Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 411 So Old Still Vying for Favor

Chapter 411: Chapter 411 So Old Still Vying for Favor

"Yesterday, the Emperor visited the Young Prince and let slip his intention to name a new Empress inadvertently during our conversation,"

Consort Yun whispered to Murong Jiu.

It was indisputable whom he intended to make Empress—it would naturally be Consort Jing.

Murong Jiu smiled at her, saying, "Your Majesty need not worry, Consort Jing couldn’t possibly become the Empress."

Consort Yun’s eyes brightened, but she didn’t inquire further, lest she jeopardize their plans.

As long as Consort Jing didn’t become the Empress, Consort Yun had no objection to whoever else took the position.

The demise of her loyally devoted Palace Maid due to Consort Jing was something Consort Yun always resented.

Once Consort Jing truly became the Empress, the inner palace would fall entirely under her influence.

"There have indeed been many cases of diarrhea in the Capital City lately. Your Majesty must take extra care and not let the Young Prince catch a chill, especially in the mornings and evenings. When sunbathing, choose a time without wind."

"You can rest assured, Princess Consort, I’m well aware. The Young Prince is my life; I won’t let him fall ill," responded Consort Yun.

Murong Jiu said with a smile, "Sometimes, minor illnesses are unavoidable. It’s better for him to get out and soak up some sun. It’s not good to always hide away from people."

Consort Yun pursed her lips, gazing at the Young Prince sleeping in the cradle, on the verge of speaking but held back.

Murong Jiu, aware of her concern, patted her hand and said softly,

"The Young Prince bears a strong resemblance to the Emperor, don’t you think, Consort Yun? Look at his ears and his nose—they’re as if cast from the same mold. His eyes and mouth, they take after you more. When he grows up, he’ll surely be a handsome Prince."

What Consort Yun worried about was the fear that as the Young Prince grew, he’d resemble the Emperor less and less.

Because he was not actually the Emperor’s child.

Originally, the man Jun Yuyan found for Consort Yun did share a slight resemblance to the Emperor. This was to avoid suspicions getting aroused, a very thoughtful plan indeed.

Murong Jiu observed that the Young Prince did indeed bear some shadow of the Emperor, unlikely to raise doubts.

It was just that Consort Yun was too timid.

After she offered several words of comfort, some of the anxiety in Consort Yun’s eyes dissipated.

Murong Jiu’s brows furrowed slightly as she spoke in a lowered voice, earnestly,

"Consort Yun, the fate of the Young Prince rests entirely upon you. Both glory and detriment are shared. You must firmly believe that he is the son of the Emperor. Otherwise, your behavior will eventually arouse the suspicions of our ever-distrustful Emperor. You need to take the Young Prince out to bask in the sun, and also bring him out more frequently to avoid looking guilty."

Consort Yun’s expression shook, fully awakened, and she nodded emphatically, "Princess Consort is right; I’ve been too nervous. That’s no way to be! For the sake of the Young Prince, I must change my mindset!"

Only then did Murong Jiu nod.

She couldn’t stay long and was about to leave when Aunt Su Jin, a Palace Maid from Palace of Consort Jing, suddenly came over.

Upon seeing her, Consort Yun’s fingers clenched tight.

It was this Su Jin—merely because Palace Maid Qing Zhi had accidentally stepped on her foot, and under Consort Jing’s tacit approval, Qing Zhi not only received a slap on the face but was also shoved into the cold lake. No matter how she cried for help, Consort Jing and Su Jin, along with the other attendants, watched with cold indifference, treating Qing Zhi’s life as expendable, using it to establish their authority among the court.

They might have forgotten there ever was a Palace Maid named Qing Zhi, but Consort Yun remembered and would never forget.

Murong Jiu stepped forward, shielding Consort Yun’s expression, and said with a smile,

"Aunt Su Jin, is there something Consort Jing has instructed you with?"

"Greetings, Princess Consort Ling. Consort Jing has been feeling some palpitations these past two days, and we’re not sure why. The Imperial Physician couldn’t determine the cause, either. Hearing that you entered the palace today, she asked me to invite you over, hoping you could take a look," replied Aunt Su Jin.

Murong Jiu glanced up and saw the bright yellow Dragon Robe; she said with a smile to Aunt Su Jin,

"Your Majesty is too courteous. I, as the younger generation, do know a bit of medicine, so please don’t mention any trouble. What exactly is Her Majesty feeling uncomfortable with? Let’s head over, and you can start by telling me about it on the way."

Su Jin was just about to speak when the Emperor already walked in.

"Why is Consort Jing not feeling well? Why didn’t you inform Us?"

The Emperor asked in a deep voice.

He was originally there to see the Young Prince.

Su Jin hurriedly saluted and said, "Your Majesty was worried, so the servants did not dare to speak. Today, seeing that Princess Consort Ling had arrived, the servants finally persuaded Her Majesty to ask Princess Consort to have a look."

Without another word, the Emperor turned and walked out, "We will go take a look."

He did not glance at Consort Yun or even go in to look at the Young Prince.

Murong Jiu caught a flash of triumph in Su Jin’s eyes and understood; this was merely one of Consort Jing’s ploys for favor.

She deliberately timed her discomfort to coincide with the Emperor’s visit to see the Young Prince, using her indisposition as a pretext to summon the Emperor.

This was also a way to let the women of the harem clearly see that she, Consort Jing, was more favored than Consort Yun.

It seemed that Consort Jing was still unaware of the Emperor’s intention to make her Empress; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so impatient.

Glancing back at Consort Yun, who showed not the slightest bit of resentment in their exchange of looks, she evidently preferred fewer visits from the Emperor. Since she had no interest in competing for favor, as long as the Young Prince’s treatment remained the same, not seeing the Emperor actually suited her.

Murong Jiu’s lips curled slightly, carrying the medicine chest, her pace relaxed as she followed behind the Emperor.

They soon arrived at the Palace of Consort Jing.

Consort Jing played her part to the fullest, now lying on her bed without makeup, showing the marks of time on her face. However, due to the Empress Dowager’s own disdain for makeup, her appearance actually resembled the Empress Dowager’s even more.

In fact, her age was not far off from the Empress Dowager’s.

The Empress Dowager herself had been the youngest in the history of Great Yan, having only entered the palace a few years before the Former Emperor passed away.

"Oh, Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

"I have not visited for a few days and was unaware that you were ill. Let Princess Consort Ling take good care of you," the Emperor said with concern, his eyes seemingly looking through her at someone else, giving off a somewhat affectionate demeanor.

Seeing this scene, Murong Jiu felt a sense of discomfort and a chill in her heart.

No wonder the Empress Dowager was reluctant to return to the palace; she probably found it thoroughly nauseating.

Consort Jing really had endurance, facing such a look and still managing to feign a touched expression.

"Your servant is merely experiencing palpitations; it is not a serious matter. Your Majesty has many affairs to manage; how could your servant dare to disturb you?"

The Emperor, moved, said, "My love, if you feel unwell next time, let someone inform Us."

Murong Jiu could not bear their middle-aged insincerity and forced intimacy, so she quickly stepped forward to take Consort Jing’s pulse.

Consort Jing’s body was indeed quite healthy, with a steady pulse. It was unlikely the Imperial Physician could find anything wrong.

With a grave expression, Murong Jiu looked on for a while, under the Emperor’s worried gaze, and then she spoke softly,

"Father Emperor, Consort Jing’s palpitations and restlessness are not trivial matters. The heart is the most vital organ of a person, and the causes for discomfort are complex."

Consort Jing, listening, had an unkind look in her eyes, worried that Murong Jiu would deliberately spout nonsense.

Unexpectedly, Murong Jiu changed her tone and continued, saying,

"However, heart discomfort is mostly related to emotions. Looking at the pulse, there seems to be no serious issue, but if there is frequent discomfort, it is best to be comforted more. This also requires Father Emperor’s company often."