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

Chapter 89: Only a Complete Separation from Lu Xiao

When Lu Jinshi heard what Princess Yongjia said, he agreed and promised Princess Yongjia not to tell anyone about this, since Princess Yongjia had already divorced Yuan Jie.

Now that I'm pregnant, it's really quite troublesome.

It's best not to shout it out loud, and to keep it a secret from as few people as possible.

After leaving Princess Yongjia's residence, Lu Jinshi immediately returned to the Jade Palace.

Upon arriving at the Jade Palace, Lu Jinshi saw a tall and upright figure about to leave. She bowed and said, "Greetings, Prince Jin."

"Seventh sister-in-law, there's no need for such formalities."

After seeing Prince Jin off, Lu Jinshi looked at Rong Yi in the palace and asked, "What brings Prince Jin to see you?"

Rong Yi chuckled and said, "I've brought you a wedding gift."

Lu Jinshi said, "What wedding gift... let me see."

Lu Jinshi stepped forward and opened a pair of black boots sent by Prince Jin, embroidered with silver cloud patterns. "His wedding gift to you is a pair of boots? Prince Jin is being far too stingy."

Rong Yi picked up the boots in front of him. "They were a gift from my elder brother. Put them in the storeroom."

Lu Jinshi carefully examined the boots inside and out. "These boots are exquisitely made. It would be a shame to put them in the storeroom. You can wear them."

Rong Yi said, "My brother wouldn't send me boots for no reason. I can't wear these boots."

Lu Jinshi said, "Then give it to His Majesty to wear. It will be a way for you to show your filial piety. If Prince Jin is up to something and gives it to His Majesty, he will only have himself to blame."

Rong Yi chuckled and said, "Only you would dare to say that. Knowing there was a trick involved, you still let Father Emperor wear it?"

Lu Jinshi said, "I have checked these boots inside and out, and there are no hidden needles. It is not inappropriate for Father to wear them. I will take them to Mother tomorrow and ask her to give them to His Majesty. I don't think Prince Jin would be stupid enough to tamper with your wedding gift."

Lu Jinshi then handed the boots to Caifeng, saying, "Caifeng, I'll trouble you today to embroider a pair of identical boots."

Rong Yi looked at Lu Jinshi and asked, "Why embroider a pair of identical boots?"

Lu Jinshi said, "If Prince Jin really has something to hide, he will definitely make you wear the boots he gave you and have Caifeng make a pair of boots to lure the snake out of its hole."

Rong Yi nodded and asked, "What did the Imperial Sister say when she learned that she was pregnant?"

Lu Jinshi pulled Rong Yi into the bedchamber and closed the door, saying, "My elder sister told us to keep this a secret. After all, she and Yuan Jie have no connection anymore, and now she is pregnant with Yuan Jie's child. She doesn't want outsiders to know about this, so she asked me to cover it up with you and not tell anyone."

Rong Yi said, "We can cover it up now, but my sister's belly will eventually grow bigger, and once it does, it will be impossible to hide it."
-
In the princess's mansion.

Princess Yongjia gently touched her lower abdomen and couldn't help but sigh several times. If this child had come two months earlier, she would have been so happy.

Now that she has this child, she doesn't know what to do.

Abort the child? She must be extremely reluctant. She's endured so much suffering and finally conceived. She would never abort the child no matter what.

But if she doesn't abort the child, will she marry Lu Xiao?

In this dynasty, imperial sons-in-law are not allowed to hold military power or official positions. Yuan Jie was an exception because she was the only princess in the Great Sheng Dynasty, and her father and grandmother granted her this favor.

Although Yuan Jie was also the heir of a noble family and a duke, he was still far inferior to the Lu family.

The Prince An's Mansion wielded immense power. If it weren't for the fact that her father and Prince An were childhood friends, her father would probably have been wary of the Prince An's military power.

Princess Yongjia wondered if her father would still trust Lu Xiao with real power if she married him. If Lu Xiao continued to hold real power, the power of the Prince An's mansion would only become more prosperous... Would her father and her brother, who would later become the crown prince, be willing to let the Lu family's power continue to flourish?
Even if she were willing, Princess Yongjia would still have to worry about the safety of her future children.

Princess Yongjia could be said to have been loved by her father, but his love for her was only because she was his only daughter.

She is far less favored than Qi Yi. Once her father becomes suspicious of the Lu family, her child will not be safe because of her.

Giving Lu Xiao a nominal position without real power is also unrealistic...

After all, the Lu family only has one heir, and Lu Xiao's literary and military talents are well-known in Chang'an.

Furthermore, Lu Xiao's grandfather was a highly decorated military figure who helped her father ascend the throne, making him the most important contributor to her father's successful ascension.

Even the Emperor couldn't bring himself to take back the real power of the Lu family's descendants, so he only gave Lu Xiao a nominal position that sounded good but was far removed from the power of the court.

Princess Yongjia fell into deep thought; she and Lu Xiao were not suited to marry.

She shouldn't have provoked Lu Xiao in the first place.

Now, the only option is to completely separate from Lu Xiao.

"What are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought."

Princess Yongjia heard Lu Xiao's voice behind her, looked up at him, and said, "Don't come here again."

Lu Xiao frowned and said, "Why? Was I not satisfied with my service yesterday? I will listen to you today. If you say no, I will not serve you anymore."

Princess Yongjia listened to Lu Xiao's blunt words and used the back of her cold hand to cool her face, saying, "Lu Xiao, you've reached the age to get married. You should find a good girl to marry."

Lu Xiao said, "I have told you before that men of the Lu family do not take concubines. They have only one woman in their lifetime. I have already decided to marry you."

"Why did you marry me?" Princess Yongjia asked. "I am a princess, and you are the heir of a royal family who holds great military power."

“Perfect match. We are well-matched in terms of social standing, and you haven’t married down too much. Look at the husband you married down before… It’s clear that marrying down has no advantages.”

Lu Xiao said, "Our identities are so well-matched."

Princess Yongjia said, "I have told you before that the current imperial son-in-law must not hold any real power."

Lu Xiao said, "For your sake, I am willing to hand over military power to His Majesty in the future."

“My father will not take back the military power of your Prince An’s Mansion, at least not now,” Princess Yongjia said. “We were never meant to be married. Go away and forget about me.”

Lu Xiao frowned again and said, "Are you... still thinking about Yuan Jie? Is that why you insist on driving me away?"

Princess Yongjia, with tears in her eyes, bit her lip and said against her will, "Yes."

Lu Xiao's face turned ashen, and he pulled Princess Yongjia into his arms, saying, "Where am I inferior to that bastard Yuan Jie?"

Princess Yongjia said, "Yuan Jie and I met when we were young, fell in love when we were teenagers, and became husband and wife when we were eighteen. We spent six years together day and night. I love him and I can't let him go..."

Lu Xiao trembled with rage as he said, "You love him? He doesn't believe you, slanders you, betrays you... and you still love him?"

Princess Yongjia closed her eyes, holding back her tears. She looked away from Lu Xiao and said, "Yes, Lu Xiao, during the time we've spent together, I've only ever treated you as a male concubine to amuse myself. But these past few days I've realized that I truly love Yuan Jie. Let's separate and go our separate ways from now on."

Lu Xiao pinched Princess Yongjia's chin and said, "Look into my eyes and say it, Yongjia, look into my eyes and say it."