Chapter 757 - 0429 Life Talks (Two-in-One)_2

But when I calmed down, I felt that Wen Li couldn’t have done such a childish thing, and Xu Chang’an... wasn’t the type to say such words.

So, perhaps Wen Li’s decision to give up being a sword cultivator really has nothing to do with Xu Chang’an.

After all, Xu Chang’an has barely set one foot into the realm of sword cultivation.

"It seems I’ve wronged you."

"...Wronged?"

Xu Chang’an was even more confused.

Zhu Pingniang gently shook her head and did not explain.

She thought, if it had nothing to do with Xu Chang’an, then it really was a difficult problem to solve.

Forget it, she’ll talk to Wen Li first, if she really can’t persuade her, then find another way... let Chang’an in and see.

What Xu Chang’an says should still have an effect on Wen Li, right?

But what really made Zhu Pingniang feel tricky was that perhaps even Xu Chang’an couldn’t help.

Wen Li’s attitude towards Xu Chang’an was still ambiguous, and the young girl herself wasn’t clear about her feelings for Xu Chang’an. At this time, asking Xu Chang’an to persuade... might even backfire.

"Really... how did she end up with a muddled Dao heart?"

Zhu Pingniang furrowed her brow.

Could it be that Wen Li is similar to Qingluo?

Is it because Xu Chang’an is too focused and not at all flirtatious, so Wen Li sees no hope and has given up?

"Ahem." Zhu Pingniang cleared her throat, then leaned against the window corridor and stretched: "Chang’an, elder sister has something she’d like your opinion on."

"Please go ahead." Xu Chang’an nodded.

"A cultivated courtesan under my care, after redeeming herself, by chance fell for a suitable man. I can see that they have feelings for each other, but... that man already has a wife, and the girl can only marry as a concubine." Zhu Pingniang said slowly.

Xu Chang’an nodded upon hearing this.

This is quite common and nothing surprising.

Zhu Pingniang said with some emotion, "The girl herself is in love with the man and doesn’t mind marrying as a concubine, but... lately, she’s been hesitant, because if that man really marries her as a concubine, it would be disloyal, even an insult, to his wife who is from a well-regarded family, virtuous and upright. Logically, even if she takes a concubine... a cultivated courtesan wouldn’t have a place in such a home."

If she really marries in, the man may only end up with a frivolous reputation, while his wife would greatly lose face.

Xu Chang’an quietly listened, nodded to show understanding, and asked puzzledly, "So... he doesn’t want to take a concubine then?"

"Still wants to." Zhu Pingniang shook her head: "After all, the couple’s feelings are genuine, and he’s determined to make the girl a concubine."

"Then where’s the problem?" Xu Chang’an didn’t understand.

"But the girl doesn’t want to marry. Now she’s torn, thinking... if this man can disregard his wife’s face for her, does it mean... he’s inherently unfeeling and unworthy of trust." Zhu Pingniang spread her hands: "Quite laughable, right? Clearly, he likes her, yet she’s the one hesitating."

"I don’t find it laughable at all." Xu Chang’an said seriously: "His wife is like that, let alone a concubine."

"Oh?" Zhu Pingniang looked at Xu Chang’an in surprise: "You think not marrying is better?"

"Yes." Xu Chang’an nodded.

"That’s odd." Zhu Pingniang looked at Xu Chang’an, astonished: "I thought you would remain neutral and say you don’t know enough to offer advice..."

But Xu Chang’an was this decisive.

"Ms. Zhu." Xu Chang’an seemed a bit helpless: "I’m usually somewhat indecisive, but not so much that I’m this backward, right?"

"Can’t say for sure." Zhu Pingniang snorted coldly: "So, why do you say she shouldn’t marry? I see that man treasures her very much."

"There’s a saying: Marry a virtuous wife, take a beautiful concubine." Xu Chang’an shook his head, saying softly: "If a virtuous wife can be undermined, what of a concubine who is not the true beloved?"

Zhu Pingniang looked discontentedly at Xu Chang’an: "You haven’t even met that man, how do you know he’s not a good person?"

Xu Chang’an just smiled: "Ms. Zhu, since the girl is already hesitating."

Calling it hesitation, but really... the answer is already decided.

Xu Chang’an didn’t make the decision for the girl arbitrarily; he simply saw that this matter was already settled.

Once the cultivated courtesan feels hesitation in her heart, she absolutely would not marry in as a concubine, and Zhu Pingniang also would never agree.

For the girls at the Flower Moon Building, if they truly wished to marry, they’d be resolute, how could they hesitate?

"You’re quite shrewd." Zhu Pingniang sighed: "But I still find it laughable, clearly... A man who truly isn’t put off and sincerely likes her, but because of wanting to marry her, it can’t happen, how could something like this exist... Say, by this reasoning, won’t all the girls I have end up single?"

"If the main wife is not of a noble family, taking one of these girls as a concubine wouldn’t count as an insult." Xu Chang’an said.

"All right then." Zhu Pingniang gave Xu Chang’an a deep look.

She sensed it.

Xu Chang’an might not realize it himself yet, but he had a significant aversion to the idea of men taking concubines while having a wife. When he heard that the man had a virtuous wife from a noble family, a hint of disdain flickered in his eyes.

She had once asked Xu Chang’an if he was willing to take a concubine, and at that time Xu Chang’an said no, but Zhu Pingniang hadn’t taken it to heart.

Now she truly had some understanding of his attitude.

His disdain, contempt, and even loathing for the concept of men taking concubines were apparent.

Especially when Xu Chang’an spoke the phrase "marry a virtuous wife, take a beautiful concubine," it was clear he held the phrase in disdain.

He didn’t find the cultivated courtesan’s regret laughable, but he found that phrase laughable.

It’s worth noting that Xu Chang’an was usually gentle and serene, rarely showing such contempt, yet at this moment...

It was clear that Xu Chang’an was extremely repulsed by the practice of men taking concubines.

How could such men exist in this world?

Zhu Pingniang found it somewhat incomprehensible.

Throughout history, it was normal for capable men to have multiple wives and concubines, whereas being devoted to only one wife was deemed abnormal in contrast.

Yet if he held such an attitude towards taking concubines out of mutual affection, Zhu Pingniang felt Xu Chang’an would openly ridicule it if it were devoid of feelings.

"You... are quite unusual." Zhu Pingniang stared at Xu Chang’an.

"...?" Xu Chang’an didn’t really understand what was going on with Zhu Pingniang.

He wasn’t very aware of his own tone, but he truly had no fondness for the idea of men taking concubines. The human heart is limited; just holding one person dear is quite challenging, so how could one spare affection?

Xu Chang’an would truly laugh out loud if someone claimed to love everyone.

"Chang’an, do you find... taking concubines a ridiculous matter?" Zhu Pingniang suddenly spoke up.

She was already starting to feel uneasy.

If Xu Chang’an held such a view, then... what would happen with her Qingluo...

"Ridiculous." This time, Xu Chang’an didn’t maintain neutrality, but seriously expressed his stance: "Quite ridiculous, I... cannot understand it."

If true feelings are at issue, just part ways and not seek excuses for selfish desires? He disdained such actions.

He didn’t know why Zhu Pingniang was asking, but concerning his attitude toward Miss Yun, Xu Chang’an refused to conform to the times.

"I don’t find anything laughable about taking concubines." Zhu Pingniang shook her head: "If the ancient saying states marry a virtuous wife, take a beautiful concubine, it’s inherently acceptable, so the odd one isn’t them, it’s you."

"Ms. Zhu." Xu Chang’an shook his head, his voice slightly raised: "I believe the true essence of the saying ’marry a virtuous wife, take a beautiful concubine’ is to advise against taking concubines."

"Hmm?" Zhu Pingniang was startled: "What do you mean? Why would it advise against taking concubines but still say it? Isn’t it to distinguish between wife and concubine, to maintain family stability?"

A virtuous wife stabilizes the family, a concubine... need only be beautiful.

To Zhu Pingniang, it seemed like this saying wasn’t advising against concubines, but reminding men... to have a virtuous wife when taking concubines, noting that concubines were merely for pleasure, not to be taken seriously.

Listening to Zhu Pingniang, Xu Chang’an sighed, his tone calm. He recalled Yun Qian, who had just come over wanting a hug, and smiled:

"Cultivate focus to collect the heart, abstain from indulgence to cleanse the heart, eliminate desires to nurture the heart, observe ancient teachings to warn the heart, comprehend ultimate truths to illuminate the heart, and thus the best way is to be wholeheartedly good to one’s wife, which is the essence of this ancient saying."

Since one should marry a virtuous wife, that itself is the truest ’beauty.’

"This is how Chang’an sees it."

"...Yes."

Zhu Pingniang stared blankly at Xu Chang’an for a while, her heart slightly racing.