Song Ci fiddled with the large camellia flower in the glass cup and said, "Nanny Gong, ask Lin Qing to prepare a dose of Infertility Medicine."
Nanny Gong lowered her head in agreement, "Madam, are you really going to make the old lord take it?"
Song Ci paused her hand and looked up, "He agreed himself, of course it should be sent over." After a moment, she asked, "Nanny Gong, am I being too cruel?"
Making someone take Infertility Medicine always seemed somewhat improper.
Nanny Gong replied, "Madam, you have your reasons. Actually, there’s no need to feel guilty; this is something many official wives do."
Having a concubine take contraception or Infertility Medicine was common in the inner chambers. Especially when the official wife has not borne a legitimate son, it becomes even more difficult for a concubine to conceive, as there’s always a bowl of contraception awaiting them after bedding.
Of course, if the official wife’s womb hasn’t been fruitful for years, or if the family tradition is not particularly upright, then the birth of a firstborn by a concubine becomes inevitable.
Song Ci said, "I don’t feel guilty; I just chose to be a selfish mother, guarding what should belong to them. Besides, I didn’t do it secretly—I explained it clearly to him. It was his own choice."
She considered it kind of her to have explained the pros and cons to him.
"With many illegitimate sons and daughters, the family is rife with disputes and lacks peace. The old lord already has sons—four at his age, among which three are legitimate, and he has several grandsons. Why create more children in his old age? Having a grandson about to marry call a toddler uncle—wouldn’t that be embarrassing?" Song Ci moved the camellia in the water, watching it swirl and said, "The Song Family doesn’t need him to add more offspring; having a concubine to keep him company is enough."
Nanny Gong smiled faintly, "You are right."
Song Ci sighed, "However, his decision to drink it himself surprised me. Do you think he had it all planned out in his heart, or does he feel sorry for that Shui woman?"
The dose of Infertility Medicine, in the end, the old lord of the Song Family chose to take himself. It truly astonished her that a man in ancient times would willingly drink Infertility Medicine.
Was it that he felt he no longer needed another son, or that he couldn’t bear to see that Shui woman lose her right to be a mother, or something else?
No matter what, the fact that the old lord was willing to drink the Infertility Medicine for her showed that the Shui woman had really won his heart.
Damn, inexplicably annoying!
It must be the lingering thoughts of the old lady’s original soul.
Song Ci silently muttered a few times, thinking that at least she had prevented Da Lang and the others from having other siblings in the future, so the old lady should not feel wronged, as if she was getting jealous herself.
On the other side, the old lord of the Song Family was comforting Shui Lianlian.
"Madam has already agreed. From now on, you will be my concubine, so there’s no need to worry anymore. Just stay with me at ease."
Shui Lianlian said softly, "But Song Lang, it seems Madam doesn’t like me."
The old lord thought to himself, what a silly girl—has there ever been an official wife who favored a concubine?
"She’s just like that; don’t mind her. In the future, just follow me wherever I go." The old lord smiled, "I don’t often stay at the mansion; I’m mostly at the manor, and you know that. When the time comes, follow me to the manor, so you won’t have to see anyone."
Shui Lianlian breathed a sigh of relief and nodded obediently.
As they spoke, someone brought over some clothes. The old lord glanced at the somewhat plain garment and said, "Change into this; it’s plain enough and doesn’t stop you from mourning your father. The Autumn Festival is approaching, so wearing something so plain in the mansion isn’t ideal."
Shui Lianlian said somewhat guiltily, "I have troubled you."
The old lord pinched her cheek, "As long as you don’t feel wronged."