Shi Xiaolan did not hide anything: "Our family is doing so much better this year thanks to you and Brother Xiao. We’ve earned a bit of money, making life far better than before. People see that we’re living well and have their sights set on Fu Zi, with some even sending middlemen to our place. They’re propositioning for Fu Zi to take them as a concubine. If Fu Zi agrees, they could be taken into the household next year."
An Jing was at a loss for words and glanced at her devoted, high-and-mighty husband before asking, "What’s Brother An Fu’s attitude on this?"
"Actually, Fu Zi doesn’t wish to marry them, but my in-laws are tempted. However, since I’m pregnant, they haven’t added to my stress and rejected the proposals, saying they’re not considering these matters for now."
An Jing furrowed her brows. For now? Does that mean they will consider it in the future?
Just because there’s a little bit of money at home, they’re thinking about all these messes...
It would be better to stay poor!
"Sigh," Shi Xiaolan sighed deeply, "I don’t blame them. I just hope this child in my belly will do me proud and be a son. With a son, I’ll have firmly established my place in the family, and naturally, my in-laws wouldn’t let Fu Zi marry another, as they’re just worried about having no heir."
After a pause, Shi Xiaolan continued, "If it’s another daughter, I’d be thankful if they don’t force Fu Zi to divorce me and remarry. I can’t even hope for Fu Zi to truly spend a lifetime with me. Besides, Fu Zi is filial, and if they pressure him to take another wife, even if he’s reluctant, he’ll do it. There’s a saying, ’Of all the unfilial acts, having no heir is the gravest.’
An Jingxin thought to herself: What’s this ’of all the unfilial acts, having no heir is the gravest’? There are so many people in my world who don’t want children!
"An Jing, sometimes I even think about returning to those hard times," Shi Xiaolan said with a bitter smile. "Back then, they wouldn’t even think about such things. Even if they were concerned about me not giving Fu Zi a son, they wouldn’t contemplate him remarrying, because we were too poor to go on. We barely survived, had no silver coin for Fu Zi to take another wife, and naturally, no one thought about targeting Fu Zi."
An Jing also gave a bitter smile: "I feel like I’ve wronged you..."
As soon as Shi Xiaolan heard this, she became frantic: "Don’t you dare say that. You haven’t wronged me; you’ve helped me! Don’t take my previous words to heart. It’s just some pent up feelings lately, making me think nonsense, no real intent behind it."
"Given that things have come this far, I’ll not hide from you, I’m just too envious of you and Brother Xiao, being together for a lifetime, just the two of you. I wish to do the same with Fu Zi, but it’s not possible. If this child isn’t a son, I’ll end up like those women who can’t give birth to sons, either divorced or having to accept a co-wife."
"Ha," Shi Xiaolan suddenly laughed self-mockingly, "if Fu Zi knew what I said, he could easily divorce me on the grounds of my being narrow-minded and jealous."
An Jingfurrowed her brows: "Brother An Fu shouldn’t be that kind of person, should he?"
"Who knows? Even if he isn’t now, he might become that way eventually." Shi Xiaolan was pessimistic about her future.
An Jing could see it and hear it.
"An Jing, you’re fortunate. You met Brother Xiao, who not only doesn’t mind that you can’t have children but has also married into your family to be with you for a lifetime. Do you know how envious I am? If my family hadn’t been poor, my parents wouldn’t have married me off; they would surely have kept me home to seek a son-in-law..." As she spoke, Shi Xiaolan’s tears began to flow.