Grandma Xie had never liked Liu Ruolan as her daughter-in-law, mainly because she didn't like her second son. Now she felt that she was being reasonable, so she spoke without any scruples.
"You have to think clearly, you are the second wife's main wife, hired by three matchmakers and six, no one can get past you. You have been married for many years, and you have only got one sister Zhao so far. If it is the same as in the past, that will be it. I listen to you, sir. It means that the second child has a good chance of taking the provincial examination next year. Is it possible that he will be left without a child by a dignified candidate?"
After saying this, Liu Ruolan's face turned pale again.
"Don't blame me for being a meddlesome old woman. Both the eldest and the third brother have Ziyi to inherit the family. What about the second child? Who will be filial to you when you two grow old?"
Liu Ruolan's lips were trembling and she didn't dare to raise her head to look at her mother-in-law.
Xie Grandma's words were even more heartbreaking one after another.
"Sister Zhao is young, but she will get married sooner or later. If you remain childless, who will support Sister Zhao in the future? My mother's family doesn't even have a capable helper, and Sister Zhao has been bullied again and again. what to do?"
Liu Ruolan raised her eyes and wanted to say that she still had several nephews, but she always felt that she couldn't say this confidently.
Grandma Xie seemed to have anticipated her thoughts. She shook her head and said, "You have to understand that Zi Yi, the eldest brother and the third brother, are separated from you after all. That's different, and there are some things between my uncle and my cousin. The difference is still huge.”
Liu Ruolan lowered her head again. Only she knew how sad she was.
When Grandma Xie saw her acting like this, she knew that he had grasped seven inches of her body.
Huh, do you really think that the Liu family has made some progress, so they dare to argue with the Xie family?
And make up for the dowry!
Do you really think there is nothing you can do against her?
Now just the mention of concubinage makes Liu Ruolan so unbearable. If concubine is really allowed to come in in the future, Liu Ruolan will have sad days ahead!
Grandma Xie had made up her mind not to let her second wife be happy, so she was already planning for someone to be a concubine for Xie Xiuwen.
Of course, Mr. Xie didn't know about this, only she and Mr. Gao knew the inside story.
Mrs. Gao was also happy to see Liu Ruolan feeling aggrieved. Who made her lucky enough to take advantage of her mother's family's influence?
If it weren't for the fact that taking a concubine requires a man's seal or fingerprint, Grandma Xie would have simply thought of taking the woman over first.
When Xie Xiuwen got home, he found that the atmosphere at home was not right, especially the sad look on his wife's face, which made him think that something big had happened at home.
After learning that it was because of concubinage, Xie Xiuwen was not anxious at all.
"I have no intention of taking a concubine, so you don't have to take it to heart."
Liu Ruolan felt relieved, but at the same time she felt guilty: "But it's my incompetence that has prevented me from giving birth to a son for my husband."
"What are you talking about! My son and daughter are all the same in my eyes. Aren't we good darlings?"
Of course Liu Ruolan also likes her daughter, but after all, she feels that without a son, she cannot live confidently in her husband's family.
"I know you are dedicated to me, but we cannot rush the fate of children. We are still young. If we can have a good baby, we will have another one in the future."
Liu Ruolan stopped talking.
Yes, she can give birth, otherwise she wouldn't have a good baby.
But the problem is that it has been several years, and the relationship between the couple is harmonious in bed, so why can't they get pregnant?
The next day, Grandma Xie brought up the past again.
But this time, I mainly spoke to Xie Xiuwen.
Xie Xiuwen refused expressionlessly: "Mom, don't mention concubinage anymore. Ruolan and I have known each other since childhood and have been friends for many years. Do you want me to be a heartless person?"
Grandpa Xie on the side also felt that the second child was still young and was not in a hurry to take a concubine and have children.
But Xie Grandma doesn’t think so!
"Second brother, I am also doing this for your own good. You are now twenty-three, and others at your age may be the father of three sons. Now you only have one son, Sister Zhao, and Mrs. Liu's belly has not been moving in the past few years. Do you really not want to think about the future?"
Xie Xiuwen said in a deep voice: "Auntie, you should know that I intend to take the provincial examination again next year. Now I have taken a concubine before I passed the examination. Do you think your son's reputation is not bad enough?"
Grandpa Xie's heart skipped a beat, and his expression became much more solemn than before.
"Father, there are two scholars in the Liu family, and my eldest uncle is now working in the county government. I won't hide it from you two. When I went home for the reunion this time, my husband also left his homework for me. I still have to I should think of a way to ask my uncle for help. If I have a room of concubines, how can I have the nerve to ask my uncle for help?"
Thank you for all your concern: "But what happened?"
Xie Xiuwen shook his head, paused and then said: "It's some homework about taxation. My uncle works in the yamen, and he knows details about some affairs in our county. I can't just scribble it in and hand it in, right?" Also, if I can get more advice from my uncle, it will be helpful for policy discussions in the future."
Grandma Xie doesn’t think so.
Then Boss Liu is also a scholar, and his ranking that year was not as good as Xie Xiuwen's. How could he be mentioned?
Grandpa Xie was not a woman trapped in the inner house, so he naturally understood what his son meant.
The officialdom cannot be just talk on paper.
"What you said makes sense. Your uncles and brothers are all good, and they have contributed a lot to Guobao's affairs in the past. If you go to ask Boss Liu for advice, you still have to bring a generous gift."
"Yes, father."
Grandpa Xie made the decision directly, so Grandma Xie naturally had no chance to make another move.
Although Xie Grandma was angry in her heart, it was not impossible.
In the evening, Grandma Xie called Mrs. Gao over to talk.
"I think that Miss Cui is good. In two days, you can find a reason to bring her home. I will make my own arrangements."
Gao's heart was beating like a drum, a little excited and a little uneasy.
"Auntie, is this too risky? I think since my second brother is unwilling, why don't we think of other ways?"
Grandma Xie glared at her, wondering why this Gao's mind was getting worse and worse.
"It's because he doesn't want to, so we have no choice but to take harsh measures. Okay, just do as I say. Then you can find a reason to send Liu and his daughter out, and then let them come back when the matter is over."
Gao thought it was a good idea.
Moreover, as long as Mrs. Gao thought about the scene of Liu Ruolan being heartbroken when she saw her husband having a concubine, she felt happy in her heart.
Xie Xiuwen took the generous gift and went directly to Liu's restaurant in the county.
But what a coincidence, Boss Liu was not on duty today and happened to be helping in the restaurant.
"Brother-in-law is here, come in and sit down."
Xie Xiuwen saluted and then said: "Sorry to bother you, brother. I really need to ask you some things. I came in a hurry. It's rude of Zicheng."
(End of chapter)
