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

Chapter 68 My elder sister seems to be pregnant.

The Empress Dowager couldn't help but ask curiously, "How could you and Xiao Qi have a child while you were in Jiangnan?"

Princess Yongjia, who was supporting the Empress Dowager, said, "Grandmother, didn't my seventh brother go to the Jiangnan Academy to study for two years?"

The Empress Dowager said, "So you two knew each other two years ago."

Lu Jinshi smiled faintly and said to the Empress Dowager, "Yes, the Seventh Prince and I met two years ago, but at that time we did not know each other's identities. The Seventh Prince and I were in love and planned to get married. However, when we came to Chang'an, there was a misunderstanding, so I told the outside world that Zhang'er was the son of a male concubine."

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "I see. You and Xiao Qi are quite destined for each other."

Lu Jinshi said in a low voice, "Yes."

She and Rong Yi truly have a tragic fate together.

Lu Jinshi accompanied the Empress Dowager back to Shou Kang Palace and talked with her about her experiences in Jiangnan over the years. They chatted for a long time until it was almost dark before Lu Jinshi and Princess Yongjia left Shou Kang Palace together.

After the two left the gate of Shou Kang Palace.

Lu Jinshi looked at Princess Yongjia and asked, "Who was that young girl who was serving the Empress Dowager just now?"

“She is the granddaughter of the Grand Princess, Princess Qingyun. After my marriage, my grandmother was left alone, so she often came to the palace to take care of her.”

Lu Jinshi said, "I see."

Princess Yongjia and Lu Jinshi rode back together in a carriage.

In the carriage, Princess Yongjia felt nauseous. She quickly covered her lips with a handkerchief, but still couldn't help gagging. Fortunately, nothing came out.

Lu Jinshi hurriedly asked, "Sister, what's wrong?"

Princess Yongjia said, "I have a stomach ailment and a weak spleen and stomach. I feel nauseous when I'm hungry. I've been in the palace for a long time today and haven't eaten much, so I feel a bit nauseous."

Lu Jinshi said, "It would be best to find an imperial physician to take a look."

Princess Yongjia smiled faintly and said, "This is an old ailment of mine, nothing serious."

After escorting Princess Yongjia back to her residence, Lu Jinshi pondered things in the carriage.

After the carriage stopped, Rong Yi carried Zhang'er into the carriage. Lu Jinshi finally came to her senses and was startled by Rong Yi in front of her. "Why are you trying to scare me?"

Rong Yi said, "It was clearly you who was distracted. Did you say anything you shouldn't have to your grandmother just now?"

Lu Jinshi said, "I'm more considerate of the bigger picture than you. I wouldn't say anything for Zhang'er's sake."

Lu Jinshi smiled and hugged Zhang'er in his arms, kissing the little Zhang'er's cheek. The little Zhang'er giggled at Lu Jinshi.

Rong Yi sat down next to Lu Jinshi and asked, "What were you thinking about just now?"

Lu Jinshi looked at Rong Yi and said, "The way my elder sister vomited just now was somewhat similar to how I looked when I was first pregnant with Zhang'er. She was nauseous and dry heaving, which seemed like she was pregnant. Could she really be pregnant?"

Rong Yi said, "No way, she hasn't had a child in six years, but now that she's seen Yuan Jie's true colors, she's pregnant. If that's really the case, then Heaven is really torturing her."

Lu Jinshi said, "Perhaps I am overthinking it. Maybe it really is just a problem with my spleen and stomach."

Indeed, if Princess Yongjia were to become pregnant now, it would be a huge joke played on her.

"By the way, why was your eldest sister-in-law so hostile towards me today?"

Rong Yi said, "Where does the Princess Consort of Jin harbor hostility towards you? The Prince of Jin grew up by the side of the Empress Dowager. In the past, the Princess Consort of Jin was quite favored by the Empress Dowager. But today, the Empress Dowager has neglected the Princess Consort of Jin and has been talking to you the whole time. How could the Princess Consort of Jin not be anxious?" Lu Jinshi said, "No wonder."
-
Night falls in the Prince of Jin's residence.

Inside the main courtyard, Prince Jin entered the room with a gloomy face.

Princess Consort Jin stepped forward and took the cloak from Prince Jin. Looking at his expression, she said, "Your Highness, are you angry because the Empress Dowager favors Lu Jinshi? Even if the Empress Dowager dotes on Lu Jinshi, it doesn't necessarily mean she'll extend that favor to the Seventh Prince. After all, you grew up by the Empress Dowager's side..."

The Prince of Jin looked coldly at the Princess Consort of Jin and said, "Have you been summoning Lady Sun so frequently these past few days?"

Princess Jin said in a low voice, "Yes, I heard that Sun Xian is the concubine chosen by His Majesty for the Seventh Prince. Sun Xian's father is the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, who holds great power in the court. However, Sun Xian was slapped in the face by Lu Jinshi in front of everyone before."

The Sun family might not be willing to let their daughter become the Seventh Prince's concubine. Compared to the Seventh Prince's concubine, if I treat Sun Xian with courtesy and favor her as your concubine, I can win over Minister Sun.

As the Prince of Jin listened to his wife's words, his expression grew increasingly grim. "Who gave you permission to find me a concubine without my consent?"

Princess Consort of Jin looked up at Prince Jin and said, "Your Highness... Miss Sun Xian is gentle and obedient, and her appearance is also exceptionally beautiful. Is there anything else you are not satisfied with?"

Seeing the look in his wife's eyes, the Prince of Jin's chest heaved with anger. He coldly said to his wife, "I don't need you to find my concubines!"

Princess Jin said in a low voice, "Does Your Highness have any more suitable concubine candidates? Now that the Seventh Prince is also getting married, after he marries his principal wife, he will definitely continue to take daughters of important officials as concubines. He already has the support of the Prince of An's mansion..."

The Prince of Jin was annoyed by what he heard, so he pulled his wife into his arms and said coldly, "Even if I want to seize the position of Crown Prince, I don't need to rely on women like Xiao Qi. Do you understand? If you dare to find me a concubine again without my permission, I will never forgive you!"

Princess Jin couldn't help but tremble slightly, and said anxiously, "I understand, Your Highness."
-
The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet is coming soon, and the court will be closed for three days. The academy will also be closed for three days.

The next day was the Empress Dowager's birthday, and the palace was very lively today.

Lu Jinshi and Rong Yi brought Zhang'er to Shou Kang Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.

When the Empress Dowager saw the baby that Lu Jinshi brought forward, she got up from her chair, walked over and took the baby from Lu Jinshi's hands, saying, "What a lovely child. I knew that the child born to you two would not be ugly."

The Empress Dowager said, "However, this child looks more like Xiaoqi's mother; he is a blessed child."

Lu Jinshi smiled and said, "On behalf of Zhang'er, I thank the Empress Dowager for her praise."

The Empress Dowager ordered someone to bring a gold necklace and lock to Zhang'er, saying, "This is a small token of my affection."

"Thank you, Queen Mother."

"Thank you, Grandma Royal."

The Empress Dowager smiled and said to Lu Jinshi, "Your wedding with Xiaoqi is approaching, so you can call me Empress Dowager along with Xiaoqi."

Lu Jinshi smiled and said, "Yes, Grandmother."

Princess Qingyuan stepped forward to help Xiao Zhang'er put on the golden lock and said, "Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince and Sister Miaomiao's child is truly interesting and adorable."

The Empress Dowager then handed Zhang'er to Princess Qingyuan to hold: "You should learn how to hold a child first. Maybe after you get married, you'll have your own child next year. Don't be caught off guard and not know how to hold the child then."

Princess Qingyuan took Xiao Zhang'er, and was indeed somewhat at a loss.

Lu Jinshi chuckled as he taught Princess Qingyuan how to hug her, "Is Princess already engaged?"

The Empress Dowager smiled and said to Lu Jinshi, "Miaomiao, we really need your help with this matter."

(End of this chapter)