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

Chapter 65 The Princess Will Find It Difficult to Marry
Madam Sun quickly stopped Sun Xian, saying, "Xian, what use will you be? This marriage was arranged by His Majesty, and the royal family has already extended betrothal gifts to the He family..."

Sun Xian felt deeply sorry for the Seventh Prince.

Putting everything else aside, with Lu Jinshi's arrogant nature, who knows how many people he will offend in the future, he will be of no help to the Seventh Prince's future position as crown prince.

Lady Sun said in a low voice, "Xian'er, the Princess Consort of Jin intends to befriend you. The Prince of Jin was raised by the Empress Dowager and has an excellent reputation in the court and among the people. Since His Majesty has agreed to let the Prince of Jin enter the court, he must have designs on him. Even if the Seventh Prince is favored, His Majesty must consider the ministers and the country. The Prince of Jin may well become the crown prince. Since the Princess Consort of Jin is interested in you, you might as well become the Prince of Jin's concubine for a better future..."

Sun Xian frowned slightly. "Mother, a woman should not serve two husbands. I have already chosen the Seventh Prince and am only willing to be his concubine."

Madam Sun could only sigh for her foolish daughter.
-
With the Empress Dowager's birthday approaching, Chang'an City has been bustling with activity these days.

These past few days, the spring scenery has been beautiful, and there have been quite a few banquets in Chang'an. Lu Jinshi has also received many invitations, which he would have declined in the past.

However, in the past few days, she has been trying to recruit female students for Lingxiao Academy, and Lu Jinshi still tries to take advantage of any gatherings with a large number of women.

Today is the coming-of-age banquet for the third young lady of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion. Huang Dong, the young master of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, is also studying at Lingxiao Academy. Lingxiao Academy has given a special day off to celebrate his sister's coming-of-age ceremony.

Xu Dan and her cousin An Jing followed Lu Jinshi, introducing the young ladies present to him.

The young ladies present were all extremely curious when they learned that the man in front of them was Lu Jinshi, who had been in Chang'an these past few days, having conceived a child through artificial insemination and leaving the father behind. Yet, they dared not get involved with Lu Jinshi in any way.

Lu Jinshi and Xu Dan found a spot in the backyard of the Huang family and chatted casually. They noticed that many young women, perhaps out of curiosity, came over to see her in groups from afar.

When Lu Jinshi saw these young ladies looking at her curiously, she smiled brightly at them.

As the saying goes, one cannot hit a smiling face; several young ladies who had met Lu Jinshi whispered among themselves.

"This Miss Lu is not as unrestrained as my mother described. She is also extremely beautiful, and there are very few beauties in Chang'an who are more beautiful than her."

"She is truly beautiful, with a smile that could charm a hundred men. As the daughter of a princess, she has the right to leave her father and raise her child alone."

"Actually, I really wanted to go to the Lingxiao Academy Girls' Academy, but unfortunately, my parents both thought that Lu Jinshi was not a decent person for doing something like having a child through artificial insemination, and they wouldn't let me get close to Lu Jinshi."

“My parents also think that we are at the age of marriage and should not associate with a woman like Lu Jinshi. But today, even though we were so rude to look at her, she still smiled at us.”

Lu Jinshi was unaware of the girls' gossip about her; she was simply chatting casually with Xu Dan.

As the two chatted, they discovered that Xu Dan's cousin had disappeared.

"Where's Anjing?" Xu Dan hurriedly stood up and asked, "She's unfamiliar with this place, we don't know where she went."

Lu Jinshi advised, "Don't worry, she may have gone to the restroom. She's still in the Duke's mansion. Besides, your quiet cousin is quite quiet; she certainly won't go far."

Xu Dan said, "My cousin was very cheerful when she was young, not quiet at all. Everyone said that she was given the wrong name. However, after my aunt and uncle passed away one after another, I lived with my aunt for two years and became depressed and taciturn. That's why my mother brought my cousin to live with me, hoping that she could regain her former cheerfulness."

Lu Jinshi said, "I see."

The two searched for a quiet place for a while but couldn't find one. Instead, they overheard Sun Xian and her admirers, the young ladies, discussing behind the artificial hill. "Princess Yongjia is foolish. She's already infertile, and she even divorced the heir of the Duke of Yuan's mansion. How can she possibly marry a consort more outstanding than Yuan Jie in the future?"

"To be honest, Princess Yongjia is indeed intolerant. She has difficulty conceiving, so rather than being childless for the rest of her life, she might as well adopt the child of her mistress, which would be the best of both worlds. Even though she is a princess now, she still can't have children. His Majesty can't force another family's young master to suffer for the sake of this daughter."

Sun Xian slowly said, "I also heard that Lu Jinshi accompanied Princess Yongjia to the Dali Temple. Lu Jinshi advised separation rather than reconciliation. It seems that he was leaving his father behind and his son behind, and he couldn't bear to see other couples being affectionate."

Lu Jinshi frowned as he listened to Sun Xian and her classmates' conversation.

Xu Dan was furious: "This Sun Xian is really something. Yuan Jie has a mistress and a child with her. Does she expect us to reconcile them instead of separating them, and make the princess have to compromise?"

Lu Jinshi was unaware that such a view was being held by outsiders; no wonder Yuan Jie had been so fearless before.

Princess Yongjia was an imperial daughter. If even imperial daughters had to compromise and endure their husbands keeping mistresses, then the situation of other women in this world would only become more difficult.

Lu Jinshi looked up and saw Princess Yongjia not far away.

Princess Yongjia smiled at Lu Jinshi and said, "Don't take their words to heart. I should thank you. If it weren't for you, I might have really been deceived by Yuan Jie."

Lu Jinshi also smiled lightly at Princess Yongjia and said, "Sister, if you are upright, you have nothing to fear. I am not afraid of people talking about me behind my back."

Princess Yongjia saw Xu Dan peeking around and asked, "Miss Xu, what are you looking for?"

“Your Highness,” Xu Dan said, “my cousin Anjing has disappeared, and I am looking for her.”

Princess Yongjia said, "I think I just saw your cousin in the pavilion by the lake, and there was also a girl from the Jiang family next to her."

"Thank you, Your Highness. I'll go find my cousin now."

Xu Dan hurriedly went in the direction Princess Yongjia had pointed.

Lu Jinshi stopped following Xu Dan and only heard Sun Xian and the others talking about how Princess Yongjia would have a hard time getting married in the future. Lu Jinshi couldn't help but look at Princess Yongjia.

"elder sister……"

Princess Yongjia chuckled helplessly, "I've said it before, I don't want to get married again. Even if I can't find a husband more outstanding than Yuan Jie, it's not a bad thing for me. Don't worry, I won't take their words to heart. They only dare to gossip behind my back."

Seeing that Princess Yongjia truly didn't take the matter to heart, Lu Jinshi felt relieved.

Xu Dan angrily grabbed her cousin An Jing's hand and came over, saying, "You're really stupid, just letting Jiang Yin bully you?"

"Cousin Dan, Jiang Yin didn't bully me. He just got something in his eye and asked me to blow it out for him..."

"With so many male guests, do you need to blow his eyes for him? I've noticed Jiang Yin's inappropriate gaze towards you these past few days at the academy. You should stay away from him in the future."

Lu Jinshi walked up to Xu Dan and asked, "What's wrong?"