These are truly foolish people, to even suggest such a preposterous arrangement. He would not allow Ling Mohan to take any other women as concubines.
Even though it was common for men to take concubines, he would not allow Han'er to take a daughter from such a family as a concubine.
Moreover, he had heard that this granddaughter-in-law was a jealous person. If Han'er were to take a concubine, who knew what kind of trouble it would stir up.
Feng Jin, such a good granddaughter-in-law, was not easily married home. He would not be willing to anger Feng Jin away again for the sake of some insignificant people; that would be too great a loss.
"That's right. My grandfather is correct. My husband will only marry me in this life and the next. He will not marry any other women, so don't waste your efforts."
Feng Jin echoed Elder Master Ling's words, her tone firm.
Elder Master Ling had behaved exceptionally well this time, speaking so resolutely in her favor. Regardless of whether these words came from the bottom of his heart, Feng Jin was still very grateful.
"Miss, please, you must save my Li family, old and young. As long as you allow my daughter to marry your husband, she can be a concubine or even a servant."
Lin Kun, as if driven mad, hurried before Feng Jin and uttered these absurd words.
"That is your own flesh and blood daughter. How can you, as a father, be so heartless as to actively offer your daughter as a concubine? How can there be such a father in this world? If your daughter knew about this, she would surely hate you for the rest of her life."
How could there be such a heartless father, willing to let his own daughter become a concubine? This was undoubtedly ruining her life.
Feng Jin's expression was one of helplessness, her tone becoming even firmer. "Even if you are willing to let your daughter be a concubine, my husband will absolutely not take concubines. So, you should give up that idea."
"Miss, you refuse to listen to good advice and prefer to be punished. Then don't blame me for being impolite!"
"What is this? I've only heard of forcing virtue into vice, are you trying to force a maiden into concubinage? I consider your Li manor to be a prominent family. If this matter were to spread, how would you have the face to remain in the capital? And what about your sons and daughters, how would they find suitable marriages?"
When it came to sharp tongues, Feng Jin dared to claim second place, and no one in the entire capital dared to claim first.
Her words, though without any profanity, made Li Kun so ashamed that his face burned with an agonizing heat.
"Master Li, a true gentleman who achieves great things is not bound by trivial matters. As the head of the household, you must consider the well-being of your Li family, old and young. You wouldn't want to see the Li family ruined, would you? For your daughter to make a sacrifice for the Li family and protect her parents and elders, this is also considered filial piety."
The master, seeing Li Kun's wavering, immediately began to reason with him and appeal to his emotions, doing his utmost to persuade Li Kun.
Li Kun's initial intention was precisely this. To him, who was more important, a daughter or the entire family, was quite clear. Moreover, she was merely an illegitimate daughter born to a servant, insignificant in the first place.
If it weren't for the need to avert disaster, he wouldn't have even remembered that he had such a daughter.
His concern was only for fear that public opinion might affect him.
"The master is right. Between a daughter and the entire family, one can distinguish what is more important. I gave birth to her, and this is her filial duty."
Li Kun, as if brainwashed, uttered such a foolish statement. He then turned his gaze to Feng Jin, his tone as calm as possible, "You must agree to this marriage today, whether you want to or not. I will ask you one last time, are you willing or unwilling to take my daughter as a concubine?"
"I will refuse until I die! Give up on this idea!"
Feng Jin stated unequivocally. She wasn't a fool willing to be taken advantage of. Just because she accidentally picked up a thrown绣球 (embroidered ball, a tradition in marriage), she was to be dragged in to avert disaster for someone else, and also to take a concubine for her own husband.
Were there truly such saintly people in this world? In any case, this foolishness that reached the heavens was something she would only do if her brain were malfunctioning.
"Master Li, I suspect you've lost your mind to ask such a question. We've only met once, and you want me to take your daughter as a concubine for my husband and avert disaster for your Li family. I don't know where you got the courage to say such a thing. I suggest you go out and inquire about who my husband's family is."
Feng Jin kindly advised. If Master Li were willing to listen, and went out to inquire now, perhaps the entire family could still have a way to live. Otherwise, their entire family would truly be wiped out.
"Haha... haha..."
Li Kun laughed up to the sky, only finding Feng Jin to be scared out of her wits and saying such things to try and deceive him.
"Then, when you came to my Li manor, did you inquire? My Li manor is of royal blood. If you offend me today, your entire family will be wiped out."
"Your family is of royal blood?" Feng Jin's brow furrowed slightly. Could it be that Emperor Xuanwen had married someone from their family? But Emperor Xuanwen's consorts were all from noble families. How could he bring a daughter from a merchant family into the palace?
Could it be another tale of true love? But she hadn't heard any of these romantic rumors from Lin Yuwei. Was she simply out of touch?
Seeing Feng Jin stunned for a moment, Li Kun thought she was frightened by his words and became even more arrogant. "If you regret it and know fear, then kneel down and apologize, and I naturally won't hold it against you. After all, we will be family in the future, and everything can be discussed."
Feng Jin instantly rolled her eyes so hard they nearly touched the heavens. How could there be such an shameless person in this world? She was truly gaining knowledge today, thanks to heaven for letting her meet such a person... it was constantly refreshing her understanding of common sense.
"May I presumptuously ask, Master Li, how did you attain this position of royal connection?" She only wanted to know how they became connected to royalty.
Li Kun cleared his throat, his face full of arrogance. "My legitimate daughter entered the Third Prince's manor. Currently, the Third Prince is most favored by the Emperor, and it will only be a matter of time before he is made Crown Prince. As long as the Third Prince ascends the throne, my daughter will be an Imperial Consort, and my Li family will naturally be of royal blood..."
Speaking of this, Li Kun became even more proud and self-satisfied, his tail practically wagging to the heavens.
"For small families like yours, being able to become relatives with our Li family is considered a blessing cultivated over several lifetimes."
Feng Jin's lips twitched slightly. She struggled to suppress the smile on her lips, finding it extremely difficult, but out of politeness, she still managed to hold back from bursting into laughter, though her stomach ached from the effort.
Taking several deep breaths, she felt a little more at ease in her chest, and only then did she manage to suppress her smile.
So it turned out his daughter was a concubine to Chu Yanxi, and she had been guessing for so long.