a while?" Madam Wen had also considered this point.
Lord Wen thought for a moment and said, "Let's see how things go in a few days." He refused outright, fearing that Madam Wen would be unhappy again.
“That works too.” Madam Wen said she would tell Aunt Jiang later.
"Oh, right." After taking one foot out, Lord Wen turned back to Madam Wen and said, "Don't let the news of taking a concubine get out, lest it reach the ears of the Ji family."
The Ji family members mentioned on the surface refer to Prime Minister Ji and his wife, but in reality, it refers to Ji Wanyuan.
Ultimately, she was a key pawn used by Wen Qiyan.
"Why is my husband so worried about what I do?" Madam Wen said irritably, saying that she wasn't lacking in judgment.
"Haha, Madam, don't be angry. It's not that I don't trust you, but I feel that there have been too many things going on at home lately, and I'm afraid you'll forget."
"I'm busy with official duties and can't really help Madam in any way, so all I can do is talk to her?"
These words were well said, a clever way of acknowledging and appeasing Madam Wen, who immediately smiled.
"There's another point. Ji Wanyuan's act of drugging Qi Yan was indeed wrong, but... the two are newly married. As long as it's not too excessive and doesn't cause any problems like miscarriage... let them be."
Madam Wen understood the implied meaning. "Sir, do you mean...?"
"What I mean is, Madam should try to persuade them to not sleep in separate rooms. It wouldn't sound good if word got out, and it would be embarrassing. Right now, the news is only circulating within our Wen family. What if one of the servants with a loose tongue lets it slip? Wouldn't we be criticized for it?"
"I'll go and persuade Qi Yan, and I'll leave Ji Wanyuan to you, Madam." Lord Wen patted her wrist.
Madam Wen sighed, "Alright, alright."
It's all about saving face and appearances; she also hopes for peace and tranquility in her home.
"Very well, then I shall head out to court."
"..."
Since the father and son didn't leave at the same time, they naturally left at the same time.
After Lin Sinian, the eldest son of the Lin family, finished speaking and parted ways with Wen Qiyan, he got into the carriage, and then Wen's father spoke.
But he didn't get straight to the point. He first asked if the Dali Temple, where Lin Sinian worked, had found any information.
Wen Qiyan said no, "He Xun has a clean background, and we can't find much information about him."
When asked about this person, Mr. Wen pondered for a moment and said, "It's not surprising."
"He Xun was someone he personally selected and trained, but not for the Ji family. I heard from inside sources that he was intended to be Miss Ji's son-in-law."
Son-in-law?
As Wen's father continued speaking, the carriage began to move, and even on the smooth roads of the capital, it was still inevitably bumpy.
So he didn't notice that when he uttered the words "son-in-law," his outstanding and silent son beside him slightly raised his eyelashes, and even paused in the hand holding the dossier.
"..."
"This He Xun is indeed quite good. I met him when I went to Dali Temple before. He is a talented person, and he seems humble, gentle and polite."
"After passing the imperial examination with top honors, he was transferred to the Dali Temple. His official position was not high, but he had the backing of the Ji family and wanted to be promoted quickly. He could have asked the Ji family for help, but he didn't seem to have that intention. The officials of the Dali Temple said that he was very down-to-earth in his work. The person that Prime Minister Ji carefully chose for his precious daughter is really good."
Mr. Wen sighed a few more times.
When she turned her head, she met Wen Qiyan's gaze.
He unusually looked away from the case file and glanced over. Wen's father asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
"Does Father think He Xun is so good?"
Wen's father found his words strange, but couldn't quite put his finger on why.
Thinking that Wen Qiyan was worried that there would be no progress by targeting He Xun, he comforted him, "Don't worry, since he is related to the Ji family and has been carefully cultivated for many years, Prime Minister Ji would not give up this pawn."
“Si Nian is your classmate and He Xun’s superior. With him keeping an eye on this person, nothing will go wrong. If this continues, he will surely catch him red-handed.”
When Lin Sinian was mentioned, Wen Qiyan recalled that when they parted at the palace gate, the other party had also spoken highly of He Xun.
The father has not yet answered his son's question.
"Huh?" Mr. Wen almost didn't understand.
"Is this person really that good?" Wen Qiyan asked. "How does he compare to my son?"
The surprising statement, in which Wen Qiyan compared himself to others, left Wen's father puzzled.
After thinking for a moment, just as he was about to speak, Wen Qiyan added, "Father, you don't need to consider our father-son relationship. Just tell the truth."
After speaking, his gaze returned to the book, his tone indifferent. Wen's father looked at him, still unable to understand why Wen Qiyan suddenly asked such a question.
Despite his confusion, and not knowing what aspect he was comparing, Wen's father said, "Each has its own merits?"
Wen Qiyan didn't seem very satisfied with this answer? The hand holding the scroll moved slightly.
Father Wen changed his tune, saying, "You are naturally stronger, after all, that person's wealth and appearance are inferior to yours."
That's the truth.
Wen Qiyan's title as the number one young master in the capital was chosen by the people of the capital through a vote.
"..."
After waiting for a while, Wen Qiyan did not respond.
Thinking of the things he had discussed with Madam Wen before leaving, Mr. Wen first asked Wen Qiyan if he had learned from Lin Sinian how his sister's health was.
"Hmm." This time Wen Qiyan answered.
"Your cold hasn't fully healed." Lin Sinian brought it up to him, so he naturally knew.
Mr. Wen said, "A cold is easy to treat. Just take a few doses of medicine, rest more, and avoid the wind. You don't need to worry too much."
“Your mother has already sent some tonics over. We have just formed a marriage alliance with the Ji family, and you still have the Emperor’s decree on your person. You cannot let your personal feelings interfere at this crucial moment.”
Wen Qiyan frowned. "Father, what are you trying to say to your son in such a roundabout way?"
Having been overheard, Mr. Wen coughed lightly, "I heard from the servants that you and Miss Ji are sleeping in separate beds while sharing a room?"
"Where did Father hear that from?" Wen Qiyan shifted his gaze again.
Father Wen didn't directly say it was from Madam Wen's side, but only said, "The news that was spread by people around you in your courtyard."
The people around him in the courtyard.
Who else could it be but Ji Wanyuan?
Not only did they employ the tactic of feigning retreat to advance and trying to lure him in, but they even went so far as to file a complaint.
I didn't expect her to be so impatient.
It was only two days, strictly speaking, excluding the wedding night, it was just one day.
It's amazing how quickly she broke down.
She's still the same Ji Wanyuan; no matter how much she pretends, she hasn't changed.
He scoffed inwardly.
But beneath the sneer, a strange, inexplicable emotion slowly calmed down.
"Does the father mean that his son should share a room and sleep with her?"
Father Wen said solemnly, "I know you feel wronged, but I have to think about the bigger picture."
After saying that, he patted Wen Qiyan on the shoulder reassuringly.
"..."
On the other side, Ji Wanyuan was also "disciplined" by Madam Wen.
Madam Wen had originally invited her over for a meal, saying that she wanted her to look at the gift list for the three-day homecoming and see if there was anything that needed to be added.
But while she was reading, Madam Wen started talking about how she and Wen Qiyan were sleeping in separate rooms.
Naturally, Madam Wen did not dare to criticize her too much, only pointing out Wen Qiyan's faults.
After criticizing Wen Qiyan, she mentioned that he had always been like this since childhood—cold and aloof—and told her to be more tolerant and proactive, and not to let the servants gossip, since it wouldn't sound good if it got around.
Ji Wanyuan appeared calm as she looked at the gift list, but inwardly she was thinking, "So they just want her to sleep with Wen Qiyan!"
She didn't want to sleep with him, but... it's probably not possible right now.
Because Madam Wen said that she had already asked Lord Wen to persuade Wen Qiyan.
Since her mother-in-law had said all that, it was all an act. After all, she was newly married, and Ji Wanyuan knew she couldn't be willful, so she could only nod and hand the gift list to Madam Wen, saying that there was nothing more to add, as it was already more than enough.
Then she added, "I understand what you've said. Don't worry, I know what to do."
"Yes, that's good then." Madam Wen looked at her smiling face.
She also remarked that even when she was putting on an act, the eldest daughter of the Ji family was quite well-mannered and behaved normally when she wasn't acting recklessly.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had just finished speaking when the maid announced that the father and son had returned from court.
Ji Wanyuan looked up and met the tall, handsome man who had walked up to the threshold, his eyes filled with indifferent tranquility.
A note from the author:
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Here they are! [rainbow fart]
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