Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: I Didn’t Expect Pregnancy to Be So Painful
 

“It’s not, it’s not the Second Prince’s.”

Murong Jiu quickly waved her hand, fearing that her master would misunderstand, and briefly recounted what had happened at the lantern festival that day.

She only mentioned that she was schemed against by the Second Prince and spent the night with another man, who seemed to be trained in martial arts, dressed in brocade, either rich or noble, beyond that she knew nothing more.

Her master furrowed his brows tightly, “The Second Prince really is despicable! And you’re going to have the child, aren’t you afraid that the Second Prince will someday find that man and take your child away?”

“No, that man wasn’t arranged by the Second Prince. Later, I recalled hearing a muffled grunt, it seems that the person arranged by the Second Prince was subdued by him, and he, having been drugged, ended up… ended up with me because of a series of misunderstandings.”

“Girl, think it through. The child in your womb will soon be three months along, and it will be dangerous to terminate the pregnancy then.”

“I will not terminate it.”

Murong Jiu protected her belly.

She knew her master meant well, fearing that she would be burdened by the child in the future.

But she had made up her mind, after divorcing Jun Yuyan, she would find that man, compensate him with money, and sever any future troubles. Afterwards, she would not marry again and would raise her two children on her own.

As she never considered remarrying, the children were not a burden to her, but her redemption.

In her previous life, she owed her two children, and this time, she wanted to make amends.

“Good.”

Her master nodded his head.

“It looks like the old man’s plan to wander the world has to be postponed again. Who knows if your child will be a crier like you were as a child.”

Murong Jiu, touched, chuckled, “I wasn’t a crybaby when I was little.”

Indeed, she was like a small, abandoned kitten when she was young, thin and small, yet bold and not a crybaby.

Because crying would make the servants in the manor despise her, and she would be beaten. After being beaten many times, she stopped crying.

“I always said the Second Prince wasn’t a good match for you. Now, this situation is better than marrying him and falling into a pit of fire. He pretended to have a relationship with you to control you, but due to his reluctance to involve himself, he let things spiral out of control. Now, he must be regretting it tremendously. Hmph, those dead fish eyes of his are so ugly, and yet he dares to look down on you? Once your pregnancy toxemia clears and your stunning beauty is revealed, he will regret it immensely!”

The master was infuriated just thinking about the Second Prince’s actions.

“Master, don’t be angry, take care of your health. What stunning beauty, I would be content just to remove this birthmark,” Murong Jiu said.

She had been considered ugly for so many years; the birthmark had brought her much scorn, and removing it would be enough to make her happy.

“Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. You lie down and rest well.”

Her master brought over a chair and sat by her bed, taking her pulse again carefully.

“Not bad, your body is in good condition, not as weak as I had imagined. But this morning sickness, hard to alleviate, we can only wait until it stops to nourish you well.”

It had been almost three months since her pregnancy, and she hoped the morning sickness wouldn’t last much longer, considering some women start to experience it just over a month in, and usually it subsides around three months.

But for some, the nausea lasts until birth, depending on their constitution.

Murong Jiu lay there, smiling as she watched him. Her master was like a father to her, and hearing his continual but caring voice made her feel like she was truly living again.

“Master, you should also take good care of yourself, look how thin you’ve become.”

“Being thin is better. As one gets older, gaining weight brings a myriad of illnesses. Your master here plans to live a few more years.”

The master and disciple continued their casual conversation and after a short while, Murong Jiu fell asleep unknowingly.

“Ah, poor girl.”

Her master sighed softly and covered her with a blanket.

How could her fate not be bitter? As a child, she was treated as if she were abandoned, subjected to beatings and scorn, and fed worse than a dog, not knowing her identity had been switched.

As she grew up, before she could find a good husband, she got pregnant without being married, and didn’t even know who the father of her child was.

If she hadn’t gotten pregnant, if she hadn’t been married off to Prince Ling, once her birthmark was removed revealing her true face, how could she worry about not marrying a good man?

That cursed Marquis Mansion, that cursed Second Prince!

As he lamented the injustice of fate, a noise came from outside the door. Turning around, he saw that Prince Ling had come again.

Jun Yuyan didn’t hear any voices speaking, and when he came in, he softly stepped in.

“Divine Doctor Zhai, has Ah Jiu fallen asleep?”

“Yes, she’s already asleep. Women tend to be sleepy during pregnancy.”

The old master stood up and asked, “Wasn’t the Prince supposed to entertain some distinguished guests? Why have you come again? Is there anything wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. I’m just concerned about Ah Jiu’s health and came to check on her. General Fu’s family had to return home due to some urgent matters. Divine Doctor Zhai, you must be tired from the journey. I’ve prepared a feast. Would you like to freshen up and rest first?”

The old master felt it strange, as Prince Ling seemed too concerned about Xiao Jiu and had come rushing back to see her so eagerly.

Unfortunately, his expression was hidden behind a mask, making it impossible to discern. But his tone was gentle and measured, not like the pretentious Second Prince.

“Very well, thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

He nodded, acknowledging that a wash was in order. Covered in dust from the road, it was only proper to clean up, lest the smell upset Xiao Jiu and make her nauseous again.

Prince Ling escorted him out of Qiyun Courtyard. After walking a few steps, he looked back and saw Prince Ling quickly returning inside.

He seemed to care deeply for Xiao Jiu.

But hadn’t Xiao Jiu said that he already had a woman he adored?

The old master furrowed his brow deeply, unable to comprehend the thoughts of these young people.

After entering the room, Jun Yuyan sat down where Divine Doctor Zhai had been sitting and quietly gazed at Murong Jiu’s sleeping face.

Even in sleep, she wore a slight smile, clearly delighted by her master’s presence.

Jun Yuyan also slightly curved the corners of his lips, his gaze dropping to her still-flat belly.

Inside, was his and her child.

Just thinking about this softened his gaze even more, and a hopeful anticipation of fatherhood filled his heart.

He leaned in slightly and whispered to the unborn child in her belly, “Be good in there, don’t make your mother suffer, understand?”

If his good friend Su Kai were to see this scene, he might pop his eyes out in disbelief.

The mighty War God Prince had such a childlike side.

After speaking, Jun Yuyan thought that it would be nice if there were a remedy available for morning sickness.

He had personally witnessed Murong Jiu vomiting till her face turned pale and her eyes were red, looking as though she’d vomit her stomach’s bile, which made him feel heartbroken.

He had not realized that pregnancy could be so painful for a woman.

“No! Don’t kill my child!”

Suddenly, as if having a terrible nightmare, Murong Jiu’s face, previously smiling, turned to a mask of pain as she struggled in her dream.

“Ah Jiu, Ah Jiu, wake up!”