Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 425: Even Wanting Her Dead

Chapter 425: Chapter 425: Even Wanting Her Dead

Consort Jing clenched the handkerchief tightly; although her face revealed nothing, the gold-threaded handkerchief had already been hooked through by her nails, creating several holes.

After a while, she smiled and said, "Since Your Majesty does not fancy listening to operas, Consort Yun, perhaps we should forgo this last performance. I will have someone dismiss the troupe early from the palace to prevent their rehearsal from accidentally disturbing Your Majesty."

Consort Yun showed a look of regret but did not insist; she nodded and said, "Consort Jing, you are indeed thoughtful."

As soon as Consort Yun left, the teacup by Consort Jing’s side was heavily smashed to the ground.

Su Jin dismissed the other palace maids and cautiously approached, "Your Majesty, you did the right thing just now. I suspect that Consort Yun might have sensed something and wants to frame you. She is in league with Princess Consort Ling, and naturally, they share the same motive as Consort Qi. Her recent attempts to get close to you must be problematic."

If she had agreed to Consort Yun’s request and allowed the troupe to perform the last play, who knows what might have happened.

Consort Jing narrowed her eyes, "Su Jin, are you saying that Consort Yun might have already discovered something? Was my act too obvious?"

"Not at all, Your Majesty. It was not obvious. But Consort Yun and Consort Qi are both from Prince Ling’s faction. They probably hope for you to make a mistake. I guess they might want to frame you and make the Third Prince disliked by His Majesty. That must be their aim. Now, as the prestige of the Third Prince grows, Prince Ling’s faction must be getting desperate."

"Such vicious scheming! I have never done anything to them, yet now they plot against me!"

Enraged, Consort Jing tore the handkerchief in her hands to shreds.

Su Jin thought to herself, ’Her Majesty is only occupied with thoughts of the troupe leader; how could she notice others’ subtle movements?’

Moreover, Su Jin felt that although the Third Prince’s prestige was high, he still fell short compared to Prince Ling, who was regarded as the War God and held an indelible high regard among the people. In contrast, the Third Prince had never been on the battlefield.

The Emperor had always refrained from appointing a crown prince because he feared too much opposition in the court.

Ever since the troupe incident, Su Jin had been on tenterhooks, fearing that the truth might be revealed. If that happened, all the years she spent serving Consort Jing would not only bring no benefit, but she might also be pushed out by Consort Jing as a scapegoat.

Thinking this, Su Jin’s gaze flickered.

She picked up the shattered porcelain pieces from the floor and said casually, "They are just jealous of you. Even if there’s nothing, they still wish to pin some crime on you. It’s despicable. One must be cautious, but there’s no need to be wary every day. Ah, I fear the court holds too many supporters of Prince Ling, and that the positional ascension of the Third Prince is indefinitely postponed. By then, if they frame you..."

Consort Jing slammed the table hard, "I will never give them the chance to frame me! Once my son ascends to that supreme position of the ninety-five, the first thing I will do is have them all put to death!"

Su Jin got a fright, thankful that the door was tightly shut and the servants had been sent far away; otherwise, if these words reached the Emperor’s ears, Consort Jing would have no good days ahead.

Having always prided himself on his health, the Emperor had no intention of passing on power early, wishing instead for eternal life.

But Consort Jing’s words also made Su Jin understand her thoughts.

Consort Jing hoped for the Emperor’s early demise. By then, perhaps making Consort Yun and Consort Qi accompany him to the Imperial Mausoleum, nobody could stand in Consort Jing’s way.

Recalling Consort Jing’s recent pleasant mood and delicate attire, she probably harbored even greater rebellious thoughts.

Su Jin whispered, "Your Majesty, their minds are malicious. They might have many fallbacks, directed not only against you but also against the Third Prince. In my view, we should strike first and ensure that Prince Ling has no chance to compete with the Third Prince for the throne!"

Consort Jing looked at her, "Su Jin, do you already have a good plan?"

"I was merely inspired by Consort Yun. They might want to frame you and the troupe leader. In that case, why don’t we frame Consort Qi?"

"No, how could I harm him!"

This "he," Su Jin naturally understood, referred to Master Mei of the troupe.

Su Jin advised, "You misunderstood, Your Majesty. I meant the handsome young actor in the troupe. I’ve noticed he enjoys flirting with Consort Qi."

She said this on purpose.

Consort Jing immediately understood the meaning behind Su Jin’s words.

She pondered, "But, won’t this implicate the troupe and Yu Lang?"

Su Jin’s eyebrows twitched upon hearing this. What a lady, how could she even let the words ’Yu Lang’ slip out? However, this also showed that Consort Jing fully trusted her.

"Of course not. It was Consort Qi who seduced the troupe’s young actor. It was Consort Qi who couldn’t withstand the loneliness. What does it have to do with the troupe?"

Su Jin smiled meaningfully.

"Your Majesty, since the troupe leader and you are old acquaintances, I’m sure he’d be willing to arrange everything for you, to clear the obstacles."

Consort Jing’s brows were deeply furrowed, "But, Yu Lang isn’t the kind of man who would sacrifice his own people."

"Your Majesty, how could the struggle for the throne be without sacrifices? Master Mei will definitely understand, and besides, he must also know that once the matter is successful, The Third Prince will pose no more threats. He cares so much about you, how could he not help you?"

"You’re right."

Consort Jing nodded with a serene gaze.

"Yu Lang will definitely help this palace."

Yu Lang had never married and had no children of his own; weren’t her own children also his?

In the future, The Third Prince would provide for his old age.

Just sacrificing a member of the troupe could secure a lifetime of luxury and riches; the more Consort Jing thought about it, the more confident she became.

Yu Lang would be willing to remain unmarried for her, naturally, he would also be willing to eliminate obstacles for her.

This was an indisputable fact.

"Su Jin, go personally to convey my message to him."

Consort Jing whispered beside Su Jin for a moment.

Su Jin nodded with a smile, "Do not worry, Your Majesty, I will certainly deliver the message."

...

Prince Ling’s Mansion.

Upon hearing the Hidden Guard’s words, Murong Jiu stood up from the chair, looking at Jun Yuyan in astonishment.

"Husband, how did Master Mei know that the little eunuch by his side was our man?"

The words brought by the Hidden Guard were that Master Mei in the palace told the little eunuch that he wanted to make a deal with Prince Ling.

And this deal was related to Consort Jing’s plan.

That is to say, right after Consort Jing’s maid Su Jin spoke with Master Mei, Master Mei approached the little eunuch near him.

Jun Yuyan smiled and said, "Master Mei is a smart man, otherwise, he would have agreed to Consort Jing’s proposal days ago. Our people intentionally guided Master Mei, perhaps he already knew that the troupe’s presence in the palace was backed by Prince Ling’s Mansion."

Murong Jiu nodded and smiled as well, "Honestly, I never expected Master Mei to have absolutely no feelings for Consort Jing anymore, to the extent that he even wants her dead."

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