Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 120 - Seems to Have Discovered Something Incredible
Chapter 120: Chapter 120 Seems to Have Discovered Something Incredible
Murong Jiu knew about Consort Jing’s past as the Emperor’s beloved, but it was pieced together from a few complaints of the Second Prince.
She had never seen Consort Jing.
By the time she learned about this, Consort Jing had been caught in bed with a guard for “adultery” and then hung herself.
Meanwhile, The Third Prince also drowned in a river on his way back to the Capital.
Both the framing and assassination were done by the Second Prince and the Empress.
The Emperor, even if he wanted to deal with it, couldn’t find any evidence, let alone the fact that he was probably under the influence of a slow-acting poison at the time, often bedridden.
Before Murong Jiu died, the Second Prince had already been assisting the Emperor with court affairs.
The sudden sight of Consort Jing left Murong Jiu genuinely unable to recognize her.
Although it was just a profile view, it was apparent that Consort Jing was exceptionally beautiful and serene, wearing simple palace attire, quite different from the other brightly dressed concubines.
However, perhaps due to preconceived notions, at first glance, she thought Consort Jing looked a bit like the Empress Dowager.
Not that they looked very similar, but there was a certain quality about them.
In terms of appearance, Consort Jing’s beauty could only be considered inferior among the palace concubines.
Comparing her to the Empress Dowager, there was a vast difference.
It was said that Consort Jing was unexpectedly graced by the Emperor when she was a palace maid, but in reality, she was a girl the Emperor brought back from outside the palace years earlier, evading the schemes of the Empress and others, becoming a maid serving him closely.
Because she became pregnant, and it could no longer be concealed, the Emperor casually granted her the rank of Changzai and had her stay in Jingan Palace, next to the Cold Palace.
Everyone could tell she was not favored.
Once she gave birth to The Third Prince, the Emperor gave her the title of Noble Lady.
This rank of concubine was only elevated after The Third Prince grew older.
On the surface, the Emperor wouldn’t visit Jingan Palace all year round, and Consort Jing was said to have been “out of favor for many years,” often ill, rarely participating in palace banquets, only appearing briefly during the New Year, with a very low presence.
So when Consort Jing came out to greet the Empress Dowager, some concubines were surprised for a moment, but that was all, and they quickly dismissed her from their minds.
A Consort Jing who had been out of favor for decades, what tide could she possibly stir?
The Third Prince was demoted to an academy, away from the center of power in the Capital, indicating that he had been abandoned by the Emperor, and the position of Crown Prince had nothing to do with The Third Prince.
Noble Consort Qi didn’t even glance at Consort Jing.
The Empress, on the other hand, smiled and had a palace maid show Consort Jing to her seat.
Murong Jiu noticed the coldness in the Empress Dowager’s eyes and how her fingers tightly clutched the string of white jade Buddha beads, even a fleeting look of disgust flashed by.
The Empress Dowager disgusted by Consort Jing?
Murong Jiu felt as if she had stumbled upon some extraordinary secret and couldn’t help but sneak a glance at the Emperor.
The Emperor, however, didn’t look at Consort Jing. It was unclear if it was to avoid suspicion or something else, but he seemed to be in a rather good mood, summoning an eunuch. Soon after, music and dancing began in the Imperial Garden ahead.
Dancing girls fluttered among the flowers.
As one dance concluded, the Princess of the Western Regions, also known as Consort Qin, arrived fashionably late.
She wore a blue dress typical of the Western Regions, revealing a section of her waist adorned with small tinkling bells, which looked enchanting.
Moreover, with her bold and exotic features matching those of the Western Region Prince – deep-set eyes, a prominent nose, and long, thick hair and eyelashes – Consort Qin’s finely chiseled appearance carried an exotic charm, making her beauty stand out loud and proud.
Accompanying her was the Western Region Prince, Na Kesi.
“Please forgive us, Your Majesty. My brother and I lingered in conversation, as he will soon return home, and I felt a bit sentimental. Without realizing, we’ve arrived late,” she said.
The Princess of the Western Regions spoke without a discernible accent; it was evident that she had seriously studied the Han language. Moreover, her voice slightly trailed, as if carrying hooks.
“My love, there’s no need for such formality. I, too, feel for your imminent separation from your brother; how could I be angry? The Prince of the Western Regions can rest assured that I will take good care of my beloved consort.”
The Emperor said with a smile, his voice filled with indulgence for Consort Qin.
“Thank you, great Emperor of Great Yan!” exclaimed the Western Region Prince aloud.
Consort Qin’s face broke into a smile: “I am so happy, I wish to perform a dance for Your Majesty!”
“Granted!”
Thus, Consort Qin began a spirited foreign dance under everyone’s gaze.
Noble Consort Qi’s face had been looking quite unsightly throughout.
The Empress, too, was sporting a forced smile.
The smiles on the other concubines’ faces did not reach their eyes either.
In the harem, all the women regarded the Emperor as their heaven. Now that the Emperor showed obvious favor to Consort Qin, having spent several nights in a row in her palace, even Noble Consort Qi, who was most favored, hadn’t seen the Emperor for several days.
Now, with Consort Qin stealing the spotlight in front of all the officials and seeing that satisfied look in His Majesty’s eyes, it seemed another disastrous enchantress had emerged.
What mattered most was Consort Qin’s youth; she was only eighteen, the picture of budding grace. Who knew how many more years she would be favored?
How could those concubines, with hearts set on vying for favor, be happy?
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Once the dance ended, many men showed looks of amazement.
Murong Jiu, reborn, had a keen sense of observation. She noticed that Consort Qin cast coquettish glances at the three princes present, including Jun Yuyan.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, recalling a memory.
In her previous life, Consort Qin had always been quite favored. However, there was one time when Bai Aoshuang arrogantly came to her, saying the wrong things. She mentioned Consort Qin with jealousy in her words, implying that Consort Qin was also a woman of the Second Prince.
It seemed that Consort Qin was playing on both sides of the fence, seeking favor with the Emperor while also keeping a backup plan.
After all, as the Princess of the Western Regions, Consort Qin’s arrival in Great Yan was hardly for the sake of mere favor and glory; her ambition must have been substantial.
Murong Jiu didn’t dwell on it, knowing that even if Consort Qin had an agenda, it wouldn’t be achieved quickly.
If Consort Qin chose to ally with the Second Prince, then she was destined not to get her wish.
Just then, the Fifth Princess suddenly proposed to the Emperor:
“Father Emperor, since Consort Qin has performed, and the atmosphere is so pleasant today, why not have everyone showcase their talents to enliven the palace banquet?”
With the Emperor in a good mood, he readily agreed.
“Then who shall perform first? Who volunteers?”
This was a good opportunity for the Noble Girls to display their talents, but the request was so sudden that, despite their eagerness to perform, they hadn’t decided what to present at the moment.
“Your Majesty, since no one else is stepping forward, allow this subject’s daughter to play a tune, to start the revelry,” said someone suddenly.
Murong Man gracefully rose and walked to the center.
She was dressed unassumingly, in a moon-white dress that was inconspicuous among the entire banquet. As she stepped out, her brows wore a hint of sorrow and vulnerability, as if a breeze could topple her, eliciting sympathy.
With her entrance, the voices that had been mocking her in private suddenly vanished.
Everyone suddenly remembered that Murong Man was a victim too, weren’t they? Who would have known that the eldest son of Marquis Ensu was such a scoundrel?
Noble Consort Qi said with a pitiful expression, “Manman is a poor thing. Someone, go fetch my Phoenix Head Zither.”
