Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved

Chapter 100: Chapter 100 Ah Jiu, The Person That Night Was Me
 

“The contract for selling one’s body wasn’t given to her but to that man.”

Jun Yuyan answered the maid’s question.

Chun Tao suddenly saw the light and understood.

That man was skilled in eating, drinking, gambling, and visiting brothels, and he had a principal wife at home, likely a fierce one at that. Moreover, Bai Aoshuang was rather attractive. If he lost his shirt gambling, who knows if he would use the contract to sell Bai Aoshuang.

Having become a concubine and then sold, there wouldn’t be any decent families willing to buy her; she could only be sold to those places in the red-light district.

Hmph, she truly got what she deserved!

Chun Tao felt that Bai Aoshuang was the architect of her own misfortune. After coming to the Prince Mansion, the young lady had just had her do some rough work, without beating or scolding her, a position in the Prince Mansion many would beg for.

Yet she was not content and even thought of scheming against the General’s Mansion’s son, truly a case of the sin of greed!

If this wasn’t getting what she deserved, what was?

Having been handpicked by Jun Yuyan himself, naturally, he would be someone who could torture Bai Aoshuang properly. On the surface, the man may seem mild-mannered and courteous, but if Bai Aoshuang thought she could manipulate him, she would be gravely mistaken.

He waved his hand, signaling Chun Tao to leave first.

Murong Jiu pursed her lips, thanking him for what had happened with Bai Aoshuang.

In this lifetime, her third brother hadn’t been harmed by Bai Aoshuang, had seen her true nature, and even because of this, had become wary of the Second Prince.

This was gratitude owed to the Prince for his help.

“There’s no need for such formality between you and me.”

Murong Jiu lowered her head, then remembered what the Second Prince had said.

She knew the Second Prince was trying to drive a wedge, but Jun Yuyan indeed had personally admitted that he had someone dear to him, and it wasn’t a fabrication by the Second Prince.

After thinking about it, she still looked up and said to him, “Prince, is the woman you love coming back to the Capital City soon? I think it’s better to seek a divorce before she returns, to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings on her part.”

Jun Yuyan’s brow furrowed tightly as he suddenly understood why Ah Jiu’s attitude toward him had changed so much, as if she was avoiding him on purpose.

So, the Second Prince actually knew about his “beloved woman”? Was it that maid Zhen Zhu who might have overheard something?

But Ah Jiu’s attitude, did it also imply that she had feelings for him?

Otherwise, why would she be so downcast all along?

He looked into Ah Jiu’s eyes and stated plainly, “There will be no misunderstandings. You shouldn’t believe the Second Prince’s words.”

Murong Jiu thought he meant that the woman wouldn’t be returning to the Capital City for the time being.

That woman must be very special to the Prince, and moreover, her father had once sacrificed himself to save the Prince’s life. It was indeed different.

She concealed the disappointment in her heart and spoke earnestly, “Prince, the woman you like will return to the Capital City sooner or later, and my belly is growing each day. Even if there’s no misunderstanding between you two, my being in the middle is always inappropriate. I think it’s better to seek a divorce from you sooner rather than later.”

“I will not divorce.”

The words shocked Murong Jiu, causing her to look at him in astonishment.

The next thing he said made her lips part in even greater surprise.

“The woman I admire is none other than you, Ah Jiu.”

After her shock, Murong Jiu only found it ludicrous. With a voice tinged with panic, she said, “Stop joking, Prince, how could it possibly be me.”

“Originally, I wanted to investigate the matter thoroughly before telling you the whole story. But now that you’ve misunderstood, I don’t want you to misinterpret that I’m in love with someone else.”

Murong Jiu still shook her head, stepping back several steps, subconsciously believing that Jun Yuyan was just joking.

Prior to her marriage into the Prince Mansion, she had had no interaction with Jun Yuyan, and besides, she was so ugly.

Murong Man and the Second Prince were right in the past life, with her looks, no man could like her.

The Prince was so outstanding, so gentle and considerate, a man full of virtues, how could he possibly like her?

Moreover, there was another man’s child in her womb!

“Ah Jiu! Watch out for the table!”

Jun Yuyan saw she was still backing away and quickly reached out to pull her over.

Murong Jiu’s hand retracted as if it had been burned.

Jun Yuyan had no choice but to withdraw his hand and then took out a jade pendant from his bosom, “Ah Jiu, look at this jade pendant. Do you remember it?”

At the first glance, Murong Jiu subconsciously shook her head; she didn’t recognize the Prince’s jade pendant.

But Jun Yuyan still thrust the jade pendant into her hand.

The moment she touched it, Murong Jiu paused.

Then, she looked down, picked up the jade pendant, and her fingers instinctively caressed the thread on the pendant. In an instant, it reminded her of that night more than three months ago.

Living memories, though separated by years as if from a past life, were now slowly returning to her mind, and her perception in the darkness became incredibly clear.

The familiar jade pendant, familiar threads, familiar touch.

That night had been too wild, like the tumultuous sea in a storm. Her nails had drawn blood on the man’s back, and he had removed the jade pendant, using its thread to tie her hands.

Late into the night, she was almost clutching the jade pendant tightly.

Murong Jiu looked up at Jun Yuyan incredulously.

Jun Yuyan had already taken off his mask, looking at her earnestly. Meeting her gaze, he said, “Ah Jiu, I was the man that night.”

Upon hearing his affirmative answer, Murong Jiu was still greatly shocked, her beautiful eyes wide.

It was him? How could it be him? It was really him?

Countless thoughts flitted through her mind until Murong Jiu’s eyes reddened, “Is it really you?”

“It’s me, Ah Jiu.”

Jun Yuyan nodded, moving closer to her.

But Murong Jiu stepped back, “I’m sorry, I’m finding it difficult to accept this all at once.”

“Ah Jiu doesn’t wish for me to be the man from that night?”

Jun Yuyan clenched his fingers subconsciously, afraid to hear a voice of disappointment from Ah Jiu.

“It’s not that.”

Murong Jiu’s ears turned red unconsciously, “I just never imagined it would be the Prince. How did you find out? Why didn’t you say anything?”

She recalled everything from her previous life, and instantly, the dream flashed through her mind.

In the dream, the Prince was waiting anxiously outside her delivery room. Hearing she was bleeding profusely, his eyes filled with red veins from distress.

So, did the Prince know about their relationship even before she gave birth to their child in her last life?

But why did he never say anything?

Suddenly, Murong Jiu remembered that in her last life, she was adamant about the Second Prince; she spent her days with a sorrowful countenance in the Prince Mansion and never showed the Prince a good face. Everyone in the Capital City knew her heart was set on the Second Prince, let alone him.

In her previous life, he too had always protected her and her child. It was she who insisted on leaving, even willing to resort to death as a threat.

In the end, it was as if she herself had caused the death of their two children!

Thinking of this, Murong Jiu’s face turned deathly pale.

“Ah Jiu, are you feeling unwell? Did my words upset you? Please sit down. If you don’t want to listen, I won’t speak of it anymore, alright?”

Jun Yuyan was constantly aware of her expression and saw a glimmer of sorrow flash in her eyes. He hastily stepped back a few paces, not daring to be too close, for fear of making her uncomfortable.

“Ah Jiu, don’t be sad. I’ll leave right now and call Chun Tao to keep you company.”

“Don’t go!”