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It is by no means a good thing to take a concubine without cause; all kinds of family ruin stem from this. If, due to an old and frail wife who has borne no children, circumstances force one to take a concubine, then although taking her is easy, keeping her harmoniously is difficult. Therefore, the key to keeping her lies in employing the proper method.

First, one must not be overly strict with the concubine. The principal wife generally does not welcome the presence of a concubine, leading to frequent anger, scolding, reprimands regarding daily conduct, or harsh verbal rebukes. These are inevitable aspects of human nature. However, people fail to realize that reproduction depends on Qi and Blood (Vital Energy and Nutritive Substance), which in turn depend on emotional state. If emotions are not smooth, the Chong and Ren meridians (Penetrating and Conception Vessels) will be injured; if these vessels are injured, conception cannot occur. Thus, one must not be overly strict with the concubine.

Second, the living quarters for the concubine should be quiet, remote, and occupied by few people; being close to the ears and eyes (i.e., within the sensory range of the principal wife) is ideal. Regarding sexual intercourse, the man should be vigorous and proactive, while the woman should be receptive. Both actions rely on Qi. At this moment, focused attention gathers Qi, facilitating successful penetration and conception. If the woman is timid and her Qi is weak and unable to retain essence, how can pregnancy be achieved? The source of courage or timidity lies in the Heart (Mind). Where the Mind goes, Qi follows. If there is doubt or fear in the Heart, the Mind does not arrive, and consequently, Qi does not arrive. If startled by sounds during intercourse, Qi remains in the ears and fails to reach the genitals; if distracted by sights, Qi remains in the eyes and fails to reach the genitals; if angry or fearful, Qi knots in the Heart and fails to reach the genitals. If Qi does not arrive, it is like throwing a stone into water—the water remains unaware. Furthermore, in the "battle" of intercourse, espionage is most detested; with a single-minded focus, how can slander drive a wedge between them? This is why the concubine's residence must be quiet and remote.

However, these two methods are merely remedies for those helpless in their desire for heirs. If the principal wife is wise and virtuous, concerned only with continuing the ancestral line, and instead of jealousy shows compassion, then closeness brings comfort, and the notion of "keeping away" would seem contrary to human sentiment. If she is not like this, then despite the name of having a concubine, there is no reality to it; what benefit is there in taking a concubine?

Prescriptions for promoting fertility have no fixed rules; they vary according to individual constitution. Cold constitutions require warming, hot constitutions require cooling, slippery/loose constitutions require astringing, and deficient constitutions require tonifying. Removing bodily imbalances allows Yin and Yang to harmonize, and vital transformation to manifest; this is the miraculous prescription for fertility. Today’s people do not understand this principle but merely circulate prescriptions. Does what suits one person suit another? Moreover, seeing someone succeed occasionally, they ignore whether the prescription suits themselves, blindly following rumors as if divine, competing to use them, much like wearing Zhang’s hat on Li’s head. Furthermore, circulated fertility prescriptions mostly contain herbs that stimulate Yang and increase heat, even some involving refined minerals or toxic, foul, and harsh substances, displayed with诡诈 (deceitful) novelty. They merely aid sexual pleasure while ignoring the disaster of losing one’s life. Those seeking offspring should exercise caution.