Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 361: Seeing Murong Man, A Big Change

Chapter 361: Chapter 361: Seeing Murong Man, A Big Change

Through what Jun Yuyan recounted, Murong Jiu came to realise that after Murong Man successfully married the Second Prince, so many things had indeed happened.

She had thought that Murong Man and the Second Prince were truly in love, surely living in harmony and deeply affectionate. Yet unexpectedly, the Second Prince could turn his face and coldly even caused Murong Man to lose their child, neglecting her for so long.

But thinking about it, it was only normal, as the Second Prince was inherently cold-hearted. Even if he genuinely liked Murong Man, in the face of interests, he would unhesitatingly choose his benefits.

Not to mention at that time, Murong Man’s family was no longer able to provide him support, and Lady Wang had a notorious reputation. Murong Man’s reputation was tarnished along with it, so for the Second Prince to grant her the status of a Concubine was already considering past affections.

Murong Man, however, spat out the Contraceptive Soup and became pregnant, and naturally, the Second Prince would not let his eldest son be born from the belly of this woman.

But that was before, the current Second Prince, having thoroughly recognised the Emperor’s true face and having lost a foot, had a twisted personality, incomparable to his former self.

After that ordeal, Murong Man truly came to hate the Second Prince to death, especially after her miscarriage when the Second Prince seemed to have forgotten her existence altogether, letting his subordinates humiliate her.

If she hadn’t clung to Guard Shi, with Guard Shi’s support, she would have died in that secluded little courtyard, unnoticed by anyone.

How could Murong Man not hate the Second Prince?

However, Murong Jiu also knew that Murong Man was not so easily defeated. She indeed found an opportunity, framed Bai Weiwei, and made the Second Prince misunderstand that Bai Weiwei despised him for being disabled.

She also made the Second Prince see her kneeling on the ground praying, day after day for months, which touched the Second Prince’s heart, so Murong Man regained his favor once more.

Murong Jiu still harbored hatred towards both of them, especially since she had just experienced a nightmare where she saw two children brutally killed by the Second Prince and others.

Their sudden visit was like walking into a trap.

She made them wait for a Shichen and didn’t see them, simply using an excuse to send them back.

Indeed, the next day, they visited again.

She made them wait for over a Shichen, and just when the Second Prince’s face was grim and he could not sit still any longer, Jun Yuyan led Murong Jiu into the reception hall.

The servants immediately served fresh tea, pastries, and a fruit platter.

The Second Prince’s expression was gloomy, and Murong Man also frowned.

But soon, the Second Prince showed a smile and said, "Seeing the Eldest Imperial Brother and the Eldest Imperial Sister-in-law is truly not easy. I heard the Eldest Imperial Sister-in-law was ill recently, I wonder how her health is now?"

He asked with concern.

Jun Yuyan replied indifferently, "My wife is very well, the Second Younger Imperial Brother need not worry."

Murong Jiu sat down next to him, and while he spoke, he had already poured Murong Jiu tea and peeled an orange for her.

The oranges were stored in the cellar from last year, the last basket remaining, their skin slightly withered, but very sweet, and Murong Jiu loved them.

Witnessing this scene, a deep regret stirred within Murong Man.

If at that time, she had not let Murong Jiu marry in her stead but had married Prince Ling herself, might she have been the one showered with love?

She had always been highly favored by Noble Consort Qi, and perhaps due to this relationship, Prince Ling would have treated her even better.

She was endlessly annoyed, the man she had once looked down on was now highly sought after; though disfigured and lame, he was much stronger compared to the Second Prince, who was a true cripple.

Most importantly, Murong Jiu’s complexion was rosy, her fingers delicate and tender, indicating she was living very well in Prince Mansion, while what kind of life had she lived over the past six months?

Especially after the miscarriage, the pain was unbearable, and she had no one to care for or cherish her.

Murong Jiu was living a life a hundred, a thousand times better than hers with what she had discarded, how could her heart be content?

If she had married into Prince Ling’s Mansion, the humiliation of Lady Wang being exposed and the Marquis Mansion being raided would not have happened!

Everything had changed dramatically since Murong Jiu had replaced someone at Prince Ling’s Mansion.

If only Murong Jiu had died early on, it would have been so much better.

Even today, Murong Man wished that Murong Jiu would suddenly die a violent death, for that might give her some relief.

As she was thinking about these things, Murong Man suddenly felt two icy gazes shooting toward her.

It was Prince Ling and Murong Jiu.

The two seemed to be in perfect unison, their looks identical with disdainful coldness that carried a chilling warning.

Murong Man shrank back and hurriedly said, "It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Ninth Sister; seeing that my sister is doing well eases my mind."

Jun Yuyan said coldly, "Since you two are not real sisters, there’s no need to refer to one another as such, it’s distasteful."

Murong Man’s face stiffened, not expecting Prince Ling to be so blatantly disrespectful.

His use of ’distasteful’ surely referred to the Marquis Mansion and Lady Wang, yet the Marquis Mansion had already met its retribution, and Lady Wang had been beheaded. Was there really a need to bear a grudge for so long?

The Second Prince said with a forced smile, "We’ll follow Eldest Imperial Brother’s lead, Manman. Think of her as the Eldest Imperial Sister-in-Law. It’s been a long while since you two met; don’t know if there’s anything to talk about, but I hear the peonies in Prince Ling’s Mansion are magnificent. Why don’t you two go and see them?"

This was a hint that he wanted to speak privately with Jun Yuyan.

Jun Yuyan responded indifferently, "Ah Jiu has just enjoyed the flowers; she won’t go out. Second Younger Imperial Brother, if you have something to say, feel free to speak."

"But with a woman here..."

"There are no secrets between Ah Jiu and me. If you are afraid to speak out, then you might as well leave."

Of course, the Second Prince couldn’t just leave, so he reluctantly waved his hand, signaling Murong Man to go out for a walk.

The matters he had to discuss were not for Murong Man’s ears.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Murong Man, but rather that he dared not trust anyone these days.

Murong Man saw that Murong Jiu was calmly sitting there still; despite her being the Second Prince’s favorite, she still was not trusted, which irritated her in comparison to Murong Jiu.

But she was accustomed to restraint and did not show any hint of grievance upon hearing his words. She politely curtsied and then left, giving space to the three remaining persons.

Murong Jiu watched as Murong Man walked away, reflecting on how greatly Murong Man had changed.

Not only had she become much thinner, but her thoughts were also more deeply hidden.

Similarly, the Second Prince had changed even more.

He had lost the spirited demeanor of his past life; the cynicism in his eyes was undeniable. Sitting in a wheelchair, though he wore boots on both sides, everyone knew that one of the boots was empty.

Murong Jiu remembered Lou Zixi.

Lou Zixi had a broken leg, lost the opportunity at the Imperial Examination, and lived in frustration. The Second Prince had used him for his dirty work, making his life equally grim.

The current Second Prince resembled the Lou Zixi of his past life in many ways; naturally, there were differences, but the outcome was the same.

However, the current Lou Zixi was a distinguished figure under whom the Second Prince could only look up to.

At that thought, Murong Jiu’s lips curved slightly upwards.

The changes since her rebirth were indeed delightful.

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