Xia Zhiqing cupped a handful of water in her hands, pouring it onto her truth, as droplets slid down the alabaster skin tinged with red, into the bathing bucket, she whispered:

"Zhi Ning, Mo Lang is your man, and you're not young anymore. It's time to change the way you call him, stop calling him a bastard all the time. Once it becomes a habit and the children hear it in the future, it won't be good."

"Sister, you're really defending him. Having you is truly a blessing that bastard has earned over several lifetimes." As she spoke, Xia Zhining smilingly hugged Xia Zhiqing's neck, and said, "Sister, I'm not stupid. I only call him that in front of you and privately, I wouldn't do that in front of others."

Holding each other tightly, Xia Zhiqing's body visibly shuddered, she pushed Xia Zhining away, maintaining some distance, her face flushed as she said, "Stop messing around."

"Oh come on, Sister, he's not here. What are you embarrassed about..." Xia Zhining said nonchalantly.

Xia Zhiqing froze completely, her delicate body trembled sharply, her pupils dilated, her face flushed red:

"Xia—Zhi—ning!"

Upon hearing her sister's words, Xia Zhining lifted the hair covering her cheeks, raised her head, revealing her rosy face, somewhat disappointed she said, "There's nothing, why does that bastard like it so much?"

Xia Zhiqing: "..."

She suppressed her shame and anger, softly commanded, "Get out."

Xia Zhining annoyed Xia Zhiqing more than once or twice, holding her sister's hand she said, "Okay, Sister, don't be angry, at worst I'll..."

Xia Zhiqing ignored her, since she wasn't leaving, she decided to leave herself.

But Xia Zhining pulled her back, saying, "Sister, I really won't fool around, I'm talking serious business with you."

Xia Zhiqing turned back, her eyes were staring straight at Xia Zhining, as if they were saying, can you even talk serious business...

"Sister, why don't you join the army as a traveling female official?" Xia Zhining suggested.

Xia Zhiqing was taken aback, clearly not understanding why her sister suddenly mentioned this.

"Sister, do you remember what he said to us on the road? I felt the pressure on him is quite significant, and there are few people to help him. For some important matters, he still has to write letters personally to Pingting County, seeking Mr. Geng's advice.

Sister, your grace and intelligence are renowned, and you're known as the top talent in Qingzhou. If you wish to get involved, ordinary officials can't compare. Military accounts and document registration, he handles most of these, as well as affairs of the Three States; there's just too much. If you could join, you could take a significant load off him."

Xia Zhiqing's suggestion of a distant alliance and near attack demonstrates she does have administrative ability.

Moreover, the army is mostly men, and being by herself can be quite dull; it would be nice to have her sister there to talk with during free times.

...

Yi Family.

Yi Shiyin finally made it home, naturally enjoying good food and drink.

As night fell, Yi Shiyin wanted to return to the Yi Family Courtyard, but Yi Qianchi exchanged a glance with his wife, who immediately grabbed Yi Shiyin's hand, saying, "Xiaolu, it's rare you're back, your mother misses you terribly, stay home tonight, your mother has some things to tell you."

Yi Shiyin hesitated for a moment, but thinking her husband is with the Xia Sisters, she replied, "I'll send word to my husband, so he doesn't worry."

"Come, follow mother to the room. While you were not in Qingzhou, I made some clothes for you by hand. Try them on to see if they fit."

...

"Mother, it's a bit tight." Yi Shiyin looked down at the green coat, feeling it was a little tight.

Yi gently caressed her daughter's hair with her hand, softly said, "Xiaolu really has grown up, I've made them intentionally bigger, yet it's still small."

Yi Shiyin turned around, her large lively eyes squinting into lines, hugging her mother with a warm smile, "However, mother's coat is beautiful, I really like it, and it's warm on my body."

"Luckily, it's not too small, and it's not yet the New Year, I'll adjust it tomorrow."

"Oh yes." Yi Shiyin snuggled in Yi's embrace, then lifted her head saying, "As an unfilial daughter, I didn't bring gifts for mother and father upon returning."

"Silly girl, just having you back to see your mother and father makes me happy. Gifts aren't needed, we aren't lacking..."

"Mother." Xiaolu nuzzled closer to Yi's embrace with her head.

Yi continued organizing Yi Shiyin's hair, knowing the moment was about ready, she casually asked, "Is your husband busy every day?"

"Oh yes." Yi Shiyin nodded, "Ever since my husband took over Yu State and Linzhou, things have been especially hectic, plus he spends time practicing martial arts daily, he's working hard."

"And you and your husband..." Yi asked softly.

"Mother, what are you asking this for?"

Upon hearing her mother ask about intimate matters, Yi Shiyin's eyes showed a hint of bashfulness.

"Don't be shy, it's important I'm asking." Yi said.

Yi Shiyin held up three fingers.

"Three times a month?" Yi showed confusion, oddly enough, how could it not lead to pregnancy with three times a month.

"A week..." Yi Shiyin's face flushed as she replied.

"A week?" Yi's eyes widened, and her face turned slightly red, "How many women does your husband have?"

Yi Shiyin counted with her fingers, saying, "There's about six."

"Your husband must favor you indeed." Six women with Xiaolu taking three times a week, he must favor her, Yi felt pleased for Yi Shiyin, then said:

"You must ask your husband to take care of his health, although he's young, being busy every day, neglect now leads to hardship later on, just like your father..."

"Mother." Yi Shiyin quickly interrupted Yi.

Yi realized she spoke too much, hurriedly stopping, but if she knew Xiaolu's three times a week involved other women, she wouldn't be so pleased for Xiaolu.

Yi said, "Is there any woman of his pregnant?"

"None." Yi Shiyin shook her head.

"None?" Yi trembled again, initially thinking her daughter hadn't conceived for years due to infrequent relations, but realized this wasn't the cause, believing her daughter's weakness couldn't conceive.

But if none of the women conceives, the issue isn't theirs.

Could it be the husband isn't capable...

Yi showed concern, as Chen Mo now holds high power, controlling the Three States' lifeline, leading a hundred thousand troops, if Xiaolu bears him a child, the Yi Family's status could rise; if it's a son, it might hold promise, but for now...

From a family interest standpoint, Yi worries about lacking return from Chen Mo, even facing potential loss.

After all, how long does a woman's youth last? If she loses favor when aging, she'll soon be marginalized.

Only by having a child, tied by blood, the bond stays strong.

"Has your husband consulted a doctor?" Yi probed tentatively.

"For what?" Yi Shiyin puzzled.

"For childbirth. Having many women but none pregnant indicates a hidden health issue, sooner treated the better. Prolonged delay only worsens." Yi said.

Yi Shiyin finally understood, her face fully flushed, coyly saying, "Mother, you misunderstood, my husband said he's not ready for children yet, so..."

Yi experienced another shock, like waves crashing, she responded, "From what I know, he'll be twenty next year, already of age.

How could he not want children, no way, I have to find your father, and ask him to talk to your husband."

Chen Mo isn't anxious, but she is, eager to have grandchildren.

"Mother." Yi Shiyin quickly halted Yi, "How could father mention such delicate matters with my husband, it's too... too much."

"Xiaolu, you don't understand, if your husband were ordinary, then waiting's fine, but with such monumental estate, lacking children is impossible." Saying this, Yi ignored Yi Shiyin's protests and went to find Yi Qianchi.

Realizing the matter, Yi Qianchi hurried too, acknowledging Yi Shiyin made a point; as a father-in-law, discussing urging a son from a son-in-law proves awkward.

After weighing options, Yi Qianchi devised a plan.

He donned a cloak, seeking Geng Songfu overnight, explaining the matter to Geng Songfu.

Currently, Chen Mo highly values Geng Songfu, so having Geng Songfu address the issue seems ideal.

Geng Songfu learned of the situation, equally alarmed, deciding to handle it first thing in the morning.

ps: Wishing everyone happiness this Lunar New Year's Eve, may the Year of the Dragon bring good fortune.

Two chapters transitioning daily life.

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