With Multiple Babies, Who Still Wants to Be the Marquess’s Wife? - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: People are Always Too Greedy

At this moment, Zhao Yan’er sincerely thanked Lan Qingxi.

Originally, she thought that with Yu Junshu’s attitude, she might not be able to become a concubine in the marquisate.

Unexpectedly, the situation took a turn, and Lan Qingxi actually intended for her to be Yu Junshu’s concubine.

She sincerely bowed her head three times to Lan Qingxi and said, “Madam is so gracious to Yan’er; I will remember this in my heart.”

“Rest assured, you will see how Yan’er performs in the future!”

Lan Qingxi did not take her promise to heart but softened her tone slightly, saying, “I naturally believe you.”

“You must adhere to your duties and serve the heir well, helping to expand the family line of the marquisate.”

Zhao Yan’er felt her face flush at her words. “Yan’er would never dare to compete with Madam for Jun Ge’s affection.”

“If Madam can grant Yan’er one day a month to serve the heir, I would be immensely grateful.”

Lan Qingxi’s lips curled into a slight smile. “This kind of affection depends on the heir’s feelings; I won’t meddle too much.”

“If you can have the heir stay in your room every night, that is your own ability.”

Zhao Yan’er didn’t expect her to say this and was momentarily taken aback.

Lan Qingxi had already said everything she needed to and asked Li Qiu to escort Zhao Yan’er out.

At the door, Zhao Yan’er slipped a piece of silver into Li Qiu’s hand and quietly asked, “Sister Li Qiu, what does Madam really mean?”

Li Qiu accepted the silver without hesitation and replied, “Madam does not like to beat around the bush, it’s just the literal meaning.”

“Zhao Niang should keep the concubine contract safe; Madam will ensure you receive the proper respect.”

After thanking Lan Qingxi and leaving, Zhao Yan’er felt somewhat dizzy.

Since she couldn’t read, fearing that Lan Qingxi might play tricks with the concubine contract, she called Chun’er to help her read it.

Not all the maids in the marquisate could read, Yu Junshu was worried that an illiterate maid might mislead Zhao Yan’er, so he sent for a literate maid.

Chun’er carefully read the contents of the document to Zhao Yan’er, who couldn’t discern any issues with the concubine contract.

She happily exclaimed, “I didn’t expect this contract to be genuine!”

Chun’er glanced at her, and Zhao Yan’er quickly added, “Madam is truly generous.”

Chun’er didn’t comment; she only thought that Lan Qingxi’s handwriting was exquisite, rivaling even that of the most talented scholars.

After confirming that the contract was fine, Zhao Yan’er was overjoyed and had Chun’er help her clean the room inside and out.

When Yu Junshu returned from his duty in the evening, Zhao Yan’er was waiting at the door for him.

Compared to her coyness yesterday, her joy was evident today.

Zhao Yan’er leaned closer to him and said, “Jun Ge, this is the concubine contract written by Madam; she intends for me to be your concubine now.”

Seeing her jubilant face, Yu Junshu thought she was almost foolish, but he couldn’t express this.

Feeling frustrated inside, he replied, “As long as you’re happy.”

Last night, he had received two slaps from Lan Qingxi and, after returning, had rolled a chicken egg over his face, but there were still marks left.

He hadn’t wanted to go to the office, but today there were pressing matters that required his personal attention.

Ambitiously, he didn’t want to leave a bad impression in front of his superiors and had no choice but to go to the government office.

His colleagues had frequently asked about the marks on his face; although he had come up with an excuse to brush it off, he was still ridiculed by others.

The real culprit in this situation was Zhao Yan’er, and just seeing her irritated him.

He pushed her away and prepared to go to his quarters.

Zhao Yan’er had been scolded by him last night and thought it was because Lan Qingxi disagreed with him taking a concubine. But today, Lan Qingxi had given her the concubine contract, yet Yu Junshu was indifferent towards her.

Feeling aggrieved, she asked, “Jun Ge, are you angry?”

Yu Junshu cursed her a thousand times in his heart for being foolish, but since she was the daughter of the Chen king, she would be beneficial to him in the future.

At that time, he could pretend to know nothing, since Zhao Yan’er’s current status as his concubine was already an upgrade for him.

If he treated her poorly, he would have other troubles to deal with.

He replied, “I’m not angry, just a bit tired after a long day at work.”

Zhao Yan’er immediately said, “Then come to my place; I can help you relax.”

Seeing her eager expression, Yu Junshu nodded slightly.

Zhao Yan’er had a knack for pleasing people; she had learned massage techniques specifically, and Yu Junshu found her touch quite comfortable.

After he relaxed, Zhao Yan’er quietly said, “Jun Ge, Madam has agreed for me to be your concubine.”

“Although being a concubine can’t compare to being a wife, one still has to go through the motions, don’t you think?”

Yu Junshu didn’t want to mistreat her, fearing she might later complain to the Chen king, so he asked, “What are your requirements?”

Actually, when he took Zhao Yan’er into the household, he had given her family some silver.

Upon hearing his words, Zhao Yan’er felt hopeful and quickly replied, “I don’t have any decent jewelry or even a little silver to rely on.”

“If I go out and have nothing, it will also be your face on the line, so I want two sets of gold-based gemstone headdresses, plus a thousand taels of silver.”

Yu Junshu looked at her coldly. “Your demands are not high, but they are equivalent to what a typical official’s wife would require.”

Two sets of gold gemstone headdresses would cost a thousand taels of silver, plus an additional thousand taels in cash. This was the standard for marrying a wife among officials below the rank of high-ranking aristocrats in the capital.

Zhao Yan’er said softly, “But didn’t Jun Ge say he brought me here because he wanted to marry me?”

This was the first time Yu Junshu truly felt Zhao Yan’er’s greed, and his gaze turned colder, filled with mockery as he replied, “But right now, you want to be a concubine.”

Zhao Yan’er felt a bit guilty seeing his expression and was about to explain, but Yu Junshu smiled and said, “I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“Since I said I would make you my wife, then it naturally has to be done according to the standards for marrying a wife.”

“I will fulfill all of your requests.”

Hearing this, Zhao Yan’er sighed in relief and nestled closer to him, saying, “Jun Ge, you’re so good to me!”

After saying this, she reached out to trace circles on his chest. He grabbed her hand and looked into her face.

For some reason, as he looked at Zhao Yan’er, he inexplicably thought of Lan Qingxi.

That night, however, Yu Junshu did not stay with Zhao Yan’er but went to see Madam Zheng instead.

After losing face in front of Lan Qingxi the previous day, Madam Zheng did not want to see her at all.

She felt that everything was going wrong these days, she had been vomiting for several days and was completely exhausted, having lost several pounds and looking pale.

As soon as she saw Yu Junshu, she exclaimed, “I have never been sick like this, I must be cursed by Lan Qingxi’s medicine Buddha!”

The more she said it, the more she believed it. Before, she had feigned wanting to invite the medicine Buddha to her home, but now she genuinely wanted one.

Yu Junshu didn’t believe in such superstitions but didn’t refute Madam Zheng’s words and continued discussing Zhao Yan’er’s matters.