When the Marchioness heard Li Mengxi say she wanted to take a concubine for her son, she was instantly overjoyed, and a smile appeared on her previously stern face.
She had hinted at Li Mengxi before, asking her to take a concubine for A-Fei.
But every time, Li Mengxi said A-Fei didn’t agree.
“Really?” The Marchioness gave Li Mengxi a once-over.
“Of course it’s true. It has always been the Heir who didn’t want a concubine—it’s not that I, as his daughter-in-law, was too jealous to allow it,” Li Mengxi continued unhurriedly. “You should know the Heir’s temperament as well.”
If Su Fei didn’t want a concubine, no one could force him.
This time, she was seizing the opportunity while he was still unconscious to get it done.
The Marchioness also knew that her son had little interest in women.
But knowing was one thing—when she wanted to complain, she would certainly blame her daughter-in-law for being useless.
“Do you have someone in mind?” the Marchioness asked.
“What do you think of Miao Ling? She has served by the Heir’s side for so many years and knows his preferences. I imagine the Heir won’t resist too much.”
Li Mengxi gently stroked her sleeve.
Her smile was harmless.
She continued in a gentle tone, “If Mother agrees, I’ll take care of it right away.”
Li Mengxi planned to take a concubine for Su Fei before he woke up.
Look at her—how virtuous she was.
The Marchioness naturally agreed.
Seeing that the Marchioness had no objections, Li Mengxi turned slightly to Nanny Wang. “Nanny, go fetch Miao Ling.”
Nanny Wang didn’t know what had gotten into her mistress today.
She was actually taking the initiative to arrange a concubine for the Heir.
If the concubine gave birth to the eldest son first…
Nanny Wang was worried.
But she could only follow her mistress’s orders and went to the inner chamber to call Miao Ling.
At this moment, the Marchioness felt that one concubine might not be enough.
Her son was already twenty-two years old and still had no children.
Why not take another concubine while they were at it?
She said, “Xiuhe, from today onward, you’ll move to Wenren Tang to serve the Heir alongside Miao Ling.”
Xiuhe had wide hips—good for bearing children.
The Marchioness looked at Xiuhe’s ample figure with satisfaction.
Hearing this, Xiuhe was overjoyed and quickly knelt to kowtow.
The Heir was as radiant as the moon—being able to serve him was a blessing she had cultivated over several lifetimes.
Moreover, she was of slave status. If she could enter the Heir’s household, it would be an immense stroke of fortune.
Li Mengxi smiled faintly.
Mm, that was fine. One more didn’t matter.
It was all the same anyway.
When Su Fei woke up, he would enjoy the company of multiple wives.
Seeing that Li Mengxi didn’t object to her suggestion, the Marchioness felt slightly better.
Before long, Nanny Wang brought Miao Ling in.
Miao Ling bowed nervously.
Li Mengxi sat upright, taking a light sip of tea. After setting down the cup, she said unhurriedly, “Miao Ling, I’m making a decision today to elevate you and Xiuhe as the Heir’s concubines. I hope you will observe proper conduct, stay in your place, and soon bear children for the Heir.”
Miao Ling’s face, which had retained a bit of color, instantly drained of all blood at these words.
The Consort of the Heir Apparent was forcefully taking concubines for the Heir…
Miao Ling didn’t know if she would ever have the chance to serve the Heir up close again.
The Consort had already given her orders.
Miao Ling had no choice but to kneel and kowtow in thanks.
Xiuhe also knelt, happily kowtowing in gratitude.
…
The Marchioness naturally couldn’t sit there forever waiting for her son to wake up.
She gave Li Mengxi a few instructions before leaving.
And Li Mengxi certainly wasn’t going to stay there to keep watch.
Did Su Fei deserve that?
Li Mengxi instructed Miao Ling to continue taking care of the ailing Su Fei.
Then she left the Eastern Courtyard.
When she returned to the Western Courtyard, she changed into comfortable clothes, sat down in a chair, and leisurely sipped her tea, her brows relaxed.
The window was open, and she could see the scenery outside.
Her mood improved somewhat.
Seeing her mistress’s relaxed expression, Nanny Wang cautiously brought up the matter of Miao Ling and Xiuhe. “Young Madam, why did you suddenly take concubines for the Heir today?”
Nanny Wang had been by Li Mengxi’s side for a long time and always knew her place.
For matters of this kind of concern, she didn’t need to observe the strict rules of servitude.
Right now, only the two of them—mistress and maid—were in the room.
“The Yongning Hou Mansion needs heirs.” Li Mengxi smiled with her lips pressed together.
The real reason, of course, was that she wanted to create some trouble for Li Ya and Su Fei.
“Nanny, I’ve been married to the Heir for three years now. For these three years, I’ve spent every night alone in my chamber, just like a widow.”
“The Heir… truly doesn’t like your mistress at all. Three years, and I still can’t warm that stone.”
Li Mengxi spoke these words with a somewhat indifferent tone.
Once she had let go, she no longer felt the bitterness.
Hearing this, Nanny Wang’s eyes reddened, and she nearly burst into tears.
In the year her young lady had just come of age, the threshold of the Li Residence was nearly worn flat by matchmakers.
If the Heir didn’t like her mistress, why did he come to the Li Residence to seek her hand in marriage?
And after marrying her, he didn’t treat her well.
He was simply a scourge!
Nanny Wang could only curse Su Fei in her heart for being inhuman.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Su Fei took the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician, who also administered acupuncture to him.
Just after noon, his fever broke.
It was not until evening that he woke up.
The news that Su Fei had regained consciousness reached Li Mengxi.
She shook her head with a hint of disappointment.
It was a pity he hadn’t burned into a fool.
Li Mengxi placed the ledger in her hand into the chest. “Nanny, let’s have dinner first.”
She would go see Su Fei after she had eaten her fill.
Nanny Wang walked to the door, raised her hand, and made a gesture.
The maidservants outside the door understood and hurried off to the kitchen to fetch the meal.
Before long.
The maidservants filed in, carrying one dish after another.
They were a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.
Although Li Mengxi dined alone, she had never shortchanged herself when it came to food.
Su Fei seemed to have some… objections to her extravagant eating habits.
However, even if he had objections, she had never once considered changing.
In life, being able to eat and knowing how to savor food is a great blessing.
After she had eaten her fill, rested for a while, and tidied her appearance, she set out for the Eastern Courtyard.
Meanwhile, at the Eastern Courtyard.
Lu Xi was reporting to the Heir about everything that had happened since he fell ill.
There was also another matter—the taking of concubines.
Lu Xi held his breath and lowered his head. “The Young Madam has already elevated Miao Ling to the status of concubine. Additionally, the Madam has also sent Xiuhe over to attend to you.”
Having fallen ill, he now had two additional concubines.
Su Fei’s hand, which had been massaging his temples, paused, and his expression turned slightly cold.