Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

This time, Ms. Qin didn’t solely pin her hopes on Ms. Ruan. Instead, she assigned two concubines, both from impoverished rural backgrounds, to Zhao Zhai.

One of the girls hailed from a destitute countryside family and possessed a strikingly beautiful countenance and figure. Her demeanor was devoid of elegance, intrigue, coquettishness, or worldliness. Rather, she exuded an air of honesty, almost bordering on dullness. However, her attributes were deserving of commendation.

In this instance, Ms. Zheng grasped Ms. Qin’s strategy – they aimed to excel in childbearing.

Ms. Qin held a favorable disposition toward these two girls, convinced that they had the potential to conceive and bear children.

A derisive snort escaped Ms. Zheng’s lips.

Ms. Qin’s decisions were her own prerogative, a fact she remained unfazed by. She observed the unfolding spectacle with considerable amusement.

Yet, Ms. Qin had miscalculated this time; the apparent “childbearing prowess” of these two concubines yielded no pregnancies even after six months.

Growing anxious, Ms. Qin employed various supplements to no avail.

Her intent to acquire additional concubines for Zhao Zhai persisted.

Driven to a state of recklessness, Ms. Qin was ready to intervene further.

However, Zhao Mu rebuked her, instructing her to desist from securing more concubines for Zhao Zhai.

At slightly over a decade in age, Zhao Zhai was already wed to one wife and held two concubines. If another concubine were to be added to the mix, would it not jeopardize his well-being or tarnish his reputation?

Fearing a direct confrontation with Zhao Mu after the lesson, Ms. Qin offered her apologies and arranged for a maid to attend to Zhao Zhai.

Ms. Qin had devised a shrewd strategy: if the maid became pregnant and delivered a child, she would be elevated to the status of concubine, thus striking a harmonious balance.

Curiously, no other pregnancies materialized.

This time around, Ms. Ruan grappled with heightened stress, impairing her child-rearing efforts. Regrettably, the child was born but did not survive past a month, in line with expectations.

Ms. Yuan’s heart plummeted, driving her to attempt self-inflicted harm using a length of white silk.

Though she was ultimately rescued by her attending maid, her health had deteriorated, rendering her unable to conceive for a span of two to three years.

Subsequent to a series of harsh setbacks, Ms. Qin’s vigor waned.

A vehement loathing for Ms. Zheng had firmly taken root within Ms. Qin’s heart. She steadfastly clung to the belief that Ms. Zheng must have schemed covertly against her.

The depths of Ms. Zheng’s cunning were far too elusive to unravel.

Yet, Ms. Qin was convinced—there had to be some clandestine machination at play!

Otherwise, the string of misfortunes would not have unfolded with such eerie synchronicity. How else could the predicaments besiege the offspring in succession?

Historically, Ms. Zheng had never entangled herself with Ms. Qin and her progeny. She hadn’t even glimpsed Ms. Yuan’s child upon birth.

Yet, the repetition of a lie could potentially sow seeds of doubt and warrant unwarranted belief.

Excessive discussion invariably begets a multitude of complications.

Ms. Qin’s assertions resounded with unwavering confidence, instigating Zhao Mu’s skepticism.

Driven by suspicion, he sought a direct confrontation with Ms. Zheng.

While harboring minimal optimism for this interaction, Ms. Zheng couldn’t help but shudder at Zhao Mu’s utterances.

Zhao Mu had succumbed to Ms. Qin’s falsehoods and began to cast doubt upon Ms. Zheng!

In response, Ms. Zheng emitted a derisive chuckle. “Throughout my tenure in this family, I’ve consistently refrained from entangling myself with the mother and son, precisely to avoid such baseless suspicions. Can you truly fault me for this? Do Ms. Qin’s words wield the authority of imperial decrees? Is she at liberty to utter whatever pleases her, devoid of substantiation?”

Irritated by her retort, Zhao Mu’s patience snapped. “Fine, fine, fine, no, I never said anything negative about you. Can’t you communicate without the sarcasm? Must you always resort to being so snide?”

Their exchange ignited yet another heated disagreement.