Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 284: Changing the Situation, Taking the Initiative

Chapter 284: Chapter 284: Changing the Situation, Taking the Initiative

Palace maids who could serve closely to the Empress were only six in total, all of whom were confidantes of the Empress.

To administer medicine to the Empress, and to continue it for three days, then use black dog blood at midnight on the third day to lure the Gu insect out and burn it, was no simple matter. Over ten eunuchs and palace maids guarded outside the Empress’s palace daily.

When the Empress awoke, these six would be the first to be questioned; locating the culprit among them would not be a difficult task for the Empress.

Thus, Murong Jiu wondered, was it necessary to sacrifice a life to seize the initiative?

Upon the Empress’s awakening, it would certainly disrupt the Emperor and the Second Prince’s plans, which would be beneficial for Imperial Noble Consort Qi.

It would also make the Emperor suspect Divine Doctor Miao, as in the palace, only the Gu practitioner, Divine Doctor Miao, could awaken the Empress from her deep slumber.

The Emperor had always held no affection for the Empress and had wished her to sleep, fearing that she might just softly die in her slumber.

Eventually, when she could no longer be fed liquid nourishment, the Empress would naturally wither and decay like a flower trapped in mud.

But with the Empress suddenly awakening, how could the Emperor not suspect Divine Doctor Miao?

From then on, the Emperor would not entrust everything to Divine Doctor Miao and would suspect whether Divine Doctor Miao had been bought over by the Second Prince.

Once the seed of doubt was planted, it was bound to take root and grow.

But...

"You’re right, the life of a palace maid is precious too. Although she’s willing to die, for the sake of our child, we indeed should minimize killing." said Jun Yuyan in a gentle voice.

Murong Jiu nodded and joyfully said, "Exactly, that’s the principle."

The Buddha Beads in her hand reminded her to be a good person, and she was pleased that Jun Yuyan could think this way too.

Of course, when dealing with enemies, neither of them would be lenient.

"Ah Jiu, don’t fret, it’s just a bit troublesome, but it’s not impossible to frame another palace maid. The Empress has one named Bi Xiang, who is now a managing aunt and is most favored by the Empress. Moreover, she comes from the Yun Family, aids the tyrant, and has dozens of human lives on her hands. It’s possible to send her to hell, which would also count as avenging those who died, wouldn’t that be meritorious too?"

Hearing him say this, Murong Jiu really stopped worrying.

He said it was merely troublesome, not unfeasible. If they could remove the Empress’s most important support, it would also be a good thing.

Prince Ling’s Mansion was destined to be enemies with the Second and the Third Princes; that was unquestionable.

The throne, if occupied by Jun Yuyan, would bring hope to Great Yan’s future.

Whether it was the Second or the Third Prince who ascended to the throne, the first they would eliminate would be Prince Ling’s Mansion; it was a life-and-death situation.

Eliminating a person who committed numerous evils, Murong Jiu felt no guilt.

The couple had dinner together, and Murong Jiu declined Jun Yuyan’s invitation to go to bed, insisting that the nanny bring over the two little ones.

It happened that they had just finished nursing, staring around with their big round eyes. Such small infants couldn’t actually see very far, but if you waved a hand or a little puppet in front of them, their gaze would follow.

However, the interaction didn’t last long before they soiled themselves, and the nanny laughingly took the children away.

Chun Tao laughed and said, "Really worthy of being twins, even their messes come together. The Young Heir and the Little Princess are so well-behaved; usually, after eating they sleep and after sleeping they eat, growing evermore rosy and plump."

Murong Jiu also smiled, her smile radiant with maternal glow.

She liked watching her Xiaojin and Xiaoyu sleep there quietly, doing nothing. It was all a form of enjoyment, a kind of tranquility.

She couldn’t see the emaciated figures from her nightmares on them anymore; they were both white and chubby, eating and sleeping a lot, growing happily.

Jun Yuyan returned from the study, the pills had already been sent out by the Hidden Guard.

"I heard that the Emperor has four martial arts experts of great skill by his side, and the guards patrol in shifts. Isn’t it too dangerous to send it in so late?"

"No, I had Yang Chuan go. He’s small, his Qinggong is comparable to Zhou Chen, and he doesn’t need to enter the Inner Palace, just needs to hand over the pills to our people. You know, now Su Kai is in charge of the Feathered Forest Army, and today just happens to be his duty day in the palace. The pills need to be taken for three days; we still have time to plan carefully how to make the Empress suspect Aunt Bi Xiang."

Jun Yuyan had already dismissed Chun Tao and Hong Yi, and Kai Xuan, who had been sleeping in the room, was also driven out by him.

"Let’s not talk about other things; I’ll help you wash and dress."

He lifted Murong Jiu horizontally, placed her in front of the dressing table, and gently untied her hair bun. Since there were no outsiders, Murong Jiu’s hair bun was not complex, so after he untied it, he slowly combed her hair with a comb.

Murong Jiu could see from the bronze mirror, the handsome man was extremely serious, as if he was not combing hair, but some precious silk.

With such a husband, she wanted nothing else.

After washing up, this time they chatted under a silk quilt. Jun Yuyan cherished her body greatly; the marks left were really unavoidable. They had been reckless during the day, and afterwards, he had personally applied many ointments to her. At night, he dared not trouble her, because it was ultimately himself who would suffer the most.

Murong Jiu was indeed tired; after talking for a while with Jun Yuyan, such a big heat source by her side, inside a quilt, it was too comfortable. She closed her eyes and fell asleep shortly after.

After she fell asleep, she snuggled into Jun Yuyan’s arms. Jun Yuyan’s face bore a doting smile, but smelling the exotic fragrance on his beloved woman, it really made him restless and agitated.

It had been a long time since he had indulged; once he did, he relished it profoundly.

The next day when she woke up, Jun Yuyan’s figure was gone from her side. Murong Jiu simply did a set of health exercises in bed. After finishing, she was drenched in sweat and felt fresh after washing her hair and bathing.

By the fourth day, Jun Yuyan had not yet returned from the palace, the Hidden Guard had sent a message in advance—The Empress had awakened.

At this moment, Murong Jiu was grooming a wolf. Kai Xuan’s fur grew rapidly; if not combed, some parts would easily become knotted, but even if it hurt, Kai Xuan wouldn’t snap at her, instead, he seemed to enjoy it.

Upon hearing this, Murong Jiu stopped what she was doing and inquired about the situation in the palace.

"The Empress woke up saying that someone had poisoned her, and that the perpetrator was right by her side, asking the Emperor to investigate thoroughly. I’m not clear about the current situation," the subordinate said.

Murong Jiu could only wait for Jun Yuyan to return to ask more.

She secretly hoped that the spy they had bought could survive and that the evil-doing Aunt Bi Xiang would be punished.

She believed in Jun Yuyan’s abilities; this matter should be flawlessly executed.

Thinking that Divine Doctor Miao’s situation in the palace would become precarious, she smiled slightly.

Jun Yuyan did not stay long in the palace. He had stopped by Imperial Noble Consort Qi’s palace, and when he returned, he had already investigated the results.

In front of the Empress’s palace, a palace maid had already been beaten by caning into silence.

The Empress’s gaze, filled with resentment, seemed as if her hatred would not be appeased even in death.

Second Prince stood under the eaves, his face dark.