Chapter 347: I Can Swear
The prefectural magistrate’s wife explained that it wasn’t a matter of those concubine’s sons and daughters having the ability to contest her children’s inheritance. As the head of the family, she was still responsible for the well-being and moral upbringing of these offspring.
Managing the numerous children of concubines was a daunting task, especially when it came to disciplining children who were not her own. While it would be manageable if these children were obedient and diligent, if they displayed immoral behavior or became profligate and unruly, it could directly affect her own children.
The magistrate’s wife had suggested to the governor that the concubines use birth control methods. However, the governor appeared unwilling, citing concerns about the potential harm to his health.
The magistrate’s wife believed that if there were a method of contraception that posed no harm to the body, the governor would have no objections.
With this explanation, Qin Zhenzhen comprehended the situation. The magistrate’s wife didn’t want to interfere, and the governor often slept in the concubines’ rooms to prevent them from giving birth again.
The governor was a compassionate man, a type who wanted to protect all the women in his life. He believed he could respect his wife while remaining loyal to his concubines, fostering harmonious relationships among the women in his household. This type of man was seen as virtuous.
In modern society, men like him could potentially face legal consequences. However, in ancient times, women faced a challenging situation. Marrying a useless man who struggled to make ends meet might lead to her being sold off that very day. Marrying a capable man often meant accepting a household with multiple wives and concubines, without any sense of guilt.
For example, the prefectural magistrate’s wife may have appeared glamorous on the surface, but she secretly felt powerless. Nevertheless, she believed it was a typical situation for a man in that era.
Women in ancient times often had to adapt to their circumstances and couldn’t afford to dwell on their sorrows, primarily relying on their resourcefulness and resilience.