Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 371: Eliminate Troubles Forever, Once and for All

Chapter 371: Chapter 371: Eliminate Troubles Forever, Once and for All

"I know it’s hard for you to have lost your child, you are still young, and you should take care of your health since there will be another chance for you to conceive. Don’t worry, I will not mistreat you," the Emperor said.

Perhaps seeing Consort Yun Pin crying incessantly because of her inability to conceive, a hint of pity arose in the Emperor’s heart, and he spoke words of comfort to her.

Jun Yuyan stood outside the door, gesturing for Murong Jiu to step out, allowing the palace maid to close the door.

Imperial Noble Consort Qin stood outside, unable to decide whether to enter or leave, her beautiful face clouded with gloom.

Jun Yuyan and Murong Jiu turned and walked away without any contact with each other.

As they distance themselves, Murong Jiu, frowning lightly, spoke, "Her gaze made me feel as if she’s about to stake everything in desperation, but there’s absolutely no need for that. Now that she has the Young Prince, no one surpasses her in prominence. Husband, do you think something might be wrong with the Young Prince?"

Before, they had speculated that Imperial Noble Consort Qin deliberately acted aloof and domineering so as to avoid serving in the Emperor’s bedchamber, but now it didn’t seem to be the case.

If it was a threat from the Fourth Prince, Imperial Noble Consort Qin could totally implicate the Fourth Prince and not succumb to the pressure.

Yet Imperial Noble Consort Qin’s demeanor had been growing more anxious by the day, a gesture borne from deep urgency, especially her recent plea for the Emperor to visit her.

Murong Jiu wondered if it might be because the Young Prince was not well, leaving Imperial Noble Consort Qin without support?

"It shouldn’t be that. I was about to discuss something with you," Jun Yuyan told her. "I just received news that her brother has suddenly disappeared on his way back to the Western Regions."

"The Western Region Prince? Disappeared?"

"He has been missing for three days. His entourage suppressed the news; however, our people caught a hint of it, and upon investigating, discovered that the Western Region Prince was indeed missing. Both the Fourth Prince and Imperial Noble Consort Qin might suspect it was our doing."

"Have we discovered who is responsible? Could it have been the Fourth Prince, or did he return to the Western Regions ahead of time?"

"We can rule out an early return to the Western Regions, as Na Kesi didn’t bring along his skilled men. The Fourth Prince also hasn’t reduced the number of his skilled followers, and no one has spotted him on the road. His appearance is significantly different from the people of Central Plains, making it difficult for him to disguise himself."

Jun Yuyan analyzed, "Of course, it’s possible that the Fourth Prince orchestrated this, using Na Kesi to threaten Imperial Noble Consort Qin into striking at us. But, doing so would shatter their alliance, and I doubt the Fourth Prince would forsake such a significant support from the Western Regions."

Indeed, the greatest disadvantage of the Fourth Prince is the weak influence of his maternal family. He relies solely on his own efforts to rally support, with the Western Regions providing significant assistance in his endeavors.

Now that the Old King of the Western Regions is unwell, Na Kesi virtually controls the political scene of the Western Regions Dynasty, and the Fourth Prince would not engage in actions that sabotage his own standing.

"It seems another party has kidnapped the Western Region Prince secretly. Could it be the work of the Second Prince or the Third Prince?"

Jun Yuyan nodded, "Anything is possible. I have ordered surveillance, and we are spreading the news of Na Kesi’s death to further destabilize the Western Regions Dynasty."

If Na Kesi is indeed dead, it would be for the best. If not, this incident must ensure his death.

"Regarding Imperial Noble Consort Qin...""

"I already have a plan."

Jun Yuyan whispered a few sentences in her ear, and Murong Jiu’s eyes widened before she nodded in agreement.

If others do not harm me, I will not harm them.

Since Imperial Noble Consort Qin targeted her with Thin Line Heaven in the past, marking them as mortal enemies, Murong Jiu knew Jun Yuyan had always sought opportunities to eliminate her, only lacking a chance until now.

This woman, if not removed, is like a venomous snake lurking to strike at any moment.

There’s no such thing as a thief being on guard against theft every day.

To permanently secure peace, one must eliminate future threats entirely.

In the ensuing two days, Imperial Noble Consort Qin continuously tried to approach Murong Jiu, but was always avoided by her.

By the final night, Imperial Noble Consort Qin could no longer hold her patience.

During the banquet where the Emperor was in high spirits, she drank quite a bit of wine and took the initiative to announce that she was feeling better and would perform a dance for everyone.

Those with discerning eyes could tell that this was because she had previously refused the Emperor and had been coldly treated, and now she was trying to win back his favor.

"The beloved consort’s dance in the style of the Western Regions is exceedingly graceful, everyone must watch closely, such opportunities are rare. My love, I remember in the past you would dance for me with your belly exposed, why wear so much this time? Take off that outer garment!"

The Emperor still held a grudge, sparing no dignity for Imperial Noble Consort Qin.

Everyone exchanged glances and lowered their heads, daring not to look too much.

Imperial Noble Consort Qin gritted her teeth, removed her outer robe, and was left only in a thin veil, her glamorous bellyband barely visible. No man present dared to raise their head to look.

The Emperor was very satisfied, ordered the music to begin, and enjoyed the beautiful dance of Imperial Noble Consort Qin.

After one dance, the Emperor asked Imperial Noble Consort Qin to dance two more dances, leaving her dripping with fragrant sweat, and finally he embraced her in his arms, calling her ’my love’ repeatedly, as if the previous estrangement had never existed.

That night, the Emperor went to her residence.

Apparently, she intended to whisper in the Emperor’s ear like Consort Yun Pin to advance her plans.

However, Jun Yuyan didn’t give her that chance.

That very night, the Traveling Palace suddenly became brightly lit, and the Feathered Forest Army rushed in shouting about an assassin to protect the Emperor!

The Emperor was startled awake from his sleep, panicked and sat up abruptly, without even wearing a robe, and with a mix of rolling and crawling movements, he swiftly hid behind the bed.

Suddenly, the sounds of swords clashing could be heard outside the door, and before long, Jun Yuyan asked calmly from outside, "Father, the assassin has been captured. Did they disturb you?"

Hearing that the assassin had been captured, the Emperor quickly came out, followed by Imperial Noble Consort Qin with a face full of shock and uncertainty.

As the door opened, they saw a guard dressed man covered in blood lying on the ground, still slightly breathing.

Seeing the man’s face, Imperial Noble Consort Qin was startled and looked towards Jun Yuyan.

"This... isn’t this the palace guard? How can he be an assassin?"

The Emperor angrily demanded, "Jun Yuyan, what exactly is happening?"

"Your Majesty, this man indeed belongs to the Feathered Forest Army, but he was discovered by the patrolling guards acting suspiciously near Your Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort’s chambers, presumably intending to assassinate Your Majesty! His crime must be punished! Your Majesty, it seems you recognize this guard from your tone?"

"I do not know him!" Imperial Noble Consort Qin immediately denied.

Already shaken and naturally suspicious, the Emperor ordered Jun Yuyan to wake him immediately and investigate who had sent him to carry out the assassination.

During the process of waking him up, a sachet fell out of his bosom.

"This sachet looks somewhat familiar," Jun Yuyan picked it up and said, "It looks very much like a pattern commonly used in the Western Regions. Imperial Noble Consort, being a Princess of the Western Regions, you must recognize it. Could it be, this man comes from the Western Regions?"

A guard knelt down and said, "His Highness Prince Ling, this man is named Zheng Min, his father is Lord Zheng, a Censorate Investigator of the Inspectorate."

Then, a little eunuch serving beside the Emperor said, "Your Majesty, this servant recognizes this sachet. It seems to have been worn by the Imperial Noble Consort before!"