Chapter 9

Chapter 9

From that day onward, Lin Qiao became very proactive.

Every night, he climbed into my bed.

He even studied erotica with me, researching which positions were most likely to lead to conception.

The Marquise was delighted; she believed I had finally tamed Lin Qiao.

I wasn’t that naive.

Lin Qiao hadn’t gone to see Qian San Niang for some time.

Unable to restrain herself any longer, Qian San Niang came to our door.

To be precise, she came to see me.

I received her in the side hall.

The moment she saw me, she knelt down. “The Heir and I are truly in love,” she pleaded. “I beg the Heir’s Wife to show mercy and fulfill our wishes.”

I spoke to her gently. “It’s useless to beg me. The Heir and I are already married. I can’t exactly request a divorce just to make room for you, can I?”

She shook her head frantically. “San Niang wouldn’t dare! San Niang only wishes to stay by the Heir’s side day and night. It doesn’t matter if I am only a concubine or even a mere bed-warming maid.”

Her face was filled with sincerity and determination.

I suddenly realized that she wasn’t playing a game of ‘retreating to advance’; she truly didn’t mind.

How interesting.

I nodded. “Fine.”

She was overjoyed, kowtowing to me and showering me with flattering words.

I sent someone to prepare tea.

A trivial matter like taking a concubine didn’t require a man’s presence. As long as I, the primary wife, gave the nod, I could bring in eight or ten of them for him.

Qian San Niang held up a cup of tea and offered it to me. Just as I was about to take a sip, Lin Qiao suddenly burst in.

He slapped the teacup out of my hand, sending it crashing to the floor. Then, he pulled Qian San Niang to her feet and turned to me, fuming. “Zhao Yuehua, what a wicked heart you have! You’re actually forcing San Niang to be a concubine!”

Qian San Niang hurriedly waved her hands. “No, Heir, it’s not like that! I was the one who begged the Heir’s Wife to let me be a concubine. She didn’t force me.”

“You don’t need to speak up for her. I know exactly what kind of person she is!”

He grabbed Qian San Niang, intending to leave.

Qian San Niang refused to go. “Heir, I am truly willing to be a concubine. I mean it from the bottom of my heart.”

She bared her soul: “I am just a common girl with no family background. I’m uneducated, I don’t know etiquette or social graces, and I don’t know how to manage a household or keep accounts. I have no right to be your primary wife. I…”

“Shh!” Lin Qiao cut her off, pressing a finger to her lips. “San Niang, you mustn’t belittle yourself. In my heart, you are the finest girl there is. Ten Zhao Yuehuas couldn’t compare to you.”

I rolled my eyes.

Qian San Niang reached out toward me. “Heir’s Wife, I am truly willing. I mean it…”

“No, you aren’t.”

Lin Qiao dragged her away.