This woman's name was Jiao Huo. She was quick-tongued and impulsive, saying whatever came to mind. Yet every word she spoke sounded as though she were scolding one of her own family members.
As for the words “arrogant and conceited”—wasn’t that Yang Jian? From the very first day he entered the bridal chamber until now, several months later, he had never shown the slightest concern for his own wife. He had never even brought his wife to serve tea together with him and guided her in building a relationship with his family. Nor had he taken her back to visit her maiden home and lend her the prestige she ought to have received.
And as for “unwilling to exchange a word”—weren’t all the elders in the residence the ones who had first discriminated against the Bai daughter-in-law?
The Marquis Ding'an and the Dowager Madam secretly cleared their throats, beginning to feel slightly embarrassed.
Even the Elder Master and Madam, Yang Jian’s own parents, had begun shifting restlessly in their seats.
Jiao Huo, however, remained completely unaware. She continued to complain, “Sigh! Our A-Jian is truly pitiful. He’s a noble young master, the heir to a family of illustrious lineage and immense prestige, yet he ended up marrying a woman who is merely the daughter of a seventh-rank official—only slightly more distinguished than a commoner’s daughter. I’ve also heard that she’s merely the daughter of the late former principal wife. She has no bargaining power in the Bai residence at all. The daughter of the current principal wife is much more charming, lovable, and endearing than this woman. As his aunt, I truly worry about Jian’er. It’s terribly unfair. He’s no longer young, yet he still doesn’t have a single heir to carry on the family line. I myself have only daughters.”
She refused to allow the Second Master to take a concubine, so the important duty of producing a male heir had to fall entirely to Yang Jian.
Yang Zhong, the Elder Master and Yang Jian’s own father, had suffered from health problems for years after retiring from military service. None of the sons born to his concubines in the rear courtyard could be elevated to replace Yang Jian as the heir of the main line.
The more Yang Zhong thought about it, the more anxious he became over the lack of a direct heir.
Over the years, Yang Zhong had supported his most important son solely in matters of war. As a result, the other man cared only about the military and put the country first, showing no interest in romance with any woman. But now Yang Jian’s power and prestige had grown too great. Yang Zhong’s two legitimate daughters, Yang Jian’s own sisters, had both married into the palace, one becoming the consort of the Second Prince and the other the consort of the Fourth Prince. The eldest daughter of one concubine had even become the secondary wife of a second-rank official, while another daughter of his third concubine had become the favorite concubine of a first-rank official.
It was obvious that, besides Yang Jian himself being tremendously influential, the sisters who had married out of the family also wielded considerable power.
Even the emperor had begun sending warning signals.
Yet the Yang family had always been short on men. In Yang Zhong’s generation, only two brothers remained—Yang Zhong and Yang Zhe. Although being a general was a lofty position, it was also dangerous and could easily lead to a short life. They absolutely had to have enough heirs to carry on the family line.
The more Yang Zhong thought about it, the more he felt that this matter could not be delayed any longer.
Yang Jian absolutely had to father a son himself. If he truly had no son, it would be disastrous. Elevating a concubine’s son or a nephew from a secondary branch to inherit the family in Yang Jian’s place would certainly become a laughingstock.
“Then I think it would be appropriate to take a concubine for Jian’er.” Having said that, he turned to Madam, Yang Jian’s mother, and instructed her sternly, “Since Jian’er doesn’t like his imperial bride, it seems unlikely that we’ll ever have a grandson. In that case, I’ll trouble you to select a woman for Jian’er. It couldn’t be done before the marriage, but now that they’ve been married for several months, if husband and wife have no affection for each other, it’s acceptable to bring someone in. Be careful about the factions and connections among the clans. Don’t accidentally anger His Majesty or make him suspicious of our Yang family, leaving us unable to live in peace. The most important thing is simply to give us a grandson.”
Madam nodded. “I understand, Big Brother.”
Jiao Huo hurriedly added, “If the first concubine still doesn’t give the main branch a grandson, Big Brother, just keep adding concubines for our A-Jian until you succeed.”
Don’t you dare meddle with my Second Master!
The Second Master, Yang Zhe, glanced secretly at his wife and felt terribly awkward. He was a scholar. How could he be as bold and virile as his father, his elder brother, and his nephew?
When his father was young and strong, he had taken many concubines. Though some had since died, many still remained, and he was undeniably quite formidable.
As for his elder brother, although he now walked with difficulty and was practically half-disabled, his concubines still strutted around the rear courtyard in abundance.
Only he had never dared to go against his wife.
As a result, the idea of taking even one concubine had never once arisen.