Chapter 683: Chapter 685: Concubine

"Even though we were in that poor, remote village, she didn’t seem like a country girl at all. Otherwise, your father wouldn’t have arranged such a marriage for you back then.

He was thinking, if you could become a Scholar, having such a Scholar’s wife wouldn’t bring you any shame."

Madam Ning sank into her memories. "It’s just a pity your father died so early. I didn’t have the ability to support this family, so I had to find another backer.

But we didn’t treat her unfairly back then. We compensated them with Silver, and her parents happily accepted it.

I know her family looked down on you for being poor back then. Without your father’s support, they probably figured that was as far as you’d go.

Why bring this up all of a sudden?"

Ning Yuchen said in a low voice, "Mother, you know I have no brothers or clan relatives to support me. It’s hard to earn respect when I’m fighting all on my own.

Since Lady Yao has come to us for refuge, and we have a history together, I was thinking of becoming sworn siblings with her.

Then I can help her find a good family to marry into. If anything ever happens, we can look out for each other."

Madam Ning immediately understood what he meant. Lady Yao had some good looks; if she were cleaned up nicely, it wasn’t impossible....

"But I’ve seen her trying to get close to you several times. Does she still have feelings for you?"

A flash of smugness crossed Ning Yuchen’s eyes, but he said, "I’ve already spoken to her about it, and she didn’t object."

Besides, if Ancient Wen Heng’s men hadn’t been so cautious, the plan might have already succeeded.

He had also been looking for a target these past few days; after all, he couldn’t let his own matters be delayed.

"Well, if you have a use for her, then go ahead and become sworn siblings. But when she marries, we can’t provide a dowry."

"..." Ning Yuchen opened his mouth, wanting to say that a concubine doesn’t need a dowry, but out of consideration for his old feelings for Lady Yao, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Lady Yao was also pacing restlessly in her room, standing up from time to time to look at the door.

Living here without any official status—it had only been a few days, but she was already finding it unbearable.

Everyone in this household looked down on her. Just a moment ago, Old Mrs. Ning had even told her directly to leave.

’I have to find Ning Yuchen today and force his hand.’

’I wonder what that mother and son are saying behind closed doors.’

’They’ve been in there for most of the day and still haven’t come out.’

She stood at her door, listening intently. After an unknown amount of time, she heard the CREAK of a door sliding open. She quickly fixed her appearance and slid her own door open as well.

There was no dramatic moment of their eyes meeting. It was just that this rented house was old, and the sound of any door opening was quite loud. It was impossible for Ning Yuchen not to notice.

He asked gently, "Lady Yao, not resting yet?"

"Brother Ning, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Of course," Ning Yuchen said gently, pointing to the kitchen. "The stove is still lit, so it’s warmer. Let’s talk in there."

Lady Yao sat by the stove, warming her hands by the fire. "Brother Ning, I’m just living here for free and disturbing your family. Maybe I should just go back to my village."

She didn’t relay what Old Mrs. Ning had said. She knew in her heart that Ning Yuchen felt guilty towards her and also had other intentions, but he had always been a filial son and naturally knew some things were better left unsaid.

"What kind of life would you have if you went back?" Ning Yuchen soothed. "I’m already making arrangements for you. Don’t worry about household chores; just rest well for the next few days."

At least without chores and with good food these past few days, she had regained much of her former beauty.

Plus, now that she was a married woman, she no longer had her youthful naivete. Instead, she possessed a different kind of charm and was even more eye-catching than before.

Yao Liang noticed Ning Yuchen’s appraising gaze and touched her face. "Brother Ning, is there something wrong with my face?"

"No, it’s fine." Ning Yuchen thought he should take this opportunity to be clear. "Lady Yao, I truly want to help you find a good place. If it’s an ordinary family, you’ll still be living a life of mundane chores.

Take Ancient Wen Heng, for example. A high-ranking official from a wealthy family. If you had entered his rear courtyard, you would have been guaranteed a lifetime of glory and riches.

Last time, we weren’t thorough enough in our planning and wasted such a great opportunity.

It’s a pity he had to rush off to his post, causing him to miss out on a beauty like you."

Lady Yao shyly covered her face. "Brother Ning, please stop.

I had to summon all my courage last time. After what happened, I don’t have such thoughts anymore."

"Brother Ning, do you look down on me because I’ve been married?" Lady Yao lowered her hands, her face full of grievance.

Seeing the tears welling up in Lady Yao’s eyes, shimmering in the light of the charcoal fire, Ning Yuchen’s heart suddenly sped up. He felt that in this moment, Lady Yao was breathtakingly moving.

He licked his lips. "How could I ever look down on you? Even though you’ve been married, you’re still the Lady Yao from my memories."

But Lady Yao sobbed softly, "I don’t believe you. Otherwise, why would Brother Ning keep trying to find another family for me?

Is it because I’m not good enough for Brother Ning to want me?

Brother Ning, I really don’t care about status. But if I have to be a concubine, I’d rather be by Brother Ning’s side."

A warmth spread through Ning Yuchen’s heart, and his gaze softened. He raised a hand to comfort her, but a burning sensation in his palm snapped him back to his senses.

He had accidentally touched the stove. He lowered his head, avoiding her gaze. "How could I not find you desirable? It’s just... you’ve seen my situation. I can barely fend for myself, so I can’t give you a good life.

I can’t be so selfish. Besides, I owe you this, so I must arrange things properly for you."

"But I don’t want to be with anyone else," Lady Yao said, looking at him with tear-filled eyes. "I truly don’t mind a hard life, as long as I can be with Brother Ning."

Ning Yuchen’s heart skipped a beat for a moment, but he quickly composed himself. "I’ve already let you down once. I daren’t ruin your life again.

Mrs. Fang is a jealous woman. I took a concubine before, and she caused the poor girl to meet a terrible end. Since then, I’ve given up on the idea."

Ning Yuchen’s expression was exceptionally pained. "Or perhaps with our... sigh..."

Lady Yao was startled. She truly hadn’t known about this. She stammered, "But Sister-in-law doesn’t seem..."

"You can’t judge a person by their face. It’s getting late now, you should go back and rest. I’ll take care of everything else." Ning Yuchen couldn’t stay any longer. He offered a few perfunctory words of advice and left in a hurry.

Lady Yao sat for a long while before finally returning to her room.

「The next day,」 she went about helping the old maids and servant girls with their chores as usual.

In the course of their conversations, she slowly managed to fish for some information.

These servant girls and old maids might not have known much about the master’s affairs, but from the few snippets they let slip, she learned that a certain Aunt Xiao existed and that she was no longer here. She couldn’t find out the specific reason, however.

What she didn’t know was that the servant girls and old maids who knew about the matter had all been gradually replaced. The current ones only knew of this person because they had overheard a few words from their predecessors.

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