Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 401 Sorry, I Let Your Hopes Down

Chapter 401: Chapter 401 Sorry, I Let Your Hopes Down

Murong Man thought she had hit a sore spot for Murong Qian.

Because no man dislikes having a son, they want to continue the family line.

Murong Man saw nothing wrong with this belief, convinced that she herself was carrying a boy in her womb, so to her, the daughter born to Murong Qian was a losing bet.

If the family were wealthy, raising the child would not be an issue, but Murong Qian had married a useless good-for-nothing.

This man named Deng Yuan, with his low salary and having offended those above him, had no future to speak of.

How could such a man be willing to raise a daughter?

He would only resent Murong Qian for not bearing him a son.

Murong Man proudly said, "Sister Qian, as long as you agree to help me, I will ensure your man gets promoted and becomes wealthy. With the Second Prince’s Mansion to back you up, your man will never dare to look down on you again. Even if you want to change your man, I, your sister, will satisfy your wish."

Forced by Murong Qian, she revealed her true nature and could not be bothered to keep up her pretenses any longer.

She was filled with a sense of superiority, not believing that Murong Qian would refuse.

"How about it, Sister Qian? You should know, if you don’t agree, your man might make a mistake and be dismissed by those above, never to be employed again. With all his pent-up frustration, do you think he might take it out on you and your lovely daughter?"

Seeing that Murong Qian remained silent, Murong Man switched from temptation to threat.

Unexpectedly, Murong Qian laughed.

Murong Man didn’t understand and felt that her laughter was mocking, which made her quite uncomfortable.

"What are you laughing at? Sister Qian, I am trying to help you. We are sisters after all, and I can’t bear to see you living like this..."

"You might as well shut up. Ever since we were young, what I couldn’t stand the most was your hypocritical talk of righteousness and morals while you have a heart blacker than anyone’s. I used to wonder why you, someone around our age, had such deep schemes. Then I came to realize it was from inheriting the malice of your mother, Lady Wang."

"You, do you realize what you’re saying? I am your lifeline right now!"

Murong Man, clutching her pregnant belly, showed signs of embarrassed fury.

Ever since Lady Wang’s scandal had been exposed, Murong Man had dared not mention her mother again, and she hated anyone who brought her up in conversation.

Lady Wang was her shame, for it was because of Lady Wang that she went from being the First Talented Lady of the Capital City to being spat on by everyone, despised by the Second Prince, and losing her first child.

"All I can say is that you have too narrow a view, thinking everyone is like you, only seeing comfort and profit. To tell you the truth, my husband and I love each other deeply, and I’m very content with our current situation. My husband is also an ambitious man; even if he is dismissed by those above and can no longer be an official, he can still provide for the two of us. You want me to harm Ah Jiu, I’m sorry but I have already come to my senses and will no longer disturb her. Sorry to disappoint you."

Murong Qian spoke unhurriedly, and then, under Murong Man’s incredulous gaze, she opened the door and pushed her out.

Of course, she didn’t push too hard, for Murong Man was pregnant, and she didn’t want to cause herself any trouble should Murong Man miscarry and the Second Prince come knocking.

Murong Man, however, failed to keep her balance and almost fell to the ground, but fortunately was steadied by two skilled maids.

Upon seeing this, Murong Qian firmly shut the door.

"Concubine, are you alright?"

A maid’s concerned voice came from outside.

"Concubine, that woman was so rude just now. Should we teach her a lesson?"

"I’d like to see who dares!"

Murong Qian loudly spoke from within the door.

Murong Man felt guilty; she didn’t want anyone to know why she had come to Murong Qian, so she shook her head and said:

"Never mind. I treated her as a sister, but she was ungrateful. Why should I stay here and be humiliated any longer? Let’s go."

Murong Man believed she would definitely find another way to obtain Murong Jiu’s hair and nails. As for Murong Qian... once Murong Man stirred up trouble with the Second Prince, they would see how much love remained between them when they were destitute and downcast!

It’s laughable, really. Where in this world do you find such a thing as mutual affection through thick and thin?

Murong Man simply didn’t believe it.

Even if it was widely rumored outside that Princess Consort Ling and Murong Jiu were a loving couple, she was equally skeptical. All men were the same and sooner or later they would seek a fresher feeling out of boredom.

This time, her outing was limited. She must resolve the matter of Guard Shi’s elderly mother, compelling Guard Shi to make a resolute decision and seek revenge with a heart full of resentment.

With this thought, she felt a bit better inside.

Her entourage left the place.

"Qianqian, it’s my fault for being so useless and letting you suffer indignities."

Deng Yuan, Murong Qian’s husband, walked out holding their child, his eyes full of tenderness and self-reproach.

"You heard everything?" Murong Qian’s face flushed.

She had just said that she and her husband were very much in love because she was excited, so she blurted it out. Now, thinking back, she felt a bit embarrassed.

She didn’t forget to comfort Deng Yuan, "You are wonderful, don’t mind her words. I feel that we are very happy now."

"Qianqian..."

The couple clasped their hands tightly when there was a knock on the door.

Murong Qian’s expression changed, and clenching her fists, she opened the door, "Murong Man, I’ve already told you... Ah Jiu, Ninth Sister! Why is it you!"

She never expected that the person knocking wasn’t Murong Man but her Ninth Sister.

Realizing her address was improper, she quickly corrected herself, "Princess Consort Ling, what brings you here?"

"May I come in for a sit?" Murong Jiu asked in a gentle voice.

"Of course! Please, come in."

Murong Qian hastily welcomed her inside.

At this moment, Murong Jiu was without her human skin mask, though she still wore her coarse cloth clothes.

Murong Qian noted that there was a maid by her side and thought to herself she was relieved she took a second look, almost mistaking her for being down on her luck.

"I heard your conversation with Murong Man just now. Thank you for not agreeing to help her, Sister Qian."

As Murong Jiu spoke, she greeted Deng Yuan and looked at the little baby girl he held in his arms.

Their daughter was about the same age as Zhijin and Zhiyu. It was evident that she was well-cared-for, plump and white, laughing gleefully on seeing people.

Coming to a realization, Murong Qian knew that Murong Jiu had followed Murong Man. She waved her hand and said:

"I just don’t want to do things that weigh on my conscience anymore, I want to live with integrity. Speaking of which, I owe you thanks, Princess Consort Ling. Otherwise, I might have missed out on such a good man as my husband and not had such an adorable daughter."

"Seeing that you’re in such a good state now, I feel relieved. Later, when you have time, you can bring her to the Prince Mansion to play. I think Zhijin and Zhiyu would like this little sister."

"Ninth Sister, you don’t blame me for the past... "

Murong Jiu smiled and interrupted, "As you said, what’s in the past is past. I believe you will cherish your current life. Also, the Prince has praised your husband, saying he is down-to-earth and gets things done. If he were assigned to work outside the Capital City, he would surely bring benefits to the local people."

"His Highness Prince Ling really said that?"

Deng Yuan asked, ecstatic.

Everyone wished to serve as an official in the Capital City, but he was ambitious. His ambitions might have seemed laughable to others, but he truly did not want to be a minor official in the capital for life!

He wanted to achieve something notable!

Being assigned to a local position was the chance to make a difference!