Chapter 346: Raising Children Also Costs a Lot of Money
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“Zhenzhen, I have a question. May I ask?” The prefectural magistrate’s wife hesitated before inquiring.
Qin Zhenzhen responded casually, “Feel free to ask if you have something on your mind.”
“You and Su Bin have been married for over a year now, but why haven’t you become pregnant?” The magistrate’s wife was genuinely curious.
Based on their daily interactions, Qin Zhenzhen and Su Bin appeared deeply in love. They shared the same bedroom and slept in the same bed at night, so why hadn’t they started a family yet?
If there were any health issues, Qin Zhenzhen was renowned as a miracle doctor who could cure almost anything. What could possibly be the problem?
Moreover, their expressions didn’t indicate any distress related to their situation. If it were merely because Su Bin was young and wished to delay having children, it seemed implausible.
Excessive consumption of contraceptive herbs could severely affect a woman’s fertility and render her infertile for life. Therefore, such a decision had to be carefully considered.
Additionally, Qin Zhenzhen was nearing sixteen years of age, which was not considered young in this era. In ancient times, girls often married and started having children at the age of fourteen or fifteen.
The magistrate’s wife’s question caused Qin Zhenzhen to blush. She couldn’t reveal the truth, so she crafted a falsehood.
“Su Bin believes that he should establish his career first and considers starting a family only after achieving top honors.”
The magistrate’s wife nodded in understanding. “I see.”
“Then how did you..
The prefectural magistrate’s wife had more private inquiries to make, but she suddenly felt it was inappropriate to discuss them in front of Su Ning. Consequently, she instructed a maidservant to escort Su Ning elsewhere to play.
Su Ning understood that the ensuing conversation would touch upon topics unsuitable for her young ears, so she obediently followed the servant girl to the back garden to enjoy herself.
Once Su Ning was out of earshot, the magistrate’s wife inquired in a hushed tone, “Zhenzhen, how did you manage to use contraception without harming your health?”
Qin Zhenzhen hadn’t anticipated this question, and she momentarily hesitated before replying calmly, “I can create a form of contraception that isn’t detrimental to one’s health.”
The magistrate’s wife’s eyes brightened upon hearing this revelation. “You possess the ability to concoct such a remedy? Could you assist me in obtaining some?”
Qin Zhenzhen was somewhat surprised. The magistrate’s wife was nearly fifty years old, so in theory, she would no longer require contraception.
Seeing Qin Zhenzhen’s perplexed expression, the prefectural magistrate’s wife no longer shied away from the topic and confided in her.
It transpired that despite the governor’s respect and good treatment of his wife, her age had impacted her performance in the bedroom. Given these circumstances, it was likely that the governor would select a young and attractive concubine.
The prefectural magistrate’s wife wasn’t overly jealous of this situation. Her primary concern was that the two aunts were younger than she was. If the governor continued to stay with them, they would keep bearing children.
Just last month, one of the concubines had given birth again. This particular concubine had already delivered three children, all of whom were still quite young.
This particular concubine’s behavior was indeed quite absurd. Fearing that the governor might not visit her room again after giving birth to a child, she had actually offered her maid to him.
Sooner or later, that young maid would likely be elevated to the status of a concubine. If she too bore a child, she would likely become a concubine.
The constant emergence of concubines, even if their families were affluent and influential, would prove challenging to manage. Raising children demanded substantial financial resources.
Moreover, the proliferation of sons and daughters posed a significant threat to the offspring of the main wife..