In this world, the pressure to produce an heir had always fallen solely on the women.
Even someone as capable as Xie Jinbai couldn't stop the wagging tongues of the masses.
Seeing her daughter remain silent, her mother assumed she was upset and couldn't bring herself to press the issue.
She was hardly happy about her son-in-law taking a concubine, either.
But as a mother, she had to choose the most appropriate path for her daughter and for her family.
The mother and daughter spoke alone for a while. As guests began to arrive in trickles, Cui Lingyao, as the hostess, had to go out and receive them.
It was called a plum blossom banquet, but no one was there specifically to look at the flowers.
Aside from a few energetic young ladies who went giggling into the rear courtyard for a stroll, the other madams were all led into Fang Garden.
An opera stage had been set up inside.
