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

Chapter 136 Conferring Rong Yi the Title of Crown Prince
When Prince Jin met Lu Jinshi's gaze, he looked away with some guilt and only comforted the Empress Dowager, telling her to take care of herself.

Lu Jinshi and Yongjia also comforted the Empress Dowager for a long time.

Xiao Qili took a piece of pastry and walked to the Empress Dowager's side, handing the mooncake to her.

"My great-grandmother ate mooncakes, which were very sweet. After eating them, she felt better and stopped crying."

The Empress Dowager took the mooncake from Qi Li and touched Qi Li's little face, saying, "Li'er, there is no way to escape deceit and intrigue in this palace, but your great-grandmother hopes that you can still keep the goodness in your heart as a child. When you grow up, remember to put kindness first."

Qi Li smiled at the Empress Dowager and said, "I know the word 'goodness,' and it is also what my heart desires. Even if I die nine times, I will not regret it..."

Prince Jin patted Qi Li's head and said, "Thank you for your teachings to Li'er, Grandmother."

The Empress Dowager gave Prince Jin a deep look. "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a very auspicious day. This is all Qingyun's fate. Miaomiao, when you leave the palace another day, go to the temple to perform a Buddhist ceremony for Qingyun on my behalf."

Lu Jinshi replied, "Yes, Grandmother."

The Empress Dowager said, "It's noon, time to go to the palace banquet. Today's banquet is no ordinary event."

Lu Jinshi went to help the Empress Dowager to the main hall of the palace banquet.

In the main hall, civil and military officials, noble families and dignitaries gathered together, and music was being played.

After Lu Jinshi helped the Empress Dowager to her seat, she walked over and sat down next to Rong Yi.

Xiao Zhang'er's eyes were fixed on the mooncake, so Lu Jinshi broke off a small piece for Xiao Zhang'er to taste. Lu Jinshi didn't dare to give Xiao Zhang'er any more.

After the music stopped.

Emperor Huiyuan then slowly said, "This is an auspicious day. I have celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival for more than forty years. I especially remember the first Mid-Autumn Festival when I ascended the throne as a young man, which was thirty years ago."

Now that I have many children and grandchildren, and my princes are all married and fathers, it is time to establish an heir apparent.

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and all civil and military officials are present. I will now determine the heir apparent.

Prince Yan stood up and said, “Father, you are in the prime of your life, so it is not appropriate to decide on the heir apparent too early.”

The Prince of Qi echoed, "Father, you are in good health, there is no need to appoint an heir too early."

Emperor Huiyuan rubbed his temples and said, "My headaches have flared up these past few days. I've reached an age where I can't deny my age anymore. It would be best to appoint a crown prince to relieve my worries."

Emperor Huiyuan glanced at his princes and said, "My princes are all outstanding and filial. The eldest is kind and tolerant, setting a good example for his younger brothers."

The second prince, like Consort Shu, was sincere and genuine. Although the third prince had made a mistake, he was extremely filial. Upon learning that I suffered from headaches, he searched everywhere for medicine and even specially brought me a divine medicine from India.

The fourth and fifth sons were twins blessed by heaven. Twins are rare in the world, and even rarer in the royal family. The fourth and fifth sons were blessed by heaven and were very fortunate.

Xiao Liu is also filial and handles things very well.

Upon hearing Emperor Huiyuan's praise, the princes looked on incredulously, yet also felt a surge of joy.

Emperor Huiyuan paused for a moment and said, "However, I am most satisfied with the Seventh Prince, Qi Yi. He has been intelligent and studious since childhood. He has learned the kindness of his eldest brother, the sincerity of his second brother, the filial piety of his third brother, the good fortune of his fourth and fifth brothers, and the thoughtfulness of his sixth brother..."

When Lu Jinshi heard Emperor Huiyuan's words, even though she was Rong Yi's wife, if she put herself in Rong Yi's shoes and thought about his six older brothers, she really couldn't guarantee that she wouldn't hate Rong Yi.

Lu Jinshi had long known that His Majesty was biased, but he never imagined it would be to this extent.

Where is Rong Yi's sincerity?

Rong Yi stood up and said, "Father, I am unworthy of your praise. It is also thanks to my six elder brothers and elder sister who have set a good example for me." Upon hearing Rong Yi's words, Prince Qi couldn't help but twitch his lips.

The fourth and fifth princes, who looked exactly alike, exchanged a helpless glance.

Only Prince Jin stood up and said, "Seventh Brother is too kind. It is because Seventh Brother is studious and sensible that he is so talented. He became the top scholar before he was even twenty. Such talent is something that his elder brothers cannot match."

Prince Jin said to Emperor Huiyuan, "Father, I think the position of Crown Prince should be given to my seventh brother. My seventh brother combines the advantages of my younger brothers and I. He is also born of the Empress. The position of Crown Prince should belong to my seventh brother, who is virtuous and legitimate."

As soon as the Prince of Jin said this, the entire hall fell silent.

Prince Yan stared wide-eyed at Prince Jin in disbelief. He stood up and said, “Father, I think the position of Crown Prince should not be given to my seventh brother. My eldest brother is our role model. He has served in the court for five years, treating people with kindness and diligence. He should be the Crown Prince.”

As soon as the Prince of Yan said this, many civil officials stood up and echoed his sentiments.

"Your Majesty, I also believe that the eldest son should be chosen as heir apparent, and Prince Jin is very suitable to be the crown prince."

"The Seventh Prince is certainly outstanding, but he is still young."

Emperor Huiyuan listened to the cacophony of voices from the group of civil officials and said, "You're all fathers now, how can you be young? When I was Xiaoqi's age, I was already several years old as Your Majesty!"

Emperor Huiyuan said, "What Prince Jin said is true. The seventh prince is the most suitable candidate for the crown prince position, as he is both virtuous and of the rightful heir. Therefore, the seventh prince, Qi Yi, shall be appointed as the Crown Prince of Dasheng and enter the Eastern Palace."

Upon hearing this, Prince Jin bowed to Rong Yi and said, "Your subject greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Rong Yi said repeatedly, "Your Majesty, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise."

Seeing this, Lu Jinshi also got up from the side, walked to Rong Yi and knelt down, saying, "This concubine greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Lu Jinshi was unwilling, but she knew that she had to kowtow first.

Lu Jinshi kowtowed, and everyone in the Prince An's mansion followed suit.

Princess Jin also brought Qi Li out to kowtow and pay respects to His Highness the Crown Prince. After Princess Jin kowtowed, in addition to the Prince of Yan and his wife, several princes also kowtowed.

Seeing that even the Princess Consort of Jin had kowtowed, the civil officials who had come out with the Prince of Yan dared not stand any longer and also kowtowed one after another.

Rong Yi quickly helped Lu Jinshi up, saying, "Get up, both of you."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The people in the hall slowly rose to their feet.

Rong Yi, holding Lu Jinshi's hand, looked at Emperor Huiyuan.

Emperor Huiyuan said, "I hereby appoint Lu Jinshi, the wife of the Seventh Prince, as the Crown Princess, and Qi Zhang, the grandson of the Emperor, as the Imperial Grandson."

Lu Jinshi knelt down before Emperor Huiyuan along with Rong Yi and said, "Thank you for your reward, Father."

Emperor Huiyuan smiled and said, "Rise, all of you. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival and also an auspicious day for establishing an heir apparent. My beloved ministers, please enjoy the palace banquet."

Lu Jinshi took Rong Yi's hand and stood up, sitting back down with him.

After the King of Qi took his seat, the Queen Consort complained in a low voice, "Look at how affectionate Xiao Qi and the Crown Princess are. They never let go of each other's hands. Now that Xiao Qi has become the Crown Prince, he has not yet taken a concubine!"

Looking at Rong Yi and Lu Jinshi holding hands, Prince Qi stood up again and said, "Father, it is indeed a joyous occasion to appoint a crown prince, but I think my seventh brother has too few children. The Crown Prince's harem should have more people to carry on the royal family. I beg Father to arrange a selection of candidates for the Crown Prince."