Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 457: The Empress Should Let Other Women Branch Out

Chapter 457: Chapter 457: The Empress Should Let Other Women Branch Out

Before Murong Jiu could reply, Jun Yuyan shook his head on his own: "No, no, one son and one daughter are enough. I can’t let you go through that suffering again."

Perhaps thinking of the hardship and agony she endured during childbirth, a look of heartache appeared in Jun Yuyan’s eyes, his actions becoming even more tender.

Murong Jiu’s cheeks flushed, and she said to him:

"Actually, I like children too. I want to have more sons and daughters with you."

They say women remember the good meals but forget the beatings, and the pain of that time had already been entirely forgotten at the sight of their obedient and well-behaved children.

She truly liked children very much. Perhaps due to her experiences in childhood, she lacked love, and at a very young age, she would think, if she had children, she would definitely treat them well and not let them suffer or be aggrieved, unlike her own experience, unloved and uncared for.

Even though she had not completely regained her lost memories, deep down, she had deep love for Jun Yuyan. After her amnesia, it seemed she had fallen in love with him all over again.

No one could resist such a perfect man, not only was he perfect, but he was also wholeheartedly devoted to her and their children.

She was aware of the rumors outside, but she had never once doubted Jun Yuyan’s sincerity towards her, nor had she ever worried that he would expand the harem and favor other women.

Everyone says the future is unpredictable, but she was never one to fear the future. Even if one day Jun Yuyan’s heart changed, she would not regret her current choice.

If that day truly came, she would choose to leave.

But now, under Jun Yuyan’s tender siege, her defenses crumbled, and she wished to bear sons and daughters for him again, to have even more children.

The more children, the more blessings.

However, Jun Yuyan’s words were a mere impulse. He felt their daughter resembled Ah Jiu the most and was quite fond and protective of her, wishing for another daughter who looked like Ah Jiu. But he had shared the ordeal of Ah Jiu’s childbirth, and the thought of her nearly leaving him caused him such pain that it was hard for him to breathe.

How could he let Ah Jiu suffer and risk her life again?

Even if he longed for another daughter, he would not ignore Ah Jiu’s health.

Compared to their children, Ah Jiu was the most important person to him.

Only after losing her did he understand how to cherish what he had; he could not bear to experience those past feelings again.

So at that critical moment, he rose and left, not allowing the source of that pain to remain inside Ah Jiu, just as usual.

"My husband, you need not do this every time. The Contraceptive Soup my master refined is harmless to the body and works for ten days at a time. I can drink the medicine," she said.

Jun Yuyan shook his head and said, "Every medicine has its side effects. Though you’ve recovered from the last childbirth, your body is still prone to weakness. How could I, for a moment’s pleasure, let you suffer?"

Murong Jiu threw herself into his arms, deeply moved.

Then she picked up a handkerchief and wiped away the traces on Jun Yuyan’s hands and his body as well.

Her face was flushed with embarrassment, and she hardly dared to look him in the eye.

"Ah Jiu, I’ve thought about it again," he said.

Jun Yuyan held her delicate hand, his handsome brow tender and affectionate, enticing Ah Jiu into another round.

A short separation is better than a new marriage.

They had not been apart, but Jun Yuyan had abstained for too long, and how could that be enough.

The next day, Murong Jiu’s waist was sore and her legs weak, so she slept in for an extra half hour.

The Great Yan had many matters to attend to, so Jun Yuyan had gone to court early. When Murong Jiu woke up and looked up, she saw a vase on the desk, with a few cherry blossoms inserted into it. The petals were plump and the colors were vibrant, making one’s mood better just looking at them.

Nowadays, there were plenty of peach blossoms, pear blossoms, and plum blossoms, but cherry blossoms were rare.

Chun Tao came in, drawing back the curtains, and cheerfully said, "Your Majesty heard that a cherry blossom had bloomed beautifully on the outskirts, and specially ordered someone to pick a few branches to be sent to Kunning Palace."

A smile appeared on Murong Jiu’s face, her demeanor gentle. Chun Tao felt that, under the heavens, there was no flower more delicate and beautiful than their Empress, for she was nourished with love, and her youthfulness still lingered. Walking along the road, one would believe her to be an unwed girl if they were told so.

After all, the Empress was still very young.

Although she had been through a lot in these two years, time seemed to pass not fast, nor had it left any mark of the years on her face.

"By the way, Your Majesty, Consort Dowager Qi has sent a message saying she wishes to see you. I heard that Consort Dowager Qi is ill."

It could be an illness brought on by anger.

The incident of the New Emperor driving away the Lady of Marquis of Chen was in reality a slap in the face to Consort Dowager Qi, letting everyone know that the relationship between the New Emperor and Consort Dowager Qi was not good.

Could Consort Dowager Qi not be angry?

Murong Jiu said, "Since she is ill, it is only right and proper that I visit."

After finishing her meal, she got into the Empress’ carriage and headed to Consort Dowager Qi’s palace.

Even through the door, Consort Dowager Qi’s coughing could be heard.

Chun Tao said quietly, "Your Majesty, perhaps you shouldn’t go in. Be careful not to catch the illness."

"It’s all right, I am healthy and not so easily sickened."

This wasn’t self-praise; both her master and Jun Yuyan took great care of her health. They made sure she consumed medicinal meals and exercised regularly. With a strong body, it was tough for illnesses to take hold.

Consort Dowager Qi’s condition was probably a cough brought on by anger-induced overheating and a weakened constitution.

"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"

The coughing inside ceased for a moment. When Murong Jiu entered the hall, she saw Consort Dowager Qi seated on the Noble Consort’s daybed, her face as if newly blushed with rouge, not well-blended, which didn’t make her look healthier but rather more haggard.

In her bones, Consort Dowager Qi was a proud woman, not wishing to let others see her in her sickly state.

She said coolly, "My humble place is graced by splendor today. If I hadn’t fallen ill, perhaps Your Majesty would never set foot here in your lifetime."

These words hinted at her disappointment over the Empress’ lack of filial piety, having never once come to pay her respects.

Murong Jiu, smiling, replied, "Mother Consort, please calm your anger. These days I have been so busy I barely have time to touch the ground, let alone visit Mother Consort."

Everyone knew how to speak such pleasantries.

"May I know why Mother Consort wished to see me? Is there something you need?"

Consort Dowager Qi, not wanting to exchange empty niceties, said gravely:

"I am aware that bearing children has taken a toll on your health. Yanyan loves you and cannot bear to see you take risks again. But now, Yanyan is the sovereign, the very pinnacle of power; how can he only have a son and a daughter? If you are a virtuous Empress, you should take it upon yourself to expand the harem for Yanyan, to allow other women to bear branches and leaves for him!"

Although she had guessed that Consort Dowager Qi’s intent for this meeting was this very issue.

Hearing such words from her mouth still displeased Murong Jiu greatly.

Without showing it on her face, she said simply:

"Under heaven, there is perhaps no woman who would wish to push her husband into the arms of another. Do you truly believe that to be wise, Mother Consort? Have you not put yourself in another’s shoes to imagine what your feelings were back then?"

"Hmph! Are you still just a little woman? You are the Empress of a nation! For the sake of the people, the continuation of the Imperial Family, and the peace of Great Yan, you ought to make sacrifices!"

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