"Sister, you were looking for me?" Zhou Yulin looked at his sister, the Zhou clan, whose temporary palace was undoubtedly much better than his and his father's residences.
"Brother, your wife has not borne any children for your family all these years. Do you owe anything to Father and Mother?"
Zhou Yulin was taken aback and asked her, "Sister, did Father and Mother say something to you?"
The Zhou clan sighed, "Brother, you don't know that Father and Mother were afraid that Brother and Sister-in-law would overthink things, which is why they were unwilling to tell Brother. Brother, please do not blame Father and Mother."
"How could I blame them? This is also a matter that troubles my wife and me."
They had been married for five years, not only without children but also without any willingness to have them, despite his considerable efforts.
"Brother, do you want to continue like this?" the Zhou clan suddenly asked.
Zhou Yulin was stunned and looked at the Zhou clan, "Sister, what do you mean by that?"
"Brother, I feel that this has wronged Brother. Other men have three wives and seven concubines, and they have as many children as they want. But Brother has none. I merely feel regret for Brother."
Hearing this, Zhou Yulin sighed. He knew that his sister's words might have another meaning, but the lack of children was indeed a cause of mockery for many, who said he was henpecked.
"Brother, if Sister-in-law continues to have no children, will you continue to endure? You know that Father and Mother are getting old, and I am a woman, unable to continue the Zhou family's lineage. This heavy responsibility falls entirely on Brother. Do you feel no guilt, Brother?"
Zhou Yulin looked at the Zhou clan and said, "Sister, say what you want to say directly. Don't beat around the bush."
"I think Brother should continue the Zhou family's lineage," the Zhou clan said slowly.
Zhou Yulin asked, "Is this Father and Mother's wish?"
"It is also my wish. Brother, Sister-in-law is no longer young, and it may be difficult for her to conceive. Are you going to wait for Sister-in-law forever? Brother, think about those around you; don't they have children very early? Are you going to let the ancestors of the Zhou family rest in peace?"
Zhou Yulin trembled all over and said, "I agree, but what about your sister-in-law... You also know how assertive your sister-in-law is. She absolutely will not allow Brother to take a concubine."
If she won't allow Brother to take a concubine, will she allow her husband to take a concubine?
The Zhou clan sneered, "Since Sister has said so, naturally, she will help Brother."
"Really?" Zhou Yulin could not believe that such a good thing would fall upon him.
"Would I lie to Brother?" the Zhou clan asked.
Zhou Yulin scratched his head, "That's true, but Sister, you must not let your sister-in-law know, or Brother's skin will not be saved."
"Brother, once the deed is done, what can Sister-in-law say?" the Zhou clan sneered.
"Then what should I do now?" Zhou Yulin asked.
"I will make arrangements. Brother, come here to meet me tonight," the Zhou clan said.
Zhou Yulin nodded, "Okay, Sister, don't set me up."
"Brother, you are my blood relative, born of the same parents. Whom else would I set up if not Brother?"
Zhou Yulin left with satisfaction.
The Zhou clan's expression turned grim. She summoned Hong Yan, who walked in and said softly, "Madam, do you have any orders?"
The Zhou clan nodded and said softly, "You do this..."
That evening, there was a palace banquet, and everyone attended in their finest attire. The Zhou clan had clothes made for Madam Fan and Madam Sun sent over by servants.
Upon seeing the new clothes, Madam Fan felt a pang of regret, "Is what we are doing not very good?"
Madam Sun heard this and said, "Mother, what we are doing is also to help Sister. Think about it, Sister has been married for almost a year and still has no children. If Sister had married an ordinary person, it would be fine, but she married a third-rank official in the court. If we don't try, there are many people waiting to try. Do you want to give such a good opportunity to others?"
Madam Fan shook her head, "Never."
"So, the family's fortune should stay within the family. Mother, even if you are reluctant, you cannot completely block Sister's path. Mother, we have no choice!"
Madam Fan nodded, "You are right. It is Mother who did not think far ahead."
"Mother, you don't need to blame yourself. Sister doesn't understand our good intentions now, but she will understand in the future," Madam Sun said.
Madam Fan nodded, "You are right. Then we will proceed according to the original plan."
Madam Sun said, "Okay, Mother, you must not be soft-hearted then. Yun Xiu is also considering the Zhou family. With Yun Xiu alone in the Shen mansion taking care of Sister, Mother should be even happier."
Meeting Madam Sun's gaze, Fan Yun Xiu quickly stepped forward and said, "Aunt, even if I become a concubine of Lord Shen, I will not forget Mother and my sisters-in-law's kind intentions. I will certainly assist Cousin and ensure she has no worries."
Madam Fan looked at the well-behaved and sensible Fan Yun Xiu and grasped her hand, "Aunt certainly believes you."
"Thank you, Aunt, for your fulfillment," Fan Yun Xiu said gratefully.
The palace banquet was about to begin. Madam Sun called Fan Yun Xiu aside and said, "I am helping you like this, you must not forget my kindness then."
"Cousin-in-law, what are you saying? Yun Xiu remembers everything you have done and will not disappoint Cousin-in-law."
Madam Sun nodded and said softly, "Zhou clan harmed my sister so terribly. You must not let her off..."
If it weren't for Zhou clan's disapproval, her sister would already be Lord Shen's concubine. Why would she need to find Fan Yun Xiu now?
Since they would not let her succeed, then neither would any of them have a good time.
Looking at the ferocious expression on Madam Sun's face, Fan Yun Xiu sighed inwardly and even felt a bit of sympathy for the Zhou clan.
The Zhou clan had done so much for the Zhou family, yet because of one thing not going their way, the entire family was plotting against her. They didn't even consider whether they would have returned to the capital without the Zhou clan in the first place.
However, she could not manage so much. She had fallen for Shen Yun Xuan and would use all means to get him.
At most, she would not provoke the Zhou clan in the future.
When the Zhou clan heard Hong Yan say that Mother and Madam Sun had still brought Fan Yun Xiu to the palace banquet, she knew that Mother had abandoned her after all.
She felt resentment. She had done so much for the Zhou family, yet she had not received any benefits. She was truly unwilling. Then, she could not be blamed for plotting against them.
Entering the temporary palace, the Zhou clan secretly ordered people to keep a close watch on Madam Fan and others before walking in.
Because she was the wife of a third-rank official in the court, her position was at the front, while Madam Fan and others were positioned further back. "Madam, what is it? You seem troubled," Shen Yun Xuan saw at a glance that Zhou clan was preoccupied.
The Zhou clan shook her head, "Your concubine is fine. It's just that she is not used to the new environment."