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

Chapter 78 Jinlan is also your daughter
Madam Yuan stepped forward repeatedly to stop Princess Yongjia, saying, "Your Highness, Jie'er, he..."

Lu Xiao looked at Madam Yuan with anger in his eyes and said, "Young Master Yuan can still feel sorry for his concubine? He doesn't look like a dying man at all. Don't block Her Highness's way!"

As the wife of a duke, Madam Yuan had seen all sorts of situations, but she was still taken aback by Lu Xiao's gaze.

Princess Yongjia's residence was right next to the Duke of Zhenguo's residence. Princess Yongjia ran back to her residence, but she still couldn't stop gagging.

Lu Xiao quickly helped Princess Yongjia up and said, "Someone, go and summon the imperial physician."

Princess Yongjia said, "No need. My stomach and spleen have been upset these past few days. This stomach discomfort is an old problem, but today I encountered something that really disgusted me."

Princess Yongjia never imagined that Wan Niang was so important to Yuan Jie that he could misunderstand her time and time again.

Lu Xiao tenderly embraced Princess Yongjia and said, "Don't be angry. Yuan Jie is blind. He doesn't know how good you are to him, but I do."

Princess Yongjia lay in Lu Xiao's arms, tears streaming down her face.

Lu Xiao lowered his head, trying to kiss Yongjia's red lips, but Princess Yongjia gently pushed Lu Xiao away and said, "I just threw up, it's dirty."

"I don't mind that you're dirty."

I despise myself.

Princess Yongjia pushed Lu Xiao away and instructed the maids beside her, "Prepare hot water, I want to take a bath."

"Yes, Your Royal Highness."
-
By mid-April, Lu Jinshi could no longer teach at the academy. Even though she hoped her wedding day would be delayed as long as possible, it was already almost the middle of the month, and she really had to start preparing for becoming the Seventh Prince's consort.

In the past few days, the palace servants from the Shanggong Bureau have all arrived at the Princess's residence to prepare for the wedding.

Princess An and Lu Jinshi's two younger cousins ​​also came to the Princess's residence to help with Lu Jinshi's wedding preparations.

The two younger cousins ​​were cutting paper-cuts of the character for "double happiness" with the maid. They said to Lu Jinshi, "Sister, are your studies at the academy so busy? My brother has been staying at the academy for the past few days and hasn't come home. We haven't seen him at all. In the past, when he wasn't studying at Lingxiao Academy, we could still see him every few days. But now that we're closer, we can't see him at all."

Lu Jinshi said, "Lu Xiao does not live in the academy. Currently, only Dean Lin and Senior Brother Mu live in the academy."

It was her younger brother, Qin Ke, who, as her brother-in-law, returned to the princess's residence to help with her wedding preparations.

Lu Yiran asked curiously, "Brother isn't at the academy? Then why did he tell Mother that he's been busy with his studies and staying at the academy all night?"

Lu Jinshi frowned slightly and asked, "You mean Lu Xiao didn't go back to the Prince An's residence? Where would he be staying?"

Lu Yiran said, "Yes, my brother hasn't been home for almost half a month."

Before Lu Jinshi could even have a second thought, Princess An brought over a list and said, "Miaomiao, this is the guest list I've prepared for your wedding banquet. Take a look... By the way, I didn't invite any of the He family relatives. They're in mourning after all, so it's fine not to invite them. Do you think we should invite the He family relatives?"

Lu Jinshi smiled and said, "Of course not, just invite the guests according to your list, Aunt."

Princess An said, "Then I will have someone write the invitations. Your uncle has gone to pick up your parents. I don't know if he will be able to make it in time for your wedding and see you off."

Lu Jinshi was quite easygoing, saying, "It's alright if we can't make it, as long as my parents can come to Chang'an safely."

Princess An smiled and said, "That's true."
-
Inside the Yongxing Marquis's residence. As April 26th drew closer, the entire residence became quite busy, as it was such a momentous occasion as the Seventh Prince's Consort's wedding.

Liu Xiuxiu felt increasingly uneasy.

Inside the Shouhe Courtyard.

Looking at He Jinlan in her wedding dress, the matriarch of the He family said, "She truly lives up to her reputation as the daughter of our Marquis's family. Lan'er looks dignified and elegant in this dress, worthy of being the Seventh Prince's consort."

The second wife of the He family flattered her, saying, "Lan'er is truly blessed to be able to marry the Seventh Prince and become his princess. I wonder how many young ladies in Chang'an will envy her."

He Jinlan smiled faintly.

Liu Xiuxiu said to Madam He, "Mother, in principle, the wedding dress of the Seventh Prince's consort should be prepared by the Shanggong Bureau in the palace. The wedding date is getting closer and closer, but the officials of the Ministry of Rites have not come to our He family to discuss the Seventh Prince's wedding ceremony on that day. This marriage is abnormal in every way."

He Jinlan said angrily, "Mother, can't you hope for something good for me? The royal betrothal was sent to our Yongxing Marquis's mansion. The imperial decree clearly states that it is the eldest daughter of the He family."

“The problem is that the eldest daughter of the He family isn’t you,” Liu Xiuxiu said. “This marriage must be a scam!”

Madam He said, "What kind of trick could there be? Jinlan is our He family's eldest daughter. He Jinshi has already changed her surname. What kind of eldest daughter of the He family is she? Besides, she had a child out of wedlock and had a son with a male concubine. The Seventh Prince is the most favored by His Majesty. How could he marry a woman who has a child before marriage and is also considered to be a jinx to her husband?"

Liu Xiuxiu said, "After my father-in-law left, we've stayed at home and haven't gone out. We don't know anything about what's happening outside. I'd better find someone to inquire..."

"No need to pry!" He Jinlan stepped forward and took Liu Xiuxiu's hand, saying, "Mother, you are worrying too much. The Seventh Prince is definitely going to marry me. Given that Lu Jinshi has a child before marriage, why would the Seventh Prince marry her?"

Madam He said, "That's right, just make good arrangements for the wedding banquet. I've already sent out the invitations for the wedding day."

Liu Xiuxiu's unease grew stronger. After leaving Shouhe Courtyard, she went to He Tan's study in the front courtyard.

Upon entering the study, Liu Xiuxiu looked at the portraits filling the room. The women in the portraits were, twenty years ago, the most radiant noble ladies in Chang'an. Who did not know the pearl of Chang'an?

On the day Princess Mingzhu married He Tan, the procession stretched for miles in red, and His Majesty personally escorted her. Even a true princess of the imperial family would not have such a grand spectacle.

He Tan looked at Liu Xiuxiu who was approaching and said coldly, "Get out!"

Liu Xiuxiu said to He Tan, "Husband..."

"How dare you call me 'husband'?"

Liu Xiuxiu said, "Your Highness, I always feel that there are strange things about the Seventh Prince's marriage to our Jinlan. To this day, no matron from the Shanggong Bureau has come to teach Jinlan the etiquette for her wedding, and no official from the Ministry of Rites has come to discuss the ceremony for Jinlan's wedding. This... the Seventh Prince is going to marry Jinshi, isn't he?"

He Tan raised his eyes and looked at Liu Xiuxiu, saying, "How could you possibly think that His Majesty would let his favorite youngest son marry Jinlan?"

"But Jinshi already had a child with her male lover, didn't she? How can she be the Seventh Prince's consort if she has a child before marriage? This doesn't make sense."

Liu Xiuxiu said, "Now, Mother and Jinlan are convinced that the Seventh Prince's consort is Jinlan. Mother has even written many invitations to invite relatives and friends from the Marquis's Mansion. If Jinlan doesn't marry the Seventh Prince on that day, how will Jinlan face people in Chang'an? Go and persuade Mother. She won't listen to a word I say."

He Tan said, "Why should I advise you?"

Liu Xiuxiu frowned and said to He Tan, "Jinlan is still your daughter. Do you really want to see Jinlan become a laughing stock...?"