Free Web NovelChapter 667: Chapter 667: Taking the Initiative to Find a Concubine for Her Husband
"Take good care of yourself. If you want anything to eat or drink, let Nie Xiaofeng or Chengmin know. Rest well. I’ll come to see you again tomorrow."
Min Han Niu gave some advice to Gu Dashu and stood up to leave.
Gu Dashu looked at Su Chengmin and said, "Laifu... no, Chengmin, are your aunt and cousins at the border? Why have I not seen them around?"
Su Chengmin replied expressionlessly, "My uncle never married."
Gu Dashu: "..."
Could it be that the Mighty General is still thinking about his mother, and that’s why he hasn’t gotten married?
No wonder he grabs his hand and asks if his mother has mentioned him.
That eager look is exactly like when he first asked Liu Yueer if she had feelings for him.
Nie Xiaofeng scratched his head as if having an epiphany, saying, "Could the Great General be thinking about Grandma?"
Otherwise, why would he look at his second uncle the way a father looks at his son?
If his grandfather knew from below, would he be so angry he might come back to life?
Su Chengmin said, "My uncle has been fighting all over the place since he was young, so marriage plans were delayed."
Grandmother sighs whenever this topic is brought up.
His uncle, as the Mighty General, is only in his forties, considered a man of mature charm. Every three years when he comes to Shengjing for debriefing, countless people want to matchmake for him, even the Emperor has intentions to grant him a marriage.
Yet, his uncle rejects them all.
If asked, he simply replies that agreeing to marry someone would offend someone else. As a person of his status, whoever he marries would mean he’s aligning with them.
If the other side makes a wrong alliance, wouldn’t the Min Family be doomed together?
For someone holding military power, marriage can easily be misconstrued.
Especially by the suspicious Emperor.
Therefore, Min Han Niu simply chose not to marry or take concubines, focusing entirely on the military, loyal only to the Emperor.
Otherwise, with Su Chengmin as a Hidden Guard for the Crown Prince Faction, Min Han Niu would surely be implicated.
Su Chengmin used to trust his uncle’s excuse not to marry, but now he isn’t so certain.
Before, whenever Grandmother heard about some family match proposals for certain noble ladies, she would always shake her head, either disliking their fragile bodies or their bound feet, or criticizing their roundabout way of speaking. Not one noble lady in Shengjing, not even princesses, earned her approval.
Many said Old Madam Min set her sights too high. After all, no matter how much the Mighty General is trusted by the Emperor, he was born with mud on his legs, how could the noble ladies of Shengjing not match up?
Old Madam Min insisted she liked people with straightforward personalities and capable hands.
Su Chengmin believes Grandmother purely has the mindset of a villainous mother-in-law.
Only now does Su Chengmin realize he wrongly accused Grandmother; her ideal daughter-in-law is Aunt Tong.
"Others can wage war everywhere without delaying marriage and children. Isn’t the Mighty General’s excuse a mere pretext?" Nie Xiaofeng doubts Su Chengmin’s nonsense.
Nie Xiaofeng even thought, since the Mighty General hasn’t married, isn’t it perfect? Anyway, his grandfather is gone, they might as well rekindle old romances, nobody’s forbidden widows from remarrying. He actually feels Aunt Tong Huaqiong is so capable, she’s been delayed by his grandfather for so many years, his grandmother and the Mighty General are truly a perfect match.
But he dares not say, fearing that his statement might make his second uncle jump up and hit him.
Gu Dashu bared his teeth at Nie Xiaofeng, "Don’t talk nonsense; how could a man like the Great General be trapped by romance? He’s someone who does great things."
Little rascal dares to gossip about Grandmother, don’t you value your life?
Nie Xiaofeng remained immersed in his thoughts, saying, "I think the Great General is indeed trapped by romance with Grandma, which is why he never married."
The room fell silent at these words.
"You little rascal, what nonsense are you saying? Do you think since becoming Deputy General I can’t deal with you?" Gu Dashu reached out to grab Nie Xiaofeng.
Facing his second uncle’s fiery gaze, Nie Xiaofeng couldn’t help but move a little further away from Gu Dashu.
"Uh, Second Uncle, the medicine was really bitter just now, I’ll go get some candied fruit to cleanse your mouth."
Nie Xiaofeng ran away swiftly like a rabbit.
"Ouch."
After Min Han Niu and Nie Xiaofeng both left, Gu Dashu rolled over with excitement at the thought of entering the Capital to meet the Emperor, but he immediately pressed onto his ribs, causing golden stars to appear before his eyes from the pain.
"Be careful." Manager He said, "You just woke up; don’t get excited and end up breaking a couple of ribs again."
Gu Dashu lay on his back, unable to contain his excitement, saying to Manager He, "Old He, we’re about to meet the Emperor, aren’t you excited?"
Manager He replied, "I just want to go home."
Seeing the Emperor and receiving a reward in Shengjing is certainly exciting, but Manager He is more concerned about Mrs. Hong back in Qinghe Bay.
Even though he knows with Tong Huaqiong there, Mrs. Hong certainly won’t be mistreated, he still worries.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Hong recently noticed that everyone’s gaze carried excessive pity when looking at her in Qinghe Bay.
Mrs. Hong has always been kind and straightforward, never putting on airs, and she is well regarded among the elder women and young wives in Qinghe Bay.
"Sister Qin, why does everyone stop chatting when they see me approaching? Have I perhaps offended them?"
On her way to the Weaving Workshop, Mrs. Hong noticed a group of women gossiping freely, but upon her approach, they all went silent, and some even hurriedly left.
Mrs. Hong held Aunt Qin back, asking about the reason.
Aunt Qin hesitated but ultimately said, "Manager He has accomplished something; do you have any thoughts on it?"
Mrs. Hong felt baffled; what thoughts could she have?
Seeing Mrs. Hong wasn’t thinking about the gossip’s subject, Aunt Qin sighed and said, "Manager He has been away from home for two years now, and he’s to receive a reward at Shengjing and potentially get an official position. It’s commonly said men with power and money turn into Chen Shimei, taking multiple wives. Of course, I’m not insinuating Manager He will change his heart, but I’m advising you to be prepared."
"Don’t be caught off guard if he develops wandering eyes. As women, what’s crucial to keeping a man anchored? It’s the children. Here’s an unsettling truth: you and Manager He don’t have any children. Before, it seemed inconsequential, but what man with an official status and large estate wouldn’t want his own children to inherit it? Otherwise, wouldn’t it benefit outsiders? Men can have children even in their older years, so I sincerely urge you to plan ahead."
Even though Mrs. Hong knows Aunt Qin’s words were well-intentioned, she couldn’t help but feel upset.
Concealing her feelings, Mrs. Hong calmly asked, "How should I plan, Sister Qin? Tell me."
Aunt Qin clapped her hands and said, "It’s quite simple: get him a concubine ahead of time, which not only shows your kindness but also prevents the idea of him taking other concubines. You keep the concubine in check, she can’t cause trouble, and once she bears a child, raise the child as your own; it’s just like having one of your own."
Aunt Qin genuinely believed this solution was good.
Since it’s assumed a man with power and money will take concubines anyway, why not be proactive about it?
Rather than letting a man take a concubine himself and not being aligned with you, why not give him one first?
Under the guise of thinking about offspring, the man might even be grateful to you.
"You can save this advice for yourself or your daughter-in-law, Sister Qin."
Mrs. Hong turned her face away and left, leaving Aunt Qin stomping her feet.
Mrs. Hong was angry as she headed towards the Weaving Workshop. The issue with never having children with He Chao had always been a sore point for her, something she’d gradually stopped thinking about with Tong Huaqiong’s guidance.
Now Aunt Qin has rekindled those concerns, no wonder she’s upset.
"What’s wrong?" Tong Huaqiong asked.
Mrs. Hong recounted Aunt Qin’s words to Tong Huaqiong.
Tong Huaqiong frowned, acknowledging Aunt Qin’s warm-heartedness, but at times, she seemed to lack boundaries. Yet for her to suggest that Mrs. Hong gives He Chao a concubine must be influenced by someone’s instigation.
Otherwise, why would Aunt Qin choose this particular moment to speak?
