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

Chapter 170 Compiling Books
Lu Jinshi looked at Rong Yi, and was deeply shocked by Rong Yi's words.

Rong Yi is no longer the young scholar he once was at Tianzhang Academy...

He was the new emperor, high above all others, the ruler who held supreme power in the court, yet he was willing to take a contraceptive...

Lu Jinshi smiled and said, "I'll go ask Banxia if she has any contraceptive medicine."

Lu Jinshi threw herself into Rong Yi's arms. Thinking back, at this time last year, she was still very resistant to marrying Rong Yi.

They knew each other for three years and got married for one year.

Last year, Rong Yi truly infuriated her. If it weren't for Zhang'er, she would never have married Rong Yi again.

But today, Lu Jinshi is also relieved.

They still have a long way to go.

Lu Jinshi didn't know if Rong Yi would change his mind when he became emperor, she only knew that at this moment she could trust Rong Yi's sincerity...

Lu Jinshi wanted to promote and develop women's education, but she knew very well that she could not do it on her own; she needed the emperor's support and the court's backing.

Why should she worry about the future? Even if Rong Yi really changes his mind and regrets his vow not to take a concubine, she will already have great power in her hands by then.

Now she should no longer be prickly because of the mistakes Rong Yi made last year, or because of her parents' past.

She should open her heart...

Lu Jinshi spent forty-five days in confinement after giving birth, and by the time she finished, it was already the height of summer.

As soon as Lu Jinshi finished her postpartum confinement, she went to Lingxiao Academy. As soon as she arrived in the wheat field outside, she heard the clear and melodious sound of reading aloud coming from inside.

Lu Jinshi went to visit his Uncle Lin.

Uncle Lin, who was seriously ill last year, is now full of energy. Uncle Lin does not look down on women studying. After recovering, he began to teach female students. It is a bit of a waste for a great scholar to give enlightenment to young girls in the Kaiyang class.

But Dean Lin was quite happy.

When Dean Lin saw Lu Jinshi arrive, he said, "Junior niece, if I had known earlier that these girls were so obedient and well-behaved, I would have established a girls' school long ago. They are much more obedient than those brats before."

Lu Jinshi smiled lightly at Dean Lin and said, "Thank you for helping me with teaching, Senior Uncle. Is Senior Brother Muyan here?"

Dean Lin asked, "You've come looking for him?"

Lu Jinshi said, "When the results of the imperial examinations were announced, I was in confinement after giving birth and had not yet come to comfort Senior Brother Muyan for not passing the examinations."

Mu Yan's failure to pass the imperial examination and his failure to achieve fame were unexpected by Lu Jinshi.

Later, Rong Yi retrieved Mu Yan's article, and Lu Jinshi realized where the problem lay. Mu Yan's literary talent was undeniable, but his article was too dogmatic and idealistic, not the way of being an official.

Dean Lin smiled and said, "You don't need to comfort him. I've known for a long time that he's not cut out for officialdom. Just let him continue his studies at Tianzhang Academy..."

Lu Jinshi said, "When I moved into the East Palace, His Majesty gave me many rare ancient books. I really wanted to discuss with my senior brother and have him re-edit these rare ancient books so that these precious collections that are rarely seen by the world could be presented to the world."

Dean Lin asked, "Are you willing to let the world see the books in the palace collection?"

Lu Jinshi smiled and said, "What use are rare books if they cannot be circulated and are kept on a high shelf? It is better to educate the people. I have discussed this matter with His Majesty. The Hanlin Academy will organize the compilation of new books from the Tianzhang Academy and the palace collection. A bookstore will be established in the court to sell these new books."

Dean Lin bowed to Lu Jinshi and said, "Your Majesty the Empress is wise."

Lu Jinshi went to the academy where Mu Yan lived. As soon as she entered, she saw a little girl of about three or four years old winking at her.

Upon seeing Lu Jinshi, she quickly hid behind Mu Yan. When Mu Yan saw Lu Jinshi arrive, she immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."

"Senior brother, there's no need for such formalities. What's this child doing with you?"

Mu Yan smiled and said, "Her mother is studying, and she is still too young to stay in the school. She clings to me instead."

Mu Yan touched Rou'er's forehead and said, "Quickly pay your respects to the Empress."

The little girl hid behind Mu Yan, too timid to bow.

Lu Jinshi ignored the child. Although the child was innocent, she was Yuan Jie's daughter and should have been implicated. If she hadn't been so young and innocent, she shouldn't have been alive.

Lu Jinshi told Mu Yan about compiling the book.

Mu Yan's eyes lit up as she said, "Thank you for your high regard, Your Majesty."

Lu Jinshi smiled calmly and said, "Senior brother, you are too kind. However, compiling this book is probably not something that can be done in a short time. It may take five or ten years. Senior brother, you should start preparing for your wedding first. Don't be so busy with compiling the book that you won't have time to take care of your wedding."

And then there's Rong Yi, who's always jealous, especially of Mu Yan and Shen Xing.

This morning, Lu Jinshi said she was coming to Lingxiao Academy to find Mu Yanshi. Rong Yi had taken advantage of her quite a bit before he allowed her to come.

When Lu Jinshi compiles those rare and unique ancient books in the future, he will inevitably have a lot of contact with them.

If Senior Brother Mu Yan gets married, Rong Yi will no longer have to suffer from this kind of jealousy.

Mu Yan said calmly, "I live a poor life, and even if I compile books, my salary will probably not be high. I won't hold the young lady back. I can spend my whole life with books, which is quite comfortable."

Lu Jinshi said, "Not all women in the world are after money. Senior Brother Mu, if there is a young lady in Chang'an that you like, I will act as a matchmaker for you."

Mu Yan smiled and said, "I'm already quite old. I would never dare to dream of marrying a rich girl in Chang'an. I want to focus on compiling books. As for marriage and having children... those are really unimportant."

Lu Jinshi said, "You must get married and have children. If you don't get married and have children, it will be somewhat inappropriate for me to come to you frequently when I am compiling books in the future."

In order to save face for Rong Yi as the emperor, Lu Jinshi could not say anything to Mu Yan that Rong Yi would be jealous, so he could only use this to remind Mu Yan.

Mu Yan looked at Rou'er holding his hand, and patted her head, saying, "Then let's have a stepmother..."

"Who?" Lu Jinshi was shocked. "Senior Brother Mu, Wan Niang was Yuan Jie's mistress before. How could someone like her be worthy of being your wife?"

Lu Jinshi rescued Wan Niang and took her in, willing to give her a chance to reform and be confident. He felt that the mistakes she had made were not so heinous, and that her childhood circumstances had influenced the mistakes she had made.

It's one thing to be willing to give her another chance to repent, but it's quite another to watch Mu Yan marry her.

Fortunately, Princess Yongjia and Lu Xiao are now a loving couple, but back then, Wan Niang did indeed hurt Princess Yongjia.

It is said that most men in the world are inevitably attracted to women who are gentle, lonely, beautiful, and considerate.

Even Mu Yan couldn't escape the common practice.

Mu Yan said, “I am just an ordinary citizen. Although I am well-versed in the classics, I am truly incapable of serving as an official in the court. I am destined to live a life of hardship. My stepmother was once a concubine, but that is all in the past. I think... now that she has realized her past mistakes, you should allow her to study at the academy, understand reason, and be reborn…”

Lu Jinshi said, "Fine, you can decide your own marriage, but you should know that if you marry Wan Niang, you will never be allowed to enter the court again."

Mu Yan said, "Yes, I understand."

Lu Jinshi couldn't understand Mu Yan. She had betrothed her maid, whom she considered a sister, to Mu Yan, but he politely declined. Instead, he asked to marry her stepmother.

However, this was Mu Yan's marriage, so Lu Jinshi could only let him do as he pleased, as long as he didn't regret it later.