Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved

Chapter 93: Chapter 93 Why Are You Wearing My Jewelry?
 

The boat was very spacious and moved slowly; Murong Jiu felt much better from her morning sickness, not feeling unwell at all today.

There was a gentle breeze, and it wasn’t hot so early in the morning, very cool and refreshing.

If one could ignore Fu Baozhu’s feigned liveliness, it was indeed a great place for a leisurely outing.

The two young masters of the Fu family and Jun Yuyan found plenty to talk about, all related to matters within the military.

Despite Fu Han’s scholarly demeanor, he had a natural talent for military strategies; had he not died young in his previous life, he would have undoubtedly been a genius capable of commanding victories in battle.

There’s no need to mention Fu Heng and Fu Sheng; they had been training in the military camp with their father since they were younger than ten.

Fu Heng was well-versed in both literary and martial skills, while Fu Sheng leaned more towards being a warrior—all three brothers were carefully cultivated by General Fu and were rare talents of Great Yan.

Murong Jiu believed that even if Jun Haoze had become the Emperor in her previous life, he wouldn’t have been able to consolidate his reign without people like General Fu and Jun Yuyan to defend the realm; Great Yan’s current golden age wouldn’t exist without them.

Fu Baozhu listened intently at the side, appearing quite adorable, but sadly Jun Yuyan didn’t spare her a glance. Instead, he often checked on Murong Jiu, refilling her tea.

Fu Baozhu couldn’t figure out why the Prince was so taken with such an ugly monster.

Just look at Murong Jiu—she even drank her tea by lifting her veil slightly, covering herself with her sleeve, acting all prim and proper as if she was afraid someone would see her hideous face.

Hmph, it’s not like no one has seen her ugly mug before; what was there to hide?

Fu Baozhu sneered but was unable to draw Jun Yuyan’s attention.

If Nanny Fan had been here, things would be better, but she had suddenly developed a stomachache and couldn’t come, leaving Murong Jiu with only two maids in attendance. However, neither was as comforting as Nanny Fan.

What she didn’t know was that laxatives had been mixed into Nanny Fan’s food; wanting to come or not, she couldn’t have made it.

“Oh, there’s a chessboard on the boat, Princess Consort Sister, do you play chess? How about we play a game for fun?”

At that moment, Fu Baozhu noticed a chessboard inside the cabin and suddenly had the idea of making Murong Jiu look foolish.

Her own chess skills had been personally taught by her father and brothers; she was also considered one of the better players among the noble girls of the Capital City. As long as Murong Jiu dared to accept the challenge, Fu Baozhu was determined to crush her completely, leaving her no ground to stand on.

Murong Jiu responded, “I know a little, just the basics. Since Sister Baozhu wants to play, I shall accompany you to pass the time.”

Fu Baozhu’s smile deepened, “Don’t worry, Princess Consort Sister, we are just playing for fun. I will go easy on you!”

They sat before the chessboard, and Fu Baozhu purposely said, “Black goes first. Princess Consort Sister, you take the black pieces.”

This was tantamount to giving Murong Jiu the advantage of the first move, a gesture of magnanimity from Fu Baozhu.

Having given such a concession, if Murong Jiu ended up losing miserably, it wouldn’t be Fu Baozhu’s fault.

Fu Baozhu today was determined to show Murong Jiu their difference in skill on the chessboard, making her feel utterly shamed.

Murong Jiu picked up a black piece and casually placed it down. She didn’t seem to take the game seriously, even though the Prince and her two brothers-in-law looked their way.

As expected, mediocre, Fu Baozhu thought with pride, as her pieces advanced aggressively.

Engrossed in the game, she failed to notice Fu Heng’s eyes narrowing when he saw the jade bracelet and jade ring on Murong Jiu’s wrist.

And because of his older brother’s unusual movement, Fu Han also took a few more glances at Murong Jiu, noticing a gemstone necklace around her neck. He couldn’t believe his eyes, furrowing his brow in doubt, rubbing his eyes as if they were playing tricks on him, then taking another careful look.

The expressions of both men didn’t escape Jun Yuyan’s gaze.

But he didn’t speak up, choosing instead to watch Murong Jiu play chess.

Despite her nonchalant demeanor, she was already plotting. Once her trap was set, it would be Fu Baozhu who was decimated.

Unaware, Fu Baozhu was gleefully stepping right into the snare laid out by Murong Jiu.

Soon, both Fu Heng and Fu Han began to perceive the changes on the chessboard.

Both were somewhat surprised, they had never imagined that Murong Jiu, who was raised in the countryside since childhood, was not only proficient in the game of pitch-pot but also skilled in chess.

They knew the level of Fu Baozhu’s skills; although she fell significantly short in front of chess masters, her abilities were certainly more than adequate among the noble girls of the Capital City.

However, Murong Jiu’s chess skills completely overwhelmed Baozhu.

Look, Baozhu still hasn’t realized the danger her white pieces are facing.

By the time Fu Baozhu realized what was happening, it was already too late. As she watched her impending defeat, she found she had no room to make a comeback, and her face immediately turned sour, filled with annoyance, anger, and a thick sense of disbelief.

She actually lost to Murong Jiu?

To a country bumpkin from the countryside?

Embarrassed by her defeat, Fu Baozhu’s face turned ugly, and in a fit of temper, she tossed the chess piece she was holding, disrupting the chessboard.

“Fu Baozhu!”

Fu Heng’s face darkened as he gave a cold, low shout.

“To lose is to lose, be gracious. If someone is better than you, even by more than just a little, you should learn from the Princess Consort.”

Apparently, Fu Baozhu could not stand to lose and threw a tantrum, which displeased Fu Heng.

The Fu family never tolerated poor losers.

If they lost, they would find ways to work hard, learn, and win back their honor.

Fu Baozhu was already in a bad mood, but getting reprimanded by her elder brother in front of the Prince and Murong Jiu made her feel even worse. She felt that her brother wasn’t leaving her any dignity, and her annoyance deepened.

She bowed her head, struggling to restrain her temper, without storming off.

Murong Jiu said, “Eldest young master, do not be angry. Sister Baozhu is still young; perhaps it was just a momentary surprise. If the sister wants to learn, I can teach her.”

“No need!”

Fu Baozhu immediately refused.

She did not want a country bumpkin to teach her; people would laugh at her if it got out.

Fu Heng and Fu Han both furrowed their brows.

Fu Baozhu hurriedly explained, “Princess Consort Sister is pregnant, of course, I can’t trouble her, I admit my skill is inferior, and I will definitely study the game more when I go back!”

Her two brothers then nodded.

Murong Jiu began to collect the chess pieces one by one, lightly rolling up her sleeves.

It was at this moment that Fu Baozhu noticed the bracelet on her hand, exclaiming in shock, “How come my bracelet and ring are on your hand? They were gifts from my brothers! And the necklace, that’s mine too! Where did you get these from?”

Fu Heng and Fu Han had noticed them long ago.

At first, they thought the items were gifts from Baozhu to Murong Jiu; they were surprised because Baozhu treasured her gifts too much to give them away. However, they would not be unhappy if she gifted them to Murong Jiu, so they had not asked any questions.

Murong Jiu showed a look of surprise.

“These belong to Sister Baozhu? That’s quite strange. I bought them from a pawnshop I passed by one day because I liked the style. Moreover, the shopkeeper said they were unredeemable. How could they possibly belong to Sister Baozhu?”

Jun Yuyan, listening in, had the corners of his lips slightly upturned beneath his mask.

He noticed that when Ah Jiu said this, her eyes gleamed with an almost imperceptible craftiness, as lively as a little fox.

Fu Baozhu said loudly, “Unredeemable? Impossible! How could I sell the jewelry my brothers gifted me!”

Fu Heng spoke calmly, “Baozhu, you might not sell them, but it doesn’t mean others close to you wouldn’t. If I remember correctly, your jewelry is managed by Nanny Fan, isn’t it?”