Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Surviving an Assassination, Turning Danger into Safety
 

“Ah Jiu, you should go back and rest first, I will have the guard call Uncle Zhai if needed,” Jun Yuyan said to Murong Jiu after entering the water.

She was already suffering from severe morning sickness, and now the pool was filled with the strong scent of medicinal herbs, which he feared might worsen her nausea.

“It’s okay, I’ve been accustomed to these herbs since childhood, they won’t make me feel uncomfortable. Don’t worry. On the other hand, the herbs your master used are very strong, you will soon be in unbearable pain. I must watch over you closely to prevent any problems,” she reassured him.

She was right; no sooner had her words fallen than Jun Yuyan felt a bone-deep agonizing pain in his injured leg.

Though he remained silent, Murong Jiu noticed the subtle changes in his expression.

He was adept at bearing extreme pain in silence.

Murong Jiu felt a wave of pity for him, but there was nothing she could do to help.

The medicinal properties needed to penetrate deep into the bones to be effective.

“Close your eyes, don’t speak. Think of something happy to distract yourself.”

Happy thoughts?

He was quite happy now.

Before meeting Murong Jiu, he had never experienced so many emotions.

Noble Consort Qi often said he was dull and lacked empathy, always showing a cold face, which was irritating to watch.

Now, slowly, his smiles were becoming more frequent.

Just thinking about the child he and Murong Jiu would have, he often woke up smiling in his dreams.

He had already thought up many nice names, eager to discuss them with Ah Jiu with pages full of ideas.

Just a little longer, he felt a distinct tenderness from Ah Jiu towards him. When he was sure, he planned to confess his feelings and reveal his true identity to her.

Well, actually, he was also not sure about Ah Jiu’s feelings for the Second Prince.

He knew there was hatred, but whether hate was entangled with love, he was not sure.

He also dared not ask; sometimes being in the dark was not necessarily a bad thing.

Moreover, he was recently investigating something very important to Ah Jiu. In no more than half a month, results should come through, and he wanted to surprise her on that day and confess as well.

Ah Jiu’s belly was growing larger, and he did not want to delay any longer.

He wished to welcome the child’s birth with Ah Jiu as a father.

Lost in his thoughts, time seemed to pass quickly, although the pain worsened, he had endured worse; this was bearable.

An hour passed quite swiftly.

Jun Yuyan, seeing Murong Jiu bored in the meantime, called to have some sour plum snacks brought in to occupy her time.

Murong Jiu sat on a soft wolf skin cushion with all manner of refreshments and teas within arm’s reach—anyone would think she was here for leisure.

She couldn’t help but laugh and cry. Once the time was up, she hurried to stand up to check Jun Yuyan’s pulse and take a look at his leg.

However, slipping on an unexpected puddle, she lost her balance and plunged straight towards the medicinal pool.

Just as she was about to fall into it, Jun Yuyan darted out of the water, capturing her securely in his arms.

Murong Jiu, frightened, clung tightly around his neck, her face pale as death.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m here, nothing bad will happen,” he reassured her.

His voice was as dependable as he was. Murong Jiu nodded, calming her almost leaping heart.

She wasn’t afraid of falling, but she feared for the safety of the twins in her womb; luckily, it was a close call without harm.

She really owed it to the Prince.

“You better put me down now, your leg still can’t bear weight,” she insisted.

Jun Yuyan didn’t listen, and after coming out of the water, he laid her on his bed.

“You just had a scare, lie down for a while,” he said.

His tone left no room for argument. The deep pools of his eyes shimmered, the flickering candlelight nearby, and Murong Jiu unconsciously nodded her head.

Seeing her lying down obediently, Jun Yuyan washed up briefly and, dressed only in his underwear, strode over without even wearing a shirt.

Murong Jiu hurriedly averted her gaze, her ears turning crimson.

His physique was truly impressive, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, exuding a strong masculine presence and an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Jun Yuyan noticed her ears, gave a slight smile, then slowly reached under her lying waist and pulled out clothes that he had planned to change into earlier.

Murong Jiu saw the clothes in his hands, and her cheeks grew even redder—she had unknowingly laid on the undergarment he was wearing.

However, Jun Yuyan didn’t embarrass her further and quickly dressed, just about to put on his outer garment when the whooshing sound of arrows suddenly pierced the air outside!

Jun Yuyan’s expression turned fierce as he scooped up Murong Jiu, rolled lightly, and dodged several Piercing Cloud Arrows.

The arrows were firmly embedded in the bed—if they had struck the body just now… Murong Jiu didn’t dare think about it.

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve brought many Hidden Guards.”

While soothing her, Jun Yuyan knocked over a table to use as cover.

Outside, the noise of clashing swords soon erupted.

“Chun Tao… my Chun Tao, and master Xiao Wen and the others…”

Murong Jiu’s face turned pale.

“Someone will protect them.”

Jun Yuyan had already instructed that those important to her were to be heavily protected in times of danger.

He had long anticipated that there might be an assassination attempt.

Wasn’t the Emperor “intentionally” setting up the Crown Prince to have them kill each other?

It was inconvenient to assassinate in the Capital City, but in the outskirts, it was far too easy.

He had positioned most of the Hidden Guards near where Ah Jiu lived, not even a fly could get through. It was only because Ah Jiu had come here today that they had been caught off guard.

But at that moment, the Hidden Guards had fully reacted, and the sounds of conflict outside quickly fell silent.

A Hidden Guard knelt outside the door: “Master, a total of one hundred and twenty-three assassins, all completely annihilated.”

“Clean it up thoroughly, leave no scent behind.”

Jun Yuyan did this fearing that the bloody scent would offend Murong Jiu.

The Hidden Guard complied, and the sounds of cleaning and washing quickly resumed outside.

Then, Chun Tao rushed over.

“Miss, Miss, are you alright?”

Master and servant embraced, and seeing that Chun Tao was also unharmed, Murong Jiu felt much relieved.

She looked up at Jun Yuyan and said, “I didn’t expect that they would send so many people to kill the Prince; fortunately, you were prepared.”

“But you were still frightened.”

“I’m alright.”

In fact, other than worrying about her master and the others, she felt very secure and dependable with Jun Yuyan by her side, almost as if she knew everything would turn out alright.

At that moment, her master also arrived with Xiao Wen.

Both were unharmed, and the master immediately checked Jun Yuyan’s leg.

“Not bad, the medicine is working well; continue soaking for two more days, then switch to another method.”

“Thank you, Uncle Zhai.”

The old master waved his hand and led Xiao Wen away.

Murong Jiu watched them leave, the ground outside was wet, but indeed there was not a hint of blood scent, thoroughly cleaned.

“Miss, why don’t you let the Prince sleep at your place tonight, I see a lot of things here have been shot and damaged, and the bed is no longer usable.”

Chun Tao suddenly suggested.

Before Murong Jiu could speak, Jun Yuyan nodded: “Hmm, that sounds good.”