Do you know: I am Qi Heng

It is true that wives have an absolute advantage over concubines, but favored concubines are an exception.

It wouldn't be difficult for a wife to kill her concubine at any cost, but that would completely destroy the bond between husband and wife.

Those with reservations are better off not divorcing their wives. Those without reservations can easily divorce their wives under the pretext of jealousy.

Therefore, any family that values ​​its reputation would not marry its daughter to a man who had a mistress or concubine before marriage.

Of course, there are also some shameless people who, seeing the Gu family's high social standing, want to curry favor with them and will still agree.

But such families are of extremely low social standing and have a bad reputation. How could the Gu family possibly look favorably upon them?

It can be said that if the news of Gu Tingye keeping a mistress got out, it would not only affect his marriage prospects, but also his relationship with his family.

Only Sheng Changbai understood Gu Tingye and regarded him as a good friend.

Anyone else would probably have chosen to sever ties, fearing the consequences.

"Zecheng, Yuanruo, let's sit down and talk it over!"

A shed for shade had been set up in the courtyard. Gu Tingye invited the two to sit down, and said with a complicated expression, "Yuanruo doesn't know much about my affairs, but you know them better than anyone else."

My biological father killed my birth mother. I can't face him at all, and I don't know what to do.

That's why I chose to leave Bianjing. When I first arrived at Bailudong Academy, I was in a daze until Manniang appeared. Her gentle comfort and companionship helped me slowly come out of it.

The birth of my child finally brought me to a complete calm.

At that time, my heart felt like it was trapped in a room that never seemed to end, and Manniang was the ray of light that pierced through the darkness.

Sheng Changbai and Qi Heng both fell silent, having come to understand Gu Tingye's situation.

Qi Heng had never quite understood how Gu Tingye, with his intelligence, could be so easily manipulated by two women.

He already knew from his mother that things weren't that simple with Madam Qin.

Although it is said that she treats Gu Tingye as her own son, in reality she indulges Gu Tingye and is very strict with her own son.

Such differential treatment is obvious to outsiders.

But it's understandable that Gu Tingye never noticed or even suspected Xiao Qinshi.

After all, his mother died early, and young Gu Tingye lacked maternal love. Xiao Qinshi was kind to him, and he regarded Xiao Qinshi as his own mother.

As a son, who would suspect that his mother, who has always been good to him, harbors malicious intentions?

But he truly couldn't understand Man Niang.

It's understandable that Gu Tingye, being a naive young man, would be deceived by a woman.

The problem is that Gu Tingye is not like that. Although his playboy lifestyle is an act, he originally had quite a few concubines.

It's perfectly normal for sons of wealthy families to have several concubines.

Even for someone like Sheng Changbai, Madam Wang deliberately arranged for ordinary-looking women to fill his room.

He shared similar thoughts with Princess Pingning, worrying that the maidservants would seduce him, causing him harm to his body and delaying his studies.

Even so, Sheng Changbai couldn't help himself.

He clearly remembered that in the original drama, after Hai Chaoyun entered the room, she dismissed all the maids in Sheng Changbai's room, leaving only the most inconspicuous one.

Minglan also praised Hai Chaoyun for her clever methods, leaving behind the most inconspicuous one, which would not pose a threat, but would also make her seem very magnanimous and would not offend Sheng Changbai.

It's not that Sheng Changbai is cold-blooded, but that's the prevailing view at the time.

It's normal for a woman to have several batches of maids serving her husband before marriage, and it's perfectly normal for them to be dismissed after marriage.

A maidservant who accompanies a concubine is not the same as a concubine. Even if a concubine is a concubine, she can be given away.

These are the education and values ​​I received from childhood, and we cannot judge their right or wrong using the perspectives of later generations.

But precisely because of this, the sons of officials and nobles tend to be rather cold and indifferent towards their concubines and maids.

Strictly speaking, it's just a tool for venting.

Gu Tingye, however, developed genuine feelings for Man Niang, an actress, which is hard to understand.

Hearing Gu Tingye's explanation, Qi Heng could understand.

Gu Tingye always believed that his father had killed his mother, and the torment he felt was hard for outsiders to understand.

The appearance of Man Niang distracted him somewhat, allowing him to slowly emerge from that state.

Rather than saying he developed feelings for Manniang, it would be more accurate to say that the time they spent together made him accustomed to her company.

"So what are your plans?" Sheng Changbai asked after a long silence.

Gu Tingye said, "If I pass the imperial examination with flying colors, none of these things will be a problem."

His mistress might affect his marriage, but none of that matters compared to passing the imperial examination.

Gu Yankai was also deeply trusted by the emperor. He entered officialdom through the imperial examination and his future prospects were not bad.

What's the big deal about a mistress?

"Alright, since you have your plans, I won't say any more."

Sheng Changbai shook his head and said, "There are still about six months until the imperial examination. Let me go back and tell Zhuang Xuejiu that you can come to my house to study tomorrow."

"Thank you, but I can only go the day after tomorrow. I have to go back to the Gu family tomorrow," Gu Tingye said.

"Okay!" Sheng Changbai nodded.

"Yuanruo hasn't congratulated you yet!"

Gu Tingye laughed and said, "I heard that the Emperor has bestowed a marriage upon you and Miss Sheng. Your change in attitude is truly surprising!"

"After all, it's been five or six years since we last met, so some changes are normal!"

Qi Heng smiled and said, "A scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days' absence. Second Uncle, please don't judge people with outdated perspectives!"

"That's not what I meant!"

Gu Tingye shook his head and said, "There is no other reason why the Emperor would do such a thing, and Princess Pingning would not likely ask the Emperor to grant you a marriage."

"That's exactly what I was talking about!" Qi Heng said with a smile.

Gu Tingye was taken aback upon hearing this, then burst into laughter, "Good! You're too conventional. The more conventional a person is, the more likely they are to suffer losses. I've always worried about that. It's a good thing that you've changed like this!"

"Zhong Huai, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Sheng Changbai said unhappily, "Don't corrupt Yuan Ruo."

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore!"

Gu Tingye smiled and said, "I am Yuan Ruo's second uncle. After Yuan Ruo marries your sister, how should you address me?"

Sheng Changbai glanced at him sideways and said, "What do you want me to call you?"

"Haha, just kidding."

Gu Tingye smiled and said, "It's getting late, and there's nothing left here, so I won't keep you any longer."

"Then we'll be going now!" Sheng Changbai said, standing up.

"Second Uncle, we're heading back now!"

"Okay, remember not to mention my affairs to anyone!"

Gu Tingye gave them a few words of advice and then saw them off.

After watching the two get into the car and leave, he turned around, went into the yard, and locked the gate.

"Jiro!"

Man Niang came out and, not seeing Qi Heng and the other person, asked in confusion, "They're gone?"

"Mm." Gu Tingye nodded.

"I was also saying I'd go buy some wine and food, and cook a few dishes for you so you could catch up," Man Niang said with a smile.

"Once we're settled, there will be plenty of opportunities!"

Gu Tingye stepped forward, took Manniang's hand, and said, "I'm going back tomorrow, and I probably won't be coming here often after that. I'll leave the child in your care."

"Erlang, I'm scared."

Manniang leaned against Gu Tingye with some worry and said, "I haven't been back to Bianjing for many years, and I have to take care of two children by myself. I'm worried I won't be able to manage."

"Don't worry, I'll go and buy two servants to help you. My wet nurse should be arriving in a few days, so with her help, everything will be fine!" Gu Tingye comforted him.