Chapter 476: Concubine

Chapter 476: Chapter 476: Concubine

Mrs. Lin gracefully ushered her guests to the hastily arranged banquet, where a folding screen divided the room. She had made sure to invite all the clan members as well. Throughout the event, she wore a gentle, modest smile, acting as if she had been looking forward to this celebratory feast all along.

Seeing Hu Waner like this, the clan members felt rather uncomfortable. After all, everyone was well aware of what had happened before and what stance the Lin Family clan had taken. However, they hadn’t expected Mrs. Lin to know so many prominent figures. Despite the screen separating them, there were quite a few guards, maids, and older female servants standing around. Each of them possessed an imposing aura and wore clothes far superior to those of the Lin Family’s servants. Today, Lin Dali was not going to get the upper hand.

"Today happens to be a coincidence, and the date is auspicious. I plan to take a concubine for my husband. I’ve invited you all here today to serve as witnesses."

As soon as Hu Waner spoke, the ladies sitting beside her said nothing, but the Lin Family clan members were dumbfounded. In truth, no one was a fool; they could all guess what that widow was plotting. However, blood was thicker than water. Since Lin Dali supported it, they naturally had no other choice.

A mocking smile curled the corners of Hu Waner’s lips. "Today can be considered a double blessing—no, a triple blessing. We’re celebrating my recovery from a severe illness, and we’re also celebrating my husband joyfully gaining the company of two beauties."

Bai Suihe paused with her teacup in hand and glanced around. The other ladies wore similarly surprised expressions, making it clear that none of them had known beforehand. Could it be that the Lin Family had an unofficial bedmate? Were they elevating both of their statuses today?

The clan elders didn’t know what the Hu Family had up their sleeves, but right now, they were in no position to speak up. In the past, they could accuse Hu Waner of being jealous, but now she had taken two concubines for Lin Dali in one go. If they jumped out to object now, wouldn’t they ruin their own reputations?

Lin Dali shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Madam?" He only had Ma Mingli as his intimate confidante. Where did the second concubine come from?

"You must be thrilled, Husband," Hu Waner said, though her smile didn’t reach her eyes. "Knowing that you’ve been unbearably lonely in the estate..."

Bai Suihe felt rather fortunate. She had been too surprised just now to take a sip of tea; otherwise, she definitely would have done a spit-take. Over there, a few ladies actually had spat out their tea and were now coughing formally, trying—albeit failing—to act as if nothing had happened.

"Madam," Lin Dali’s voice rose a few pitches. "Do not speak nonsense."

"Oh, look at my mouth," Hu Waner said, pretending to lightly slap her own lips. "It was you who said you needed someone intimate by your side. Having only a pretty widow, and one who has been used by another man at that, might make you feel repulsed. Therefore, I spent a high price to specially find a girl from the Liang Family for you. Don’t worry, she comes from a clean background and has never been married."

Bai Suihe pinched her own thigh hard to keep from laughing out loud. The ladies beside her were also holding back with great difficulty, likely forcing themselves to think of every sad thing that had ever happened in their lives just to suppress their amusement.

Gu Xingyang had no such concerns. She grinned with a toothless smile, cheerfully laughing and chattering away in Bai Suihe’s mind. "Mother, what a spectacular show! Sure enough, once a woman comes to her senses, she will definitely draw her blade and strike down her beloved first. We finally get to see it live today!"

Bai Suihe’s eyes curved into a smile. "Indeed. She really taught these ladies a lesson today. I’m afraid those haughty husbands are going to have a hard time from now on."

"They deserve it. But my daddy definitely won’t have this kind of worry," Gu Xingyang said.

"You little rascal, what do you know?" Bai Suihe replied. "Who can say for sure what the future holds? It wasn’t like Mrs. Lin didn’t have a concubine by her side in the past."

Bai Suihe didn’t want to dwell on such things now; it would only drain her mentally. Anyway, if that day ever truly came, she would definitely handle it even better than Mrs. Lin.

Meanwhile, Lin Dali could only think that Hu Waner had gone mad from anger to spout such nonsense. However, Hu Waner merely clapped her hands. At that moment, a beautiful young woman dressed in a peach-pink wedding outfit slowly walked in from outside, supported by two maids.

Everyone recognized Widow Ma. She had some beauty, but she couldn’t compare to this young, gorgeous woman. Her innocent appearance carried a seductive charm that made all the men present swallow hard. Even Lin Dali, who moments ago thought Hu Waner was crazy, couldn’t help but clench his fists.

Hu Waner cast a contemptuous glance in their direction. It was well worth the high price she had paid to buy this "intimate confidante" for Lin Dali. Didn’t he love taking a concubine? Then she would grant his wish.

Women from those kinds of places had long lost the ability to bear children. Furthermore, Hu Waner held the woman’s contract of indenture in her own hands, making her far more obedient than Widow Ma. She only hoped Widow Ma would enjoy this congratulatory gift she had prepared and savor her life from now on.

"It was all my fault before," Hu Waner smiled with utmost sincerity. "In the past, our family could only be considered to be getting by, so I couldn’t attend to my husband’s new desires in life. Now that our days have finally improved, we naturally have to properly reward him."

The atmosphere instantly became rather awkward. Lin Dali had indeed possessed some modest wealth before, but it was just a small farmstead. The couple’s frugality over the years, combined with favorable weather for the harvests, had allowed them to slowly build up their estate. Of course, this was also inseparable from the Hu Family’s assistance. Now that their lives had just started to get better, for him to immediately lust after beauty and forget morality was truly despicable.

Hu Waner could be considered quite magnanimous. Knowing he wanted to take a concubine, she had even specially found such a beauty for him, in addition to that overly ambitious widow. How did a man like Lin Dali end up with such a virtuous wife?

"T-this isn’t necessary, is it?" Lin Dali said, his words completely contradicting his true feelings. Widow Ma was very pretty and charming, but she was nothing compared to the young beauty standing before him. He truly couldn’t bear to outright reject a woman as delicate and dewy as this.

Disdain flashed in Hu Waner’s eyes. How had she never recognized this man’s hypocrisy before? However, none of that mattered now.

"What are you saying, Husband? I’ve already bought her, and the contract is signed. I know you like Widow Ma, but she is a previously married woman after all. Allowing her to stay by your side and serve you is already an immense favor to her. However, she still doesn’t quite understand the rules of the inner courtyard.

"Although we are not some noble household, nothing can be accomplished without rules. We must set a good example for our future descendants. I will definitely be staying in the county town frequently from now on, and I worry her lack of manners might ruin the Lin Family’s reputation.

"But this concubine I found for you is different. She used to serve in an aristocratic household and is highly educated in etiquette. With her here to keep an eye on things for me, I can be at ease."

As Hu Waner spoke, she waved her hand at the woman. The two maids immediately supported the new concubine and brought her forward. "Auntie Hu, come greet your husband and the clan elders. In the future, when I’m not at the estate, I’ll have to trouble you to handle the inner courtyard matters and our social engagements."

The ladies present were startled. Was Hu Waner actually planning to give up this household?