Shi Fan sighed and asked, "My dear, let me ask you this. After you gave birth to five sons, didn't Mother and your sisters-in-law suddenly change their attitude toward you? And didn't people often come to ask you the secret to conceiving sons?"
Madam Zhang said, "...Yes."
"After you had sons, didn't you finally feel secure?"
Madam Zhang said, "...Yes."
"The Shi Family is flourishing. You have five sons honoring you and so many grandchildren attending to you. Aren't you happy?"
Madam Zhang said, "...I am."
"Would you really be happier with no children at all, waiting for others to swallow up our estate after we die, with just the two of us rattling around this enormous residence, cold and lonely, miserable and forlorn?"
Madam Zhang said, "...No."
Shi Fan tilted his head toward the heavens. "Since you've enjoyed all the benefits, why dwell on those trifling details?"
His speech brimmed with feeling, tears glistening in his eyes, every word ringing with conviction.
Jian Ruonan nearly applauded.
As expected of the Minister of Rites and Grand Secretary of the Hall of Literary Glory, he certainly had a silver tongue. He could talk the dead back to life.
Most importantly, disgusting as his actions were, they genuinely weren't illegal.
A Shi Family Clan Uncle stepped forward. "Enough, enough. Family shame shouldn't be aired in public. Let's leave it at that. Madam Zhang, you haven't lost anything. You got five sons for free. On the contrary, I think the minister is the one who's suffered most."
Shi Fan had an entire lush green prairie of cuckoldry growing on his head and hadn't complained. Madam Zhang, you enjoyed five men and now have a house full of children and grandchildren. What more do you want?
Huh? What more?!
"You're the minister's wife now.