Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 468: A Lady Has Appeared by Your Majesty’s Side
Chapter 468: Chapter 468: A Lady Has Appeared by Your Majesty’s Side
Murong Jiu’s illness lasted intermittently for half a month before she got better.
Every night she would cough as if she were trying to hack up her lungs.
When attending the early morning court session or meeting with her ministers, she would take strong cough suppressants, the consequence of which was that she would cough even more severely at other times.
She had lost a great deal of weight; the clothes that used to fit her perfectly now hung on her like they were draped over a clothes rack, empty and loose.
Divine Doctor Zhai felt so heartbroken he tried every day to personally prepare medicinal cuisine for her, just wishing to see her put on a bit of weight.
Fortunately, she was also determined, not defeated by the illness, and after half a month she was lively and vigorous again. After finishing her daily tasks, she would leave the Imperial Palace.
In the vast sea of people, she did not know where Jun Yuyan was, but she didn’t want to just wait idly; she also wanted to go out and look for him, although each time she returned disappointed. Nevertheless, she went out every day.
By this time, Jun Yuyan had already been missing for a whole month and four days.
That night, Murong Jiu drank the Calming Soup prepared by her master and finally fell asleep, dreaming of Jun Yuyan.
In her dream, he reached out to her, his broad hands warm and filled with strength and a sense of reliability.
She had just laid her hand upon his but had not yet touched him when suddenly, he disappeared.
Murong Jiu woke up feeling lost and for a long while could not recover from the dream.
Unable to sleep any longer, she lay with open eyes until the sky almost brightened, then got up to wash and change clothes, preparing to attend the morning court.
Chun Tao combed her hair, looking at the reflection in the mirror with pained eyes.
"Your Majesty, you must eat more. If the Emperor returns and sees how much you’ve slimmed down, he will surely feel distressed and blame himself," said Chun Tao.
Murong Jiu touched her own cheeks, indeed emaciated; the baby fat that once adorned her cheeks was gone without a trace.
She nodded, agreeing that she should eat more. Even without an appetite, she had to eat; otherwise, when Jun Yuyan returned and saw her like this, he would reproach her again.
Sitting behind the beaded curtain, Murong Jiu listened to the ministers presenting their reports.
The topic for discussion that day was about the military provisions at the Frontier Pass, and civil and military officials were at odds with each other, arguing endlessly.
Just then, Commander Su Kai suddenly came in, knelt down excitedly, and said, "Her Majesty the Empress, Your Majesty has returned to the palace!"
With a swish, Murong Jiu abruptly stood up.
Perhaps she stood up too quickly, as her head filled with blood, causing her to feel dizzy and almost fall, but fortunately, Chun Tao and Hong Yi were beside her to support her.
"Go, quickly go to welcome Your Majesty!"
Her voice could hardly conceal the excitement and joy as she lifted the bead curtain and went out, leaving the ministers behind as she walked.
The officials also followed closely behind to greet the Emperor who had "stepped out in disguise."
Su Kai followed closely beside Murong Jiu, hesitating, trying to speak, but unfortunately, Murong Jiu was too excited to notice his demeanor.
It was Hong Yi who noticed him and asked softly, "Commander Su, is there something inconvenient to say?"
Murong Jiu continued walking without stopping, saying to Su Kai, "If you have something to say, just speak it."
Su Kai hesitated, unsure how to begin.
Murong Jiu smiled and said, "Are you thinking about taking a leave to accompany Lady Yao? Don’t worry, I have made arrangements."
"It’s not about taking leave... it’s, it’s that by His Majesty’s side..."
"What about his side?"
Finding his courage, Su Kai said, "There is a woman by His Majesty’s side, and they seemed...seemed intimate in their demeanor."
All at once, Murong Jiu’s steps faltered.
After that, she smiled and said, "That must be the gratitude his Majesty feels toward the woman who treated him."
She never worried that Jun Yuyan would change his heart. After all, Jun Yuyan was willing to die for her, so how could he possibly fall in love with someone else?
This was something that would never happen.
She quickened her pace and soon she saw Jun Yuyan.
He was still tall and handsome, and even dressed in plain clothes, his regal bearing was unmistakable.
Murong Jiu’s eyes were only for him, but after Su Kai’s reminder, she couldn’t help but take a few more glances at the woman by his side.
She was a beautiful young woman with fair skin and lively eyes, who seemed somewhat afraid of the Imperial Palace. She stood very close to Jun Yuyan, their robes touching.
Murong Jiu turned her gaze away and approached quickly, looking at Jun Yuyan tenderly, "Husband, you have finally returned."
A look of desolation flickered through the woman’s eyes as she lowered her head.
Jun Yuyan’s eyes fell on Murong Jiu’s face, his expression calm, showing no sign of surprise as he said, "I’m sorry, I fell from a cliff and lost many memories. The events of the past few years, I do not recall them."
These words struck Murong Jiu like a bolt from the blue, directly hitting the top of her head.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Jun Yuyan.
But the way Jun Yuyan looked at her no longer held any tender affection, calm as if he was looking at a stranger.
Her heart felt as if it had been stabbed, the pain so intense she could barely breathe.
"Commoner Ah Ying pays respect to Her Majesty the Empress!"
The woman beside Jun Yuyan knelt on the ground, seemingly very anxious.
At that moment, all the officials in the Golden Throne Hall had arrived and kneeled to pay their respects to Jun Yuyan, chanting long live the Emperor.
Murong Jiu wanted to ask more questions, but the Emperor’s amnesia was also a matter that could cause unrest in the court. She only said: ƒгeewebnovёl.com
"Miss Ah Ying, please rise, my lords, please rise. His Majesty is exhausted from his travels and needs proper rest. Let us postpone today’s court affairs to tomorrow. Everyone, please disperse."
Naturally, everyone had also noticed the woman by the Emperor’s side and assumed it to be the reason for his unusual behavior.
In Capital City, who didn’t know that the Emperor loved his wife dearly and was extraordinarily protective of Her Majesty the Empress? After such a long absence, the Emperor showed no intimate gestures towards Her Majesty the Empress, but instead stood close to a commoner woman.
It seemed the times were changing.
Not long ago, people were saying that as beauty wanes, so does love, and that after obtaining supreme power, the Emperor would, like all men, soon take a new fancy.
But no one expected that day to come so soon.
While the Empress governed the court, the Emperor roamed incognito, only to bring back a woman with him.
Although this woman was not stunningly beautiful compared to the unparalleled beauty of the Empress, she still had the delicate charm of a young lady from a modest household, gentle and pleasing, and her almond-shaped eyes were particularly expressive, easily captivating men’s hearts.
Moreover, as the saying goes, the grass is always greener on the other side; even a Heavenly Immortal who descends to earth loses her novelty after a while.
The officials present were all men, and most could understand the Emperor’s mindset.
Only General Fu, Lou Zixi, and others wore faces of anger, their joy turning to righteous indignation.
They watched how Murong Jiu had been coping these days, their hearts aching to the extreme.
They were of course happy that the Emperor had safely returned to the Imperial Palace. However, no one expected the Emperor to have such an attitude.
Seeing everyone hesitating to leave, General Fu said with a stern voice, "What are you dawdling for here? The Emperor appears tired. Do none of you have any discernment?"
Although people were somewhat displeased by General Fu’s scolding, they could understand. General Fu was a father-in-law to the nation, with his daughter on the verge of losing favor, it was no wonder he was upset.
Fu, known for being protective, might well oppose the Emperor in the future in defense of the Empress.
