A Promise Never to Take a Concubine

So when he heard yesterday that the girl he was to be betrothed to was the one praised by Zhao Ruxi, he developed high expectations for He Yuqi.

After chatting with He Yuqi for a while, he found that this girl did not disappoint him at all.

I was right to believe that my fifth sister was right. This girl is just like her—self-reliant, thoughtful, intelligent, broad-minded, and doesn't dwell on immediate gains or losses.

He said the family didn't have much property; his sister would receive a dowry when she got married, and his brother would receive a betrothal gift. Although he was the eldest son, he wouldn't get much property after the family divided the property.

He Yuqi seemed unconcerned about all of this. She said that as long as a person is willing to work hard, they can live a good life, and there's no need to pay too much attention to what their ancestors left behind. Didn't our ancestors all build this family business from scratch?

These words stirred Zhao Jingli's blood.

He said, "I believe the root of chaos in a family lies in taking a concubine. Miss He, I assure you, I will never take a concubine again."

This was tantamount to a confession to He Yuqi, which made He Yuqi blush deeply.

She lowered her head and nodded vigorously. "Okay, I'll remember what you said today."

Zhao Jingli was overjoyed and added, "I will be good to you for the rest of my life."

He Zhi was worried about his younger sister, so he didn't go far to talk to her. While discussing academic matters with Zhao Ruxi, he would also listen attentively to what Zhao Jingli was saying.

Hearing this kid start sweet-talking his younger sister in less than a quarter of an hour, he couldn't help but turn around and say, "What's the use of just talking? Whether he can actually do it is another matter. Who knows what will happen in the future?"

Most people, when questioned by their future brother-in-law in front of the girl they like, would immediately swear an oath.

After the identity swap and the division of the family, Zhao Jingli took on the responsibility of supporting another family. He had to handle all the affairs of the estate, shops, and household. He had become a very mature and responsible person.

He raised his hand and bowed to He Zhi: "If Brother He doesn't believe me, just marry your sister to me. I will spend my whole life proving that what I said today is true. Brother He and Fifth Sister are my witnesses. If I break this promise, I will let you spit on me and beat me as you please, and I will not utter a single word in response."

His attitude was extremely sincere, which not only made He Yuqi, who blushed, look up at him and fall in love with him, but also greatly changed He Zhi's opinion of him.

He Zhi was already married with children, and he would never tell his wife that he would never take a concubine, because he couldn't guarantee that he could keep his word. That's why he thought Zhao Jingli's words were just sweet talk, nothing more than deceiving his naive younger sister.

However, seeing Zhao Jingli's solemn attitude and words, he began to believe him to some extent.

Whether Zhao Jingli can actually do it or not, at least at this moment he is sincere about this marriage. Being able to say something like that is enough.

He doted on his younger sister, but no matter who she married, the man couldn't guarantee he wouldn't take a concubine for life, and they wouldn't even dare to mention it. Compared to him, Zhao Jingli was a step ahead of them.

"Okay, I've got it." He Zhi nodded.

He then looked at Zhao Ruxi, raised his hand in a salute, and said respectfully, "I've heard that Zhuangyuan Zhao possesses a photographic memory. I would like to ask Zhuangyuan Zhao to bear witness to today's events."

Because Zhao Ruxi's experiences were so bizarre, as her reputation as a female top scholar spread throughout the Great Jin, her being switched at birth, spending the first fourteen years of her life in the countryside, and her adoptive father being a scholar also became the talk of the town. She returned to the capital only two years later, and while studying at the Beining Women's Academy, she still managed to pass the imperial examination with top honors and become a master of painting and calligraphy. Her intelligence was increasingly legendary, and her abilities such as "photographic memory" were also increasingly embellished.

Therefore, He Zhi has this saying.

Zhao Ruxi glanced at Zhao Jingli teasingly and said, "Alright, I'll be your witness." She then added with a smile, "If my elder brother takes a concubine, sister-in-law can break his legs."

He Yuqi was initially touched by Zhao Jingli's words, and her previous unease had dissipated somewhat. However, upon hearing Zhao Ruxi address her as "sister-in-law," her face flushed red again.

She tugged at Zhao Ruxi's sleeve and whispered reproachfully, "What are you saying?" Remembering the phrase "break the dog's legs," she couldn't help but chuckle.

Having spent a lot of time with Zhao Ruxi, Zhao Jingli was already used to his cousin's often bold and interesting words. He didn't react much to these words, but when he heard He Yuqi laugh, he couldn't help but look up at her.

He Zhi, upon hearing this, turned pale. He glanced at Zhao Ruxi and thought to himself, "She truly is an extraordinary woman; her actions are so bold." He wondered which family would dare to marry such a woman, and whether they would be constantly subjected to her shrewish temper.

After the He Family took their leave, Lady Zhu asked Zhao Yuanliang, "What was Master He He's attitude?"

"That's good. It seems they're quite satisfied with Young Master Li," Zhao Yuanliang said.

He may seem unreliable at first glance, but he genuinely loves his children. It's just that he's a lazy bum and lacks responsibility, which makes him seem useless, so he simply leaves the family to his son to manage.

Now it's all about whether his eldest son can find a good marriage. Today, he really put in the effort, wearing his newly made moon-white long gown, which made him look refined and Ruyu, giving a very good first impression.

He was a member of the elite elite, so social skills were second nature to him, as natural as eating and drinking. Today, he used all his skills to entertain Master He, and his words and rhetoric were extremely sincere, making Master He feel as if he were bathed in a spring breeze and had known him for a long time.

"Master He left, he held my hand reluctantly and repeatedly invited me to his house to see his calligraphy, paintings, and bonsai. I've already made an appointment with him; he'll send me an invitation after you leave the capital, and I'll go visit him," he said.

Zhao Ruxi: "..."

Can.

Very good.

She also saw the look of regret and reluctance on Master He as he left. Her second uncle was truly a remarkable person.

As the eldest sister-in-law, she was like a mother to him. When Lady Zhu married into the family, Zhao Yuanliang was still a young man who would call her "sister-in-law" all the time and would even act cute and ask her for snacks. She knew her brother-in-law's nature all too well.

Hearing this, she showed no expression, simply nodding and saying, "That's good. Since we're leaving the capital soon, they should reply quickly. Just wait for their letter."

She looked at Zhao Yuanliang: "You'd better prepare the betrothal gifts. Young Master Li is your eldest son, and you'll have to rely on him to support you in your old age. Your younger siblings' marriages will also depend on you, as their elder sister-in-law. You can't give too little in betrothal gifts. If I find out you're not doing your job properly, or are being stingy and only giving a small amount, see how I deal with you."

She added sternly, "You're not allowed to pass this on to Young Master Li. He's using valuable family items as betrothal gifts. What do you think Brother An and Miss Rui will think? Won't they feel like he's hoarding things for himself? It's just creating more family conflict!"