Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 412 The Famous Theater Troupe

Chapter 412: Chapter 412 The Famous Theater Troupe

Consort Jing sought out Murong Jiu with the original intention of competing for favor, hoping to have the Emperor, who hadn’t visited her in several days, come to her palace.

But to her surprise, Murong Jiu actually helped her in this competition for favor, encouraging the Emperor to spend more time with her.

Instead of feeling joy, she felt a sense of unease, believing that Murong Jiu surely had ulterior motives.

Since Murong Jiu was always close to Consort Yun, and Consort Qi was Murong Jiu’s mother-in-law, there was no reason for Murong Jiu to help her, which left only plotting and scheming.

If she had known Murong Jiu would cause trouble, she would never have included her in the plans to compete for favor, no matter what.

It was too late for Consort Jing to regret it; all she could do was to be more vigilant. As soon as Murong Jiu left, she said to the Emperor:

"Your Majesty, I know my own body better than anyone; it’s not as serious as Princess Consort Ling describes. It’s just occasional palpitations, perhaps due to concerns for the Third Prince’s lineage. Your Majesty need not worry too much; I will be fine in a few days."

"The Third Prince is already grown, what’s there to worry about? You shouldn’t overthink it; children and grandchildren have their own fortunes."

"But, the Third Prince has been married for so long without any news of offspring, and even the Second Prince’s concubine is already with child. I can’t help but feel anxious, hoping to become a grandmother soon."

Upon hearing her words, the Emperor’s expression softened slightly, and he patted her hand: "I’m just as concerned about the Third Prince’s offspring. Rest assured, I had already arranged a woman by his side. He won’t be left without an heir."

Consort Jing showed a look of surprise: "Your Majesty..."

In fact, she had long been aware of this matter. The Emperor once blurted it out while drunk, inadvertently letting it slip, although she wasn’t clear on the details.

The Emperor was a suspicious person and feared death. Back when he was the Crown Prince, he was once targeted in a plot that nearly prevented him from continuing his lineage, so he made arrangements for his most beloved son early on.

Indeed, the Emperor’s actions proved to be visionary. The Third Prince was attacked by people sent by the Second Prince, and he suffered injuries that not only traumatized him but also injured him in a way which resulted in no offspring, despite continuous female companions.

The Emperor was somewhat proud, although he was also annoyed at the Third Prince for being too foolish to avoid the assassination attempts. Nonetheless, since he was his favorite son, the one he used to go through secret passages to personally teach, he was relieved that he had left an heir for his son to continue the family line.

"Now you can rest assured, my dear, our son must have the best, and I still have many years to live and protect both you and our son. That child is not yet suitable to come forward, but I have always had people carefully training him."

The Emperor was just short of saying that he planned to appoint the Third Prince as the Crown Prince.

But the Emperor is still the Emperor, and no matter how much he doted on Consort Jing, he would not reveal all his thoughts to her, of course, nor did he tell her where the child was.

Consort Jing was overwhelmed with emotion, her excitement uncontrollable as she broke into tears of joy, "That’s wonderful, with the Third Prince having an heir, I can finally be at peace."

The Emperor looked at her, his eyes also smiling.

Even though Consort Jing was just a replacement, over the years she had been well-behaved and never caused trouble. The Emperor was very satisfied with her and, over the years, had come to fond of her.

Sometimes he couldn’t quite distinguish whether it was Empress Dowager Ai he loved, or Consort Jing.

But one thing was certain, his affection for the Third Prince was genuine because the Third Prince looked more like Consort Jing and from a young age had something of the Empress Dowager about him, which was why he had favored him from the beginning.

"You should take care of yourself and stop worrying needlessly. In this harem, no one can surpass you."

The Emperor’s words once again served as a reassurance to Consort Jing.

Indeed, no matter how favored Consort Yun might be, what does it matter? The Young Prince is too young; even given another ten years, he wouldn’t pose a threat.

Consort Jing leaned softly against the Emperor, her lips curving upward in a smile.

As for Murong Jiu, she had already been relegated to the back of her mind.

She thought she would soon become the Empress.

For her, a mere peasant girl whose ancestors were all mud-legged farmers, to one day become the mother of a country, second only to one and above tens of thousands!

What an honor that was!

"The scars on your face have faded a lot. After a while, keep using the medicine diligently, and I will give you and The Third Prince a surprise," the Emperor said as he looked at Consort Jing’s face.

The ointment Consort Jing was using was made from the Star Snow Grass given to her by Murong Jiu, and it worked remarkably well.

Consort Jing of course knew what the Emperor meant by a surprise. She was thrilled, unable to contain her excitement.

"Your Majesty, I don’t have much ointment left. I wonder if I could ask Princess Consort Ling for another bottle," she said, feigning caution.

The Emperor frowned, "She is your junior, she should indeed show respect to you. Why so cautious?

"This..."

Consort Jing avoided the Emperor’s gaze and shook her head, "It’s nothing much. I might be overthinking it. I feel that Princess Consort Ling disdains to deal with me, maybe she looks down on my background. Didn’t Consort Qi Eldest Sister do the same in the past?

Consort Qi used to be unrestrained, but she has mellowed in the last two years. That change was because the Emperor used to deliberately favor her, using her to balance the relationships in the harem and to check the Empress. At that time, Consort Qi would certainly not consider Consort Jing, a peasant girl who had also been a Palace Maid.

The Emperor naturally remembered this matter. When Consort Jing was wronged, she never complained to him; it was only after he had inquired from a Palace Maid that he learned of the situation.

The Emperor was protective of his own people. Although he did not show it outwardly, privately he would intentionally provoke disputes between Consort Qi and other Consorts or with the Empress, and then reprimand Consort Qi, large and small, as a way of avenging Consort Jing.

Upon hearing Consort Jing say this, the Emperor’s expression darkened, and he said, "You need not constantly mention your origin. Now, who does not know that you are the woman I value most? Who would dare to slight you?"

Consort Jing hastily admitted her fault, her expression one of aggrieved helplessness.

Although the Emperor scolded her verbally, he immediately sent someone to Prince Ling’s Mansion to ask Murong Jiu for the Star Snow Ointment. Not only did he secure the ointment, but he also warned Princess Consort Ling overtly and covertly.

Having achieved her goal, Consort Jing firmly believed that Princess Consort Ling would not dare make another move. Delighted with the outcome, it was not long before she felt "better" and arranged for the opera troupe to perform at the palace.

"Your Majesty, this troupe has become very famous in recent years. The troupe leader is known to have a discerning eye, choosing actors who have become popular all across Jiangnan and beyond. Unlike some troupes that only have one famous leading role," Aunt Su Jin said, laughing as she spoke to Consort Jing about the opera troupe.

This troupe was originally invited to the palace by Consort Qi, who has always been fond of watching operas. The troupe had been in Jiangnan for a while, and only recently arrived in the Capital City. Consort Qi immediately sent for them.

However, the troupes’ performances hadn’t even started when Consort Jing commandeered them.

At this moment, the stage had already been set up in the open space inside the Palace of Consort Jing.

Consort Jing sent word for Consort Qi and the other concubines to come over for the opera, and people began to arrive one after another.

Yet she did not leave the palace hall, waiting instead for these women to come and pay their respects to her first.