Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved

Chapter 78: Chapter 78 Sending Jun Yuyan Away
 

“Marquis, madam, just now I saw the carriage from the Prince Mansion and thought Miss Ninth had returned, but unexpectedly, it was only this maid.”

The gatekeeper’s face was full of sorrow, fearing he would be blamed.

The Marquis glared furiously at Zhen Zhu, “That disastrous daughter! Where is she!”

Zhen Zhu quickly knelt on the ground, “To reply to the Marquis and his wife, Miss Ninth was indeed on her way back, but on the way, she encountered Prince Ling. Prince Ling mentioned that the Princess Consort was ill and took her back again, only letting this servant bring the message.”

Murong Man’s brow furrowed tightly, “It was indeed Prince Ling, he deliberately opposes our Marquis Mansion. Behind Ninth Sister, it must be him scheming. I already said Ninth Sister couldn’t have changed so suddenly, it turns out he was behind it.”

Marquis Murong burst into rage, and fiercely threw a cup onto the ground, “Damn it! They all deserve to die!”

Lady Wang also couldn’t contain her anger, she stepped forward and gave Zhen Zhu two harsh slaps.

“Fool! You couldn’t even bring back a person, what use is there for a maid like you!”

Zhen Zhu’s face burned painfully but she dared not speak out, and knelt on the ground as she said grievously, “Madam, I really shouldn’t be blamed, Miss truly wanted to come back, but didn’t expect to encounter Prince Ling!”

Lady Wang kicked her, “A mere maid dares to feel wronged? Incompetence is incompetence, if it weren’t for your need to return to Prince Ling’s Mansion, today you would not have escaped receiving a heavy punishment!”

“Enough, mother, Zhen Zhu is just a maid, how could she contend with someone like Prince Ling.”

Murong Man said, then personally helped Zhen Zhu up from the ground.

Zhen Zhu quickly showed a look of gratitude.

“That disastrous girl isn’t coming now, what should we do? Are we really going to let Manman marry that Lord Rabbit from that manor?”

The Marquis bit his teeth and said fiercely.

Zhen Zhu heard for the first time that the eldest son of that manor was Lord Rabbit and thought it no wonder His Highness the Second Prince wanted the young lady to marry, this explained it.

“Father, it seems we have no choice but to visit Prince Mansion together with mother. Ninth Sister is pregnant, and as close relatives, to visit and congratulate is only natural. I believe Prince Ling won’t refuse us seeing Ninth Sister.”

The Marquis nodded, “You’re right, let your grandmother go with you.”

The Old Madam was aged, they couldn’t just reject her at the door unless Prince Ling no longer cared about his reputation.

If the Old Madam made a scene then, it would be known by everyone.

Thus, Lady Wang, Murong Man, and the Old Madam went to Prince Ling’s Mansion together.

They had intended to catch a ride on the carriage from Prince Mansion, but alas, the carriage had already returned.

When they arrived at the entrance of Prince Mansion, they didn’t rush to get off, waiting until there were more people around before Murong Man and Lady Wang helped the Old Madam down from the carriage.

Initially, they were worried that they wouldn’t be allowed entry to Prince Mansion but, to their surprise, the doorkeeper led them straight in. They had intended to create a scene at the door but couldn’t even do that.

“The honored guests please wait in the floral hall, the Prince and Princess Consort will be with you shortly.”

After speaking, another maid brought in tea and water, and they were not neglected in the slightest.

The Old Madam’s face was full of displeasure, her status of being, and these younger generations, making her wait like this, clearly, they didn’t regard her highly.

Zhen Zhu was Murong Jiu’s maid, so naturally, she went to Qiyun Courtyard upon returning.

The three of them waited and waited within the floral hall.

The Old Madam’s face grew very long, and her wrinkles and creases made her look even more critical and harsh.

After waiting about two Shichen Chinese hours, the Old Madam banged her cane on the ground and said sarcastically:

“Even when I meet with the Empress or the Empress Dowager, I don’t have to wait this long. Now, waiting for my granddaughter and grandson-in-law seems to be a bigger deal than meeting the Empress or Empress Dowager.”

Murong Man quickly said, “Grandmother, don’t be angry, perhaps the Prince and Princess Consort were delayed by some matters, let’s wait a little longer.”

At this moment, maid Zhen Zhu came over with a pale face, and said softly:

“Old Madam, madam, eldest miss, the Prince is currently dining with the Princess Consort; he said that after dinner, he will come to see you all,”

Old Madam slammed her palm on the table: “How preposterous! I came here unfed to see my pregnant granddaughter, only to be made to wait while they finish eating! Aren’t they afraid of being criticized?”

Zhen Zhu shrank her shoulders, not daring to speak; she knew just how terrible Old Madam’s temper could be.

Yet the Prince had specifically sent her to relay the message, and she could not refuse to come.

Fortunately, this was Prince Mansion, where Old Madam and madam dared not blatantly hit her.

“Grandmother, please calm down; don’t let your anger harm your health,”

Despite the rage filling her heart, Murong Man had no choice but to persuade Old Madam to calm down because they needed Murong Jiu’s favor and had to lower their stance.

Murong Man knew that it must all be Prince Ling’s idea, deliberately meant to humiliate them.

Perhaps, Prince Ling had always harbored resentment over the arranged marriage, surely harboring both love and hatred for her.

But who was to blame for his disfiguration and disablement?

He was destined never to become the Crown Prince, and she, Murong Man, with a monk claiming she had the Phoenix Destiny, was destined to be the Empress, thus she could only marry His Highness the Second Prince, not a crippled prince.

The fault was his own lack of capability.

Murong Jiu felt in her heart that Prince Ling harbored hatred towards her, hence advising Murong Jiu to marry quickly.

This was precisely a display of hatred bred from love.

Thus, in Prince Ling’s heart, there should still be a place for her; his previous closeness with Murong Jiu was intended to make her jealous, to make her regret.

Today, she would soften her stance and speak kindly to Prince Ling, knowing that all men fell for this strategy, then he wouldn’t let her marry into the Marquis Mansion.

Following Murong Man’s persuasion, the three of them waited almost another half Shichen Chinese hour.

Old Madam’s face nearly dragged on the ground.

Finally, as the sky grew dark, the three saw Murong Jiu and Prince Ling appear together.

Murong Man suppressed the rage within her heart, and with a look of deep grievance, glanced at Jun Yuyan before bowing gently and subserviently, “Manman pays respect to the Prince.”

Old Madam rose reluctantly.

Jun Yuyan spoke no words; he assisted Murong Jiu to the principal seat before saying faintly:

“Ah Jiu is suffering from severe morning sickness; I didn’t want her to travel back and forth. As for today’s matter, I hope the three of you will understand.”

All three sneered inwardly, not believing Prince Ling was unaware that the child in Murong Jiu’s womb was illegitimate, pretending thus to garner Murong Jiu’s favor, this freak of nature.

Lady Wang forced a laugh: “The Prince is right; Xiao Jiu has just gotten pregnant and should indeed be careful.”

Murong Man said softly, “Indeed, we’ve been meaning to visit earlier but delayed upon hearing that Ninth Sister was unwell.”

“Please, take a seat. The Prince has heard you’ve come to check on Ah Jiu’s health; she is also happy, having had half a bowl more of porridge just now.”

Murong Jiu could hardly contain her mirth; her drinking half a bowl more porridge was clearly because she relished the thought of Marquis Mansion being upset, which lifted her spirits so much that she drank more.

Jun Yuyan, aware that she disliked Marquis Mansion, had intentionally brought her back, letting Marquis Mansion cherish a vain hope.

Murong Jiu had never seen a more dependable man than him.

Lady Wang exchanged a few courteous remarks, then signaled to Murong Man.

Murong Man said: “Prince, we haven’t seen Ninth Sister for a long time and would like to have a private chat. Mother also wishes to teach her some pregnancy tips.”

This was intended to send Jun Yuyan away.