My husband, who abandoned his father and kept his son, actually wants me to be his concubine.

Chapter 113 How dare you face my mother?
For Princess Yu Yongjia, pregnancy was naturally a joyous occasion, but since she had only recently divorced Yuan Jie, it would be inappropriate for news of her premarital pregnancy to spread.

The candied fruit that Lu Jinshi sent was a great help to her.

Lu Jinshi also presented a complete set of celadon bowls and plates as a wedding gift for Princess Yongjia.

Princess Yongjia accepted the celadon bowl and plate and smiled, saying, "Thank you very much, Seventh Sister-in-law."

While Lu Jinshi was chatting with Princess Yongjia, a maid came to report that Princess Jin and Princess Yan had also come to present Princess Yongjia with additional dowry.

Princess Yongjia then had someone invite them inside.

When the Princess Consort of Jin and the Princess Consort of Yan entered, Lu Jinshi stood up, curtsied, and said, "Greetings, sisters-in-law."

"Seventh sister-in-law arrived early."

Princess Jin looked at Princess Yongjia and said, "My sister is getting married tomorrow. My father has been merciful and lifted my confinement with the prince. This is a dowry gift for you, my sister."

Princess Yongjia accepted the gift with a light laugh, "Thank you, sister-in-law."

Princess Yan also took out a brocade box and said, "This is a Guanyin statue for my elder sister, wishing her to conceive soon."

Lu Jinshi raised an eyebrow and glanced at the Princess Consort of Yan. This Princess Consort of Yan certainly knew how to give gifts. She probably didn't know that Princess Yongjia was pregnant. Was she deliberately using the Guanyin statue to annoy Princess Yongjia?

Princess Yongjia accepted the Guanyin statue and chuckled, saying, "Thank you, Third Sister-in-law."

Princess Jin and Princess Yan stayed for a few moments to exchange pleasantries before departing without lingering.

Lu Jinshi took the Guanyin statue and said, "The Princess Consort of Yan knew that you had been infertile for a long time, yet she still sent you a Guanyin statue that grants children..."

Lu Jinshi did not believe that the Princess Consort of Yan was offering her blessings out of kindness. Moreover, the death of Wan Niang was inextricably linked to the Prince of Yan, so the Princess Consort of Yan would not be so kind.

Princess Yongjia said, "My third sister-in-law is a very considerate person."

Lu Jinshi gently sniffed the Guanyin statue, which seemed to have a fragrance.

Princess Yongjia said, "Perhaps it was blessed in a temple, which is why there is a trace of sandalwood fragrance left..."

Lu Jinshi said, "Elder sister, you are already pregnant. Why don't you give me this Guanyin statue? I'm hoping to have a daughter."

"Alright." Princess Yongjia was quite generous. She lowered her head and gently stroked her flat belly. "I wonder if I'm carrying a son or a daughter."

Lu Jinshi asked, "Does Your Majesty want a son or a daughter?"

Princess Yongjia said, "I have been infertile for six years. For me, whether it is a boy or a girl, it is a blessing from heaven. I would be happy with either a daughter or a son."

Lu Jinshi smiled and said, "Elder sister, you will be busy tomorrow, so I will take my leave now."

Princess Yongjia nodded and said, "Okay."

Lu Jinshi left the princess's residence with her maids. Before she even got into the carriage, a figure approached and said, "Miaomiao."

Lu Jinshi looked at He Tan in front of him, his brows furrowed, and said, "Father, you were released from prison so quickly?"

Lu Jinshi thought they would have to serve more time in prison, so their freedom so quickly was really too good for them.

He Tan said, "The princess is getting married, and His Majesty has shown mercy by reducing my sentence... Miaomiao, I want to see your mother..."

Lu Jinshi looked at He Tan in front of him and sneered, "How dare you face my mother?"

He Tan said, "I just want to see her one more time. It's been eighteen years, and all I want is to see her again."

Lu Jinshi scoffed and said, "You betrayed my mother back then and married Liu Xiuxiu. You have no face to see my mother anymore!" After saying that, Lu Jinshi got into the carriage. It was really bad luck to see He Tan on such a joyous day.

He Tan wanted to go forward again, but was stopped by the guards beside Lu Jinshi. He Tan could only watch helplessly as the spacious carriage drove away in front of him.

Lu Jinshi originally intended to return directly to the palace, but considering that her mother would also have to return to Jiangnan after Lu Xiao's wedding, Lu Jinshi arranged for a carriage to go to the Prince An's residence.

Inside the Prince An's mansion, the maids, servants, and young men were all extremely busy, but everything was in good order.

It is evident that her maternal aunt, Princess An, was extremely capable of managing the household.

Tomorrow is the grand wedding. His Majesty has chosen the Prince An's residence, and Lu Xiao and Princess Yongjia's wedding ceremony will be held there. That's why the Prince An's residence is so busy today.

“Mother.” Lu Jinshi found Lu Mingzhu in the courtyard.

Lu Mingzhu smiled at Lu Jinshi and said, "What brings you here?"

Lu Jinshi said, "I suppose Mother will be leaving soon, so I came to spend more time with her. After this meeting, I don't know when we will see each other again."

Lu Mingzhu smiled faintly and said, "I have discussed it with your father. After we finish helping your father with this batch of students, which is about four years later, we will come to Chang'an City. By then, Ke'er will also be getting married, and the family will need the support of the elders."

Lu Jinshi felt a pang of reluctance as he thought about the past four years.

Lu Mingzhu patted Lu Jinshi's head and asked, "How has the Seventh Prince been treating you these past few days? Has he bullied you?"

Lu Jinshi smiled and said, "I'm not the type to be bullied. Mother, Xiao Zhang'er is already over ten months old. In two months it will be Xiao Zhang'er's first birthday banquet. Why don't you stay for another two months?"

Lu Mingzhu touched Lu Jinshi's cheek and said, "Mother is also very reluctant to part with you and Ke'er, but your father and I can't leave Tianzhang Academy..."

Lu Jinshi said, "Alright, then I'll wait for Mother to return in four years."

Lu Mingzhu smiled gently, "You've never been away from me for so long before. I'll write to you every day."

"Ah."

When Rong Yi entered the Prince's Mansion, he saw Lu Jinshi acting like a little girl in Lu Mingzhu's arms. He was quite envious, as Lu Jinshi never acted like such a spoiled little girl in front of him.

"Seventh Prince."

Lu Mingzhu bowed to Rong Yi.

“Mother, there’s no need for such formalities,” Rong Yi said. “I saw the carriage as I was passing by and guessed that Jinshi had come here.”

Lu Jinshi said, "By the way, Mother, there's something else I wanted to tell you. I ran into He Tan just now. He said he wanted to see you, but I ignored him. Be careful before you leave Chang'an, he might come looking for you again."

Upon hearing Lu Jinshi's words, Lu Mingzhu gave him a deep look and said, "I understand."

Lu Jinshi said, "The Prince An's residence is busy, so Rong Yi and I won't disturb you any longer. We'll be leaving now."

Lu Mingzhu said absentmindedly, "Be careful on the road."

Lu Jinshi and Rong Yi boarded a carriage together. Rong Yi saw the wooden box inside the carriage and asked, "What is this?"

As soon as Rong Yi opened it, he looked at the Guanyin statue inside and raised an eyebrow at Lu Jinshi, saying, "You really want to have another child? You just gave birth to Zhang'er, so it's best to wait two more years before having another one."

Lu Jinshi smiled and said, "It's not that I want to have a child. This is a dowry gift that the Princess Consort of Yan gave to Princess Yongjia. I'm afraid the matter between the Prince of Yan and Wan Niang is related to this, so I took this dowry gift. Anyway, my elder sister already has a child, so she doesn't need this Guanyin statue anymore."

Lu Jinshi took out the Guanyin statue that symbolizes giving children and handed it to Rong Yi, saying, "Take a sniff."

Rong Yi said, "There is a fragrance."