After that night, Lan Qing stayed at the Furen’s quarter for three consecutive nights, much to the elderly Furen’s delight. Despite her spoken concerns to Yun Si about offspring, she harbored hopes and dreams for a grandchild from Yun Si, her bias against the secondary lines making her yearn for a direct heir from the great daughter-in-law.

    Unaware of her mother-in-law's inner thoughts, Yun Si closed her quarter on the fourth day, feigning illness and dispatching servants to spread the news, while instructing Xiao Ying to block any visits from her husband.

    The Furen fell seriously ill with a high fever, fearing it might spread to others. Therefore, she ordered the quarter to be temporarily closed. Meanwhile, she suggested her husband to stay in other concubines’s quarter.

    Furthermore, she insisted repeatedly that... she need not want a visit from her husband.

    The elderly Furen, hardly over her joy, was irked again. Such were the misfortunes of her cherished daughter-in-law; such a grand opportunity squandered by illness! At any other time, she wouldn't fall ill.

    As for Yun Si reclining for a massage, she was indifferent to the ongoing fuss. Never overly attached to her husband, she found constant closeness exhausting. A profitable venture perhaps, but too strenuous. Besides, she was confident that post-illness, Lan Qing’s affections wouldn't be confined to just Concubine Jiao.

    "What if Master Lan again stayed only with Concubine Jiao?" Xiao Ying asked; her worry was evident.

    The slender figure half-opened her eyes drowsily, her face adorned with a naturally practiced sweet smile. At this moment, she was in a very good mood, so Yun Si's smile never faded.

    "Well, if he met Concubine Jiao again... what can be done? I've done all I could. Now, I deserve some peace." As for her husband, whether he chose to stay with her or not,

    it was his choice to use his ‘jade staff’ as he pleased. Why should she care?

    After receiving Xiao ying's report, Lan Qing merely nodded and walked away. His Furen was so willful: summoning him when she needed him, dismissing him when done.

    "Will you visit Concubine Jiao’s quarter, sir?" asked the servant.

    Pausing, Lan Qing envisioned the vibrant eyes of his new concubine. He turned and walked toward her quarter, followed closely by his loyal servant.

    In Concubine Jiao’s quarter that evening, the music that had been absent for days resonated once more. Knowing Master Lan would visit, Concubine Jiao wasted no time playing his favorite tune, seeking his attention anew.

    The song "Swan's Plea" unfurled its sweet notes, a melody of love from a woman to the man of her heart. Yet, the listener had changed.

    Lan Qing sat in somber silence, his sharp eyes intently observing the beautiful woman in white in front of him. She appeared as pure as a white lotus, yet his heart was ablaze with seething red passions.

    "It's late; I still have matters to attend to and must leave now. You should retire as well, Qi’er. I would be concerned if you fell ill."

    As the music ended, the tall figure rose to his feet. His words of concern were spoken, yet they felt colder than before. Jiao Mingqi watched his broad back receding with wide, bewildered eyes.

    What had happened? Where had she heard? Just days ago, he adored this song, insisting she play it whenever he visited. Why, then, was he so distant today?

    "Which quarter will the master stay at tonight?"

    A-Yin inquired, puzzled by the sudden change in demeanor. Was his master missing Furen, unable to share her bed? Lan Qing paused, then decisively walked toward the southern part of the manor.

    "To the quarter of the Second Furen."

    After not staying over at Concubine Jiao’s quarter, Lan Qing changed his routine to spend nights with each of his wives instead, beginning with the Second Furen. This rotation brought life to the usually quiet quarters.

    Yun Si sat listening to Xiao Ying recount the events that had occurred in Concubine Jiao's residence, smiling all the while. She had anticipated such an outcome. Deterring Lan Qing from visiting Concubine Jiao wasn't difficult. Though unaware of his attachment to the song, her strategy evidently worked better than expected.

    No words were necessary, for her plan ensured that if Lan Qing visited Lady Jiao again, the latter would likely play "Swan Plea" to please him. But from now on, whenever he heard this tune, it would remind him of their night together.

    At that moment, she was unconcerned. If he went to Concubine Jiao’s quarter, it would only reinforce her point: men often long for what is out of reach, finding elusive things more intriguing.

    Yet, she couldn't help but marvel at Lan Qing’s behavior, prioritizing his own pleasure above all. Even Ling Xi, who deliberately kept her distance, had moments shared with him.

    Xiao Ying reported that Master Lan evenly divided his time among the Furens and concubines, sometimes not staying over but always making sure to visit before returning to his own Grand quarter alone. Importantly... he slept alone.

    'Lan Qing... staying alone in his Grand quarter?’

    What had become of Lan Qing, driven by his baser instincts?  Perhaps his 'jade staff' was exhausted.

    Reflecting on this, Yun Si contemplated brewing a strengthening soup for her husband next time he visited. Otherwise, she might face the elderly Furen's reproach for neglecting her spouse's well-being.

    Yun Si was fortunate that Lan Qing remained unaware of her thoughts, otherwise, he might have felt compelled to demonstrate the vitality of his "jade staff" by staying at her residence.

    While Master Lan was diligently playing the devoted husband, his chief wife reveled in her contentment, visiting the Second, Third, and Fourth Furens without a care.

    Xia Yining, the twenty-year-old delicate and gentle Second Furen, wasn't the foremost beauty but was nonetheless attractive. She was the daughter of a prominent merchant in Luo Yang whose business was downfall, was saved by Lan Qing, leading to offering her in marriage to strengthen their families' bond.

    Then there was the Third Furen, Han Xiang Nong, a stunning beauty who only recently turned eighteen. Her exterior allure didn't match her less sweet behavior, causing her local official father to send her into the Lan family, cementing alliances. Due to her vigorous spirit, Lan Qing rarely stayed overnight in her quarter, recalling a time when a visit left him visibly drained for days.

    Lastly, there was Lu Xing from Jiangnan, a region known for its attractive inhabitants. Lu Xing was no exception, and the norm about lovemaking in her hometown was liberal. When encountering Lan Qing, it led her straight back to his hometown with him.

    Initially neglectful, Lan Qing now began to show interest, prompting all three women to thank Yun Si behind the scenes for their visits. Realizing Furen wasn't seriously ill, they understood the situation and appreciated her generous spirit. Even her favor extended to those of lower rank, allowing opportunities for other wives, without attempting to monopolize her husband's love. They all suddenly shared the same thought:

    The main wife has the heart of a goddess.

    Meanwhile, Yun Si , was oblivious to the misunderstandings her laziness caused, continued to enjoy her attendants' pampering, amusing herself with the privilege of her status.

    Concubine Jiao’s soup wasn't bad, she mused, wondering if she'd still receive such care if Lan Qing lessened his visits. Sighing, she knew the likelihood was slim,

    considering the risk of poison more than actual care.

    A few days later, A-Yin, Lan Qing’s servant, delivered the same light attire she wore that night Xiao Ying lifted them up for inspection while Yun Si immediately gestured to put them away in the chest before she could react.

    The thrill of novelty was exciting, but frequent indulgence would soon turn to monotony. Besides, she harbored no particular fondness for such escapades.

    More importantly... With something as transparent as that, aside from its use in *that* particular matter, she couldn't see any other uses for it. If Lan Qing really likes it, he might as well find someone else to enjoy it with.

    As days at Lan’s manor passed with simplicity, like a calm sea without waves, Yun Si and Lan Qing maintained a good balance in their relationship. However, something was different with her excellent husband. For some unknown reason, he became unusually attentive, always lingering around her, not even engaging in intimate activities but just cuddling and talking until they fell asleep. This made Yun Si suspect that there might indeed be an issue with his virility.

    She even secretly instructed Xiao yuan to prepare a turtle tonic soup to invigorate him, but after consuming it, she was the one who couldn't get out of bed. Consequently, the next day, the Furen ordered all such turtles to be discarded.

    The servants were confused by her seemingly angry command, but only Lan Qing cracked a knowing smile upon hearing about this from A-De.

    His visits, gifts, and tenderness were interpreted by the maids as signs of special affection toward the Great Furen. Any other women might have been touched or flattered, but Yun Si was not like other women. Though her gaze softened, her instincts allowed her to perceive more, responding with calm detachment, acknowledging only what he intended to reveal, always contemplating his motives.

    'Lan Qing, what do you truly want from me? Do you wish to break our current balance?'

    Indeed, the depths of a man's heart are profound and elusive. May you remain vigilant, never swaying...