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

Chapter 72 I can still bestow a marriage
Lu Jinshi lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, I did not go to my aunt to inquire about Lu Xiao's marriage. I did go to Lu Xiao's cousin to ask him about it. He said that he already has a girl he likes. It seems that he is not destined to marry the county princess."

The Empress Dowager asked, "The girl you admire? Which family does she belong to?"

Lu Jinshi said in a low voice, "Miaomiao dares not say."

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly and said, "Is there anything you can't say to me? If it's a good match, I can even grant you a marriage."

Lu Jinshi said, "Lu Xiao is so audacious that he dares to covet Her Highness the Princess. It's really wishful thinking. But he is very stubborn and only has eyes for Her Highness the Princess. He said that he only wants to marry Her Highness the Princess in this life."

The Empress Dowager paused slightly in her smile and said, "Isn't Yongjia much older than him?"

"He's five years older."

The Empress Dowager said, "Yongjia is my granddaughter whom I watched grow up. It is heartbreaking to see her treated so badly by the Yuan family. I also hope that she can find a husband who is devoted to her. However, Lu Xiao is the only heir of the Prince An's mansion."

“When I was young, your maternal grandmother and I were the closest of friends. Your maternal grandmother passed away early, leaving behind a young child. Now that they are grown up, they are old enough to be grandparents. We cannot let the Lu family be without an heir just because you married Yongjia.”

If that's the case, then after I pass away, I will have no face to meet your maternal grandparents.

"You should try to persuade Lu Xiao to give up the idea of ​​marrying Yongjia. He is the only male heir in the Lu family..."

Lu Jinshi smiled and said, "That's not difficult. Lu Xiao has two younger sisters who can marry into the family and take the surname Lu. If all else fails, I can still take the surname Lu."

The Empress Dowager said, "Miaomiao, no matter how much I love you, I cannot allow you to change the surname of the imperial grandson from Qi to Lu. As for the children of your two cousins, that is acceptable."

Lu Jinshi said, "Yes, but Princess Yongjia has no interest in my cousin, so this marriage may not be possible."

Moreover, Lu Jinshi did not know whether Princess Yongjia was really pregnant. If Princess Yongjia was pregnant, would she forgive Yuan Jie?

If she were truly pregnant, it would be too good for Yuan Jie.

The Empress Dowager said, "Qingyuan will probably be heartbroken."

Lu Jinshi said, "With Princess Qingyuan being so outstanding, she will surely meet an even better husband."

Lu Jinshi talked with the Empress Dowager for a long time before leaving Shou Kang Palace. When she left the palace, she met the Princess Consort of Jin and greeted her, "Princess Consort of Jin".

Princess Jin glanced at Lu Jinshi and frowned slightly. "Sister Lu, there's no need for such formalities. You are truly capable, even able to find the original of Wang Guzi's calligraphy."

Lu Jinshi smiled at Princess Jin and said, "It was just a chance encounter; I was just lucky."

Princess Jin frowned as she entered Shou Kang Palace.

Lu Jinshi watched the Princess Consort of Jin's retreating figure. The Prince of Jin was the biggest obstacle to Rong Yi's position as Crown Prince, and Rong Yi was also the biggest obstacle to the Prince of Jin's position as Crown Prince. She and the Princess Consort of Jin, her sister-in-law, were probably destined to have no peace.

As Lu Jinshi left the palace gates and was about to get into her carriage, Sun Xian called her back.

"Miss Lu, would you mind coming to the teahouse for a chat?"

Lu Jinshi looked at Sun Xian and said, "Okay."

Lu Jinshi then followed Sun Xian to a teahouse not far from the palace gate. Because of its proximity to the palace, this teahouse was a place where many court officials would discuss matters after leaving the palace. The private rooms were very quiet and secluded.

After the teahouse waiters served the tea, Sun Xian asked them to leave.

Sun Xian looked at Lu Jinshi and said, "Miss Lu, I heard that you are still teaching at the academy these days? Your marriage to the Seventh Prince is approaching, how can you still be teaching at the academy? Do you know the rules and etiquette of the palace?"

Lu Jinshi looked at Sun Xian and smiled faintly, "Which palace rule states that I cannot go to teach because my marriage to the Seventh Prince is approaching?"

Sun Xian frowned and said, "Miss Lu, you must understand that the Seventh Prince may one day achieve great things. He is not an ordinary prince... Your every move will affect the Seventh Prince's reputation in the future, you..."

Lu Jinshi took a sip of tea and said, "His Highness the Seventh Prince has sworn that he will never take a concubine or have a secondary wife in this life."

Lu Jinshi interrupted Sun Xian's rambling conversation with a single sentence.

Sun Xian looked at Lu Jinshi in disbelief. "What did you say?" Lu Jinshi said, "His Highness the Seventh Prince will not take concubines or have secondary consorts! That's all I have to say, so I won't continue drinking tea with Miss Sun."

Lu Jinshi got up to leave.

Sun Xian sat there, stunned, muttering to herself, "How could this be? This is absolutely impossible... The Seventh Prince is going to be the Crown Prince in the future, there's no way he wouldn't take a concubine. Lu Jinshi must be lying to me, yes! Lu Jinshi must be lying to me."
-
After the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, Lu Jinshi and Rong Yi both got busy, as their wedding day was not far off.

It's getting closer every day.

Today in Chang'an, there is another joyous occasion: Jiang Yin, the heir of the Marquis of Wu'an, is proposing marriage to his cousin, an orphan girl residing in the residence of the Minister of War.

When this marriage was announced, the entire city of Chang'an was somewhat surprised. After all, Jiang Yin was the heir of the Marquis of Wu'an, and his future title of marquis was a sure thing. Meanwhile, the Xu family's cousin had no one in her family, and her uncle and aunt's family was not necessarily very wealthy.

My maternal grandfather's family only had a minor official position.

In other words, even if Xu Dan, the biological daughter of Minister Xu, were to marry Jiang Yin, it would be considered a step up for her, let alone an orphan girl living under someone else's roof.

But the marriage was arranged, and betrothal gifts were exchanged.

Inside Lingxiao Academy, Lu Jinshi had just stepped out of the classroom.

Then Caiyun came over and said, "Miss, Miss, five young ladies have come today saying they want to come to your girls' school."

With the wedding date approaching, Lu Jinshi hasn't focused on recruiting female students these past few days. He originally planned to deal with this thorny matter after the wedding, when she would be the Seventh Prince's consort, and it should be easier for her to establish a girls' school.

But unexpectedly, five daughters suddenly appeared at their door.

Lu Jinshi hurriedly said, "Let's go take a look."

When Lu Jinshi entered the study, he looked at the five young ladies in front of him. They all appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen years old.

The group glanced at Lu Jinshi, then all lowered their heads again.

Lu Jinshi asked, "What are your names? Have you ever been to school?"

"My name is Qiu Ke. I used to study the Four Books and Five Classics."

"My name is Zhang Yi, and I also studied the Four Books and Five Classics..."

Lu Jinshi listened to the introductions of the young ladies in front of him one by one, and said with a faint smile: "If you are willing to study, the tuition fees for the first two years will be waived. In the third year, there may be some silver, but not too much. If you are outstanding in your studies, you can stay and become a female student."

"Alright, Miss Lu, shall we begin our studies today?"

"Tomorrow then," Lu Jinshi said with a faint smile.

"it is good."

Lu Jinshi said, "Go back and prepare today, and come to the school at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow."

"Yes, Mr. Lu."

As Lu Jinshi watched the five young ladies depart, he heard Cai Feng report that three more young ladies had arrived, presumably to study at Lingxiao Academy.

Lu Jinshi was curious why he couldn't recruit female students before, but today they all came in droves. Lu Jinshi accepted all of them without hesitation and kept busy until dusk.

On the carriage back to East Street, Lu Jinshi looked at Rong Yi with a puzzled expression and said, "Why are they all willing to come to study today?"

Rong Yi smiled faintly, "They're not here for studying."

"What was the purpose of that trip?"

"Lu Xiao, Xu Yang, Yuan Fei, Han Dong... and others."

(End of this chapter)