Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 421: Ruining His Family and Killing His People!

Chapter 421: Chapter 421: Ruining His Family and Killing His People!

Consort Jing knew the Emperor was suspicious.

Since that day, she stopped inviting the opera troupe to perform for her.

But the less she saw them, the more she missed them.

Perhaps disdaining the Emperor, she could only see more flaws in him, whereas the image of Mei Yuzong in her mind became more and more perfect.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder, as the saying goes.

Just when she could barely restrain herself anymore, Consort Yun wanted to see a play, so she came over to give Consort Jing a heads-up.

After the Empress passed away, Consort Jing’s status in the harem soared like the sun at midday, assuming the duties of the Empress, and many affairs required her approval.

Of course, if someone could persuade the Emperor, there would be no need to report back to her.

This time, Consort Yun’s wish to watch a play aligned perfectly with her own desires, though Consort Yun was afraid of bothering her, so she planned to set up a stage in the Imperial Garden instead.

"That’s perfect, the autumn air is crisp, and all the women in the harem usually have is admiring flowers, reciting poetry, and matching verses. It’s better to have some other entertainment. I found some amusement in watching the play last time," said Consort Jing with a smile to Consort Yun.

Consort Yun was delighted and said, "That’s really great, the palace has so little to enjoy, and I hear the opera troupe is preparing a new play. If Sister Jing has time tomorrow, she must come and see."

"Alright, I am aware, if there’s nothing else going on, I’ll also join in the fun," Consort Jing replied.

The Imperial Garden was crowded and filled with watchful eyes.

But it was precisely because of this that she had a better chance to meet Mei Yuzong privately without arousing the Emperor’s suspicions.

The next day, she went to the Imperial Garden early to enjoy the flowers, and seeing that the opera troupe had already arrived, she stood under the shade of a tree for a while. When Mei Yuzong saw her, she turned and walked away.

She reached a secluded rockery and then found an excuse to send away the person by her side.

As expected, Mei Yuzong came.

The sweetness in Consort Jing’s heart was indescribable; all it took was one glance for her and him to understand each other’s thoughts.

"Your Majesty."

His voice was hoarse but carried a touch of gentleness that made Consort Jing indulge.

"Yu Lang, you used to casually call me Sister Lian, in truth, many things between us have never changed," Consort Jing whispered gently.

Time was of the essence, and she didn’t want to waste a single minute on pleasantries. She wanted a definitive answer from Mei Yuzong. She hoped he would wait for her in the Capital City.

"I wouldn’t dare," Mei Yuzong’s head hung even lower.

"What’s there to fear?" Consort Jing leaned forward urgently, reaching out to firmly grasp his long but slightly rough hand.

She now lived in the comfortable environment of the Imperial Palace, her fingertips smooth and delicate.

But suddenly, she remembered that her fingers had also been rough once.

Back then, Mei Yuzong pitied her and forbade her from doing laundry, cooking, or touching cold water; as long as he was home, even his mother dared not trouble her to her face.

Yet now, Mei Yuzong’s palms were even rougher than hers had been from daily chores.

A twinge of pain arose in her heart as she said with emotion:

"You’ve suffered a lot over the years. Although the opera troupe has become prominent, your life before must have been difficult. I truly wish I could be by your side to share the burden."

That was what she said, but if she were truly to return to the past, would she really want to? It was just sweet talk.

"We both have changed, Sister Lian might have been calculating, but she was straightforward at heart. Now, I truly can’t see through Your Majesty’s thoughts, and that’s why I dare not presume," said Mei Yuzong.

"Yu Lang, let the past be the past. We should look to the future," Consort Jing said, holding his hand tightly, a surge of joy in her heart.

Because Mei Yuzong did not pull away from her grasp, it indicated that he still had feelings for her.

"Yu Lang, would you be willing to stay for me..."

Before Consort Jing could finish her sentence, laughter from a group of palace maids echoed from afar. They arrived in pairs, ready to enjoy the play together.

Mei Yuzong quickly withdrew his hand from Consort Jing’s, and with a bow, said, "This humble one takes his leave."

No sooner had his words faded than he left the rockery.

Consort Jing’s brow was tightly furrowed.

This unfinished conversation left her restless. The play was half over when she, as if just arriving, joined the others to watch.

However, her mind had already drifted far away, pondering Mei Yuzong’s response and her plans for the future.

She was longing for the Emperor to appoint The Third Prince as the Crown Prince soon, so that she could give Mei Yuzong more promises.

...

"Yesterday, I went to the palace and watched half a play with Consort Yun and the others. Consort Jing gave me the impression that she had become a different person, and Father will surely notice something is wrong soon."

Murong Jiu said to Jun Yuyan.

Perhaps Consort Jing and those around her did not notice, but to the discerning eye, it was clear that Consort Jing’s state had changed significantly from before.

Not many might guess that Consort Jing’s heart had been stirred by love, thinking instead that she was buoyant with pride because of The Third Prince.

Jun Yuyan laughed, "Father is extremely suspicious by nature, and Consort Jing has been with him for decades, she can naturally sense when something is amiss."

When the time comes, it is Consort Jing who would be unfortunate.

However, Murong Jiu sighed, "Troupe leader Mei’s background has been thoroughly investigated by us and is indeed pitiable. He probably knows that there is a reason pulling him to the Capital City, and yet he came, surely feeling unwilling to let go."

Mei Yuzong had known for some time that Consort Jing was Chen Honglian.

A year ago, at a certain official gathering in Yangzhou, a portrait of Consort Jing was displayed, and as a troupe leader, Mei Yuzong naturally saw it.

This was of course the doing of Jun Yuyan’s people, giving Mei Yuzong a choice.

He could have refused to perform in the Capital City.

He could also have declined to enter the palace, using various reasons, as there were other more renowned troupes in the Capital City without them.

Mei Yuzong did enter the palace, and he saw Consort Jing as he wished.

Their conversation was secretly overheard by others and would soon be reported back to Jun Yuyan.

Murong Jiu felt that Troupe leader Mei must hate Consort Jing. His parents died at the hands of Consort Jing, and he was betrayed and had his most cherished voice ruined. Then his troupe was targeted by a local tyrant, several of his fellow apprentices were killed by the tyrant, and several apprentice sisters were abducted and, too proud to submit, suffered and died.

The older members of the troupe also took the money and ran away.

Only the children his father had adopted over the years were left, and because they were young, they had not been tormented as cruelly by the tyrant.

In the years following Chen Honglian’s departure, Mei Yuzong had been suffering from a moment of weakness.

To say that he experienced the desolation of a broken family was no exaggeration.

He indeed never remarried, but the handkerchief had already been burned by him. It was something he had someone else embroider for him before he entered the Capital City.

Consort Jing had only glanced at it a few times. How could she remember if that was really the handkerchief she casually embroidered for Mei Yuzong? Making a copy posed no difficulty at all.

Consort Jing was merely moved by her own feelings, thinking that Mei Yuzong couldn’t let go of her.

"Ah Jiu, do you think he would feel extremely wronged and pitiful if he were to be sentenced to death by Father?"