Chapter 278: Initial Discussion on Taking a Concubine
The snow this year is lighter than last year.

Before the New Year.

Pingyang Houfu.

Hualan was sitting in the hall with Yang Wenyuan.

Next to her, sitting on the side was Yang Ruijin with an aggrieved look on her face. She was being scolded by Madam Chen.

The reason was that her masterpiece, which she "asked someone to write for her", was discovered by Mrs. Chen.

After all, everyone has some tendencies in their skills. Mrs. Chen took a quick look and discovered that there were several differences in the needlework that Yang Ruijin handed in.

When she thought about how the girls from the Risheng family were mysteriously pulled into the room by Yang Ruijin after they came to the house, Mrs. Chen had already guessed the whole story.

After being tortured with words and actions, Yang Ruijin had no choice but to confess.

This made Mrs. Chen very angry.

This sister-in-law, who has not yet married, is actually instigating her future sisters-in-law to help with needlework?
If this word gets out, how can she save face as a mother?

In a rage, Mrs. Chen put Yang Ruijin under house arrest and imposed additional "excessive taxes and fees", forcing Yang Ruijin to work under her nose every day.

"Really? Why is it that in every marriage, we women have to do needlework while men just have to sit and wait at home?" Yang Ruijin grumbled with a look of resentment on her face.

The blame was not directed at his mother, Mrs. Chen, but at his anger at having his "perfect plan" exposed.

How was this discovered?

How could this be discovered?
Madam Chen stopped chatting with Hualan and turned to give Yang Ruijin a sidelong glance:
"Then I'll give you a new job? Fight on the battlefield or study hard for a few decades, and wait for you to pass the imperial examination?"

Yang Ruijin pursed her lips but didn't say anything else.

It would be better to let her do needlework than to let her study.

"Then the mother..."

Yang Rujin tried again for a while, put on a flattering face and said:

"How about letting me rest for a while? My eyes are getting sore from using them all the time."

Madam Chen glanced at the bright sky outside, her expression unmoved, and said calmly:
"Don't even think about being lazy. Wait until the servants come and serve lunch, then you'll be allowed to rest."

"Then can my daughter..."

Yang Rujin asked excitedly, but was immediately interrupted by Madam Chen:

"Don't even think about it!"

"If you don't finish your daily needlework under the supervision of your sister-in-law and me, you can't do anything else!"

Yang Ruijin's bright eyes turned around, and then he asked again:
"Mother, when I finish my needlework, won't I be able to move around on my own?"

Madam Chen glanced at Yang Rujin and snorted coldly:
"You have to finish it."

"Great!"

Yang Rujin, however, seemed to have not heard her mother's ridicule at all. She just shouted excitedly and began to work hard on the needlework, saying:

"Mother, you must keep your word. When I finish my needlework today, you must play mahjong with me and my sister-in-law."

Yang Ruijin is used to making big claims.

"Okay, I will keep my word." Mrs. Chen also nodded.

Yang Rujin was secretly delighted at the moment.

"Brother is right. People in the Great Zhou Dynasty all like to compromise, and even mother is no exception."

At the same time, Mrs. Chen was also feeling proud.

"Little guy, can't I control you, little girl?"

It is not easy to go out in winter, and Mrs. Chen is also bored.

This move can not only encourage Yang Ruijin to be diligent, but also relieve his own fatigue, and allow Hualan to relax as well. It can be said to kill three birds with one stone!
Why not? !

As for Yang Wenyuan?
His current status in this family is only higher than Yang Ruijin who made a mistake.

If Yang Rujin had not made any mistakes, considering her upcoming marriage, Yang Wenyuan would naturally be far inferior to her.

Needless to say, Mrs. Chen is a kind and dear elder.

Hualan "used the emperor to command the princes" and even sat in the top seat in the family.

Seeing her daughter secretly laughing, Mrs. Chen felt relieved:

"Sure enough, it was an illusion that she controlled me at first. Everything is still under my control."

night.

The cold wind howled in the snow, making it not suitable to go out, so after dinner, everyone went back to their rooms.

Because doing needlework under the light at night is harmful to the eyes, Mrs. Chen gave Yang Ruijin some time at night so that she could rest early.

Better get up early and study hard tomorrow.

Zi Ze Ju.

in the bedroom.

The pre-fired ground heating makes the house as warm as spring.

Yang Wenyuan and Hua Lan were both wearing moon-white silk pajamas and did not feel cold.

The night is long.

Yang Wenyuan and Hualan had nothing to do, so they had to chat.

As she was talking, Hua Lan suddenly sat up from Yang Wenyuan's arms, looked up at Yang Wenyuan, and said:

"Sir, how about I find a concubine for you on a certain day?"

Although she was asking Yang Wenyuan for his opinion, Hua Lan had actually made up her mind.

After all, even Madam Zheng from the Zhongjing Marquis's family, who came from a prominent family like the Yan family, had to take a concubine into her husband's family to prevent outsiders from giving him a bad reputation.

And since I was born into the Sheng family, that goes without saying.

She could have put it off when she was pregnant, but now that she is pregnant, she cannot fulfil her duties as a wife and can no longer put it off.

Originally Hualan had thought that she would take advantage of the time when her aunt Madam Chen returned to the Marquis' Mansion to have Madam Chen bring it up, but who knew that Madam Chen would not even mention it and there was no sign of it at all.

The same is true for Yang Wenyuan.

This made Hualan feel even more guilty.

So, taking advantage of the evening chat between the couple before the New Year, Hualan took the initiative to bring up this matter.

It's a good time to take advantage of this period to look for a good family and a good girl.

After all, with the example of Lin Xiaoniang, Hualan naturally didn't want to bring such a charming and troublesome person into her family.

"Why are you saying this suddenly?"

Yang Wenyuan turned around and asked:
"Do you feel that I have neglected you during this period of time?"

Hua Lan shook her head, gently leaned her head on Yang Wenyuan's shoulder, and said softly:
"My lord and my aunt have been very kind to me, and I should repay them."

Yang Wenyuan was about to speak, but Hua Lan stopped him:
"The Yang family has never had many descendants. I came here just to enjoy the endless blessings. All I can do is to expand the bloodline of the family."

For a moment, Yang Wenyuan remained silent.

In the face of beauty, ask yourself, no man can remain unmoved, not to mention that we live in a society where taking concubines is a natural thing.

Even more, if you don't take a concubine, you will be seen as an outsider by everyone, and people will suspect that you are a jealous woman and your family is not prosperous.

Hua Lan immediately came close to Yang Wenyuan and whispered:
"But, sir, I also have a request."

"You said."

"Then the choice has to be made by me, and not by anyone else, otherwise I won't feel at ease." After all, the fight between her mother and Lin Qinshuang at home was too fresh in her memory. Although Hua Lan had made up her mind, she didn't want to hand the matter over to others.

At the same time, she also knew that her words showed some lack of trust in Yang Wenyuan, so she asked for a guarantee in advance.

"It depends on you, everything depends on you!"

Yang Wenyuan gently took Hualan into his arms, stroked her smooth black hair, and said softly:

"Even if you choose a few decades later, I will agree to your request." Although Yang Wenyuan hoped for this, he couldn't get over the hurdle in his heart if he really had to carry it out himself.

I had no choice but to adopt an attitude of neither taking the initiative nor rejecting.

"Bitch is just hypocritical!" Yang Wenyuan cursed himself in his heart.

The next morning.

Just as Mrs. Chen was about to urge Yang Rujin to get up early and study hard, she was called to Zize Residence by Cuichan of the Hualan School.

Zi Ze Ju.

Madam Chen walked into the hanging flower gate with a curious look on her face, not understanding why Hualan called her over so early.

If you have something to say, can't you wait until before lunch?
However, it was the "edict of the Supreme Emperor" after all, so Madam Chen arranged for Yun Lan to stay and supervise, and then quickly rushed to Zize Residence.

"Huh? You're going to report for duty so early today?" As soon as Mrs. Chen entered the main room, she saw Yang Wenyuan, who had already put on his official uniform and was ready to go out to work, so she asked curiously.

Today is not the time for small or large court meetings, so officials do not need to report too early, which is why Madam Chen asked this question.

Yang Wenyuan knew what Hualan had called Madam Chen to discuss. He felt a little embarrassed when he heard Madam Chen's question. He said vaguely with an embarrassed look on his face:

"It's going to be earlier today."

"What? I asked you why you had to get up early. Don't you like to go late?"

Facing Yang Wenyuan's irrelevant answer, Mrs. Chen frowned immediately, and then thought of Yang Rujin, and said:

"I think Rujin girl must have learned all this from you."

Hearing that his aunt had diverted her attention, Yang Wenyuan breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, after angrily accusing Yang Ruijin, he quickly apologized and left.

Pass the side room.

Hualan was already sitting there.

"Hualan, what do you want from me so early?"

Mrs. Chen walked quickly to Hualan's side and tried not to let her stand up to salute, but she had no choice but to accept it gently. She then carefully helped Hualan sit down.

Hua Lan said apologetically:
"Thank you for your concern, aunt. I really have something to discuss with you."

"Oh?"

Seeing Hua Lan's serious look, Madam Chen also put away her light-hearted thoughts and asked slowly:

"But what's the matter?"

Hua Lan nodded slightly, then said calmly:

"Aunt, I want to take a concubine for the master."

"Wh…what? Taking a concubine?"

Mrs. Chen was immediately stunned:
"Why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?"

Mrs. Chen was puzzled, and suddenly thought of Yang Wenyuan who had a thief-like look on his face and was obviously guilty. She immediately stood up and said angrily:
"Tell me, was it that kid Yang Wenyuan who forced you to do that?"

"Well, I've been so kind to this kid for so many years, but I didn't expect he would be such a person!"

Mrs. Chen had no intention of playing the good guy or the bad guy this time, but was filled with anger from the bottom of her heart.

After all, Hualan needed to rest and take care of her baby right now. If Yang Wenyuan suddenly did this, the baby in Hualan's belly...

"No, it isn't, aunt."

Seeing Mrs. Chen's big reaction, Hua Lan was moved and quickly stood up to comfort her:
"It's none of your business, this is my idea."

After Madam Chen calmed down, Hua Lan lowered her head and explained:

"Aunt, you also know that I come from a poor family. Now that I'm pregnant, I can't avoid the issue of having a concubine."

"Why do you care what others say?"

Madam Chen gently comforted Hua Lan and sat her down, saying softly:
"I'm relieved if it's not Wenyuan. I mean, I watched him grow up, and he's not a heartless person."

Then, Mrs. Chen continued:

"As for what outsiders say..."

Mrs. Chen smiled at Hua Lan amiably and used herself as an example and joked:
"Besides, your aunt is still there to block the way."

Since Yang Yuqing got married, he has been controlled by Madam Chen and has never taken a concubine.

However, at that time, Mrs. Chen was the only daughter in the family.

But Hualan is different, she has three younger sisters.

Hua Lan nodded slightly, accepting Mrs. Chen's kindness, but still pretended to smile bitterly and said:
"Aunt, I don't mind, but I have three younger sisters waiting to get married."

"If I had a reputation of being arrogant and jealous...

Then it will be hard for my sisters to find husbands in the future."

As she spoke, Hua Lan glanced at Madam Chen:
"Even Madam Qin from the Dongchang Marquisate was implicated by this, let alone my humble family."

Xiao Qinshi ended up becoming her brother-in-law's second wife. It must be said that her elder sister, Da Qinshi, also contributed a lot to it.

“You’re different here.”

Mrs. Chen defended Hualan:

"You have something to offer, but she is just occupying the toilet..."

Mrs. Chen paused, but still said:

"Anyway, your situations are very different. You don't have to take this step."

"But my family is not as wealthy as the Dongchang Marquisate. Outsiders' gossip can spread evil winds everywhere."

Hua Lan said seriously:
"Aunt, I have made up my mind. You don't need to persuade me anymore."

"Hey!"

Mrs. Chen sighed, but finally nodded in agreement.

But then she asked:
"But did you talk to Wenyuan?"

Hua Lan nodded and said:
"I've already said that the master will let me do whatever I want. It doesn't matter if I have to search for decades."

Mrs. Chen immediately understood Yang Wenyuan's thoughts and cursed in a low voice:

"He really is like a fox watching a chicken! No wonder he ran away when he saw me just now."

Hua Lan understood what Mrs. Chen meant by "having the desire to steal but not the courage to steal", and immediately covered her mouth with her hands, chuckled a few times, and said:
"The official still misses me."

Seeing that Hualan was still making excuses for Yang Wenyuan, Mrs. Chen smiled helplessly.

"It's just right that during the New Year holidays, we have plenty of time to find a good woman for you, my lord." Hua Lan continued to talk to Madam Chen.

The couple has already reached a consensus, so Mrs. Chen doesn't need to worry about it anymore. Besides, it's good to be able to have more children for the Yang family.

"I should pay more attention, too."

Madam Chen glanced at Hua Lan and said softly:
"You have to find someone who is virtuous, otherwise if she comes to your house and disturbs the peace of your family, it will be a disaster."

Hua Lan nodded in agreement.

"Aunt is absolutely right. I have also considered this aspect."

Mrs. Chen opened her mouth and assured:

"But Hua'er, don't worry. In this matter, your aunt and family are on your side. Even if that woman turns out to be a jerk who is arrogant at first but respectful later, and Wenyuan is also confused, she won't go to your aunt's place. You can just knock on her door and sell the deceived girl out."

"Thank you for your kindness, aunt!"

Hualan could hear the deep love in her aunt's heart, and her eyes suddenly became hot, but she didn't want to cry, so she just turned her head and said:

"But if the master knew that you thought so badly of him, I'm afraid he would cry out for injustice."

"He dares?!"

Mrs. Chen snorted coldly:
"Let's not talk about this. When he comes back in the evening, I will make him feel uncomfortable."

　o (╥﹏╥) o
　　The keyboard is broken, everyone, wait for me to refine the magic weapon again!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)