Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 264: Something Worth Celebrating

In a past life, wasn’t it just like this?

He had died because of her, yet until her death, she had never known his affection for her.

Murong Jiu’s heart ached suddenly, her nose tingled, and her eyes reddened.

"What’s wrong, Ah Jiu, are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

Jun Yuyan, with an urgent expression, clasped her hand tightly and turned to call someone.

Murong Jiu hurriedly said, "I’m fine, there’s nothing uncomfortable. It’s just, just that I think the Butterfly Demon is too pitiful."

Just like you in the previous life.

And I am like that Top Scholar who knows nothing, someone clears the obstacles for me, yet I think it is only good luck, or I think it is the Second Prince’s credit.

Jun Yuyan embraced her, gently patting her shoulder as he said:

"It’s only a tale after all. If you think this ending is not good, I will have the author change it. How about changing it so the Butterfly Demon reincarnates as a rich young lady who meets a man who wholeheartedly loves her and spends a lifetime with her, wouldn’t that be nice?"

Murong Jiu was amused by him, "This story has been written who knows how long ago, and who knows how many people have seen the ending. Suddenly changing it, wouldn’t it become a joke?"

Seeing her laugh, Jun Yuyan said, "As long as Ah Jiu doesn’t like it, let’s make him change it, keep changing it until Ah Jiu is satisfied."

She couldn’t help saying, "Isn’t this like, in the tale, a monarch who loves the beauty but not the kingdom?"

"As long as he is not a foolish ruler, for the sake of a smile from Ah Jiu, doing something harmless isn’t really an issue. With a beauty like Ah Jiu by my side, even if I am not the monarch, I am more than willing."

Other men might say such things just to please women, but Murong Jiu knew he was serious, that every word he said to her was serious.

Moreover, he never cared about the throne before; it was for her that he strove for it.

Thinking this, Murong Jiu wrapped her arms around his neck; she did not want to say anything, only wanted to respond to his fiery emotions with her own passion.

Thus, her lips pressed against Jun Yuyan’s warm, thin lips.

Jun Yuyan’s pupils dilated slightly.

He enjoyed kissing Ah Jiu, but he restrained himself, not daring to do it too often, afraid that Ah Jiu wouldn’t like it, always kissing her forehead or cheek, the only time he initiated a kiss on her lips was the day he decided to go to war.

Today, Ah Jiu’s initiative undeniably dropped a droplet into a boiling pot, making his blood burn even hotter.

He deepened the kiss willingly.

Murong Jiu clung to him, overwhelmed.

In just a few moments, he had gone from awkward to skilled.

"Oh my!"

She suddenly exclaimed.

Jun Yuyan quickly let her go, and she touched her belly saying, "The two little ones just gave me a strong kick."

As she spoke, her cheeks flushed red, yet she wore a happy smile.

Jun Yuyan placed his hand on her, but the playful little ones stopped moving again.

He said to Murong Jiu’s belly, "Kicking your mother like this, once you come out, daddy is going to spank your bottoms."

Murong Jiu could not help but smile.

Jun Yuyan laughed and hugged her again, speaking warmly, "Ah Jiu, being with you is the happiest thing for me. When the child is born, we will raise them joyfully together."

She nodded.

It certainly will be.

The snow had fallen all night.

The outside world was now clad in silver, a vast expanse of white.

Yet before dawn had even broken, the servants in the Prince Mansion had diligently started to sweep the roads. Qiyun Courtyard was also cleaned spotlessly, except for a patch under the bamboo grove that was left unswept, as Jun Yuyan had specifically instructed.

Because Murong Jiu could give birth at any moment, whether on main or minor paths, there needed to be access for pedestrians. If the snowy paths were slippery, it might delay things.

However, the small bamboo grove in the courtyard was a place for enjoying tea and playing chess during the summer. In the winter’s severe cold, neither the masters nor the servants would venture there, making it perfect to leave for Murong Jiu to enjoy the snow.

After having her breakfast, Murong Jiu indeed went under the eaves to enjoy the snow. It was still snowing, but only lightly, scattering flurries. The sky and earth were a dull gray, yet the bamboo branches remained a vibrant green, offering a unique charm.

Kai Xuan was seeing snow for the first time, frolicking in it with visible joy. Its fur was snow-white; when it burrowed into the snowy ground, if it remained still, it even became invisible, a natural camouflage in the snow.

However, on the grasslands or in the forests, when it did not snow, its fur was too conspicuous. Prey could spot it from afar, and its failure to blend in was why the wolf pack had abandoned it.

But Kai Xuan’s sense of smell and speed were far superior to those of ordinary wolves, and Murong Jiu believed that even in the forests, it could surely catch plenty of prey.

"Prince, Princess Consort, my wife seeks an audience,"

Chang Chonghai entered the courtyard to report, his face alight with joy.

Murong Jiu instantly sat up straight, her eyes lighting up.

Chang Chonghai’s wife, Lady Jing, was currently with her daughter, Xiao Qin, helping in the Glazed Pavilion, looking after the fruits and vegetables.

Since acquiring some seeds from a merchant fleet from overseas, Murong Jiu had been keen to cultivate these foreign crops herself.

So, she sought advice from several experienced old Peasant Officials in the Capital City.

A Peasant Official was responsible for teaching farming to the populace; some were not truly skilled, but some were well-read in agricultural texts and dedicated to increasing the food supply. Those she had consulted were of the latter type, all honored retirees who were idling at home.

Knowing Murong Jiu’s intent to grow crops from foreign lands to better feed the people of Great Yan, these old officials were very active in thinking up solutions for her.

The original plan was to plant the seeds in the spring, but one of the old officials, surnamed Kang, suggested, "Since the Princess Consort owns the Colored Glaze Workshop, perhaps try constructing a farmhouse out of colored glaze to shelter the crops from the wind and keep them warm, avoiding the wait until spring."

Previously, some had used straw huts for growing vegetables, covering them with thick straw for wind protection and warmth. However, it was discovered that without sunlight, the crops couldn’t grow normally, although it was still possible to grow some leeks and sprouts.

By now, everyone in the Capital City knew that Princess Consort Ling owned a Colored Glaze Workshop, which sold particularly well overseas and in the Western Regions, as well as retailing in the Capital City in a variety of designs. The shop itself was exceptionally attractive, with its central roof made of white colored glaze, so brightly lit by sunlight that no candles were needed inside, which had caused quite a stir in the city at the time.

Thus, Old Peasant Official Kang had this idea.

The Glazed Pavilion was built in a secluded part of the front courtyard, and Yu Yan had even visited after returning.

The Peasant Officials were very experienced, knowing how to ventilate, sun-dry, and water properly, and the soil for planting was specially mixed. Several crops had sprouted in just half a month, delighting Murong Jiu.

Lady Jing, born to a family of diligent farmers, had grown up with her grandmother in the vegetable garden. Her parents had also allowed her to study and receive an education, making her the only girl in the village to do so. Unfortunately, her parents died early in an accident, and her grandmother, unable to bear the shock, passed away shortly after. Before dying, she asked an old friend who owned a flower garden to take her in, and she had been growing flowers and trees there ever since.

Feeling indebted to the Princess Consort for saving her life, Lady Jing felt compelled to give something back. From the very start of planting in the Glazed Pavilion, she had been assisting the old officials and took over their duties when they were not around.

An audience today, was surely to be a joyous matter!