The imperial concubine is charming and charming, and only seeks power and wealth

But later, as she got older, Wang Shaofu treated her consistently for more than ten years even though they had no children, and Ishihara Qing gradually gave up hope.

"To be honest," he smiled and said frankly, "If you and Wang Shaofu get along well, in another three or two years, I will probably completely let go of my thoughts about you, listen to the urging of my family elders, marry a good woman, and live a good life."

However, Wang Shaofu took a concubine.

He took a concubine.

Ishihara Qing knew how hot-tempered his sister An Ning was.

She couldn't bear it.

He wanted to see her, ask her how she was doing, and whether she had any plans for a divorce.

If...if she wanted to divorce but just had concerns, he could also let her know that she was not without a way out.

But she seldom went out and was stuck in the Wang family's backyard every day, being the obedient Mrs. Wang.

Ishihara Qing couldn't even see her.

He tried hard to find an opportunity to meet her, but suddenly heard the news that she had divorced and returned home.

What a blessing from heaven.

His face instantly lit up. "You have no idea how happy I was when I heard about your divorce. Honestly, I wasn't this happy even when I passed the imperial examination and was promoted step by step to a higher position in the government."

But before she could savor the unprecedented joy, she heard that the imperial concubine had given six male favorites to the Xie family.

Ishihara Qing pursed his lips, swallowed the sour taste, and said a little aggrievedly: "I know that what I said today is too abrupt for you, but I have waited for sixteen years for you to divorce, and you have so many male favorites in your backyard. I can't hide it any longer."

They are so old now, they don’t have time to take it slow.

Besides, there's no point in staying by her side as her younger brother.

What if, she really wanted to be with some 'male lover'... like that...

What should he do?

He will definitely be angry to death!

The sense of urgency was too strong, and Ishihara Qing couldn't help but take another step forward, "Look at me, even if I want to draw a clear line with the Wang family, I don't have to keep a male concubine. I can do that too."

The two of them were one step apart, and he looked at her without blinking. He was twenty-seven years old, a man who had experienced many ups and downs in the officialdom for many years, but his eyes were still clear and bright.

Xie An Ning was distracted for a moment, then blinked rapidly and said, "Yuan Qing, I have already made up my mind. I will never marry again in this life."

...not getting married.

Ishihara Qing was slightly stunned, "So, you only keep male favorites?"

"..." Such a topic made Xie An Ning feel a little uncomfortable. He turned his face away and hummed, "Keeping them can save a lot of trouble."

Not only can she draw a clear line with the Wang family, but she can also let the outside world know her determination to establish her own family.

Otherwise, after a long time, when the divorce has died down, there might be matchmakers coming to discuss another marriage for her.

A young woman with a lot of money and good relations with the imperial concubines in the palace.

Among the noble families in the capital, there are many widowers who have lost their wives but have children. It would be perfect for them to marry a wealthy woman with connections in the harem as their second wife.

As for the kids?

They don't lack children, so it doesn't matter whether the concubine has children or not.

As long as she keeps a male lover, it means that she is telling the outside world that she is the head of the household and will never marry again.

Ishihara Qing is not stupid and can understand what she means.

He thought he would be rejected, but he didn't expect to be rejected for such a reason.

At sixteen, she can choose to get married.

Now that she is unable to get pregnant and has no children, she has to support the Xie family.

After a few moments of silence, he frowned and said, "Marry me, can't you? I will treat you well..."

"No!" Xie An Ning shook her head and said, "Not just you, no matter who it is, I will never marry again in this life."

She hoped he would give up.

In Xie Anning's opinion, this person was trapped by the obsession of youth.

Where can I find so much deep and undying love, waiting silently?

He was just a stubborn boy, stubborn because he didn't get what he loved.

However, Ishihara Qing stared at her for a long while, his expression changing, and finally he gritted his teeth and said, "Then I will be your male concubine!"

With a creaking sound.

Before Xie An Ning could react, a muffled sound suddenly came from the corner.

It was the maid who had been standing behind with her head lowered. She was so shocked that she accidentally knocked over the pearwood chair next to her.

Seeing her master looking at her, the maid's face flushed and she bowed in panic to apologize.

"...Nothing." Xie Anning's expression was not much better than the maid's.

After this interruption, the atmosphere, which was so awkward that it almost made her breathless, finally eased a little.

She breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Let's go back. It's getting late."

After mustering up the courage and making great determination to speak, Ishihara Qing was ignored. Of course, he was unwilling to leave. He reminded him, "I said, I will be your..."

"No!" Xie An Ning interrupted him quickly, fearing that he would say something lewd. "I don't need a male concubine, and I certainly don't need you to be my male concubine."

"…Why?"

He was stubborn in wanting an answer, just like the boy who had stubbornly asked her how she could marry him.

"No reason," Xie An Ning said with a headache, "I don't like it, I don't need it, I don't need it."

"Is that so?" Ishihara Qing pursed his lips and asked, "Do you not need me, or do you not need a male concubine?"

What's the difference?

Xie Anning frowned, "It's all the same."

"Okay," Ishihara nodded, "Since it's the same, then you can't use me, and you can't use them either."

"..."

The word "use" made Xie An Ning's eyebrows twitch.

She has been married for many years and has experienced a lot, so it is difficult for her to stop herself from thinking about the wrong things when she hears such words.

His face turned blue and red, and he didn't know whether he should give him a lecture or what else to do.

Ishihara Qing showed a look of grievance, "Since it was given by the Imperial Concubine, I dare not ask you to withdraw. But Sister An Ning, can you promise me not to see them?"

How polite! He even knows to ask "Is it okay?"

A man in his twenties, looking at her with such aggrieved look.

Xie Anning, who was soft-hearted and not hard-hearted, held his forehead helplessly and said, "It was just a temporary solution. I didn't plan to meet them."

"Well then," Ishihara Qing smiled comfortably after hearing this, "I take this 'promise' seriously again. Sister An Ning, please don't call it a joke anymore."

And they actually call this a promise.

Is this what the literati understand?

"...I'm not joking," Xie Anning twitched the corner of his lips, "You should go back, it's almost dark."

This time, Lord Shi was very easy to talk to.

He glanced at the sky outside and nodded, "Okay, then I'll go back first. I've been ordered to investigate the Crazy Horse case for the next two days, so I'll be busy. But no matter how busy I am, I will make time to come and see you, sister. Please don't deny me entry."

I didn’t think the word “sister” meant anything before, but now, when it comes out of his mouth, it feels ambiguous and lingering.

Xie Anning pursed her lips uncomfortably. "You can come whenever you want, but considering my current reputation, you'd better refrain from associating with the Xie family."

"It's okay, I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid of offending the Wang family, nor am I afraid of getting involved with my sister."

Ishihara Qing looked at her and smiled gently, "Sister An Ning, I haven't seen you for so many years, can you give me a hug?"

As he spoke, he took another step forward, as if he knew he would be rejected. Without waiting for her answer, he raised his arm, grasped her shoulders and held her in his arms.

It was a very deep hug, Xie Anning could even feel his arms trembling.

But he quickly let go, and before she could struggle, he had already retreated a dozen feet away and smiled at her, "Sister, I'm leaving."

He calls me sister all the time, and he looks so good that people just can't bear to scold him for being rude.

As everyone walked out of the door, their figures were swallowed by the darkness, but Xie Anning was still standing there.

"……lady?"

The voice of her personal maid interrupted her thoughts. Xie Anning glanced sideways, "Pei Rong, you have been serving me since you were young. Back then... did you see what he was thinking?"

The master and servant have a very deep relationship and there is nothing they cannot talk about.

Peirong thought carefully for a while, frowned and said: "At that time, Master Shi was still young. Many things that adults did and said would be regarded as childish pranks by him. Now that I think about it, it is indeed..."

Xie Anning was silent.

After a long while, she took a deep breath and asked, "What's going on?"