Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 408 You Regretted Too Late

Chapter 408: Chapter 408 You Regretted Too Late

Prince of Yundian arrived in the capital.

He rode fast and hard, bringing with him the heads of the rebels along with the evidence of their collusion with The Fourth Prince.

After several days of trial, The Fourth Prince’s complete downfall ensued.

The Emperor ordered the gift of a cup of poisoned wine; even Consort Duan’s prolonged kneeling and pleading for mercy, to the extent of bashing her head to death against a palace column, did not sway the Emperor to retract the decree.

The Fourth Prince had shown no reaction until he heard that Consort Duan had died. Only then did he burst into wild laughter, his laughter crazed, as if he had gone mad.

"The Fourth Prince, if you are looking for someone to blame, blame your own treacherous heart. His Majesty could never tolerate you. If you have any last wishes, speak now. At Three Quarters of Noon, this servant will have to serve you this cup of poisoned wine."

In the Sky Prison, Eunuch Li, who served by the Emperor’s side, now stood before The Fourth Prince. Behind him, a little eunuch held the poisoned wine bestowed by the Emperor.

"Last wishes?"

The Fourth Prince’s eyes held a desolate madness and resentment as he gritted his teeth and said, "Let my dear sister-in-law Murong Jiu escort me on my final journey. That is my biggest wish!"

Eunuch Li hesitated, "This might not be possible, The Fourth Prince."

"Why not? Maybe my dear sister-in-law would also like to send me on my last journey. Go ask her."

Only then did Eunuch Li nod, agreeing to inquire on his behalf, whether Princess Consort Ling was willing to come, he did not know.

Murong Jiu was not surprised upon learning this news.

She was the only one who knew The Fourth Prince was reborn, and his current predicament was largely her doing. Had it not been for her, his treason might not have been exposed so soon.

"Then I shall meet with him."

Perhaps because they were both reborn, Murong Jiu inexplicably wanted to see him off, also hoping to understand why they had been reborn and if there was any connection between them.

Jun Yuyan held her tightly, "I will accompany you."

Sky Prison.

"The Fourth Prince, Princess Consort Ling has agreed to see you, but please forgive me, as I cannot unbind you. This task was arranged by His Majesty, I dare not make any mistakes."

After speaking, Eunuch Li made to leave.

"Eunuch Li." The Fourth Prince suddenly called him back. As Eunuch Li turned, he saw in the dimness of the Sky Prison, turbulent waves seemed to stir in The Fourth Prince’s dark eyes.

"I have hidden a fortune under a tree in the suburbs, enough for Eunuch Li and your clan to be wealthy for ten generations. Trouble you to invite the Emperor over, there are some words I would like him to hear as well. Remember, the Emperor should come after Princess Consort Ling."

Eunuch Li stood in place, swayed by the wealth for ten generations mentioned by The Fourth Prince.

Though a eunuch, he did have many relatives in his clan, and he had plans to adopt an excellent child from his clan as his godson, to care for him in his old age.

If not for utter poverty, who would choose castration to seek a livelihood in the palace?

Yet he was well aware that The Fourth Prince was planning a final scheme against Princess Consort Ling, possibly even intend to drag her down with him.

The Fourth Prince did not speak further, patiently waiting for Eunuch Li to think.

Soon after, Eunuch Li spoke, "How can I be sure you’re not deceiving me, Your Highness?"

"It is said that a dying man’s words are good. I am about to die; what use do I have for wealth? As long as you bring the Emperor, I will certainly tell you the exact location of the wealth before I drink the poisoned wine," The Fourth Prince said with utmost sincerity.

Eunuch Li agreed.

Not long after, Murong Jiu and Jun Yuyan arrived at the Sky Prison.

This was a prison reserved for the Imperial Relatives and Nobles; there were no other prisoners, and guards and jailers had already left to wait outside.

Murong Jiu slowly walked in.

Although it was a special Sky Prison, it was much cleaner than ordinary jails, but just as dark and damp.

Having not seen him for many days, The Fourth Prince had lost a lot of weight, his skin was pale, and his veins were particularly prominent, making the oversized prison clothes look empty and loose.

Murong Jiu calmly looked at him, "I’ve heard The Fourth Prince wanted to see me?"

Upon seeing Jun Yuyan behind her, The Fourth Prince wasn’t surprised. He only laughed and said, "Eldest Imperial Brother and Imperial Sister-in-Law are truly affectionate, even coming to such a dirty and smelly place like the jail to accompany each other."

Jun Yuyan spoke expressionlessly, "You don’t have much time left, speak directly if you have something to say."

"Yes, I don’t have much time left. I never imagined that this would be my end. Imperial Sister-in-Law, tell me, would it have been better if there hadn’t been this second chance? Why is it that even with a second chance, I still ended up in such a state?"

Murong Jiu didn’t respond to his words.

Whatever he wanted to say, he would say it before he died; if he didn’t want to, there was no need to force him. Forcing him wouldn’t make him speak.

"Eldest Imperial Brother doesn’t seem surprised. Imperial Sister-in-Law, you even share such secrets with him, does it not leak the secrets of heaven?"

It was only then that Murong Jiu spoke, "Fourth Prince, do you understand the saying that heaven has its own will?"

The Fourth Prince tilted his head, staring at her with an unclear gaze.

"So what you mean is, I am destined to die young? What about you, and him? Aren’t you the same!"

His tone carried a hint of madness, his eyes fierce and bloodshot.

"No, what I mean is, heaven distinguishes good from evil. For someone who has done as much evil as you, heaven wants to take you. You aren’t the only one, there are others as well. Having a second chance means you did not seize the opportunity."

The Fourth Prince burst into laughter, "Hahahaha! Ridiculous! This is the biggest joke I’ve ever heard!"

Murong Jiu just watched him quietly.

The Fourth Prince was laughing, then suddenly he started crying.

"I regret it. You’re right, I didn’t seize the opportunity. I have too much blood on my hands. I deserve to die!"

Murong Jiu and Jun Yuyan exchanged a glance, their eyes showing a flicker of softness.

Jun Yuyan said, "Your regret comes too late."

The Fourth Prince’s tears streamed down his face as he lifted his head to look at Jun Yuyan, his voice becoming urgent, "Eldest Imperial Brother, I am begging you, save me. I know you have a way to save me. I don’t want to die. Please, help me plead with Father Emperor, alright?"

Jun Yuyan’s expression was cold, "Do you think the Emperor, with his suspicion, would spare you?"

The Fourth Prince numbly shook his head, "He won’t. He likes Third Elder Imperial Brother the most. How could he care about the life and death of others? Eldest Imperial Brother, you must feel the same hatred towards Father Emperor, right?"

Jun Yuyan didn’t answer him, merely saying, "Three quarters of noon is approaching. In consideration of our brotherhood, if there’s anything you haven’t finished, I can help you with it."

The Fourth Prince showed a look of despair, "I’m about to die, what else could I care about? Forget it, you both should leave."

As expected, Murong Jiu turned to leave.

Suddenly, The Fourth Prince spoke, "The bracelet, please give me the Buddhist bead bracelet, Imperial Sister-in-Law. I want it to accompany me on the Yellow Spring Road!"

Murong Jiu looked down at the Buddha beads bracelet on her hand.

She frowned and said, "No, but you can exchange for something else."

"I only want the Buddhist bead bracelet. Imperial Sister-in-Law, please, I’m begging you, pity me, a man soon to die. Buddha beads soothe the spirit, and the time I had them was the best sleep I’ve ever had. Ever since I was young, I’ve been plagued with nightmares. Let the Buddha beads bless me to be a good person in the next life."

His gaze carried a deep plea.

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