Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved

Chapter 96: Chapter 96 I’ll Create Opportunities for Them

Murong Jiu’s expression of surprise was unmasked, for she truly was taken aback.

If she hadn’t misheard just now, had the Second Prince said that Jun Yuyan’s true love was about to return?

True love…

Having lived with Jun Yuyan for so long, basking in his tender care, she had almost forgotten that he did indeed have a true love elsewhere.

The person had made this fact known to her at the time of their marriage.

She became Princess Consort Ling simply because she was less trouble, and if not her, some other woman would have been granted in marriage to him.

...

Although she had long known about Jun Yuyan’s true love, in this moment, Murong Jiu’s heart couldn’t stop plummeting.

The Second Prince, observing her expression, deepened his smile:

“Jiujiu, you should have realized long ago that my imperial brother’s kindness towards you is only to use you against me. Do not be deceived by his facade. His true love will soon return, and you, even as Princess Consort Ling, will have to step aside. Leave Prince Ling’s Mansion early, and I will protect you and the child. Any later, I fear they might harm you.”

Murong Jiu did trust in Jun Yuyan’s character; even if his true love returned, she would not be endangered because of it.

However, if what the Second Prince said was true, she indeed should leave the Prince Mansion, and it would be best to do so before Jun Yuyan’s true love returned to give them peace.

Jun Yuyan had been very good to her during this period, and how could she repay his kindness with betrayal and ruin their relationship?

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Yet, she couldn’t possibly follow the Second Prince, who would only use her child to threaten and control her.

She kept her head lowered, not showing her emotions, and after a while, she looked up and said to him:

“When is my elder sister getting married?”

The Second Prince was taken aback, but then he understood that Murong Jiu was still considering the relationship between Murong Man and him.

Only if Murong Man was married off would Murong Jiu follow him with peace of mind.

He immediately said, “Your elder sister will be married within this month. The Old Madam of the betrothed family is unwell, and it is said by a high monk that a joyous event is needed to counter the ill fortune. Your sister will soon marry into the family to bring such joy.”

What joyous event or not, it was just a fig leaf.

There was no such thing as getting married so soon after the engagement, but the Second Prince wanted to settle things with Murong Jiu quickly, so he had to resort to this method.

He was impressed with Murong Jiu’s medical skills, and her master had also arrived in the Capital City. Controlling Murong Jiu meant controlling her master as well.

Moreover, Murong Jiu had acquired quite a fortune in her hands.

It was said that the spices and such from the Tianzhu merchant convoy were all transported to the affluent Jiangnan region, where the nobility especially loved to burn incense. A palm-sized top-grade spice could sell for a sky-high price.

Furthermore, colored glaze was becoming popular in the south, even more coveted than jade, with merchants from the surrounding Foreign States specifically coming to Capital City to buy these goods.

The foodstuffs Murong Jiu had stockpiled had also gone up in price, and in two months’ time, she could sell them for ten times the price.

One could say that, without realizing it, Murong Jiu had become a magnate of Capital City with a continuous stream of wealth flowing in.

The Second Prince didn’t believe Murong Jiu had such great capability; he attributed it all to the good luck of her coming upon Manager Chai and that impoverished scholar surnamed Lou.

He thought it was these two who had many ideas and foresight, geniuses in business, and Murong Jiu merely provided the capital for them.

The reason the Second Prince hadn’t acted against the two men was first because Jun Yuyan secretly had people watching them, and second, he believed that Murong Jiu would eventually return to his side, and everything Murong Jiu had would fall into his hands.

Therefore, he had a bit more patience with Murong Jiu.

As long as she behaved and served him well, he would not hold these days of her defiance against her.

But if she remained obstinate… a cold murderous intent flashed in the Second Prince’s eyes.

“All right.”

Murong Jiu nodded: “Once my elder sister is married, we’ll talk about what to do next.”

“Jiujiu, my feelings for you are pure, I won’t use you like others do. Every day you stay in Prince Ling’s Mansion is another day I worry for you. Besides, the woman in my brother’s heart is no pushover, her father was Deputy General Zhou who died on the battlefield for my brother. Before he died, he entrusted her to my brother’s care.”

The Second Prince said these words softly on purpose, hoping she would leave Prince Ling’s Mansion sooner.

His words were a mix of truth and falsehood, intended naturally to sow discord.

Murong Jiu remembered that no such woman had appeared in her previous life, or perhaps she had, but she was not aware of it.

Because in her past life, she was depressed and indifferent to everything around her.

Despite her doubts, Murong Jiu didn’t want to ask the Second Prince any more questions.

Seeing his face alone made her feel nauseated.

“Ah Jiu.”

Ahead, Jun Yuyan, who had gone to fetch medical help for the Fifth Princess, was now returning, striding towards her.

“He’s in a hurry, Jiujiu. Be careful not to let him find out about this and jeopardize your and the child’s safety. I would be worried,” the Second Prince said tenderly in a low voice beside her.

“I understand,” Murong Jiu agreed, nodding her head, after which the Second Prince looked toward Jun Yuyan with a smirk.

The steps of the approaching man were uneven. If one looked closely, they could see that one leg was shorter than the other.

Normally, if he walked slowly, it wouldn’t be so obvious, but right now, isn’t he just a cripple?

And he’s competing with him for the throne! Ridiculous!

He doesn’t even dare to take off the mask on his face, and he’s a lame man. With what will he compete with him?

Only a fool like Murong Jiu would be deceived by his flowery speech.

But now that there’s this “woman in his heart”, Murong Jiu should realize who her true good partner is.

“Brother, how is our fifth sister? Is the sprain severe?”

“Severe or not, can’t you see for yourself?”

Jun Yuyan’s tone was very cold.

The Second Prince took it that he was lashing out in embarrassment, not willing to vent in front of Murong Jiu, which made him feel even more smug inside.

“The Imperial Sister-in-Law seems a bit unwell, I chatted with her just now. You don’t mind, do you, brother?”

Seeing that he didn’t say anything, he laughed and said, “Don’t worry, brother. I didn’t say anything to Imperial Sister-in-Law that I shouldn’t say. Don’t be so nervous.”

After speaking, he indicated that he would go check on the Fifth Princess, deliberately causing Murong Jiu to feel suspicious.

The Second Prince left.

Jun Yuyan approached Murong Jiu and asked, “Ah Jiu, what did he say to you? You don’t look well.”

Murong Jiu smiled and shook her head: “Just some divisive words, nothing more. I’ll tell you about it when we get back.”

Jun Yuyan scanned her a few more times, then slowly nodded and said, “The Hidden Guard on the boat heard your two maids planning to throw themselves into the water and have your third brother dive in to save them.”

Murong Jiu immediately furrowed her brows. Even though such a scheme was cliché, it was the most effective. For scholarly men like Fu Han, they would surely take responsibility for Bai Aoshuang.

“When are they planning to act?”

“They haven’t found an opportunity yet. Your two brothers are watching over Fu Baozhu together.”

Murong Jiu narrowed her eyes: “Then I’ll create an opportunity for them.”