Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 444 The Young Prince Has His Majesty’s Dragon Stature

Chapter 444: Chapter 444 The Young Prince Has His Majesty’s Dragon Stature

"The mission of this servant girl is to protect the Princess Consort and the young masters."

Hong Yi said with a smile tinged with tears, her tone unwaveringly firm.

Murong Jiu laughed, "That won’t do, our Hong Yi has to marry someone in the future. Apart from a husband and wife, no one can accompany each other for a lifetime."

"Even husbands and wives may not be able to accompany each other for a lifetime. You and Prince are both devoted individuals, but in this world, there are too many men with multiple wives. They just need to spend a little silver to bring another woman home, and infidelity costs them next to nothing. It’s even worse for those women who serve as slaves or maids, having not only to attend to their master’s bed but also to perform all kinds of menial tasks."

Although Hong Yi witnessed the pure love between Prince and the Princess Consort, she was well aware that this was a rarity, even extremely rare, in this era.

Hong Yi didn’t feel that those women who intermingled in others’ relationships were inherently at fault; many had lowly statuses and simply had no choice.

Which clean and honest woman would willingly become a concubine?

And which woman who is the main wife is born generous enough to willingly share her husband?

It’s often said that the inner quarters of a house are fraught with secrecy. These women can only revolve around one man, trapped in their narrow view of the world—how can they not engage in sordid affairs?

This is the tragedy of women in this world.

Previously, Hong Yi did not understand, but later, following the Princess Consort, she met many educated girls whose thoughts were different from those of uneducated girls.

Whether it be their perspectives, breadth of mind, or ambitions.

Yes, many girls have their own ambitions.

To the men of today, this might sound utterly absurd.

But Hong Yi believed that as the girls’ school established by the Princess Consort grew larger and more widespread, there would come a day when women would no longer be trapped within the confines of their households.

Upon hearing Hong Yi speak her mind, Murong Jiu chuckled lightly, "So our Hong Yi has such lofty aspirations too. In the future, the matters of the girls’ school seem like something we could entrust to you."

This "future" referred to a time after all obstacles had been cleared away.

By then, Hong Yi and the others would be able to pursue what they truly wanted to do.

Hong Yi’s eyes widened in surprise.

"I don’t know anything; I’m only skilled in some fist and foot techniques."

"There is nothing in the world that cannot be learned, and moreover, you are very smart. With a little guidance, you understand quickly, and your consciousness is higher than many."

Hong Yi’s eyes brimmed slightly with tears.

She had never realized that she appeared so outstanding in the eyes of the Princess Consort.

She was reserved by nature, not as lively and lovable as Chun Tao, but the Princess Consort had never uttered a single bad word about her. Even though she still referred to herself as a servant girl, the Princess Consort had actually returned her deed of sale long ago and was very kind to her brother as well.

Having lost her parents at a young age, she and her brother depended on each other for survival. Yang Shan was her senior brother, and it was because of him that she was chosen by Prince to protect the Princess Consort.

For this, she had always been deeply grateful.

"If you don’t meet the right man, of course, you shouldn’t compromise, but I still hope you can have someone with shared interests by your side to do what you want together. Such a life might be more interesting."

Hong Yi nodded deeply.

She was now filled with even more anticipation for the future.

Murong Jiu then returned to the original topic; it was about the Emperor’s intention to make Consort Yun the Noble Consort and to support a different prince.

"The Emperor is too confident in his health. Now he relies solely on rare medicinal herbs to maintain it, at most half a year..."

The rest of the sentence went unsaid, but Hong Yi understood completely.

In other words, in at most half a year, the Emperor would pass away.

The Emperor’s support of the Young Prince was actually advantageous because it balanced other powers.

Being always by the Princess Consort’s side, Hong Yi naturally understood that Prince and the Princess Consort’s intent had never been simply to pass on the imperial throne.

What they were doing was to solve the major issues left by Great Yan during the reign of the Emperor, taking advantage of the chaos.

Because once the throne is inherited, it becomes difficult to tackle issues decisively, as the various powers would become unsettled.

Moreover, should the Emperor wish to support the Young Prince, there will be many who are disappointed.

The supporters of the Prince would grow in number and find it more convenient to act.

Murong Jiu said, "Half a year’s time is enough."

Enough for Great Yan, this dragon riddled with wounds, to cast out its poisoned tumour and grow anew.

She had someone come in to send a message to Consort Yun to enter the palace.

Within Yangxin Hall, there are informants from Prince Ling’s Mansion, and among the guards on the Emperor’s person, there are also men from Prince Ling’s Mansion; they will protect Consort Yun and the Young Prince well.

And in this half-year’s time, Consort Yun can obtain more glory and rewards, her maternal family will also benefit from this, and when Consort Yun wishes to take the Young Prince out of the palace later, they will have ample wealth and thus more confidence.

Days passed by, one by one.

From the south, good news had already arrived; many rebellions had been quelled by Prince Ling.

Those arrogant river bandits no longer dared to show their heads and hid like turtles shrinking into their shells.

After many days, at last, good news was heard; the Emperor’s mood improved greatly, and he felt considerably more at ease.

That day, he summoned a few trusted ministers.

In the Emperor’s arms, the Young Prince slept soundly; he looked at his trusted ministers and said,

"My beloved officials, what do you think of the Young Prince’s appearance?"

At first, the men did not understand the Emperor’s implication, and could only shower the Young Prince with praises that they thought pleasing to hear.

They praised him so much that the Emperor was delighted and greatly pleased.

"This child resembles me, in the future he will surely be wise, virtuous, benevolent, filial, and proper."

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers’ expressions turned serious, and they looked at each other in dismay.

For a moment, no one spoke.

The Emperor watched them with a smile, without saying much more, only mentioning the hardships they have borne for the country and its people in these years, hardships he, as Emperor, had taken to heart.

He then had the Eunuch invite the several ministers to the side hall for tea.

As for what they were thinking, the Emperor did not care.

He was simply conveying his thoughts to them, to let them be aware beforehand.

Once the rebel suppression in the south is entirely settled, he would announce to the world his decision to elevate Consort Yun to Noble Consort.

In a few more years, he would further Consort Yun’s father’s career and elevate Consort Yun to Empress.

Then it would follow naturally for the Young Prince to become the Crown Prince.

His intentions were so clear that the court officials would undoubtedly be aware; by that time if they still supported other Princes, it would be tantamount to opposing him, the Emperor, and they would need to carefully weigh their options.

The Emperor was in a good mood, looking at the Young Prince who was fast asleep, growing fonder by the minute.

This child, he really is like him.

"Prime Minister, what is your opinion?"

In the side hall, after a long silence, someone finally spoke up.

Prime Minister Li looked towards the eunuch who had exited, but at the doorway there were still guards, whose hearing and eyesight were keen, able to hear clearly even the softest whispers.

He was a part of the Third Prince’s faction, having always followed the Emperor’s inclinations.

Several of his adopted daughters had become concubines to the Third Prince, all on the same side of the fence.

But when he spoke, he said, "In my opinion, the Young Prince indeed possesses the Emperor’s majestic bearing."

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