Yang Ruxin didnât say anything more and turned around to enter the house.
Chai Qinâs eyes flickered, and she hurriedly followed to serve.
Gu Qingheng let out a breath. He had said so, his wife wasnât an unreasonable person, and he too quickly followed into the room to personally help his wife wash up.
Yang Ruxin patted Gu Qinghengâs cheek, "Good boy, you rest. Iâll go cook." Then she took Chai Qin to the kitchen.
The old men had been eating bought meals these days and were already tired of them. Today, they had to treat everyone well.
There was a small kitchen in the Bamboo Garden, which could be used with a little Silver, and the inn also provided some ingredients. Yang Ruxin mixed in some ingredients from her space, enough for everyone to eat.
Chai Qin was helping Yang Ruxin, but occasionally stole glances at her, looking conflicted.
"If you have something to say, just say it." Yang Ruxin was making fish balls and didnât even lift her head. "The way youâre acting makes me uncomfortable."
"Madam." Chai Qin knew she shouldnât speak out, but she couldnât hold back, "Back when the old madam was still alive..."
"Chai Qin." Yang Ruxin looked up, "Do you know why I kept you by my side?" She directly interrupted Chai Qin.
Chai Qin was taken aback.
"Itâs because of my mother-in-law whom Iâve never met, the old madam you all mention." Yang Ruxin put the last fish ball into the water and stirred it with a Collander, "You were chosen by mother-in-law, and later, you even disregarded life and death for my husband. When I heard about it back then, I thought if you were still alive and if I had the ability, I would make sure you lived well in the future. But alas... your obsessions run too deep."
Chai Qin lowered her gaze.
"Youâre a smart person, at least smarter than Chai Huan," Yang Ruxin smiled, "But, are you truly smart?"
Chai Qin frowned.
"I just want to ask, even if I agree for you to be a concubine for the young master, do you think youâll be happy?" Yang Ruxin chuckled, "So many tragedies in the world are caused by unfaithful men, right? For example, if Gu Sheng hadnât favored his concubines over his wife, would your madam have died? Would your young master have met with those misfortunes?"
Chai Qin swallowed, "Madam, I..."
"A harmonious family leads to prosperity, but when several women are fighting over one man, do you think there can be harmony?" Yang Ruxin sneered, "Instead of scheming against those women every day, Iâd rather use my energy to do some business and earn some Silver. So, to avoid unnecessary worries, and also to prevent my children from living in jealousy or being harmed in the future, I wonât allow my husband to take concubines."
"But men having three wives and four concubines is perfectly normal, madam, I donât seek to compete, I only ask for..."
"Maybe youâre thinking of not competing now, but what about in the future? Especially if you have children, can you still say you wonât compete? Chai Qin, human desires are endless," Yang Ruxin interrupted her again, "When youâre hungry, you just want a bun, but when you can eat buns every day, youâll start thinking about having some meat..."
Chai Qin bit her lip.
"I know what youâre thinking, because the way you secretly look at my man disgusts me, you even hide outside our room at night," Yang Ruxin laughed, "But Iâm still willing to give you a chance, because I know I have a soft heart, but thatâs only because you havenât crossed my bottom line yet."