And in this world, it was normal for a man to have multiple women.
Thus, she had already prepared herself mentally.
But no matter how prepared she was, as a woman, seeing her own man in the arms of another woman, it was impossible not to feel a tinge of bitterness.
Even if she understood the reasoning, as a woman, that slight jealousy was still there, and as a wife, that slight possessiveness too.
How could she possibly not care at all?
Unless she did not love him, if she loved him, ripples would invariably stir in her heart.
Only those who were in it for a practical life together could afford to be indifferent because they did not invest all their emotion in this man, shifting instead to money or power struggles within the inner house.
But Su Yunjin was not like that. She loved Chen Jie and was not just looking for a companion in life.
Because of love, even if her heart was sour, she was willing to endure.
Because of love, she could tolerate other women possessing her man, because she wanted her husband to be happy.
She kept all the grievances to herself.
And left the happiness for her husband.
She was willing to sacrifice for this man, because her whole heart was vested in him.
She would rather be hurt herself than have her husband suffer the slightest grievance.
She watched her husband calmly, tears in her eyes that she dared not let fall, fearing that her husband would see them, feel guilty, and then mistreat himself by shunning other women.
That was not right.
Chen Jie looked at his wife. How could he not notice her unusual demeanor? How could he not understand her heart?
Truthfully, he could not possibly have just one woman; the world was full of temptations, and he was not a man able to withstand them, and moreover, there were too many situations in Jianghu beyond oneâs control, like that one nun at the nunnery.
But Chen Jie did not want to hurt his wifeâs heart.
This was the softness in his heart, although his mind wandered just now, he would not hurt his wifeâs heart over a maid.
Chen Jie smiled, ruffled Su Yunjinâs hair, and said, "Youâre always overthinking things. Do you think becoming a concubine for Chen Jiusi is that simple?"
"Does anyone who climbs into my bed become my concubine?"
"Wife!"
Chen Jie pulled Su Yunjin into his arms and sat her on his lap.
"Ah~"
The little lady was not mentally prepared and exclaimed in surprise as Chen Jie said, "Wife, youâve suffered following me."
Su Yunjin smiled, "No, I am very happy with my husband."
"Listen to me."
"Husband is not a man of unshakable resolve. Husband also feels that as my status and power increase, women like Xiang Cuiju will inevitably emerge, and I do not know if I can resist the temptations... and in the future, as my power grows, there might also be political needs... alliances through marriage."
"So, there wonât be a shortage of women around husband in the future, but husband promises you, you will always be the wife I love most. Remember, no matter how many women are by husbandâs side, you will always be the most special one in husbandâs heart."
"Always remember, you are my Chen Jiusi, the only principal wife who was carried in through the front door in a grand bridal sedan!"
Chen Jie sincerely expressed his thoughts.
These words, in modern society, would be the cliché of a scoundrel, but in this era, they are profoundly precious.
Tears filled Su Yunjinâs eyes as she said, "Husband, you really donât have to compromise yourself like this. You are destined for great things, and your principal wife should be someone who can aid in your future. Iâm just a simple woman from the village, what kind of principal wife or grand lady am I?"
"If one day, someone who can help you comes along, and you need to marry them, I can step down from being the principal wife, as long as I can stay by your side, even as a concubine, I would be happy."
"Silly girl, what concubine? Didnât anyone tell you, youâre born to be a principal wife!"
Su Yunjin said, "Whereâs there a âborn principal wifeâ? I used to be called a jinx."
"Enough said, I, Chen Jiusi, swear to the heavens, Su Yunjin will always be my principal wife, and if anything changes, may heaven..."
"Donât say it!"
Su Yunjin covered Chen Jieâs mouth.
Chen Jie gently moved her hand away, looking at her and said, "Strike with five thunders!"
"Spit it out, spit it out... it doesnât count, it doesnât count."
Chen Jie, seeing Su Yunjinâs anxious expression, said, "It counts, it counts, for a lifetime."
"Husband~"
The wifeâs eyes brimmed with tears, tenderly wrapping around Chen Jieâs neck, gently leaning on Chen Jieâs shoulder.
"Whatâs wrong? Crying now?"
Chen Jie gently patted Su Yunjinâs back.
Su Yunjin then said, "Itâs nothing, husband, I... I want to have a child with you!"
Chen Jie was startled, then laughed, "Alright, letâs make one now!"
Saying this, Chen Jie directly swept his wife up in his arms.
"Ah, husband, what are you doing?"
"Having a baby!"
"Here?"
Chen Jie said, "Yes, thereâs a bed, and even a table..."
Whoosh, a tableful of books were swept onto the floor by Chen Jie, what saintly books, to even deserve a place on my desk.
...
In the maidâs quarters, Cuiju was too excited. She had succeeded.
She had behaved that way toward the master, but the mistress had not scolded her, what did that indicate? It indicated that the mistress was weak and easy to bully!
As long as she could secure the master and make him unable to leave her.
Then she would definitely be able to rise in status, by then, this weak and easily bullied mistress would be effortlessly manipulated by her.
Hehehe...
She lay on the bed tossing and turning, while the two maids beside her said, "Cuiju, why are you back so late."