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

Until the sky turned pale, the daughter fell into a deep sleep.

Xie then stood up and returned to the main courtyard.

As soon as they entered the house, Aunt Peirong, the most trusted aunt who stayed in the courtyard, came to greet them. After asking about the young master's condition, her tense face relaxed a little, and she suddenly whispered, "The master rested in the study yesterday."

Xie paused massaging her temples. "Didn't I tell you that you don't have to go out of your way to find out where he's going, and you don't have to report it to me."

"……Yes."

Peirong agreed softly. She glanced at her master's expression and saw that what her master said did not seem to be angry. She felt mixed emotions.

As Xie's maidservant, Peirong witnessed their relationship throughout.

She had witnessed their childhood sweetness, their youthful love and sweetness, and now...

Peirong hurriedly lowered her head, hiding her red eyes, and said, "I know I was wrong, and I will never make decisions on my own again."

After staying up all night, Xie was very tired and had no time to think about the troublesome love affairs between men and women. After a simple wash, she lay on the bed and fell asleep.

When I woke up, there was someone sitting next to the bed.

The room was dark. She couldn't tell whether it was because it was cloudy or because she had slept until dark. But when she saw the blurry figure, she was almost frightened.

It was not until I met the person's gaze in the dim light that I recognized him.

She calmed herself down and said, "When did the master come? Why didn't he light the lamp?"

Wang Shaofu looked at his wife's haggard face and said nothing.

They didn't know when it started, but most of the time when they were alone, they had nothing to talk about.

Xie didn't care. She supported herself with her hands and tried to stand up, but her shoulders were held down.

"Don't get up," Wang Shaofu said, "I just went to see Wan'er, she's fine now, you can just rest assured."

"I've slept all day, how can I rest any longer?" Xie refused and insisted on sitting up. "I'd better go and check it out first."

As she said this, she was about to throw off the quilt and get out of bed.

The hand on his shoulder suddenly tightened.

"Master," Xie placed her hand on his shoulder, her brows slightly furrowed, and said, "I want to go check on Wan'er."

Wang Shaofu did not let go.

It was not until he held her in his arms that he realized how much thinner she had become.

"I told my daughter it's okay," he said, stroking the thin back of the woman in his arms, and pursed his lips. "Rest well tonight, and don't go anywhere."

"..." Xie's breathing stagnated and she stopped talking.

In fact, she just didn't want to be alone in a room with him.

I can't stand such a tight hug.

The couple, who were once deeply in love and close to each other, had already deteriorated since some time ago.

Even being alone together was unbearable.

Now that I think about it, my mother-in-law’s intervention after returning to Beijing was actually just the fuse.

Xie was injured when she gave birth to a daughter and has not been pregnant for more than ten years.

Not to mention the wealthy and powerful families, even if a woman in an ordinary family cannot give birth to a son, she is guilty of one of the seven grounds for divorce.

Old Lady Wang had long been dissatisfied with her eldest daughter-in-law, but Wang Shaofu had been an official away for many years, so even if she wanted to interfere in her son's bedroom affairs, she was unable to do so.

At the beginning of the year, he received the news that his eldest son and his family were returning to Beijing, so he immediately decided to take two concubines into the main courtyard.

So, when Xie came back, there were already two concubines waiting to serve her tea.

Her mother-in-law was watching from the side, so she not only had to drink the tea, but also had to drink it happily. She also had to act magnanimous towards the two concubines.

Wang Shaofu had a promising future. Over the years, when he was in office at the local level, his subordinates or superiors would offer him beautiful women, but he never enjoyed any of them.

Because they had made a promise to each other before they got married.

He had promised her that no matter what, he would never marry another woman in his life.

So over the years, even as she grew older and the pressure to have children became heavier, Xie just pretended to be deaf and dumb and never took the initiative to suggest that her husband take a concubine.

The couple had already privately agreed that no matter who offered a woman, it would be the man's responsibility to refuse, and Xie would not bear the reputation of being a jealous woman.

She originally thought that even if she accepted the two concubines this time, her husband would send them away in the future.

But this time is different.

Men always change after they turn thirty.

Most importantly, Wang Shaofu wanted a son.

So, his heart was distracted.

He was no longer the boy who blushed when she teased him and called her "Sister An Ning" with a smile.

He was no longer the young man who fell asleep after she gave birth to a daughter, and stayed by her bed with red eyes, muttering that he would never let her have another child.

The man now, Jian in the emperor's heart, holds real power, and has lost his youthful immaturity and recklessness. Like fine wine, he becomes more mellow and charming with time.

But she was just an old and ugly woman who could not give birth to a child and lived in the inner house for a long time.

"Okay," Xie lowered her eyes and gently nudged the man in front of her, "but even if I have to rest, I still have to have a meal."

She stayed with her daughter all night last night and fell asleep as soon as she came home.

It's already dark now, and I haven't had any food.

Wang Shaofu loosened his arms.

Hearing the noise inside, the servants waiting outside knocked on the door gently.

Xie got out of bed and called the servants in.

The quiet house suddenly became lively.

Since she didn't plan to go out again, Xie didn't tie her hair up. She went to the bathroom to wash up briefly and started to have dinner.

As soon as she sat down, there was another person next to her.

Wang Shaofu said, "I'll help you with some."

The servant hurriedly added a set of bowls and chopsticks.

Xie has done a good job in following the rule of not talking while eating.

She chewed her food in silence until the man beside her picked up a piece of lotus root for her with chopsticks, then she paused imperceptibly.

After a long time, she finished her meal, put down her chopsticks, and stood up to leave.

Wang Shaofu looked at her bowl. Only the piece of lotus root he picked up remained untouched. His eyes were calm.

Yes.

His tranquility is such a temper.

He knew it a long time ago.

I would rather break than bend, I see things in black and white, and I cannot tolerate even a grain of sand in my eyes.

It was like this when I was young, and it is still like this now.

When he makes a choice, he should be prepared to face the consequences.

He thought he had done it.

But Wang Shaofu didn't expect that she didn't even cry or make a fuss, and just became increasingly cold towards him, but he would find it so unbearable.

Once upon a time, he loved her perseverance and courage.

Now Wang Shaofu was wondering why he could endure more than ten years of childless life for her and bear all the pressure alone.

…………

As a close minister of the emperor, Wang Shaofu was so busy every day that he didn't even come home for lunch. When he returned home to pay his respects at the main courtyard at dusk, he heard from his mother that the Yao family had come to apologize.

He was angry that his future son-in-law hadn't dealt with his romantic affairs properly, and let that concubine get her hands on his daughter.

However, the Yao family's attitude of apology was indeed sincere.

Especially since he promised that he would not allow a concubine's son to be born until he was over 30 years old, as a father, Wang Shaofu's anger disappeared completely.

I am just a lowly concubine, and you can do whatever you want with me in the future.

The promise was that after the daughter got married she would not have to worry about the dispute between legitimate and illegitimate children, and she would live a more comfortable life, which was the real benefit.

Old Lady Wang's eyes flashed with disgust. "In my opinion, the Yao family's attitude was quite good, but Mrs. Xie didn't show any smile today. It's really unlucky to see her like that."

"Mother," Wang Shaofu said helplessly, "An Ning only has one daughter, and now she has suffered an unexpected disaster. How can she be happy when she sees the culprit?"

"Just protect her and see if she'll remember your kindness," Old Lady Wang snorted coldly. Suddenly, she changed the subject and said, "It's been several months. How come none of the concubines in your room are happy?"

As she spoke, she looked her son up and down, a look of suspicion on her face, "You wouldn't..."

"Having offspring depends on fate. Perhaps the time has not come yet," Wang Shaofu said calmly as he stood up. "It's getting late. Mother, go to bed early. I won't disturb you."

As they walked out of the main courtyard, the servant behind them, having received instructions from Old Madam Wang, whispered, "Master, which concubine from Jingshu Garden would you like to serve you tonight?"

Wang Shaofu glanced at him indifferently, which made the servant feel cold up his spine.

Big house, main courtyard.

Xie Anning was having dinner when she saw her husband, whom she hadn't seen for a few days, coming over. She didn't even stand up.

Wang Shaofu didn't mind. He washed his hands and sat down at the table.

The servants had already added more dishes and chopsticks.

He had only taken two bites when the people around him put down their bowls and chopsticks and got up to leave.

Looking at the small amount of corn left in the bowl, Wang Shaofu felt a slight lump in his throat.

He also put down his bowl and chopsticks, followed him into the inner room, and asked the servants who were serving there to leave.

After receiving the master's signal, Peirong bowed slightly and led several maids out.

The moment the door closed, Wang Shaofu reached out and began to unbutton his collar.

One, two...

Xie Anning frowned slightly, "What is the master doing?"

"Of course, we should do what husband and wife should do." Wang Shaofu had had enough of her ignoring him. He smiled faintly and said, "If my wife is any more indifferent, I will forget that you and I are still husband and wife."

They were in love when they were young and had a very sweet time.

When love is strong, we say a lot of ridiculous things and do a lot of ridiculous things.

At that time, Xie An Ning only felt sweetness and joy, but now when she thinks back on it, she only feels a blockage in her heart.

The more beautiful the memories, the more suffocating they are.

Hearing this, she only felt humiliated.

Xie Anning turned away and said, "Put on your clothes. I have something to tell you."

"Are you talking about Wan'er?" Wang Shaofu paused and said, "Since the Yao family has made a promise, we should just leave it at that and not bring it up again."

After he finished speaking, Xie An Ning suddenly turned around and looked up, as if meeting him for the first time. He said in disbelief, "So you're just going to leave it at that?"

"I know you feel sorry for Wan'er's suffering in the water, and I'm annoyed too."

Wang Shaofu had already walked up to her, put his arm around her shoulders, and reasoned with her, "But now that things have come to this, the Yao family's apology is sincere. We have an engagement, so what else can we do if we don't give up?"

We can't just throw our relationship out with each other and let the girl from the Yao family also experience the pain of falling into the water, right?

Xie An Ning understood his implication and sneered, "What's wrong with the engagement? Just cancel it!"

"The young master of the Yao family hasn't even gotten married yet, and he's already gotten into this kind of romantic trouble. He's willing to give her the title of concubine. If our Wan'er really marries him, who knows how much injustice she'll have to endure. It's better to cancel the marriage and find another good match!"

"What nonsense!"

Unexpectedly, because of such a thing, his wife actually wanted to cancel the engagement for their daughter. Wang Shaofu's face suddenly darkened. "How can we treat the engagement as a joke?"

Wang Shaofu, who didn't want to argue with his wife again, took a deep breath and tried to calm his expression.

He tightened his grip on her shoulders and said patiently, "The Yao family is a family that values ​​rules very highly. It would be absolutely impossible for them to favor a concubine over their wife. Don't act on impulse and ruin Wan'er's good marriage."

"A good marriage?"

How could Xie An Ning understand his tolerance and concession? When she heard the words, she felt as if she had heard a huge joke. She suddenly stood up and pushed the person in front of her away.

"How can this be considered a good marriage? The young master of the Yao family has two maids who have served him since childhood and have been promoted to concubines."

The more she spoke, the more furious she became. "Wan'er hasn't even married yet, and her husband already has three concubines in the backyard. Whose marriage is so good..."

"What else? If I change my husband, will he stay with her forever?"

Wang Shaofu, who was pushed away harshly, became really angry when he saw that she was always so stubborn and could not be convinced no matter what he said.

He stretched out his arm and grasped the waving arm of the woman in front of him, interrupting coldly, "Don't let Wan'er be like you, counting on unrealistic things. She's already at the age to get married, it's time to get down to earth!"

"Forget three concubines! As long as my Wang family doesn't fall, even if I had thirty concubines, it wouldn't affect Wan'er's status." His expression was cold and his voice was as hard as iron. "As the mistress of the family, please be more cautious. I am just a slave, they can't make trouble!"

Wang Shaofu wanted to say something, but stopped talking when the woman in front of him turned pale.

I finally realized what I said in anger.

"I..." His face looked bad, and he opened his lips but couldn't say a word of explanation.

The room, which had just been filled with the couple's heated argument, fell into a strange silence.

Unrealistic things...

Every word spoken in that cold voice was like a sharp knife, piercing straight into Xie An Ning's body.

The heart that she thought was numb was suddenly twisted with pain.

For a full half a minute, she lost all reaction and stared blankly at the man in front of her.

So, that's what he thought.

He thought her insistence on being a couple for life was unrealistic.

Since when did the sincere boy who smiled comfortably and coaxed her gently become so unrecognizable?

It was the time when he was rising in the officialdom and climbing up the ranks step by step.

Or when she was gradually becoming desperate in her quest to have a child?

Or perhaps, he has always been like this.

It was just that I was young at that time, and I made the promise casually in order to win her heart.

When he proposed to her, he thought her request was an unrealistic luxury.

He had no intention of fulfilling his promise from the beginning to the end.

The difficulty in having children was just a ready-made excuse for him to break his promise.

Even if she gave birth to a son, he would still have other high-sounding reasons to find someone else.

The real reason was that they had been married for more than ten years, her complexion had aged, her skin had become loose and flabby, and he had grown tired of her.

How could a dignified minister, at the age when men are most energetic, stay with an old woman who has slept for more than ten years and is already tired of it?

Whether it was for the sake of offspring or just to satisfy his desire for entertainment, it was time to add a new person to his backyard.