WBSGVS Chapter 151 V2

The name “top scholar” was a hot topic. At the mere mention of it, people immediately recalled the dazzling young man from three years ago—the one who had captured the hearts of many noblewomen.

Now, hearing this new rumor, they couldn’t believe their ears.

“Are you serious? That’s impossible! Didn’t he marry the Mu family’s daughter? I even heard she had a miscarriage a few months ago.”

“That was all a cover-up. Think about it—Lady Mu comes from a prestigious family. She must have been in perfect health. But after three years, she still hasn’t given birth to a child. They probably faked a miscarriage to keep up appearances!”

Someone else gasped. “Wait, that makes sense!”

Another person, eager to share more inside information, lowered their voice. “I also heard something else—those five concubines of his? They’re all still virgins.”

“WHAT?!”

The crowd erupted in shock.

One person whispered urgently, “How do you even know that?”

That person chuckled mischievously. “I just came from the pleasure district. The people there were talking about it. Those concubines don’t even bother fighting each other. They get along quite well. After all, their husband is… incapable.”

The rumors spread like wildfire—claims that the Xie family had deceived people into marriage, causing great suffering for Miss Mu. Yet, she remained loyal and refused to seek a divorce.

People speculated: if she hadn’t been forced to endure such humiliation, would she have ever agreed to her husband taking in five concubines?

To think, the once-dignified top scholar, Xie Rongyun, turned out to be this kind of man!

Not only was he impotent, but he also dared to shift the blame onto his wife.

What a coward!

Some mocked him, others gossiped eagerly. Qi Yue listened in stunned silence, slowly realizing why her mistress had insisted that Xie Rongyun visit a different concubine’s room every night.

So that was the reason?

No wonder, back when selecting concubines, Miss Mu had specifically chosen the most headstrong women!

“Miss, do you want to buy anything?” The vendor’s voice jolted Qi Yue out of her thoughts. She hadn’t noticed that she had reached the front of the line.

Snapping back to reality, she beamed. “Yes, I’ll take a lot!”

“Got it!”

Shortly after, Qi Yue returned to the Xie estate with an assortment of pastries.

Mu Qingli took a small portion for herself and instructed her maids to deliver the rest to the concubines and Mu Lan’er.

That’s right. In her eyes, Mu Lan’er received the same treatment as the other concubines.

After all, sooner or later, that woman would be moving into the inner court as well.

However, if she thought she could become the official wife one day… that was impossible!

Once they were alone, Qi Yue recounted everything she had overheard. She added in a hushed voice, “They were so enthusiastic about the gossip, their faces were turning red from excitement.”

Mu Qingli nodded knowingly. “That’s to be expected.”

After all, this was about the once-glorious top scholar, who had once paraded through the streets in triumph, only to now have his impotence become public knowledge. Of course, the whole city would be talking about it.

It seemed she had chosen her concubines well. They were all skilled at stirring up trouble.

Seeing how unfazed her mistress was, Qi Yue grew even more certain that this had all been part of Miss Mu’s plan. She couldn’t help but anticipate the next move. “Miss, what should we do next?”

“Nothing. We simply continue being the virtuous wife.” Mu Qingli’s smile was as sweet as honey.

After all, it wasn’t her turn to act—it was Xie Rongyun and Xie Yuning’s problem to solve now.

Xie Yuning was not living happily in the Yu household.

The Yu family needed the Xie family’s support, but Yu Zhi was not the kind of man who could endure humiliation or hide his disdain as well as Xie Rongyun. His contempt for Xie Yuning was blatant.

For example, at this very moment, he returned home reeking of perfume, causing Xie Yuning’s chest to tighten with rage.

“I handle all the household affairs, serve your parents dutifully, and even bring in so many gifts from my family—was it all just so you could humiliate me by visiting brothels? Yu Zhi, you bastard!”

Yu Zhi, irritated by her yelling, usually tried to pacify her with a few words. However, today, his patience ran out. He snapped coldly, “Shut up! Don’t act so high and mighty. Sooner or later, your Xie family will come begging for my help!”

Xie Yuning sneered. “What a joke! My brother’s status is far beyond yours. Why would he ever need your help? If it weren’t for my brother, you wouldn’t have even passed the provincial exams!”

But instead of getting angry, Yu Zhi smirked meaningfully. Lowering his voice, he said, “You don’t know, do you? Your precious little brother is impotent. He’s been married for three years, and his wife hasn’t had a child. Yet, you kept blaming your sister-in-law. In reality, Miss Mu is the real victim!”

“What?!” Xie Yuning froze, stunned.

Yu Zhi grinned, enjoying her reaction. Raising his voice, he declared, “That’s right! Your brother is completely useless! Everyone in the capital knows by now. The rumors started in the pleasure district. Those five concubines he bought? Every single one of them is still untouched! I laughed so hard when I heard about it. Now, hurry up and get me the answers to the imperial exams. If I pass, I might even consider giving one of my sons to your brother as an heir.”

“That’s impossible!” Xie Yuning shrieked in denial.

Her mind struggled to process this revelation. She didn’t want to believe it. With growing panic, she snapped, “You’re lying! My brother just doesn’t want to touch them! And my sister-in-law’s miscarriage was real!”

Yu Zhi scoffed, completely unconvinced. As a man himself, he knew better. “Who knows if they just paid a doctor to stage the whole thing? Do you think a noble lady like Miss Mu, raised in luxury, would have trouble conceiving? Even you managed to give birth.”

Xie Yuning’s expression shifted, a flicker of uncertainty creeping in.

She had heard about Mu Qingli’s miscarriage, but she had never seen it with her own eyes.

And just as Yu Zhi pointed out, what if it was fake?

What if there was another reason behind it?

If Xie Rongyun was impotent, then wasn’t it she who had repeatedly sent him tonics and remedies, humiliating Mu Qingli in the process?

Had she, without realizing it, provoked Mu Qingli to the point where she had to stage this elaborate act just to prove her innocence?

Xie Yuning’s hands turned ice-cold as regret washed over her.

Seeing her finally silenced, Yu Zhi strutted off smugly, feeling self-important simply because he had fathered two children.

Xie Yuning watched his retreating and clenched her teeth in frustration.

The next day, when Xie Rongyun arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, he immediately noticed the strange looks from his colleagues.

Their gazes carried a mixture of pity and scorn.

Confused, he tried to ask, but they all laughed it off and avoided the topic.

After a long day of work, he returned home still unaware of what was happening, only to find Xie Yuning waiting for him, pacing anxiously.

The moment she spotted him, she rushed over, grabbed his arm, and dragged him to a secluded corner. Lowering her voice, she hissed, “Brother, are you… Are you impotent?”

Xie Rongyun turned red with both embarrassment and fury. “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Xie Yuning stared at him intently, as if trying to see through his denial. But his confidence seemed unwavering, and she hesitated.

Still unsure, she suddenly pushed a beautiful maid toward him and whispered, “Fine. Then prove it. Let her serve you tonight. If you are fine, I’ll confirm it myself. But if you’re not… dismiss your concubines, stay faithful to Mu Qingli, and I’ll have another son to pass down as your heir.”

Xie Rongyun: “???”