Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 472: Have I Ever Hurt the Empress Before?

"Yan... Your Majesty, please don’t blame Her Majesty the Empress. It’s that I’m not pleasing; it’s just that I really don’t want to leave you, that’s why..."

Wang Yingluo’s eyes reddened, her expression one of wanting to speak but stopping herself.

Truth be told, this maneuver was already overplayed in the inner palace, even a little eunuch could see through her thoughts.

But Wang Yingluo, relying on the fact that she had captured Jun Yuyan’s heart, disdained to employ any clever tactics, nor did she see the need, for Jun Yuyan would unconditionally side with the woman he loved.

She only needed to show that the Empress could not tolerate her, and she believed that Jun Yuyan would handle the Empress himself.

Jun Yuyan was known for being quick to defend his own, and now, she had become his most important person.

Indeed, as so as her words fell, Jun Yuyan’s demeanor grew even colder, leaving only a "The Empress better watch herself," before turning to leave with her.

"Brother Yan, don’t be angry, maybe, maybe Her Majesty just loves you too much. You and she have a pair of children together, I’ve heard that you were very affectionate after your marriage. And me, I’m like an interloper who barged in unexpectedly."

Walking along the palace corridors, Wang Yingluo spoke in a low, disheartened voice, tears silently falling.

Jun Yuyan came to a halt.

His sleeve was clenched in Wang Yingluo’s grasp, wrinkled and crumpled.

He spoke softly, "I can’t remember about her anymore, now I only remember you. And, you were here first."

Wang Yingluo pouted, "But you already have children together; you are a real family. What am I, then?"

Jun Yuyan’s gaze flickered, but he did not speak.

Only after a long while did he say, "Together for life, just the two of us, it was you who said that to me. I don’t want you to be a concubine."

Even if she were a Noble Consort, she would still be a concubine, neither respectably titled nor rightful.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yingluo finally revealed a smile.

"That’s right, together for life, just the two of us!"

From the sound of it, Jun Yuyan intended to depose the Empress. Once all obstacles were cleared away, she would become the Empress herself!

She understood Jun Yuyan’s considerations. Murong Jiu’s father was General Fu, the late emperor had given him the Tiger Talisman, but after Jun Yuyan ascended to the throne, the Tiger Talisman had returned to General Fu’s hands. Now, Jun Yuyan had no choice but to begrudgingly recognize Murong Jiu as the Empress for the time being.

Proceed step by step.

She was in no rush, having already waited three years; another year or two hardly mattered.

Jun Yuyan escorted her to Empress Dowager Qi’s palace.

Empress Dowager Qi was extremely pleased. Although she felt compassion for everything Murong Jiu had endured over the past month, she had greater hopes for the Imperial Family to branch out and flourish with more offspring.

This Ah Ying had a sweet tongue and knew how to please. She was far better than Murong Jiu’s sharp tongue. Empress Dowager Qi did not mind having one more consort like her in Jun Yuyan’s harem.

Though she came from a lowly background, at least she was fertile. Once a child was born, there would be someone to educate them.

Not as pretty as Murong Jiu, she was still a dainty jade from a humble family. Moreover, having one meant having a second; it was certain that the palace would see various types of beauties in the future. The idea of her grandsons and granddaughters surrounding her was thrilling.

After sending Wang Yingluo back, Jun Yuyan returned to the Imperial Study Room to tend to governmental affairs. Wang Yingluo knew he was busy after just returning and also needed to regain full control of the imperial authority, so she did not cling to him but stayed with Empress Dowager Qi to curry favor.

This historical Empress Dowager Qi had been lucky, living to the ripe age of 103 before passing and was considered to have had an exceptionally long life for those times; there were even superstitious rumors about her consuming elixirs of eternal life.

Now, upon meeting the real person, it was true she looked very beautiful; one could still see the traces of her exceptional beauty from her youth, and even the fine wrinkles didn’t detract from her allure. Beauty lies in the bones, not in the skin – no wonder she could give birth to such a stunningly handsome son like Jun Yuyan.

Armed with her historical knowledge, Wang Yingluo considered herself aware of all the notable figures of the Great Yan Dynasty and their personalities. Coupled with hypnotism, even though she couldn’t use it openly, she could subtly make Empress Dowager Qi grow fond of her, support her.

She remembered that the historical records mentioned Empress Dowager Qi liked eating vegetarian and chanting Buddhist scriptures; she could start from there.

...

"Your Majesty... You don’t look well, should we call Divine Doctor Zhai to examine you?"

Chun Tao and Hong Yi looked at Murong Jiu with concern.

Since His Majesty had left, Murong Jiu had stood by the window, gazing at the withering haitang tree, motionless.

What His Majesty said was really too harsh, Her Majesty clearly did nothing, yet such hurtful words were spoken.

"No need."

She waved her hand, she herself was a court physician, she knew very well whether she was sick.

She was just feeling very uncomfortable.

"Chun Tao, prepare ink and paper for me."

Though they did not know what Her Majesty intended to do, they obediently went to prepare.

Murong Jiu washed her hands, and on the paper, she wrote the words "Letter of Farewell".

Both Hong Yi and Chun Tao’s noses tingled, they turned their heads away to avoid bursting into tears.

Her Majesty intended to sever all ties with His Majesty completely.

Indeed, Her Majesty had always been a very clear-headed person, if love was no more, then it should be cut off cleanly – that was their Her Majesty.

Murong Jiu’s pen paused for a moment, she closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, there was a resoluteness in her gaze.

Just as she was about to put pen to paper once more, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from the door.

"Who is it?"

Hong Yi shouted in challenge.

Expecting to see some thoughtless eunuch or palace maid, she turned and was startled – it was His Majesty, he had returned!

Had it been before, she wouldn’t have been surprised, but after His Majesty defended Wang Yingluo and blamed Her Majesty, they knew His Majesty was no longer the same person who had been devoted solely to Her Majesty before.

Her Majesty had long ago said she did not want an unfaithful man.

Once a relationship was tainted, her course of action was not to wash away the stain, but to sever the tie.

If His Majesty was already unfaithful and his heart was filled with another woman, how could he suddenly come back?

Could it be that he felt the reproof for Wang Yingluo’s sake wasn’t enough?

Hong Yi and Chun Tao were fiercely protective, and as they saw His Majesty walking in, they hurriedly stood in front of Murong Jiu.

With a loud voice, Chun Tao said, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty is unwell and cannot withstand punishment. If Your Majesty does not feel relieved, take out your anger on this servant instead!"

Jun Yuyan’s steps faltered, surprise flickered across his handsome face, and he said, "Is that what I am in your eyes? Have I ever hurt the Empress before?"

The two of them watched Jun Yuyan, perplexed and uncertain, wondering how his disposition had changed once again, no longer as aggressive as before.

A drop of ink fell, with a plink, onto the paper.

When Jun Yuyan raised his eyes, he saw the words "Letter of Farewell" on the desk, and suddenly his heart felt as though it was being clenched tightly, the pain making it hard to breathe.

His gaze followed the hand holding the brush upwards, resting on Murong Jiu’s delicate yet pale and frail face. From her black eyes, it was as if he could see a struggle of pain.

He clutched his chest, his frantic heart seemed as if it might leap out!