Chapter 67: Becoming a Concubine

Aside from Madam Shen’s three sons and three daughters born of her, the Shen family also had four daughters born of concubines.

Madam Shen held extremely strong views on the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. Daughters from the legitimate and illegitimate branches were not raised together.

Legitimate daughters of the Shen family were taught poetry, literature, etiquette, and music from a young age, receiving an education similar to that of sons.

Illegitimate daughters were merely kept within the inner chambers, taught needlework, spinning, and weaving, and at most learned to read a few characters.

Before Shen Shi married, her mother taught her that women could not compare to men, and illegitimate daughters were even lower in status.

When prominent families sought marriage alliances, legitimate daughters were always the first choice. No matter how excellent an illegitimate daughter might be, no one was willing to marry her.

This was because the birth mothers of illegitimate daughters were mostly maidservants or entertainers—lowly women meant for men’s amusement.

Daughters born of such women were considered unfit to marry into noble families, let alone become the matriarchs of prominent households.

These illegitimate younger sisters in the family only needed to be obedient and learn needlework and spinning.

Grand Secretary Shen had many students, some of whom were newly emerged scholars from humble backgrounds.

Whether marrying as a first wife, a second wife, or a stepmother, their only path was to be filial to their in-laws and serve their husbands.

Today’s flower-viewing party at Ningguo Mansion was attended by noblewomen from high-ranking and meritorious families, making it the perfect occasion to evaluate potential matches.

Since the second younger sister was about to be married, it was understandable not to bring her. However, the third younger sister’s marriage had not yet been arranged, so she could still attend.

Madam Shen brought only illegitimate daughters, not legitimate ones, precisely when rumors were spreading about Ning Yuanjun taking a concubine.

Bringing a beautiful illegitimate younger sister at this time made her mother’s intentions all too clear.

The weather was bright and clear, with peach blossoms and willow greens painting a splendid scene.

Yet Shen Shi felt her vision darken.

Just as the female guests had all arrived, boats were already prepared on the lotus pond.

With various teas and fruits arranged on the boats, Madam Ning invited the noblewomen aboard to admire the lotus flowers.

The emerald-green pond reflected red lotuses and green leaves, with rippling waves and a cool breeze.

In the pavilion at the center of the lake, flutes and pipes played southern tunes, and the guests could not stop praising the scene.

After enjoying the lotus flowers, the guests went to the rear hall to freshen up.

Upon returning, they engaged in activities such as tea competitions, pitch-pot, and incense-making.

The Shen mother and daughters did not participate in these activities. Shen Shi accompanied them as they walked toward Phoenix Ripple Courtyard.

As soon as the three of them entered the Main Chamber, Shen Shi’s eyes reddened. Unable to contain her frustration, tears streamed down her face.

“The fourth girl comes from a lowly background and carries the air of a petty family! Did Mother bring her here specifically to humiliate me?”

Seeing her reaction, Madam Shen felt waves of anger rising within her and immediately questioned and scolded her.

“I’ve considered every detail for your sake, and now you blame me? Let me ask you, your mother-in-law mentioned arranging a concubine for your Son-in-law. After thinking about it all this time, what have you decided?”

In front of the maidservants in the room and her illegitimate younger sister, Shen Shi felt both ashamed and angry.

“If my husband wants a concubine, he can choose from among the maidservants or buy one from outside. How could there be any reason to send an illegitimate younger sister? If the fourth girl enters the household, how will I face others, Mother?”

Madam Shen’s intention to send an illegitimate daughter as a concubine for her Son-in-law was unexpected even by the Shen family’s attendants, who exchanged bewildered glances.

Granny Zhao, feeling sorry for Shen Shi, knelt beside her and pleaded earnestly.

“You are too hasty, Madam. The Son-in-law himself hasn’t even mentioned it. Why rush into this? The young mistress has already recovered her health. In a few days, when the Son-in-law is free, this old servant will swallow her pride and ask him to consummate the marriage. At least wait until the young mistress is pregnant before bringing this up.”

Madam Shen, in her fifties, had long seen through the nature of men.

She knew full well that Shen Shi had lost her husband’s affection, and reconciliation was impossible.

Though Ning Yuanjun was young, he was deep and calculating.

To deal with a young and successful nobleman like him, only a charming and lovely girl would do.

Shen Shi’s character was outwardly strong but inwardly weak, and she aimed high but achieved little, making her utterly incapable of holding Ning Yuanjun’s attention.

Madam Shen, though ordinary in appearance, relied on her sharp tactics. Having given birth to three sons and three daughters, she firmly secured her position as the legitimate wife.

Yet even such a stern and resolute matriarch could not prevent her husband from dallying with other women.

The Fourth Miss Shen before them was only a month younger than the legitimate Third Miss Shen.

From then on, concubines grew in number—maidservants, gifted courtesans, foster mothers—becoming impossible to guard against.

Gradually, Shen Shi came to accept this. Aside from selling off the mothers of illegitimate sons, she kept the more docile ones to curb her husband’s wandering heart.

Fortunately, her legitimate sons and daughters grew up, securing her position as matriarch beyond challenge.

The legitimate daughters of the Shen family took after Madam Shen, and Shen Shi was considered quite attractive among them.

But now, she appeared haggard and pale, no longer ranking among the first or second tier of beauties.

In contrast, Ning Yuanjun was strikingly handsome, renowned as a beauty both on the frontier and in the court.

Even if the young couple reconciled, it would only be for appearances’ sake—a marriage in name but not in spirit.

Now that Ning Yuanjun had inherited the Duke’s Title and been appointed Minister of War, overseeing the defense of the capital both inside and out, his power was immense.

Such a son-in-law, wielding such authority, was someone the Shen family was determined to cling to tightly.

The Shen family’s bottom line was that the future Young Lord of the Duke of Ningguo must be born of a Shen daughter, whether legitimate or illegitimate mattered little.

Grand Secretary Shen even believed that if an illegitimate son inherited the title, he, as the Young Lord’s maternal grandfather, would benefit even more.

After two days of deliberation, the elderly couple of the Shen family decided to send Fourth Miss Shen to Ningguo Mansion as a concubine.

“Sending Fourth Girl here is your father’s decision—it’s still better than a maidservant. Your mother-in-law has also seen her and can hardly refuse. Today, Fourth Girl will kowtow to you, and her belongings will be sent over in three days.”

Madam Shen left no room for argument, ordering Fourth Miss Shen to kneel.

Fourth Miss Shen, standing nearby, had long been flushed with embarrassment.

She then reluctantly knelt, performing the full ceremonial kowtow, her voice sweet and delicate as she pleaded.

“I beg my sister to take pity and accept me. From now on, I will serve my sister wholeheartedly and dare not harbor any disloyalty.”

Shen Shi stood frozen in place, unable even to cry.

Pear Moon and the other young maidservants were gathered to watch the spectacle, crowding together under the corridor to catch a glimpse of the beauty.

Instantly, silence fell both inside and outside the room, so quiet that the drop of a needle could be heard.

Pear Moon, feeling awkward, quietly ducked her head and slipped away.

Madam Shen had deliberately not shooed the onlookers away, intending for the maidservants and matrons to spread the news far and wide.

First, as a mother who knew her daughter well, she understood Shen Shi’s stubborn temper and wanted to force her into accepting the situation.

Second, with a banquet at Ningguo Mansion that day, she aimed to let all the noble families in the capital know that even when taking a concubine, the Ning family would only accept a daughter of the Shen family.

Pear Moon returned to the Small Tea Room, where the outer room was already in chaos, everyone chattering and gossiping.

Granny Fan stood in the center, gesturing animatedly and spitting as she spoke.

“In noble households, when taking a concubine, they inspect the hands and feet. When Fourth Miss kowtowed at the main gate, the matron pulled her hands and lifted her skirt—that’s the reason. Since Madam Ning inspected her hands and feet without a word, it means she silently approved of taking her as a chamber maid.”

The maidservants suddenly understood, some lowering their heads in shame.

Those who had aspired to rise in status and become chamber maids fell silent.

With the elder young mistress’s own younger sister, so charming and beautiful, who could possibly surpass her?

“The young mistress’s mother truly has her best interests at heart!”

The maidservants and matrons sighed one after another, their words inevitably tinged with sarcasm.

When Shen Shi put on airs, she always brought up the Shen family, believing her natal family could shield her from storms.

But Pear Moon felt that Shen Shi’s natal family was her greatest storm.

Shen Shi was merely a pawn for the Shen family to curry favor with Ningguo Mansion. Once she became a dead piece on the board, her parents still had new pawns to play.

“A marriage that strengthens family ties, and Fourth Miss Shen is quite beautiful—the Duke is sure to approve!”

Ning Yuanjun was not pleased. In the inner chamber of Brocade Prosperity Hall, he shook his head at his mother.

“Mother acted too hastily. You shouldn’t have agreed to this match.”

Seeing her son’s displeasure, Madam Ning assumed he had never seen Fourth Miss Shen’s appearance.

“They say a wife should be virtuous and a concubine beautiful, but though Fourth Miss Shen is young, her looks are truly first-rate. Once you see her, you’ll know—she’s ten times better than her sister.”

“Your father passed away early, and your two uncles are both rather incapable, relying on you for their prospects. With such a heavy burden on your shoulders, the matter of heirs and continuing the family line cannot be neglected. I know you don’t care for Shen Shi, but her younger sister is innocent and guileless—she could stay and serve you well.”

Ning Yuanjun pondered for a moment before replying with a resigned, low voice, “I understand your intentions, Mother, but in this matter, I dare not comply. From now on, whether I take a wife or a concubine, I will have nothing to do with any woman from the Shen family.”