Chapter 113: Taking a Concubine, Trouble for the Marchioness of Jiang

Although the Wang family residence was located in the outskirts of the capital, their wealth extended broadly across various counties, making them quite affluent. Wang Qingrui’s biological mother had once been a humble courtesan, but favored by Master Wang and having borne him a son, she was elevated to the status of principal wife following the death of the original spouse.

Despite being the legitimate daughter and inheriting her mother’s beauty, Wang Qingrui remained unmarried well into her twenties due to her mother’s lowly origins. Previously, some had sought to take her as a concubine—mostly merchants or men of minor status, many of whom were corpulent. With the Wang family’s ample wealth, Qingrui naturally refused such offers.

Upon hearing that someone from the Duke’s household was coming, Wang Qingrui’s heart wavered. The Duke’s residence was a place she had only dared to dream of. Yet, rumors of the Duke’s recent divorce stirred gossip that he was a heartless man.

“Miss, if you ask me, the former Lady Han was barren for over ten years and selfishly kept the Duke to herself. It’s only natural he divorced her. What man wouldn’t have several wives and concubines? The Duke has been faithful to her for so long; he must be a man worthy of trust,” the maid Xiao Qiu remarked with feigned seriousness.

“That’s true,” Qingrui responded thoughtfully. “Besides, the Duke’s harem is currently empty. If you can win his heart and bear him a son, wouldn’t that guarantee a prosperous future?”

Remembering her own mother’s rise from lowly origins to principal wife, Qingrui felt inspired to follow suit. She even commissioned a portrait of Shen Zhifeng, the Duke, and was pleasantly surprised to find him handsome and refined in a dignified, mature way. Satisfied, Qingrui confided her intentions to her mother, and they both agreed wholeheartedly.

Master Wang was no fool. Besides a generous dowry, he presented a substantial sum of silver directly to Shen Zhifeng. He had his own plans—while it was common for merchant daughters to become concubines, his daughter becoming a concubine in the Duke’s household would greatly enhance the family’s prestige and facilitate business dealings.

Both parties reached an agreement swiftly, and within days, a sedan chair arrived to escort Wang Qingrui to the Duke’s mansion, where she became one of his concubines.

That night, bashful and tender, Wang Qingrui looked at Shen Zhifeng, recalling her mother’s instructions. Softening her voice, she spoke gently, “My Duke, allow me to help you undress and rest early.”

Under the flickering candlelight, she wore a pale pink embroidered gown, her eyes shimmering with affection, cheeks flushed, shyly biting her lip—a picture of delicate beauty. Approaching, she carried a subtle, enchanting fragrance.

Shen Zhifeng stepped forward, embraced her slender waist, inhaled the scent in her hair, and unabashedly praised, “Ruir, I never imagined you could be so beautiful.”

Wang Qingrui blushed furiously and buried her face in his embrace. Mistaking her shyness for fear, Shen Zhifeng soothed her, “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. Leave everything to me.”

Seeing her nod, he pulled her down onto the bed. Their eyes glowed with tenderness as their lips met involuntarily. Qingrui’s body was soft and warm; her face flushed deeply as she murmured in a daze.

It was as if a fire burned inside her—both fearful and eager. Was this what her mother had described about the intimacy between man and woman?

The bed creaked quietly for five minutes before silence returned.

Shen Zhifeng’s expression tightened briefly but remained composed. “Ruir, you are so beautiful that I cannot control myself. Besides, I cherish your body; today I’m quite tired. Rest now — I will hold you.”

In the darkness, Qingrui’s eyes still held a mixture of confusion and pain.

Was that all?

It didn’t quite match what her mother had told her.

Before coming to the Duke’s mansion, her mother had given her a small booklet with delicate illustrations and taught her many practical tips on how to please a man.

She had planned to endure the initial pain and then dazzle Shen Zhifeng, making him enamored with her in one night—yet, there was no chance to do so.

Perhaps the Duke had said it because he pitied her pain...

Having no experience, Qingrui could only drift into a deep sleep.

For several days afterward, Shen Zhifeng excused himself by saying she needed to recuperate and did not approach her.

Qingrui’s heart grew anxious. Did the Duke find her unattractive?

Yet, he was always tender and attentive, speaking softly and showering her with sweet words, as if he cared deeply for her.

Despite her open and subtle attempts to entice him, Shen Zhifeng could only sigh to the heavens. Did he not desire her? It was simply that his heart and strength were mismatched.

After several days, seeing that he could no longer hide the truth, he resumed taking medicine and finally managed to recover.

Qingrui’s heart settled as well.

She thought perhaps the Duke was truly different from other men, not driven by lust, which pleased her even more. To win his favor, she spent lavishly on gifts for him and was warmly embraced and affectionately called his beloved, a sweetness she cherished.

With the Wang family’s wealth, the Duke’s accounts were more comfortable, and the matriarch credited herself for this, feeling quite pleased.

Shen Qingyun observed coldly and said little.

News soon arrived that General Han would return triumphantly with the army after a splendid victory. Shen Qingyun felt deeply moved and eagerly anticipated seeing his grandfather again.

Only Lady Jiang felt a pang of loneliness upon hearing that Shen Zhifeng had taken a concubine.

Men were indeed fortunate, able to turn to younger women at will. She knew this day would come; her affair with him was a secret, fleeting, and could never lead to anything.

Meanwhile, Shen Zhifeng could openly take Wang Qingrui as a concubine, but she could only keep Shi Shaohua hidden in the outer courtyard of the Marquis’s residence. Someday, Shi Shaohua would marry as well.

The thought made Lady Jiang’s heart ache.

Shi Shaohua’s eyes darted about as he whispered comfort, “Madam, I wish to stay by your side forever.”

Hearing this, tears welled in Lady Jiang’s eyes. But what else could she do? She realized she was deeply in love with Shi Shaohua.

Shi Shaohua, however, had his own plans. He had considered Jiang Miaodan—the young girl, innocent and easily deceived—but Lady Jiang would never consent.

Moreover, he had made a bold discovery.

Secretly, he contacted Shen Sisi and, as agreed, sold information about Lady Jiang to her.

Shen Sisi was stunned upon hearing this. “You say Lady Jiang might be pregnant? Are you sure? Could it be a mistake?”