Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 427 Jealous and Malicious Princess Consort Rui

Chapter 427: Chapter 427 Jealous and Malicious Princess Consort Rui

Murong Jiu entered the palace only in the afternoon.

Firstly, it was well known that she and Consort Qi had an uneasy relationship, so there was no need for her to put on a show of courtesy.

Secondly, she had been suffering from frequent headaches lately; her master said she might be on the verge of regaining her memory. The herbal soup she was given had a sedative effect, causing her to sleep until the sun was three poles high.

Sleeping too long left her feeling less than refreshed.

After playing with Zhijin and Zhiyu for over half an hour, she finally felt a bit more spirited. She then proceeded to dress up in fine clothes and left the house.

The birthday banquet of the concubines in the palace was attended only by ladies and young misses, so Jun Yuyan accompanied her into the palace. After offering birthday felicitations separately to Consort Qi, he went to see the Emperor.

Given the Emperor’s recent coldness to Consort Qi, he was feared not likely to show his face at the banquet today.

All the Imperial Women attending could see that today’s birthday banquet for Consort Qi was held in a very "simple" manner. Although the Emperor had spoken a few days ago, urging everyone to follow Consort Jing’s example of modest virtue, in reality, it was all just for show. Each household was conducting itself as usual, but it was unexpected to see that the birthday banquet of Consort Qi, once a Noble Consort, was held so modestly.

The treatment of Consort Qi in the harem was closely tied to the Emperor’s attitude towards her.

There was talk that the Emperor wished to establish the Third Prince as his heir, and it seemed likely true.

All the Imperial Women had their own schemes in mind. Although they offered warm birthday greetings to Consort Qi, they were already thinking about how to report back to their own masters at home.

As soon as Consort Jing arrived, all these women flocked around her, offering warm greetings and showing great enthusiasm.

Moreover, compared to the haggard look of Consort Qi, who clearly hadn’t slept well, Consort Jing, despite not being as stunningly beautiful and delicate as Consort Qi, looked well-nourished with a ruddy complexion, which gave her an air of dignified grace.

These women were spewing flattery as if it didn’t cost them anything, fearing that Consort Jing wouldn’t remember them.

Consort Qi watched all this with a cold eye, especially noting those who cunningly praised one to belittle another, keeping them in mind to settle the score when the day came.

Murong Jiu watched quietly, the corner of her mouth curling slightly. It was unclear whether she was laughing at Consort Qi or at these Imperial Women of the court.

However, they wouldn’t have to wait long. Before the banquet ended, Consort Jing’s years of "good fortune" would soon come to an end.

But while Murong Jiu wanted some peace, others were not so inclined.

"Princess Consort Ling, my sister, why are you sitting here alone? Are you ill? You seem to look a bit unwell," said Yun Weiwei, the Crown Princess of the Second Prince.

Following behind, Li Yuhuan, the Third Imperial Princess Consort, also approached, speaking with a cheerful smile: "How can you say that, Princess Consort of Prince Xiu? Princess Consort Ling, my sister, looks radiant and bright. How does that become an illness in your mouth?"

Murong Jiu responded with a smile, without uttering a word.

Upon hearing Li Yuhuan’s words, Yun Weiwei was not offended. She sat down beside Murong Jiu and said with a laugh:

"Perhaps I am reminded of the Concubine in our household. Her pregnancy has been very difficult; she has become as thin as a monkey, all belly. Is she not the very image of ill-health? She and Princess Consort Ling used to be as close as sisters in the Marquis Mansion, what a pity..."

She suddenly covered her mouth: "Look at my loose tongue, how badly the Marquis Mansion treated Princess Consort Ling back then. How could our Concubine ever be considered Princess Consort Ling’s sister."

Murong Jiu did not know what her aim was in saying these words, if it was simply to flaunt her sense of superiority, it was truly unnecessary.

Now, the Second Prince was seen not only as a cripple but also as the son of a criminal mother, with very few supporters. Who cared about the grievances between Yun Weiwei and Murong Man?

Of course, the child Murong Man carried was illegitimate, as the Second Prince was no longer capable of fathering children. That child could not be terminated. The Second Prince, even if it meant crushing his teeth, would have to swallow his pride and acknowledge the child, for raising a bastard was better than letting the world find out about his infertility.

Yun Weiwei was unlikely to conceive again. Her words, perhaps, were meant to lay the groundwork for the claim that Murong Man was in poor health so that, once the child was born, the Second Prince would dispose of her. By then, if outsiders heard of Murong Man’s death, they wouldn’t be surprised, and Yun Weiwei could raise the bastard as her own.

Given the Second Prince’s personality, he might end up nurturing, not Murong Man’s illegitimate child, but rather a similarly aged infant taken from a clan with whom he had blood ties.

But all these matters had nothing to do with Murong Jiu anymore.

Everyone connected to the Second Prince had sunk into the mire; even more misfortune lay in wait for them in the future.

No matter how "unlucky" they were, it was a fate they had brought upon themselves.

The Third Imperial Princess Consort, Li Yuhuan, however, was all smiles as she tried to curry favor with Murong Jiu, sneakily taking jabs at Yun Weiwei through her words.

But Murong Jiu did not engage with her, as if she couldn’t detect the overtures of goodwill from Li Yuhuan.

It wasn’t out of arrogance; not long ago, Jun Yuyan had thoroughly investigated Princess Consort Rui, Li Yuhuan.

Although she was the daughter of a respected official, not particularly attractive, she was renowned for her talent. Her maternal family was known for its scholarly achievements. She was meticulously selected by the Emperor to be the Principal Consort for the Third Prince, destined, in the Emperor’s eyes, to become the Empress and the ceremonial mother of the land; naturally, her family’s influence should not be too strong.

The Emperor indeed held the Third Prince in high regard, with everything done in consideration of his best interests.

However, despite her good reputation and graceful demeanor, Li Yuhuan was a woman with a deeply calculating and venomous heart.

She resembled her mother in appearance, rather plain looking, which was why her father had taken two beautiful concubines, resulting in two half-sisters who were more attractive than her.

But both of her half-sisters met with tragedy—one was defiled by vagrants in an alley during matrimonial negotiations, while the other suffered facial disfigurement due to a fire in her chamber at night.

An investigation later revealed that Li Yuhuan was behind both incidents.

Plagued with a strong sense of jealousy, she couldn’t stand her half-sisters outshining her and hated them even more for their beauty that surpassed hers.

This hate was particularly evident in the case of the half-sister who was violated during the matrimonial negotiations, as the suitor was a man she herself had feelings for. However, he came from an average background, and her mother would not have allowed her to marry him, yet he fancied her half-sister and had sent a matchmaker to propose.

Unable to have him, she could not bear to see her half-sister have him either.

So, she destroyed her half-sister’s life.

The unfortunate half-sister, stripped of her honor, almost hung herself from a beam in her room. She was discovered in time and saved, but her family sent her to a remote nunnery where she was condemned to spend her life with nothing but the company of ancient Buddhist statues and scriptures.

Luckily, the man who liked her didn’t disdain her for the tragedy; hiding from both families, he went to the nunnery to chop wood and carry water for her. Although it’s said that way, such an event was a lifelong wound to a woman. It was difficult for her to let down her guard completely and be with that man without reservations.

Who could have imagined?

Who would think that the Third Imperial Princess Consort, seemingly generous and kind, low-profile, and gentle, was such a jealous and vicious woman in private?

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