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

Chapter 175 Where in the royal family is there any talk of divorcing a wife?

Lu Jinshi only believed half of what Rong Yi said. She believed in Rong Yi's feelings for her at this moment, but she didn't believe in Rong Yi's thoughts many years later after she left.

Can a man at the pinnacle of power really stay with her for a lifetime?

Lu Jinshi certainly wouldn't believe it.

Lu Jinshi coughed twice more, her head throbbing badly. She hadn't been this seriously ill in a long time. These past few days, Rong Yi had been staying by her side every step of the way, except when he was attending court or discussing matters with his officials.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness," Qiaozhen said as she approached Lu Jinshi, "Princess Mingzhu and Princess An request an audience."

Rong Yi said, "Let them in quickly."

Lu Jinshi coughed twice and frowned slightly, asking, "Why is my mother here?"

She specifically instructed that Lu Jinshi's illness should not be known to outsiders. After all, her mother and father were both in Chang'an, and she hadn't been sick or caught a cold for a long time. She was sure that her illness would come on suddenly and leave slowly.

Banxia also said that her illness was not serious and that she would recover in about seven or eight days.

"Miaomiao."

Lu Mingzhu entered the bedchamber and knelt down upon seeing Rong Yi, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Rong Yi hurriedly said, "Mother-in-law, there's no need for such formalities. Please get up quickly."

Princess An followed and entered, bowing deeply and saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress."

Rong Yi chuckled and said, "Auntie, no need for formalities. Mother, Auntie, you two stay with Miaomiao for now."

Lu Mingzhu and Rong Yi hurriedly got up to see Rong Yi off.

After Rong Yi left, Lu Mingzhu sat down next to Lu Jinshi and said, "How could she suddenly fall seriously ill? Everyone outside is saying that Her Majesty the Empress doesn't have much time left..."

Lu Jinshi frowned and said, "Which gossipy person spread this rumor? I've just not had a cold for a long time. Perhaps it's because I recently gave birth and have been traveling a lot, that I caught a chill and fell ill. It's not a serious illness at all, cough cough cough..."

Lu Mingzhu said, "Your current position is probably being watched by many people. News in the palace is not necessarily airtight."

Lu Jinshi snorted and said, "After I recover, I will naturally reshape the palace rules. Mother, you don't need to worry about me."

Princess An said, "Besides the leak of information from the palace, I'm afraid some ministers in the court are also trying to stir things up. I heard from the prince that there are quite a few people in the court who want to use your serious illness and inability to serve His Majesty as an excuse to persuade His Majesty to fill the harem."

Lu Jinshi said, "These officials don't bother to do anything practical for the people and the country, but instead they're fixated on this matter. Since they're so idle, I should have the censors investigate them thoroughly. I'll ask Rong Yi later which officials are involved..."

"How can you still call him Rong Yi?" Lu Mingzhu asked.

Lu Jinshi said in a low voice, "His real name is not Rong Yi. I just got used to calling him that and never changed it."

Lu Mingzhu said, "He is now the emperor, so you can't just call him whatever you want."

Princess An smiled gently and said, "It's good that Miaomiao is alright. These rumors outside are really too much."

Lu Jinshi smiled and said, "Mother, Aunt, I'm really fine. You two don't need to worry about me."

Lu Mingzhu said, "That's good. As for the rumors outside, you don't need to worry." Lu Jinshi nodded and said, "Mm."

Lu Mingzhu asked, "Where are the two children? I can't see them."

Lu Jinshi smiled and said, "I'm sick and I'm afraid of passing on my illness to my two children, so my mother and grandmother are taking care of them for me."

"Alright, I'll talk to you for a while, then I'll go visit the Empress Dowager."

With her mother's care, Lu Jinshi's mood improved considerably.

After Lu Mingzhu and Princess An left, Rong Yi entered the bedroom right behind them.

Lu Jinshi looked at Rong Yi and said, "Who are those court officials who took advantage of my illness to fill your harem? We need to find the censor to teach them a lesson."

Rong Yi chuckled and said, "I have already bestowed their daughter upon the Prince of Qi as a concubine..."

Lu Jinshi chuckled and said, "Wouldn't the Prince of Qi really disobey the imperial decree and take all these officials' women into his possession?"

Rong Yi said, "Unless he really wants my position, he wouldn't dare. But even if he does want it, it won't be easy..."
-
Inside the Qi Prince's residence.

Princess Qi frowned and looked at Prince Qi who had just entered from outside, saying, "Congratulations, Your Highness! I heard that His Majesty has bestowed several more daughters upon you as concubines today. Your Highness is truly blessed!"

King Qi frowned and said, "How should I know what's wrong with His Majesty? Today he actually bestowed all the daughters of important court officials upon me!"

Princess Qi said, "Your Highness, please be careful with your words. How dare you say His Majesty has gone mad?"

"He's gone mad. He gave me so many concubines all at once. Normally, you only get two concubines."

Princess Qi snorted coldly and said, "Don't you always urge His Majesty to take concubines to ensure the continuation of the royal family? This is His Majesty fulfilling your wish to ensure the continuation of the royal family."

Listening to the strange and sarcastic remarks of his wife, King Qi suddenly understood why the new emperor had gone mad and bestowed so many daughters of court officials upon him as concubines.

Princess Qi said to Prince Qi, "Your Highness is truly blessed, but I cannot tolerate so many sisters. I beg Your Highness to divorce me!"

The Prince of Qi said, "These concubines were not chosen by me, but were bestowed upon me by His Majesty's decree. How could I disobey the imperial decree? What is the meaning of your words 'divorce'?"

Princess Qi said, "If you weren't so fickle, it would be one thing if you had three wives and four concubines, but you insisted on forcing His Majesty to take concubines and hold selections time and time again. Would His Majesty have granted you so many beauties as you wished? So many daughters of court officials are your concubines, and I, as the principal wife, can't control that! I beg Your Highness to divorce me!"

King Qi frowned and said, "When did you become so unreasonable? Ever since Consort Xue became pregnant, you've been making a scene."

Princess Qi tearfully said, "I didn't cause any trouble... If I didn't care about our relationship, I wouldn't care even if you took ten or twenty concubines. I asked you to divorce me. It's just that I really can't stand you insisting on bringing so many more women into the manor..."

I married you as my queen because I wanted to live a good life with you, not because I wanted to worry about your harem. I don't want my future to revolve around your concubines and your children.

I was also born into a prominent family. There is no reason for me to be confined to your backyard, managing your concubines, and raising your children with other men, when there are girls' schools now and daughters from humble families can live freely and unrestrained.

If you wish to accept these concubines bestowed upon you by His Majesty, then you must divorce me.

King Qi said, "Aren't the children I have with other men your children? Being a good wife, raising children, and managing the household are the duties of a principal wife. You will always be the principal wife in my harem, and the status of those concubines and mistresses will never surpass yours. If you want to be divorced, forget it. There is no such thing as divorce in the royal family."

Princess Qi said, "Who said there isn't? Didn't the current Empress Dowager divorce Prince Zheng back then? Her Majesty the Empress also promised me that she would help me get a divorce."