Noble families value face. There aren't many households foolish enough to produce illegitimate children before the official wife enters the family, but it's common to have three or five attendants around. In this era, a man who only has one bedchamber servant before marriage can be considered a good man. Yet precisely because he is a good man, one unconsciously wants more from him.
Hua Zhi understood Hua Qin's distress. With a modern soul, she didn't know whether to advise her to accept or resist. Acceptance would mean swallowing bitterness; resistance—how could one person resist an entire world? Hadn't she herself, when engaged to Shen Qi, planned to conform to this era and become a virtuous first wife?
The premise was that she had no romantic feelings for Shen Qi. If Yan Xi later wanted to take a concubine... they would probably just go their separate ways.
Thinking of that man, Hua Zhi's mind wandered. Was he like other men, believing taking concubines was normal?
"Elder Sister, what should I do?"
Pulled back to reality by the murmur in her ear, Hua Zhi remained silent for a moment before saying, "Ask your husband what he thinks. If he truly cares for you, he'd be too concerned about your well-being to entertain other thoughts while you're suffering during pregnancy. If he already has such intentions, you might stop him today but not forever—he wouldn't be worth you degrading yourself for. Of course, if you want to be a virtuous first wife, I'll support you too."
Hua Qin sat up straight, staring blankly at her elder sister. She had expected her to be angry, to feel indignant on her behalf...
Hua Zhi smiled. "There are many things in this world within human power, but a small portion remains beyond even the most capable—like making two people love each other, or ensuring absolute loyalty from one person to another. We can only control our own hearts. Someone else's heart is yours only when they're willing to give it; if one day they want it back, you can't keep it. But there's one thing we can definitely do."
Smoothing her confused cousin's hair, Hua Zhi said gently, "We can love ourselves more. Only when we have abundant love for ourselves can we have surplus energy to love others, and withstand hurt."
A spark returned to Hua Qin's eyes. "If I love myself, I don't want to arrange a concubine for him."
"Then don't."
"But my mother-in-law will say I'm jealous, that I'm not virtuous. My position in the Cai Family will become difficult."
"So what? What woman dares say she isn't jealous? Who doesn't want their husband's exclusive affection? If your life becomes hard because of this, it only shows your man doesn't value you enough. If he truly cared, he'd say he refused the concubine—how could the Cai Family blame you? If he lets you bear this alone, it means he wants a concubine. Can you stop a man who desires romantic company? Since it's inevitable, why hinder him? Better to fulfill him and free yourself."Hua Qin stared blankly at her elder sister, finding this reasoning both profoundly logical and overly evasive." She lowered her head to touch her still-flat stomach. "I'm with child..."
"Yes, you're with child."
"With a child, my position can't be shaken."
"...Yes."
"I can have more children..." Hua Qin's tears fell pattering. She looked up, "But children are children—they're not my husband."Hua Zhi sighed and stepped forward to embrace her, gently patting her back but refraining from further words. She had already intervened more than necessary and couldn't interfere with Hua Qin's decisions—this was her life, and only choices made by herself would leave no regrets.
Tears soaked through the clothing, and the warm, damp sensation on her shoulder was uncomfortable. Hua Zhi couldn't allow the pregnant woman to distress herself excessively, so she brought up a topic Hua Qin couldn't ignore: "The midwife we hired for Fourth Aunt's delivery was excellent. I'll send someone to invite her. It would be best if she could stay with you now, but if not, we must schedule a time. As for the wet nurse, I'll have someone look for one later. Is the one in your husband's quarters reliable?"
Hua Qin's sobbing gradually subsided, though her voice remained choked. "She has some petty schemes, but I don't pay them any mind."
"What about the others in the Cai Family?"
"There are inevitably a few."
Hua Zhi nodded, unsurprised. "Have Qingxiang return home once and ask your mother or grandmother for two trustworthy maids. In your pregnant condition, you can't be too careful. The Cai Family can't criticize you for that. If you have minor ailments, try to avoid medication—it could harm the child. I'll ask Shaoyao to visit you regularly."
Hua Qin nodded repeatedly. Though she had never met Shaoyao, the name was well-known in the Hua family—they all knew she was a highly skilled female doctor.
Hua Zhi gave further detailed instructions, and under her elder sister's systematic arrangements, Hua Qin's inner unease gradually faded, her emotions stabilizing.
It was already late, and the rain showed no sign of stopping. Hua Zhi could stay no longer and rose to leave. "Send for me anytime if anything happens. Don't panic. For the child's sake, you must keep an open heart—only when you're well can the child be well."
"Yes, I understand."
"I'll take my leave now. Stay in bed; there's no need to see me out."Hua Qin, who had been about to lift the covers and get up, obediently tucked her feet back under the blankets." "Take care, Elder Sister."
Hua Zhi nodded and headed for the door. Nian Qiu opened it, revealing Qingxiang standing guard outside while the others had withdrawn to a distance.
"Elder Sister."
Hua Zhi turned back.
"I'll carefully consider your words," Hua Qin forced a smile. "I know you wouldn't harm me, and your advice must be sound."
Hua Zhi's heart softened. "It's good that you can see things clearly."
After bidding farewell to Madam Cai, she hadn't gone far when Cai Zhiming caught up with her. Hua Zhi wasn't surprised—though they had only met a few times, she could tell he wasn't the type to rigidly cling to book learning.
"It's still early; no need to see me off, brother-in-law."
Cai Zhiming smiled wryly. "Elder Sister knows why I've come."
"I don't. Please speak plainly." Hua Zhi's smile was faint, her eyes calm and detached, as if she truly had no idea and didn't care.
What else could Cai Zhiming do? If his mother-in-law had visited today, he wouldn't have been this nervous. But with the eldest young lady here, he instinctively measured his words—not out of fear of her personally, but because he knew she wasn't one to be fooled. Even if he needed an excuse, it had to be a convincing one. His mother-in-law couldn't do much to him, but the eldest young lady might.
"Ah Qin... doesn't trust me." Once the words were out, the rest flowed more easily. "I remembered the dates of her monthly cycles, so I had an inkling when she said she was unwell those days, though I couldn't be certain."
"Why doesn't she trust you?"Cai Zhiming remained silent for a moment. "She's overthinking things..."
"It's because you haven't given her a sense of security that she instinctively doesn't trust you," Hua Zhi cut him off. "There's no need to come here trying to find out what Sister Qin has said. I won't interfere in matters between you as a married couple, but I must remind you, brother-in-law: a marriage can be spent in loving affection for a lifetime, or in polite respect for a lifetime. The choice of how to live your life rests in your hands."
Hua Zhi leaned forward slightly. "I take my leave."
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