Han Zhongliang had also met Hua Rong and heard that Yue Pengju's words made sense. He had nothing to say, but he stuck out his tongue, smiled, and patted Yue Pengju's shoulder: "Yue Wu, your wife is really a rare and rare woman, you are blessed. Hahaha." , since she doesn’t want to get the famous instrument, then I have nothing to say.”
Both of them were relieved quickly, but Zhang Jun remained calm and said: "God can learn from Yue Wu's heart."
Just when Yue Pengju went to the palace to attend the banquet, Hua Rong also responded to the imperial edict and went to the harem to attend the banquet.
After she went there, she discovered that from the Queen Mother on down, all the concubines in the palace, including Concubine Pan Xian, Lady Wu, Lady Zhang and others were all there. Tianwei, Wanwan and others were also there.
After everyone had finished the ceremony, the Queen Mother said: "Mrs. Yue is about to return to Ezhou with General Yue. We will see each other later. I don't know when. I gave a special banquet to see off Mrs. Yue."
Hua Rong smiled and said, "Thank you, Queen Mother, for your kindness."
Everyone chatted and laughed for a while, and after three rounds of drinking, the Queen Mother retreated from everyone, leaving only Tianwei and Wanwan, who were close to Hua Rong.
The Queen Mother said casually: "Poor little Wenlong, he was snatched away..."
Hua Rong was very sad and only said: "I don't have the ability to protect my child, so he was kidnapped."
Tianwei and others knew that Jin Wushu had taken away their love. Although they were sad, they were not too worried about the safety of the child. They just sighed: "Master Lu and his wife have spirits in heaven. They should keep Wenlong's child safe and sound."
Hua Rong also cried to herself: "I can't have children in my family, and Wenlong's children are the only pleasure. Who knows that things are like this, and there is nothing we can do..."
Hua Rong was already twenty-eight years old at this time. According to her age at that time, she was already a woman who was about to enter middle age. The Queen Mother saw that she was still like a young girl, but she thought that she would never be cured in this life. There is no hope of having a child, and it is absolutely impossible.
The Queen Mother then said: "Mrs. Yue, I don't know whether to say something or not..."
Hua Rong was a little surprised and immediately said: "The Queen Mother just said it doesn't matter."
The Queen Mother then slowly said: "Mrs. Yue met with misfortune and was seriously injured and could not recover. Now she has no choice. However, there are three unfilial piety, not having an offspring is the worst. Carrying on the family line is a major matter of human relations. Although he can be adopted, General Yue must also hope to have himself. Her own flesh and blood. Mrs. Yue might as well listen to the Ai family and ask General Yue to take a concubine. Although she is a commoner, she is worse than the opposite sex. God has mercy on her. How can she be called a loyal and good concubine? "
Hua Rong was shocked, especially the Queen Mother's words, "How can we call him loyal and good?" Could it be that he was being evil and not tolerated by the world by not allowing Pengju to take concubines
Being unable to have children was her biggest inferiority complex and hidden danger. Now that the Queen Mother kindly brought it up, she felt panicked. However, she saw that although Wanwan and Tianwei were full of sympathy, they both agreed with the Queen Mother.
Although Tianwei and Wanwan were princesses and princesses, and although their husbands did not dare to have three wives and four concubines, they still had one or two concubines to help them flourish. This was the normal behavior of people at that time, and it was not surprising. Especially. From the perspective of women's ethics, women who are infertile must take the initiative to take concubines for their husbands, which is the way to be virtuous.
… …
Women of an era naturally have a large degree of consensus on certain ethics and morals. Especially Wanwan, who has a close relationship with Hua and Yue, and knows that Yue Pengju has never had two wives. However, things are different now. It is related to the issue of incense in the Yue family, so although I sympathize with Hua Rong, I naturally support Yue Peng in taking concubines on this issue.
Hua Rong didn't have any allies on this issue. She was completely isolated and helpless. She was scared and thought that she couldn't have children, but she never thought about asking Pengju to take a concubine. Was she really wrong
She asked the Queen Mother to look earnest, knowing that she was doing it for her own good, but she couldn't answer it. She only said in a panic: "This matter is for Pengju to make his own decision. I have no way to interfere."
The Queen Mother was slightly displeased when she heard that she refused to agree readily, and sighed secretly, Mrs. Yue is also a strange woman in troubled times, she is good in everything, why is she so narrow-minded? Being too jealous is a bit selfish and unethical.
Hua Rong was about to leave in a hurry when she heard the palace maid report: "The official family has arrived."
She couldn't leave, so she had to stop where she was and salute with everyone. Zhao Deji saluted the Queen Mother and sat aside. He saw Hua Rong and Wanwan standing, especially Hua Rong, who looked flustered and lowered his head without speaking. Ask her: "Rong'er, thank you for your hard work..."
She shook her head and said hurriedly: "It's not hard."
Zhao Deji looked at her carefully and then said: "Lu Wenlong was kidnapped by thieves. I know you are feeling sad. But I still have to think about it for you. You and your wife are loyal to the country and are my most trusted right-hand men. They are my only right-hand man." The only flaw is that you have never given birth. In order to continue the incense of the Yue family, I specifically allow you to take concubines for Pengju in person... "
Zhao Deji was very grateful to Hua Yue and Hua Yue because of King Qin's affairs. Now, he was really kind-hearted and thinking about their descendants. Hua Rong originally knew that he had sent Wang Jixian many times to find out whether he could have children, and he wanted to prevent Yue Pengju from taking concubines. Yes, now her attitude has changed 360 degrees, showing some sincerity, but she feels even worse in her heart.
Zhao Deji added: "Rong'er, I know your thoughts. But the way to be a wife lies in tolerance and generosity. I also promise you that I will never reward Peng Ju's concubine. He will take a concubine on his own, and the son he will bear will be in your name." , and treat it as one’s own, wouldn’t it be good?”
According to the rules at that time, the son born to a concubine must be counted in the name of the main wife. The main wife is called aunt, and the biological mother can only be called aunt. The concubine is in the status of half slave and half master. Zhao Deji said this, originally to comfort Hua Rong, However, Hua Rong felt a great sense of humiliation, as if someone had brought their most painful privacy to the sun and exposed it unscrupulously.
Even in modern times, if a woman is unable to have children, she will most likely be rejected by her husband's family. How much more so in ancient times when unfilial piety was the worst offender
Hua Rong himself had a lot of heart problems. Now that he was attacked and humiliated by this attack, he could no longer stay. He only saluted and said: "Thank you to the Queen Mother and Your Majesty for their unparalleled kindness. Hua Rong will do what he can in the future..."
After saying that, he left in a hurry without waiting for their reply.
Everyone had good intentions, but they didn't expect that Hua Rong looked panicked and sad. As soon as she left, everyone felt uncomfortable. Especially the Queen Mother, who lived with many concubines, so she naturally had to consider the foundation of the country and her husband's successor at all times. Having someone is the most important thing. What's more, Yue Pengju is only asked to take a concubine, but she is not his wife. Hua Rong's move cannot be justified, right
Zhao Deji also sighed: "Everything is fine with Rong'er, but he is too petty."
The Queen Mother also sighed: "It's a pity that General Yue has been a loyal and good man for a generation. Is it really possible that he will be extinct?"
But Tianwei shook her head: "It seems to Yi Nu that Mrs. Yue will never be so selfish. She has a deep relationship with Mr. Yue and thinks of him in everything. My aunt and brother Jiu will wait and see."
"If Rong'er can really do this, she will be the most perfect woman in the world."
It's evening.
Hua Rong rode his horse across West Street. From a distance, he could only see Yue Pengju waiting in front of him.
In the past, she would have run up happily, but today, her body felt as if it was filled with lead and she could not move at all. She reined in her horse and walked slowly. For a while, her mind went blank. She just thought: Will Pengju take a concubine? ? Is it really true that Peng Ju will be unbeatable? In this way, a hundred years later, how can I be worthy of the ancestors of the Yue family
However, what should I do if I let him take a concubine? Do you just watch your husband come out of other women’s rooms every day? The thought of Pengju possibly having sex with other women, two women and one husband, made her shudder. Is this still the marriage and husband she wants
It turns out that being virtuous is such a difficult thing!
The evening wind blew, making her eyes sore. She rubbed her eyes hard to prevent tears from flowing out. From a distance, she could hear Peng Ju's gentle voice: "Sister Seventeen..."
She galloped up on her horse, jumped off to meet him, and the couple held hands. A guard held the horse for her and fell behind, and the two of them moved forward slowly.
Under the night, Yue Pengju didn't notice any difference in his wife's expression, and just said: "We will set off tomorrow."
Hua Rong was a little happy: "Well, I have wanted to leave the capital for a long time. I don't want to stay here at all."
Yue Pengju then told her about his resignation in court and his exemption from banning. Hua Rong asked the three people for their reactions, thought for a moment, and said slowly: "Han Zhongliang got angry on the spot, and he is an upright man. Moreover, when Miao and Liu rebelled, , he dispatches troops quickly and fiercely, and dares to fight, which is unmatched by others. This person does not need to be guarded, and to a certain extent, he can still make friends. As for Liu Guang, although he is greedy and fearful of enemies, he is rough and unscrupulous, so you can rest assured. Only Zhang Jun, We have to guard against it.”
But, how to prevent it
Yue Pengju only said: "Forget it, let him go. We are leaving anyway. If there is a chance in the future, I will look for an opportunity to show my goodwill to everyone."
The army was outside, especially Yue Pengju, who was interested in the Northern Expedition and needed the cooperation of all armies. Therefore, he did not pay attention to personal grudges and only thought about how to take the initiative to show his goodwill.
They were almost home, but Hua Rong said, "Pengju, we are leaving tomorrow. I have to go and say goodbye to layman Yi An."
Yue Pengju laughed: "No need. I have already invited her to the mansion."
Seeing that her husband had considered everything carefully, Hua Rong nodded with satisfaction and was about to speak when she heard an old and enthusiastic voice: "Mrs. Yue, you are finally back..."
Hua Rong ran up to her in two steps and held her hand happily: "I was about to see you."
The three of them sat down in the hall, and Yue Pengju ordered the dishes to be prepared.
After three glasses of wine and two glasses of wine, the chill was dissipated. Li Yian raised his glass again and said, "You two virtuous couple have served the country loyally. We are going to Xiangyang. Water thieves are rampant in Dongting. You two need to be careful and take care of yourself."
The two of them returned the gift together: "Thank you, Master Yi An, for your concern. I'll take it into consideration."
Li Yian added: "I can't care about the affairs of the court. But I have always known that my distant relative Qin Hui has returned from the north. This man is far-sighted. As soon as he became the minister, he advocated peace, for fear of disturbing his good intentions. He also talked to Wang Jixian Collusion, with Wang Jixian speaking kind words in front of the emperor, it is only a matter of time before he is reused. If the two leaders disagree with him, they must be on guard against him... "
Li Yian didn't know about any dispute between the two of them and Qin Hui at this time. This persuasion was purely out of love and reminder. The two exchanged glances and were very surprised. Li Yian had already seen Qin Hui's ambition early on. However, Man Why do you still regard him as "Su Wu, the most chaste"
Yue Pengju said solemnly: "Thank you, layman, for your advice. I will definitely pay more attention to it."