无故置外家，大非美事。凡诸反目败乱，多有由之。可已则已，是亦齐家之一要务也。其若年迈妻衰，无后
为大，则势有不得不置者。然置之易而蓄之难，使蓄不有法，则有蓄之名，无蓄之实，亦仍与不蓄等耳。而蓄
之之法，有情况焉，有寝室焉。以情况言之，则主母见外家，大都非出乐从，所以或多嗔怒，或多骂詈，
或因事责其起居，或假借加以声色，是皆常情之所必至者。而不知产育由于血气，血气由于情怀，情怀不畅则
冲任不充，冲任不充则胎孕不受，虽云置外家，果何益与？凡蓄外家之不可过严者以此。再以寝室言
之，则宜静、宜远、宜少近耳目者为妙。盖私构之顷，锐宜男子，受宜女人，其锐、其受，皆由乎气，当此
时也，专则气聚而直前，怯则气馁而不摄。此受与不受之机也。然勇怯之由，其权在心，盖心之所至，气必至
焉；心有疑惧，气不至矣；心有不至，气亦不至矣。倘临期惊有所闻，则气在耳而不及器矣；疑有所见，则气
在目而不及器矣，或忿或畏，则气结在心而不至器矣。气有不至，则如石投水而水则无知也。且如两阵交锋，
最嫌奸细之侦伺，一心无二，何堪谗间以相离？闺思兵机，本无二致，凡外家室之不可不静而远者以此。虽然，
此不过为锦囊无奈者设，倘有高明贤淑，因吾言而三省，惟宗祧之是虑，不惟不妒，而且相怜，则愈近愈慰，
而远之之说，岂近人情？又若有恭谨良人，小心奉治，则求容已幸，又安敢有远而敬之之念？其然其然，吾未
知之何也已。
无故纳妾，绝非美事。凡是夫妻反目、家庭败乱，大多由此引起。能避免就避免，这也是治理家庭的重要事务。如果妻子年事已高且身体衰弱，没有子嗣是最大的遗憾，那么形势上就有不得不纳妾的情况。然而，纳妾容易而蓄养难，如果蓄养没有方法，那么只有纳妾的名声，却没有蓄养的实效，也仍然与不纳妾相等罢了。至于蓄养的方法，有日常相处的情形，有居住环境的安排。从日常相处的情形来说，正妻见到外室，大多不是出于乐意接受，所以有的多嗔怒，有的多辱骂，或者因为琐事责骂其起居生活，或者假借声色加以威胁，这些都是常情中必然会出现的。却不知道生育取决于血气，血气取决于情怀，情怀不畅则冲任二脉不充盛，冲任二脉不充盛则无法受孕，虽然说纳了外室，究竟有什么益处呢？这就是为什么蓄养外室不可过于严厉的原因。再从居住环境来说，应该安静、距离远、尽量少让耳目接触才是妙法。大概私会之时，进攻方宜于男子，承受方宜于女子，其进攻与承受，都取决于气，在这个时候，专心则气聚而直前，怯懦则气馁而不能摄持。这是受胎与不受胎的关键所在。然而勇怯的来源，权柄在于心，盖中心意所至，气必随之到达；心中若有疑惧，气便不能到达；心意不到，气也就不到。倘若在关键时刻听到惊恐之事，则气停留在耳朵而不及于生殖器；看到可疑之物，则气停留在眼睛而不及于生殖器，或者愤怒或者畏惧，则气结滞在心而不到达生殖器。气若不到达，就像石头投入水中，水却毫无知觉一样。况且如同两军交战，最忌讳奸细的侦察窥伺，一心不二，怎能忍受谗言离间使双方分离？闺房之思与用兵之机，本无二致，这就是为什么外室的居室不可不安静且远离的原因。虽然如此，这不过是为那些无奈采取锦囊妙计的人设立的，倘若遇到高明贤淑的妻子，因我的话而多次反省，只考虑宗庙祭祀（延续香火）的大事，不仅不嫉妒，反而互相怜爱，那么越亲近越令人欣慰，而说保持距离的说法，难道合乎人情吗？又如果有恭谨善良的男子，小心侍奉管理，那么求得容纳已是万幸，又怎敢有疏远而敬重的念头呢？情况确实如此，我不知道该怎么办了。
Taking a concubine without cause is by no means a good thing. All instances of marital discord and family ruin often stem from this. It is advisable to avoid it whenever possible, as this is also a key task in managing the household. However, if the wife is advanced in age and frail, and having no offspring is considered the greatest misfortune, then circumstances may necessitate taking a concubine. Nevertheless, while taking a concubine is easy, keeping one harmoniously is difficult. If there is no proper method for maintaining the relationship, one will have the name of a concubine but not the reality, which is essentially equivalent to not having one at all. The methods for maintaining a concubine involve both interpersonal dynamics and living arrangements. Regarding interpersonal dynamics, when the principal wife encounters the concubine, it is rarely out of willingness or joy. Consequently, she may often display anger or verbal abuse, scold the concubine regarding daily routines due to trivial matters, or use harsh words and expressions. These are inevitable reactions according to common human nature. However, one fails to realize that childbirth depends on blood and qi (vital energy), which in turn depend on emotional state. If emotions are not smooth, the Chong and Ren vessels (two of the eight extraordinary meridians governing reproduction) will not be充盈 (full/supplied). If the Chong and Ren vessels are not supplied, conception cannot occur. Thus, even if a concubine is taken, what benefit does it truly bring? This is why one should not be overly strict in dealing with a concubine. Regarding living arrangements, it is ideal for the concubine's quarters to be quiet, distant, and kept away from the eyes and ears of others. During intimate encounters, the initiative lies with the man, while the reception lies with the woman. Both the initiative and reception depend on qi. At such times, focus causes qi to gather and advance directly; fear causes qi to become deficient and unable to sustain itself. This is the critical factor determining whether conception occurs. The source of courage or timidity lies in the mind: where the mind goes, the qi follows; if the mind harbors doubt or fear, the qi does not arrive; if the mind is absent, the qi is also absent. If startled by sounds during the act, the qi remains in the ears and does not reach the genital organs; if suspicious of sights, the qi remains in the eyes and does not reach the genital organs; if angry or fearful, the qi becomes knotted in the heart and does not reach the genital organs. If qi does not arrive, it is like throwing a stone into water—the water remains unaware. Just as in battle, reconnaissance by spies is most detested; how can one bear slander that drives apart a united heart? The dynamics of the inner chambers are no different from military strategy. This is why the concubine's residence must be quiet and distant. Although these measures are designed for those who resort to such strategies out of necessity, if there is a wise and virtuous wife who reflects upon these words, prioritizing the continuation of the ancestral line, she would not only refrain from jealousy but also show compassion. In such a case, closer proximity would be more comforting, making the advice to keep distance seem contrary to human affection. Furthermore, if the husband is respectful and diligent, carefully managing the household, he would consider himself fortunate to be accepted and would dare not entertain thoughts of distancing himself while maintaining respect. Such being the case, I do not know what else to say.