Chapter 8: Another Concubine, Elevated Status
Qin Fenglan pouted. "Dad, what do you mean? Are you really that eager to kick me out?"
Qin Zhengyang's expression softened as he probed cautiously. "It's not about kicking you out. There are some matters where Father wants your opinion... You know Qin Changqing, right?"
"Qin Changqing?" Qin Fenglan blinked in confusion. "Of course I do. He's the son-in-law our family recruited, and he's ridiculously fertile—already got dozens of kids!"
"Exactly!"
Qin Zhengyang chuckled. "Qin Changqing is a rare young talent. His cultivation may be low, but he's kind-hearted and honest. Father has decided to betroth you to him."
"What?!" Qin Fenglan's eyes widened in shock as she flat-out refused. "I'm not marrying him!"
Qin Zhengyang's face darkened slightly. "Parental orders and matchmaker's words—does Father have no say in your marriage?"
Qin Fenglan stomped her foot with a huff. "I've never even spent time with him or gotten to know him. And he already has all those wives and concubines—yet you want me to marry him too? I'm telling Mom!"
Qin Zhengyang's face twitched. Nearby, Qin Xiahe quickly stepped forward to explain. "Miss, the patriarch is only doing this out of good intentions—for the family's sake..."
With Qin Zhengyang's silent approval, Qin Xiahe gave a rough rundown of the situation.
Even after hearing it, Qin Fenglan was stunned. "All his kids have superior spiritual roots? How is that even possible?!"
"Absolutely true!" Qin Xiahe affirmed. "We've already sent eight of his children to the Tai Xuan Sect."
Even so, Qin Fenglan still wouldn't agree. She shook her head. "Dad, I'm fine sacrificing for the family, but this is too unbelievable. Unless you can prove he really has the ability to enhance his descendants' talents, I won't marry him!"
Qin Zhengyang frowned at once. "And how exactly do we prove that?"
Qin Fenglan thought for a moment. "My personal maid, Xiao Lan, has an inferior spiritual root. Why not have her marry him first? If their child truly has spiritual root qualities—and superior at that—then I'll marry him!"
Qin Zhengyang pondered briefly and found the idea reasonable. Truth be told, he didn't want to rush his daughter into this either. He nodded. "Fine, that's settled. Second Elder, handle this matter."
"Yes, Patriarch!" Qin Xiahe bowed his head in acknowledgment.
Qin Zhengyang added, "Also, procure a spirit-testing stone that can check a newborn's aptitude as soon as possible. Six years is too long."
"Understood!"
Partner detected: Inferior spiritual root.
You have the following choices:
1. Consume 10 years of lifespan to strengthen seed → Offspring with superior spiritual root.
2. Consume 100 years of lifespan to strengthen seed → Offspring with top-grade spiritual root.
Qin Changqing had taken another concubine—this time, Qin Fenglan's personal maid, Qin Xiaolan. Word spread like wildfire through the family, shocking everyone.
Not just because she was the eldest miss's maid, but because Qin Xiaolan was a cultivator with an inferior spiritual root.
"The patriarch's really willing to marry off Sister Xiaolan to Qin Changqing?"
"What's not to be willing? Qin Changqing's already given the Qin family three superior-spiritual-root heirs. Handing over a maid to keep him happy is nothing."
"This treatment's on par with Jia Qiang's back in the day. What a lucky guy!"
At the banquet, murmurs rippled through the crowd as they eyed the triumphant Qin Changqing with envy.
Jia Qiang's expression was complicated. Back when he'd married Qin Rongrong, he'd been the star of the show. Now Qin Changqing had snagged a Qin family woman with an inferior spiritual root—and the eldest miss's personal maid, no less!
All he could hope now was that his own son showed some cultivation talent. Otherwise, with just this one kid after all these years, he'd never hold his head high in the Qin family again.
That night, Qin Changqing entered the bridal chamber. Having married so many wives already, he was well-practiced.
He knew exactly what the Qin family was up to, but he didn't mind. Kids? As long as he had enough spirit stones, it was no issue at all.
The personal maid of the Qin family's eldest daughter was naturally stunning, and as a cultivator with a spiritual root, her skin was smoother and more supple than any mortal woman's—soft as silk, yielding to the lightest touch. It set Qin Changqing's heart racing.
Soon, the red candles flickered out, and in the darkness came the woman's soft cries of pain.
With his lifespan plentiful, Qin Changqing chose the second option without hesitation.
...
Another wife—and a female cultivator at that—made Qin Changqing's household far livelier.
With his children all showing exceptional talent, countless women in the Qin family had their eyes on him. His wives and concubines practically fought for every chance to cling to him.
"Darling, I made these pastries myself. Try them—how do they taste?"
Qin Changqing stretched lazily, about to head out and buy materials for some novel toys for the kids, when Fourth Wife Qin Shiman blocked his path, grabbing his arm and refusing to let go.
Ever since the kids had one by one tested positive for spiritual roots, the wives had realized Qin Changqing's unique "talent" in certain areas. They pulled out all the stops to keep him around, their goal simple: more babies with him.
Qin Changqing found it all rather amusing. Fortunately, once conception succeeded, the system wouldn't deduct lifespan for seed strengthening no matter how many times they coupled over the next year.
Otherwise, with their current enthusiasm, his lifespan would've been drained dry ages ago.
"Your skills have improved, my lady!" Qin Changqing nibbled a pastry and praised her.
Qin Shiman's eyes lit up as she cooed, "In that case, why not spend the night at my place tonight, my lord? I've got plenty more skills to show you!"
Qin Changqing had seen this coming. He was about to agree when Second Wife arrived with a food box. Her expression shifted at the sight of Qin Shiman, but she quickly smiled. "Sister's here too? What a coincidence. I made some wine and dishes—care to try?"
Qin Shiman pursed her lips, then smiled and shook her head. "No thanks, sis. You chat with him. I've got things to do—gotta go!"
As Qin Shiman left, Second Wife sighed in relief, unpacked her food box, and pitched the exact same line.
Qin Changqing was speechless.
Damn, it's not even been that long, and we've already got harem intrigue brewing. Can't let this trend continue!
He ate the food but made no promises, slipping away with an excuse instead.
Sure enough, before long, more wives showed up one after another, their intentions obvious.
These days, it had become a hallmark of Qin Changqing's estate: any wife without a pregnancy would drop by every few days to "check on him," their attitudes worlds better than before.
...
Today was another clan spiritual root testing day.
Early on, Qin Rongrong brought her son Qin Qipeng to line up, her heart brimming with anticipation for his aptitude.