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

Chapter 165 Choosing a Concubine
Rong Yi did not refuse and escorted Lu Jinshi back to his bedchamber.

After Lu Jinshi and Rong Yi lay down, she placed her hand on Rong Yi's shoulder, slowly closed her eyes, and fell asleep.

Lu Jinshi felt a wetness on her cheek. She opened her eyes and saw Rong Yi crying in his sleep. She reached out and wiped away Rong Yi's tears.

Rong Yi suddenly woke up with a start, "Father."

Lu Jinshi held Rong Yi in his arms to comfort him.

Rong Yi leaned on Lu Jinshi's shoulder, sobbing and shedding tears.

Lu Jinshi could deeply empathize with Rong Yi's heartbreak. Everyone knew that Emperor Huiyuan favored Rong Yi, let alone Rong Yi himself.
Rong Yi said, "I knew Consort Rong was acting strangely, but I was too careful about this and that, so I let her escape. I never thought she would be so unscrupulous and disregard innocent lives."

Lu Jinshi said, "You shouldn't blame yourself. No one could have imagined that something like this would happen. Consort Rong has gotten her just desserts. Her body should be hung on the city wall for half a month, so that the people of Chang'an can curse her."

Yesterday was the Lantern Festival, a rare occasion for many people in Chang'an to reunite with their families.

What should have been a festive occasion filled with dazzling lanterns and lively celebrations turned into a tragedy, leaving countless families separated and destroyed.

Rong Yi cried on Lu Jinshi's shoulder for a long time, and Lu Jinshi comforted him by stroking his back.

After Rong Yi calmed down, Lu Jinshi touched his lower abdomen and said, "Later, you should send soldiers to Chang'an to register the people who got separated last night, and post imperial edicts everywhere. We must do our best to help those who are separated from their families in the city find their families, especially the children."

"There are many things to do in Chang'an City, and the government may not have time to deal with this matter. If you say a word, the government will definitely take it to heart."

"it is good."

Rong Yi responded.

Before dawn, Rong Yi went to the Taiji Hall.

Lu Jinshi then rested. Her stomach had been uncomfortable since last night, and she dared not joke about the child in her womb. She would wait until she had rested well before going to find Rong Yi.

When Lu Jinshi arrived at the Taiji Hall, a large group of officials were kneeling there. These officials had all come to urge Rong Yi to ascend the throne.

After seeing Lu Jinshi, Prince Jin walked to her side and said, "Sister-in-law, you should persuade your seventh brother. Right now, what is more important than Father's funeral is your seventh brother's ascension to the throne."

Lu Jinshi walked to Rong Yi, who was kneeling in front of the coffin, and she also picked up paper money and burned it.

Lu Jinshi looked at Rong Yi, whose eyes were red and said, "Your Majesty, it is more important for you to ascend the throne first. The late emperor can also be given a posthumous title and temple name."

Rong Yi nodded and said, "Mm."

After Rong Yi stood up, he reached out and grasped Lu Jinshi's hand, "Come with me to the throne."

Lu Jinshi thought that when she interfered in politics, Emperor Huiyuan had always reprimanded her. Now, she wondered if Emperor Huiyuan would be angry again when he saw Rong Yi taking her with him to ascend the throne.
However, despite his anger, given his usual indulgence of Rong Yi, Emperor Huiyuan would surely agree in the end.

Rong Yi held Lu Jinshi's hand tightly and led her step by step up the steps of the main hall to the dragon throne. After he sat down, he gestured for Lu Jinshi to sit beside him.

After Lu Jinshi slowly sat down, the ministers below all looked at each other and discussed among themselves.

But no one came forward to say that this was against the rules.

Rong Yi slowly opened his mouth and said, "By order of the late Emperor, I am now ascending the throne today in accordance with the late Emperor's last wishes. I hereby appoint my Crown Princess Lu Jinshi as Empress and my Imperial Grandson Qi Zhang as Crown Prince."

"Long live my emperor."

A series of salutes echoed through the Taiji Palace. Lu Jinshi sat on the dragon throne, looking at the kneeling officials, and realized that holding the reins of power meant having a clear vision. She could see every little movement of every official in the spacious hall.

Rong Yi raised his hand and said, "My beloved ministers, rise."

"When the emperor passed away, the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonies were responsible for the funeral arrangements, while the Grand Historian and the Ministry of Works were responsible for the construction of the imperial mausoleum."

"Consort Rong committed numerous sins in her lifetime, and even in death her crimes should not be lightly forgiven. She will be hung on the city wall for half a month to atone for the sins of the innocent people who died yesterday!"

"The late Lady of Marquis Wu'an and the late Lady of Earl Pingyuan bravely sacrificed their lives. Therefore, they are hereby posthumously conferred the title of Superior Rank Protector of the Nation."

"Your Majesty is wise."

Rong Yi said, "Let's adjourn the court session."

After the officials dispersed, Rong Yi and Lu Jinshi went to Fengkun Palace.

Rong Shuang remained unconscious, showing no signs of waking up.

Lu Jinshi looked at Banxia and asked, "Why hasn't Mother woken up yet?"

Banxia sighed and said, "Consort Rong's dagger was coated with several kinds of poison, which is why His Majesty was unable to be saved after being stabbed. I can only leave it to fate and pray to the late His Majesty to bless Your Highness."

Rong Yi sat down next to Rong Shuang and said, "Mother, you have to wake up. I've already lost Father, and I can't lose you too."

Lu Jinshi put his hand on Rong Yi's shoulder, "Mother will definitely wake up."

Rong Yi sighed deeply.

The late emperor's death was announced to the whole world, so the funeral was scheduled for March. The reason for this long period was to allow the marquises from surrounding small countries and regions to come to Chang'an to attend the funeral.

The imperial examinations, which were originally scheduled for spring, were postponed to April due to the death of the late emperor.

Lu Jinshi has been too busy to attend to matters concerning the girls' school these past few days, as Rong Yi has just ascended the throne and is already quite busy with state affairs.

Lu Jinshi didn't stand on ceremony with Rong Yi. If anyone could get people from her Tianzhang Academy into the court, she would. She vigorously promoted the students of Tianzhang Academy.

By early February, although the late emperor had not yet been buried, life in Chang'an was gradually returning to normal.

Lu Jinshi went from Fengkun Palace to the Emperor's study, Qinzheng Hall.

When he saw the eunuch about to go in to report, Lu Jinshi reached out and stopped him.

Lu Jinshi heard the voices of Marquis Rong of Changping and Jiang Yin coming from inside.

Lord Rong said, “Your Majesty, you have just ascended the throne, and the official positions after your ascension are now very important. However, I have heard that in the past few days, some people have been eliminating dissidents and forming cliques for private gain in the court.”

Jiang Yin's voice rang out, "Your Majesty, the Empress has gone too far. Recently, she has been promoting students from Tianzhang Academy in court. This is clearly a sign that she, a woman in the harem, wants to interfere in politics. Your Majesty, you should not allow the Empress to appoint students from Tianzhang Academy in this way."

Lord Rong nodded and said, "And Your Majesty, although the late emperor has just passed away, the royal bloodline is of utmost importance. It's time for you to choose a consort, your cousin..."

Before Rong Yi could answer, Lu Jinshi pushed open the door and entered, saying, "Jiang Yin, you were also my student for a few months. Shouldn't you also be exempt from any appointment in the court?"

Lu Jinshi then looked at Marquis Rong and said, "Uncle, the incident at the royal garden is inextricably linked to Rong Lang. Even if no one says it, everyone knows that Rong Lang was being used. But your Marquis Rong's mansion cannot escape responsibility either. His Majesty and I are not going to hold your Marquis Rong's mansion accountable because my mother is still unconscious. Why don't you try to sow discord between His Majesty and me?"