Chapter 278: Chapter 278 Madam, I Strongly Agree
After comforting the two children and instructing someone to send them to the family school, Song Ci’s smile faded.
What happened on Lu’s side to frighten the children like this?
"Madam."
Song Ci looked up and said, "What’s going on?"
Nanny Gong stepped forward and said, "Yesterday, someone from Third Master’s side came to deliver gifts for the Autumn Festival, but the servant who came was a new face."
"That’s it?"
Nanny Gong curled her lip disdainfully, "Of course not." She bent slightly and her voice lowered, "It’s said that Third Master has found someone new over in Datong."
Song Ci’s hand paused in manipulating the sandalwood incense, and she scoffed, "No wonder, for a woman, besides this, nothing else could cause such a huge emotional fluctuation."
Nanny Gong replied, "It’s said to be the cousin of the Deputy Magistrate’s wife in Datong."
"So, does that mean he has already brought her into the mansion as a concubine?" Song Ci chuckled softly and then said, "But that can’t be right, doesn’t taking a concubine require the Official Wife’s consent?"
In this era, to take a concubine, if the Official Wife does not agree, you can’t enter through this gate. Even if the man acts arbitrarily without the Official Wife’s consent and takes someone, she can only be considered an outside woman.
And an outside woman is mocked by others. The reputation of an outside woman is even worse than that of a concubine’s child, and the family will not recognize them.
"That’s one way to put it, but if Third Master formally married her in, presenting formal concubine documents like those for a Noble Concubine, then that’s another matter. With documents in place, getting the Official Wife’s agreement is only a matter of time. Not to mention, Third Madam is here while Third Master is in Datong, there’s a lot that can be manipulated," Nanny Gong explained.
"Act first and report later, huh." Song Ci revealed a playful smile and said, "They say it’s only a matter of time before the Official Wife agrees. Does this noble circle really have no one with a fiercer personality who would absolutely refuse?"
Nanny Gong smiled, "Of course there are. Like the former second wife of the Marquis Bochuan Mansion, Madam Xie, who is the daughter of a general’s family. When Second Master Tong was determined to take a concubine, she refused and preferred to request to leave voluntarily."
"Oh, such a remarkable woman! Did she really leave?" Song Ci’s eyes sparkled; truly fierce.
"Yes. The concubine was already pregnant, and since the second wife had no children after three years, how could Second Master Tong bear to let her go? Nor could the Tong family." Nanny Gong continued the story about the Marquis Bochuan Mansion, "Second Master Tong wanted to use the Seven Grounds for Divorce to dismiss her, but Madam Xie produced a written agreement from when they married, stating that he couldn’t take a concubine. The Xie family also stepped forward, and finally, the two parted ways by mutual consent."
"And then?"
"Madam Xie took her dowry and, within a few days, was diagnosed as being pregnant. She later gave birth to a son bearing the Xie surname, who is now twelve years old and has been entered into the Xie family genealogy. It’s said he is very outstanding. Meanwhile, Second Master Tong did take that concubine, who only gave birth to a daughter. Now, there are six or seven wives and concubines in his courtyard, but not one is pregnant. Some say it’s because that concubine drugged him, while others say it’s Madam Xie’s doing. Various opinions exist, but now the Tong family wants to bring Madam Xie’s son back."
Song Ci sneered, "Madam Xie didn’t call them shameless?"
"Why wouldn’t she? It’s said they stood guard with broadswords at the mansion gate."
Song Ci smiled gently, "This Madam Xie is truly a remarkable woman. I must meet her valiant spirit one day."
Nanny Gong shook her head and chuckled softly.
"Not every woman is like Madam Xie; many can only compromise. From what this old servant observes, even if Third Madam’s heart is unwilling, she will ultimately have to accept that cup of tea."
Song Ci said, "Madam, I deeply agree."