Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 44 - Empress Watches the Tigers Fight from Atop the Mountain

Chapter 44: Chapter 44 Empress Watches the Tigers Fight from Atop the Mountain

The Emperor himself came to celebrate Noble Consort Qi’s birthday, giving her great face.

Even the Empress had no choice but to come in person and offer gifts.

Noble Consort Qi, having been thwarted by Jun Yuyan and Murong Jiu, was now in an excellent mood, her face radiant with delight and a smug smile on her refined features.

The more aggrieved the Empress felt, the more delighted Noble Consort Qi became.

The Second Prince had been looking for an opportunity to speak with Murong Jiu alone, and Murong Jiu was curious to see what kind of falsehoods he could come up with.

However, unexpectedly, Jun Yuyan inadvertently stayed by her side, preventing the Second Prince from finding any opportunity to interject.

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Watching the Second Prince’s eyes flash with impatience, Murong Jiu’s lips curved into a smirk.

At that moment, the Fifth Princess suddenly said aloud,

“Eldest Imperial Sister-in-law, today being mother’s birthday is a grand occasion. Why aren’t you drinking?”

Her voice made everyone’s gaze turn toward Murong Jiu in an instant.

The Fifth Princess already knew about Murong Jiu’s pregnancy, her eyes carrying a hint of provocation and schadenfreude.

Being Jun Haoze’s own sister, she naturally prioritized him and would keep the secret, but that didn’t stop her from trying to frighten Murong Jiu.

Murong Jiu’s hand tightened inside her sleeve.

But before she could speak, Jun Yuyan spoke for her,

“Ah Jiu is feeling under the weather, she cannot drink.”

Jun Haoze immediately responded with a smile, “If she can’t drink, then she shouldn’t. Don’t make yourself uncomfortable. Father also doesn’t like those who drink and cause trouble.”

He feigned concern for the child in Murong Jiu’s womb.

Unfortunately, Murong Jiu had lowered her head, and he couldn’t see the touched expression on her face.

“If you can’t drink, then don’t drink. Alright, I am a bit tired now. You younger ones enjoy the festivities,”

the Emperor said as he stood up.

Noble Consort Qi quickly stood up, “Your Majesty, allow me to see you out.”

After escorting the Emperor out, the remaining concubines suddenly lost interest in the banquet.

When Noble Consort Qi returned, several concubines started excusing themselves.

At this moment, Beauty Chen, who was beside the Empress, suddenly said, “Why didn’t Noble Lady Hui come to wish Noble Consort Qi a happy birthday today? Is she ill again?”

At those words, Noble Consort Qi’s expression slightly darkened.

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She merely said, “Noble Lady Hui is delicate and frail, and it’s raining outside. It’s better she didn’t come; if she slipped and fell, I would be to blame.”

Beauty Chen added, “Indeed, and having been cared for by the Emperor for several nights, her frail body might not endure it. Thankfully, His Majesty holds her in special favor.”

The faces of the other concubines darkened.

Noble Lady Hui was a fellow townsman of Consort Yun Pin’s, unremarkable and unfavored when she first entered the palace.

However, after Consort Yun Pin became pregnant, Noble Lady Hui was always by her side, earning the Emperor’s sympathy and affection.

Initially, no one took her seriously, thinking she was just a delicate beauty who the Emperor would soon tire of.

But unexpectedly, the Emperor’s favor toward her increased, spending ten out of the last fifteen days at her palace.

He was likely there today as well, and one might wonder what kind of charm Noble Lady Hui possessed.

Noble Consort Qi thought of her own birthday today, distressed that the Emperor had left early. She wondered whether he had gone to Noble Lady Hui’s palace again.

With a slightly sullen face, just as she was about to scold Beauty Chen, the Empress said in a faint voice, “Enough, Beauty Chen. Watch your words. It is not your place to speculate on whom His Majesty favors.”

Beauty Chen quickly bowed her head, “This concubine recognizes her error.”

Because of this incident, the atmosphere became even more tense, with one concubine after another taking their leave. Jun Yuyan also rose to his feet.

“Mother Consort, I have matters to attend to at home, so I’m heading back first,” said Jun Yuyan.

Noble Consort Qi frowned and glanced at Murong Jiu, who was standing behind Jun Yuyan with her head lowered. Irritated but unable to reprimand in the presence of outsiders, she waved them off dismissively.

The Second Prince and the Fifth Princess, among others, also stood up.

“Older Brother, wait a moment,” said the Second Prince.

He caught up with Jun Yuyan and Murong Jiu.

Jun Yuyan turned around and looked at him blandly.

“Older Brother, I haven’t congratulated you yet for capturing the remnants of the previous dynasty and achieving a great merit,” he said.

“I should be thanking you, younger brother, for without you, this opportunity wouldn’t have presented itself,” responded Jun Yuyan.

Jun Haoze slightly narrowed his eyes, suspecting there was indeed a spy in his mansion who had informed Jun Yuyan.

“If there’s nothing else, the Princess Consort and I will take our leave first,” said Jun Yuyan.

“Wait…”

Before Jun Haoze could finish, Jun Yuyan had already picked up an umbrella and was walking out with Murong Jiu.

He furrowed his brows deeply.

Jun Yuyan’s protection and concern for Murong Jiu were not out of affection. Like himself, he coveted Murong Jiu’s medical skills and didn’t want to let himself talk more with Murong Jiu.

Such a foolish woman, thinking she is safe and sound in Prince Ling’s Mansion? Now she even dares to negotiate terms with me!

It’s laughable that Jun Yuyan doesn’t know his so-called Princess Consort Ling is already carrying another man’s child.

And even though he protects Murong Jiu, she only has eyes for me.

Murong Jiu’s recent abnormal behavior was because she somehow learned about my involvement with Manman, which also explained why she was deliberately opposing me.

Watching the two of them walk away, Jun Haoze scoffed inwardly.

Sooner or later, he would get his way, and by then, he wouldn’t spare either of them.

Jun Yuyan indeed had other matters; he sent Murong Jiu back to the mansion and then left again.

Murong Jiu felt somewhat tired and lay on the bed, recalling her previous life’s events involving Noble Lady Hui.

Noble Lady Hui was very scheming. After Consort Yun Pin lost her child, the Emperor pitied her for a while, but her constant crying eventually tired him. Noble Lady Hui, though less beautiful than other consorts, was capable and could soothe the Emperor’s irritations from Consort Yun Pin. She also had a bewitching fragrance that the Emperor greatly enjoyed.

But Murong Jiu knew, the fragrance on Noble Lady Hui was a type of addictive and desire-inducing perfume from the Western Regions.

Noble Lady Hui’s frailty was not feigned. The bewitching fragrance had to be ingested to take effect, causing harm to her health.

She had been in the palace for years without gaining favor, and her father was just a minor official. Using the perfume was her desperate gamble.

Today, Murong Jiu smelled that fragrance on the Emperor, faint but enough to suggest he was becoming addicted, especially since he had visited Noble Lady Hui before seeing Noble Consort Qi.

Despite Beauty Chen’s attempt today to instigate Noble Consort Qi against Noble Lady Hui, Noble Lady Hui was actually the Empress’s person.

The drug Noble Lady Hui used was procured by Jun Haoze.

Consort Yun Pin, being naive, treated Noble Lady Hui as a confidante, thinking her favored status would benefit them both and protect them from the malice of others.

However, being constantly exposed to the fragrance would inevitably lead to a miscarriage.

This situation would not only eliminate Consort Yun Pin’s child but also pit Noble Lady Hui against Noble Consort Qi, killing two birds with one stone.

Murong Jiu wondered if she should warn Jun Yuyan.

There was a rift between Jun Yuyan and Noble Consort Qi, but the bond between mother and son was unbreakable, and Noble Consort Qi losing favor would only harm Jun Yuyan.

The rain outside grew heavier.

Several large merchant ships, crossing the ocean, were approaching Great Yan Nation.