Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 124 - Noble Consort Qi is Just the Emperor’s Target
Chapter 124: Chapter 124 Noble Consort Qi is Just the Emperor’s Target
Listenting to Murong Jiu’s words, Jun Yuyan became pensive.
He furrowed his brow and said, “Ah Jiu never mentioned it, and I never noticed before, but Consort Jing does indeed resemble my great-grandmother. However, thinking too deeply about it might be too shocking and outrageous.”
Murong Jiu understood what he meant.
That thought, she didn’t dare to voice.
But once she had that thought, she could somewhat understand the Emperor’s behavior today.
The Emperor did not truly like Jun Yuyan, his eldest son, nor did he like Murong Jiu, his daughter-in-law, even though Murong Jiu had once saved his life, his attitude towards her was always very neutral.
However, today at the banquet, the Emperor said many sincere praises for the both of them, and it did not seem like he was intentionally drawing hatred onto Jun Yuyan.
This must be related to the Empress Dowager’s demonstrated fondness for Murong Jiu.
Furthermore, after the Empress Dowager gifted Lv Qi to Murong Jiu, the Emperor also granted her many valuable items.
Throughout the banquet, the Emperor never once looked toward Consort Jing, but instead often spoke with the Empress Dowager.
However, the Empress Dowager said very little, only occasionally responding, and there was no smile on her face.
Latter, the Empress Dowager left the feast early, and the Emperor seemed to lose his interest as well.
Actually, if one did not observe carefully, no one would notice the emotions between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, especially with someone like the Son of Heaven, who does not easily show his feelings. This indicates that the presence of the Empress Dowager indeed made the Emperor happy.
“Ah Jiu, when you asked me to send someone to Yingtian Academy, were you trying to tell me that Father did not truly dislike the third son? And Consort Jing, is she only seemingly out of favor?”
Jun Yuyan looked at her and said.
Murong Jiu hadn’t expected him to think of this so quickly, her mind was truly clever.
She nodded and said, “Father’s favorite concubine is Consort Jing.”
After saying this, she felt anxious inside, as such matters were something someone of her status could not possibly be privy to. If Jun Yuyan were to ask her about it, how should she answer?
Little did she know, Jun Yuyan seemed to sense her emotions and did not ask anything. He smiled and patted her head.
“Thank you, Ah Jiu, for being willing to tell me about this.”
Murong Jiu blinked, “Aren’t you afraid I’m lying to you and deceiving you?”
“Afraid of what? You are mine. What good would deceiving me do for you? I know Ah Jiu is hoping for me to be Emperor, and I will certainly make Ah Jiu the Empress.”
In the past, Jun Yuyan didn’t have much ambition, and he didn’t care about the throne. The false father-son and brotherly love within the Imperial Family only fueled his subconscious disgust for the Imperial Palace.
Noble Consort Qi also didn’t disregard her son, but in her eyes, affection was always in first place.
Now was different, Ah Jiu placed great expectations on him, so he, too, should make a fight for it.
Murong Jiu’s cheeks burned with heat, her heart pounding like thunder, even feeling too shy to look into his fervent, tender deep eyes.
She knew very well how good the man before her was.
Seeing her bashfulness, Jun Yuyan spared her further teasing and changed the subject, “Does anyone else know about this matter that Ah Jiu mentioned?”
Murong Jiu shook her head, “Only two palace maids by Consort Jing’s side know, everyone on Father’s side who knew has been dealt with by him.”
The secret passages in the Imperial Palace were constructed by the previous Emperor for escape, and later everyone who knew about them was executed.
Having gone this far, she simply continued, “Below Father’s Yangxin Hall, there is a passage leading to Jingan Palace, so even though Father has never summoned Consort Jing, the two of them must be able to meet every day.”
Upon hearing this, even Jun Yuyan’s pupils constricted, revealing a look of surprise.
“A passage?”
Seeing Murong Jiu’s serious nod, he also began to ponder deeply in his heart.
After a long time, he laughed softly, a laugh that held a trace of mockery.
“So my mother, she is just a target that he set up for the concubines in the palace?”
Although it was hurtful, Murong Jiu still nodded her head.
Noble Consort Qi was indeed just a target.
Everyone in the world thought that Noble Consort Qi was the Emperor’s most beloved, that she had enjoyed his favor day in and day out for ten years, even more prestigious than the Empress within the palace.
But in reality, when the Emperor cherished someone, he would protect her properly. All other sons were mere pawns, only he, the child of the woman he truly loved, was the Crown Prince he had chosen long ago.
He let his other sons fight against each other in a deadly struggle, keeping his most beloved son away from the fray, only waiting for the moment when the sandpipers and clams warred, and the fisherman would gain.
Jun Yuyan was very clever; he quickly sorted through the causes and consequences, his face only retaining a trace of a cold, mocking smile.
His mother, for the sake of so-called “favor,” used his childhood illness as a way to vie for affection, and when he grew up, she encouraged him to achieve glory. Even after he had been disfigured and crippled, she did cry for him, but it was for the fact that a crippled prince could not inherit the throne.
Later on, she even started to despise him.
If she knew the actual truth, that the Emperor had never had her in his heart and had set her up as a target to protect his beloved woman, I wonder if her sky would collapse.
Murong Jiu did not know how to comfort him, and instinctively placed her hand on the fist he rested on his knee, gently holding it tight.
Jun Yuyan wasn’t sad; he relaxed his fist and held onto Murong Jiu’s hand instead.
“Ah Jiu, it’s nothing, I’ve long since gotten used to the falseness of royal affection. Besides, Heaven has been kind to me. I have you, and our child, don’t I?”
“I, I will always be by your side, I will never betray you.”
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This was the promise Murong Jiu could make.
Although it wasn’t a sweet nothing, for Jun Yuyan, it made him happier by hundreds and thousands of times than any love talk.
Excitedly, he pulled Murong Jiu into his arms and whispered, “Ah Jiu, you must remember every word you just said. If you can’t do it, I’ll become a ghost to haunt you after I die…”
Murong Jiu quickly covered his mouth, “Don’t say such inauspicious things; I don’t like to hear them!”
Perhaps because in his past life, Jun Yuyan’s death was too miserable, Murong Jiu didn’t want to hear half a word about his death.
“Alright, alright, I won’t say it,”
Jun Yuyan smiled indulgently.
As long as Ah Jiu was by his side, and she also held him in her heart, what did the other familial affections matter?
Murong Jiu listened to his strong and steady heartbeat, her cheeks flushed with a hint of rosy warmth, yet her heart felt extremely secure.
Suddenly, she remembered something and hurriedly asked,
“The Empress Dowager giving me the bracelet, did you seek it out for me to lend me support?”
“Clearly, the Empress Dowager herself likes you too.”
“Tell me the truth, I’ve guessed it already.”
Jun Yuyan laughed, “Ah Jiu, you really can’t be fooled by anything, can you?”
Murong Jiu pursed her lips and buried her head into his chest.
So in her past life, it must have been him who had sought the Empress Dowager.
Yet at that time, she was completely unaware, not knowing what Jun Yuyan had done for her.
The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that in her past life, Jun Yuyan had died for her.
Her nose felt sour, her heart ached with bitterness; what virtues did she possess to deserve Jun Yuyan’s love.
