Xie Yuning’s words made little sense, but Xie Rongyun still managed to pick up on something. Without further delay, he asked her directly what was going on.
Over the years, Xie Yuning had grown increasingly bold. The Yu family had started as a simple farming household, and if they hadn’t gritted their teeth and invested everything into raising a decent-looking son, who eventually caught Xie Rongyun’s eye, they probably wouldn’t have gotten anywhere. They had even married off their eldest daughter into the Xie family in hopes of climbing the social ladder.
Given her past experiences in the entertainment quarters, Xie Yuning had long since shed any sense of shame. Without hesitation, she told Xie Rongyun everything she had heard today, as well as what her husband had mentioned yesterday. “Everyone is saying you’re impotent. Now, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but the future of the Xie family’s bloodline is far more important…”
Her words trailed off as Xie Rongyun’s expression darkened.
Xie Yuning fell silent, feeling a flicker of fear under his icy stare. Yet, she also felt suffocated, unable to fully express her frustration. Her face turned sullen.
Xie Rongyun let out a cold, incredulous laugh. So, this was what it was all about? He had little patience for an older sister who so easily believed in rumors. In a harsh tone, he said, “Enough. Go back and take care of my nephews. If Yu Zhi dares to cause trouble again, feel free to tear his whole house down!”
“How could I do that? That house belongs to my son’s future inheritance!” Xie Yuning quickly shook her head. No matter how much she resented Yu Zhi for betraying her and being heartless, she could never truly bring herself to destroy him. Otherwise, she would have divorced him long ago.
Ignoring his dismissive attitude, she was still unsatisfied and pushed forward a quiet, obedient maidservant. “You have to take her. I don’t care if you say they’re just rumors—outsiders won’t see it that way. Mu Qingli can’t bear children, and since she’s willing to let you take concubines, then at least one of them must give you a child!”
Xie Rongyun was already furious and had no desire to argue with her any further. With irritation, he nodded. “Fine, I get it. Now leave!”
Only then did Xie Yuning smile in satisfaction. She turned to the maid and instructed, “Serve your new master well. If you give him a child, I’ll make sure you become a concubine.”
“Elder sister!” Xie Rongyun gritted his teeth in warning.
The maid stood quietly, too scared to speak.
Xie Yuning shrank back slightly but still huffed in displeasure before turning to leave.
Deep inside, she felt reassured. Xie Rongyun was only angry, not ashamed—this meant the rumors weren’t true. But even if they weren’t true, they had to be crushed completely!
Since Mu Qingli was finally willing to let him take concubines, why not make sure he took several more?
Xie Rongyun was so enraged that his hands were trembling. Any man would be furious if accused of impotence. The truth was, he simply didn’t want to touch these women. Beyond finding them unappealing, he already had the one he truly wanted right in front of him, so why settle for anyone else?
With a final command to have the maidservant settled in, he stormed off, calling to his steward, “Summon the concubines!”
“Yes, sir!” The steward nodded and hurried off.
Sensing their master’s anger, the steward worked quickly. Xie Rongyun had barely sat down in the main hall when his five seductive concubines entered, each wearing a flattering smile.
“Kneel,” he ordered in a low, cold voice.
Madam Zhou and the others froze in shock, completely bewildered. But seeing his dark expression, they all felt their hearts drop and obediently knelt.
Xie Rongyun’s voice was as sharp as ice. “The only reason I haven’t touched any of you is that I simply don’t want to. But tell me, how did outsiders find out about this?”
Madam Zhou’s face turned pale, and the others also looked uneasy, keeping their heads down in silence.
Seeing their reactions, Xie Rongyun immediately understood. His steward had mentioned they had all gone out yesterday. They were the only ones who knew—so who else could have spread the rumors?
His voice dropped dangerously. “Sell them all—”
The concubines trembled, their bodies going weak with fear. They had never expected this seemingly mild-mannered top scholar to be so ruthless!
A soft female voice interrupted him. “I bought them.”
The concubines turned toward the voice like drowning people grasping for a lifeline. “Madam, please save us! We didn’t mean any harm…”
Mu Qingli gave them a gentle smile before turning to Xie Rongyun, her expression becoming serious. “Husband, these are just rumors. Why let them get to you?”
His face darkened further, and he snapped, “Rumors or not, if enough people say it, it becomes a real problem! And who knows exactly what they were out there saying? Why did you even buy them in the first place?!”
Mu Qingli’s lips curled slightly. “Did you ever tell them not to speak of such things?”
Xie Rongyun faltered, recalling his carefully laid-out plans now utterly derailed. With frustration, he muttered, “No, but who in their right mind would go spreading such things?”
“Maybe they just figured it out on their own?” she mused lightly. Then, she added, “Husband, don’t be angry. Didn’t you worry about having heirs? My health still isn’t the best, and I don’t mind if the eldest son is born from a concubine. Shall I have Madam Zhou serve you tonight?”
Only then did Madam Zhou realize the truth—Xie Rongyun didn’t want to touch them. Was he insane? If he didn’t want them, why take concubines in the first place?!
The other four concubines shot her dirty looks. Her foolish overthinking had nearly gotten them all sold off! If not for the madam’s intervention, they’d be finished!
Xie Rongyun took a deep breath, waving for the concubines to be dismissed. Softening his tone, he said to Mu Qingli, “There’s no need. Li, I don’t want my future children to come from these women.”
Mu Qingli frowned, showing no sign of being moved. Instead, she pondered for a moment before appearing slightly troubled. “Then perhaps I should ask my mother if any respectable families have a daughter willing to become your concubine? Your rank isn’t that high, but if my mother speaks for you, I’m sure someone will be interested.”
Xie Rongyun’s expression shifted. He knew if she made the arrangements, he’d end up with a concubine who wasn’t so easily disposed of. Madam Zhou and the others could be sold off at will, but a proper young lady from a good family? That was another story entirely. He quickly said, “No need!”
“Then, which concubine will it be tonight?” Mu Qingli asked again, reminding him, “Husband, even if they are just rumors, once they spread far enough, they become a serious problem. If you don’t want a noble concubine or any of them, how do you plan to explain this?”
Xie Rongyun’s temples throbbed. He was growing increasingly impatient, but he also knew that the only way to silence the rumors was to produce a child. Otherwise, his reputation would never recover. He wanted to say that Mu Lan’er could bear his child instead, but that was a thought neither he nor Mu Lan’er could afford to voice. The Mu family would never forgive him.
After a long silence, he finally caved, sighing wearily. “You decide.”
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152