Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved

Chapter 70: Chapter 70 The Foolish Woman, She Asked for It
 

As soon as the Emperor spoke, everyone present understood the implication of his words.

To say that Princess Consort Ling was with child was a joyful matter, but they had just gotten married not long ago, and already a pregnancy pulse was detected. Even the Emperor doubted whether the seed in her belly belonged to Prince Ling.

Not to mention the Emperor’s doubts, anyone would be suspicious. There were many concubines in the harem, and the Emperor didn’t know how many he had favored, but how many had successfully conceived?

In the common folk, it was quite common for women to be married for three to five years before becoming pregnant.

Even if there were, there were only a very few cases.

Everyone knew that Prince Ling was pure of heart and had little desire, not fond of the company of women, and certainly wouldn’t be tilling the fields day after day. Could it be possible that she conceived after just one or two attempts? What kind of exceptional fertility would Murong Jiu have to possess?

Even many people thought that Prince Ling and Murong Jiu had not consummated their marriage at all. Murong Jiu’s appearance was so unattractive that one glance was enough to turn one’s stomach. Prince Ling was known in the past for his handsome looks; how could he possibly fancy such an ugly woman.

This was the main reason everyone suspected that the child in Murong Jiu’s belly was not Prince Ling’s seed. The short duration was not the most crucial issue.

Although Noble Consort Qi also had her doubts and hated Murong Jiu to death, she naturally couldn’t show it on her face.

With a smile, she said, “Your Majesty, they are a newly married couple, full of love and affection. They’ve been married for twenty-eight days, and if she conceived on the first day, it would be almost a month by now. It’s quite normal to have morning sickness. I didn’t expect such good news so soon. I’m actually going to be a grandmother.”

The Emperor truly adored his eldest son, Jun Yuyan, and the thought of becoming a great-grandfather naturally filled him with joy, but he was just afraid that his son had been deceived by this woman, which could muddle the Imperial Family’s lineage!

He said with a grave voice, “If it really is Yuyan’s child, I couldn’t be happier. In the common folk, someone my age would already be dandling grandchildren on their knees. However, I’ve heard that Murong Jiu is suffering terribly from morning sickness, unlike someone who’s only a month into pregnancy. It rather seems like she’s two or three months pregnant.”

Upon hearing this, Noble Consort Qi’s eyes widened.

“How could that be possible! They’ve only been married for a month!”

The Empress slowly spoke, “Indeed, Noble Consort Qi is right. They’ve been married for only a month. How could she be two or three months pregnant? Surely someone has misspoken before Your Majesty. If we want to determine how long Princess Consort Ling has been pregnant, it’s actually quite simple, Your Majesty. Why not have several more Imperial Physicians take her pulse? That would make things clear.”

The Emperor looked at Jun Yuyan, “Yuyan, what do you think?”

This was offering his eldest son a way out. If the child wasn’t truly his, then there was no need for the Imperial Physician to confirm. They could just dispose of Murong Jiu quietly afterward, ensuring that neither mother nor child would be left, and no one would dare gossip.

He was giving Jun Yuyan the choice to decide for himself.

The Empress had a composed expression, but her long nails were nearly buried into her flesh.

The Emperor’s partiality toward Jun Yuyan was not a recent development.

Noble Consort Qi was visibly anxious and seemed as though she would push Jun Yuyan forcefully if she could.

Murong Jiu kept her head down, regardless of what choice Jun Yuyan would make, she wouldn’t blame him.

At that moment, Jun Yuyan spoke up to the Emperor with neither servility nor arrogance:

“Father, Ah Jiu has a body prone to pregnancy. She is indeed newly pregnant, and the child is certainly mine. I would not be mistaken about such a matter. I ask you to summon the Imperial Physician, to take her pulse and clear Ah Jiu’s name.”

Murong Jiu bit her lip, suppressing the tears brimming in her eyes.

Jun Yuyan knew that by acknowledging it, denying it later would constitute the crime of deceiving the Emperor. However, to ensure his and his child’s survival, he made a choice he shouldn’t have.

“Very well, bring the Imperial Physician!”

The Emperor commanded loudly.

Because Jun Yuyan was forthright enough, the Emperor was inclined to believe him halfway.

As for the remaining doubts, it would depend on the result of the Imperial Physician’s diagnosis.

A fleeting sneer crossed the Empress’s lips, and her stiffened back relaxed a bit.

How many months the child in Murong Jiu’s belly was, she knew all too well.

Haoze had arranged for her to lose her innocence three months ago, and before marrying into Prince Ling’s Mansion, a court physician had already diagnosed Murong Jiu with a pregnancy pulse. How could it possibly be only a one-month pregnancy?

Murong Jiu could bribe the physicians of the Prince Mansion, but she couldn’t bribe those of the Imperial Palace.

If Princess Consort Ling could be disgraced and cause the Emperor to be utterly disappointed with her, then even if Murong Jiu were to be beheaded, her death would be justified.

Noble Consort Qi was extremely nervous, afraid that Murong Jiu, being promiscuous, might have a problem with the child she was carrying.

It wasn’t long before three Imperial Physicians arrived.

Accompanying them were the Second Prince and Fifth Princess.

Both paid their respects to the Emperor and Empress before saying that they happened upon the Imperial Physicians who were on their way to check the pulse of the Imperial Sister-in-Law; concerned about her health, they decided to come and see for themselves.

The smile of the Fifth Princess was exceptionally radiant.

She had lost the Eastern Pearl Necklace to Murong Jiu during the day and had been reprimanded by her mother upon returning to the palace, but now the thought of Murong Jiu winning the necklace without the life to wear it filled her with immense satisfaction.

The Second Prince looked towards Murong Jiu with a concerned expression, “Firstly, congratulations to my brother and Imperial Sister-in-Law. However, I’ve heard that the Imperial Sister-in-Law was not feeling well; may I know if you’re now better?”

Jun Yuyan stepped to the side, effectively blocking the Second Prince’s line of sight, and said indifferently, “Thank you for your concern, Second Brother, but Ah Jiu is simply experiencing normal pregnancy symptoms.”

Murong Jiu truly did not want to take another glance at Jun Haoze, and she was very grateful to Jun Yuyan.

“Since the Imperial Physicians have arrived, let them take Murong Jiu’s pulse.”

The Emperor stated.

Jun Yuyan helped Murong Jiu to sit down.

She was feeling anxious and subconsciously grabbed Jun Yuyan’s wrist.

Jun Yuyan gently patted her hand and said to her, “The Imperial Physician’s medical skills are excellent; they will certainly not misdiagnose.”

Murong Jiu pursed her lips, nodded, released her grip, and spread her wrist, covering it with a thin silk scarf for the Imperial Physician to take her pulse.

Although three Imperial Physicians had come, the two older ones did not move. Only one younger physician stepped forward to take Murong Jiu’s pulse.

The young Imperial Physician knelt on one knee, cautiously placing his hand over Murong Jiu’s pulse.

The gaze of everyone present was fixed on this young Imperial Physician.

The Second Prince narrowed his eyes, thinking that if the Emperor wished to execute Murong Jiu later, he would need to find a good excuse to plead for her and save her life. It didn’t matter if she ended up injured or disabled, as long as she would willingly serve him in the future.

This was all her own doing. If she had listened to him earlier and left Prince Mansion to serve him, how could she have ended up in this situation?

Hmph, if Jun Yuyan truly wanted to protect her, he would not have allowed the Imperial Physician to diagnose her, what a foolish woman.

“Hmm? Is it difficult to ascertain the Imperial Sister-in-Law’s pulse? Why does Imperial Doctor Xiao Sun need to take such a long time?”

The Fifth Princess suddenly asked.

Indeed, Imperial Doctor Xiao Sun had been taking her pulse for quite some time now.

At that moment, Imperial Doctor Xiao Sun withdrew his hand and respectfully said, “The Princess Consort is pregnant, but the term is too early for certainty without careful examination.”

Too early?

The faces of the Second Prince, Fifth Princess, and Empress changed at this news.

How could it be too early?

She was clearly almost three months pregnant!

This Imperial Doctor Xiao Sun, he couldn’t have been secretly bribed by Murong Jiu, could he?

Apart from this reason, they could think of no other.

The Empress immediately said, “If it is difficult to determine the pulse, then let Imperial Doctor Chen and Imperial Doctor Xu have a look at the Princess Consort as well. With their extraordinary medical skills and decades at the Imperial Medical Office, they will certainly not make a mistake.”