Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 485: What Man Isn’t Lustful?

Jun Yuyan hadn’t expected that when the Empress spoke of "taking care" of someone, it would be this kind of care!

The memory of the body is indisputable.

He went from initial shock to quickly turning the tables, becoming the dominant player.

From the front of the desk, to the Noble Consort’s divan, and then onto the bed.

The next day, Jun Yuyan went to court feeling refreshed and invigorated, while it was Murong Jiu, who had boasted of taking care of him, who could hardly get out of bed due to a sore waist and weak legs.

It wasn’t until she woke up, had her noon meal, and Zhiyu along with Zhijin came hassling her to see the flowers in the Imperial Garden, that she finally got up.

While playing with the two energetically lively kids in the Imperial Garden for half a day, her waist soreness became unbearable, and just as she stumbled over a pebble, with no one around to assist, she fell to the ground.

She propped herself up with her hands, not really in pain, but unexpectedly Consort Dowager Qi saw her fall as she came to appreciate the flowers.

When she looked up, she met Consort Dowager Qi’s shocked gaze.

"Empress, you can’t even stand properly? Are you so seriously ill? What are these palace maids doing, letting the Empress fall like this!"

Murong Jiu felt somewhat embarrassed, knowing that Consort Dowager Qi had misunderstood the situation. However, it was not something she could easily explain, as she still needed to feign illness, so she waited until Chun Tao and Hong Yi arrived before she was helped to stand up.

She said, "This concubine is fine, I have worried Mother Consort."

Consort Dowager Qi’s concern seemed genuine, as if she feared that Murong Jiu really might die from her illness.

If Murong Jiu truly died, it would cause endless troubles for Consort Dowager Qi, the imperial harem, and even for the court.

Consort Dowager Qi scrutinized her, her brows tightly furrowed, "You look haggard, with dark circles under your eyes and a raspy voice. Now you can’t even stand firmly. Are all the Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Medical Office incompetent? Isn’t your master a Divine Doctor? How come after more than half a month, not only have you not recovered, but your condition has even worsened?"

Murong Jiu lowered her head, covering her mouth as she coughed a few times, thinking to herself that not sleeping much the previous night was bound to have left her complexion less than ideal.

As for her throat... she could only blame Jun Yuyan for insisting she make some noise.

She had to keep her head down low to prevent people from seeing the flush of embarrassment on her face.

Hong Yi, quick to react, sniffled sorrowfully, "Consort Dowager, Her Majesty’s ailment is in the heart..."

"Hong Yi!"

Murong Jiu gently chided.

With her eyes reddening, Hong Yi fell silent, pursed her lips, and brimmed with grievances.

Chun Tao also secretly pinched her own thigh, tears silently falling as she silently draped the cloak over her mistress.

Consort Dowager Qi instantly imagined a whole array of possibilities, of course understanding Murong Jiu’s "heart ailment." She used to find their extreme affection annoying, but putting herself in Murong Jiu’s shoes, being suddenly cast aside by a beloved man, and furthermore, the man taking a new love, her heart would certainly not take it well either.

"Try to let go, all men in this world are like this, without exception. Instead of indulging in self-pity here and harming your own health, you should fight for his favor and secure your position as the Empress," she advised Murong Jiu in a gentle voice, feeling somewhat sympathetic.

Consort Dowager Qi herself was a forceful woman who also experienced a sudden fall from grace, understanding in one night she was nothing but Consort Jing’s decoy. Her heart was filled with resentment and unwillingness, causing her unbearable pain, to the point she could not eat or drink. However, she quickly adjusted her mindset.

She knew all too well, men are fickle creatures, and there’s no such thing as lifelong devotion. Wealth and prestige were far more reliable than a man’s empty promises.

Now she had everything she wanted without having to please any man. Consort Dowager Qi felt she was living a life many times better than before.

Thinking of this, she became even more earnest:

"You cannot put all your thoughts on men; you have to live for yourself. Your status is a thousand times better than Wang Yingluo’s, and the Emperor won’t depose you from your position as Empress. Be magnanimous, be a competent Empress. Isn’t it good to be second only to one and above tens of thousands?"

In the past, she did not like Murong Jiu, but as a woman, she felt that Murong Jiu, in her current state, was truly pitiable.

How many women in the world are not pitiable?

Murong Jiu said, "Thank you for your kindness, Consort Dowager. I will think carefully about your words."

She did not argue, as Consort Dowager Qi’s thoughts were deep-seated and she could not change them. Besides, she could not disclose Wang Yingluo’s affairs to Consort Dowager Qi.

But no matter what, Consort Dowager Qi indeed meant well, so she showed a willingness to be taught.

Seeing her so compliant, Consort Dowager Qi viewed her even more favorably and nodded, saying:

"It’s just that you are too headstrong. I did not mean to target you in the past. Just be gentle like you are now, assist the Emperor as a virtuous wife, and I will speak well of you to the Emperor in the future."

Murong Jiu still nodded obediently, bowing her head and revealing her pale neck.

Seeing this, Consort Dowager Qi grew even more satisfied and continued earnestly:

"Wang Yingluo is no more than someone who saved the Emperor’s life. Since he can fall in love with this woman, he can also fall for other women. If you don’t want her to be the exclusive favorite, suggest to the Emperor to take in more consorts, introduce more eye-catching Imperial maidens into the harem. What man does not covet beauty? With more women around, his affection will naturally fade."

Murong Jiu spoke slowly, "I thought the Consort Dowager was very fond of Miss Wang."

Consort Dowager Qi said, "She has a sweet mouth and knows how to please people. She’s likable, but how can she be compared with the Empress?"

Initially, she indeed liked Wang Yingluo very much, but Wang Yingluo, having gone to watch a male servant sing and forgotten herself, did not return for the entire night, which goes to show that she is not a woman of restraint.

Now, relying on the Emperor’s affection, she even left the palace, showing her face openly and saying she has some grand affairs to tend to; Consort Dowager Qi does not like such restless women.

With comparison comes disparity, and seeing the shortcomings of Wang Yingluo, she realized that Murong Jiu was actually quite good.

Although she had also been assertive in the past, whether in the Prince Mansion or the palace, she handled everything in an orderly manner, acting with stability and generosity. No one did not praise her; her reputation was excellent.

Wang Yingluo, in an attempt to imitate and gain a good reputation, showed that she is proud and unwilling to be outdone by the Empress.

But after all, she is just a girl from a small mountain village—to put it plainly, a country bumpkin. Such a woman might be given a title and placed in the palace, but to absurdly dream of becoming the Empress is simply preposterous!

Therefore, Consort Dowager Qi’s dislike for Wang Yingluo grew, while her sympathy for Murong Jiu increased, feeling that she shared the same plight as her past self.

If this could make Murong Jiu more obedient, it might not be a bad thing.

Murong Jiu realized that Consort Dowager Qi had not changed, still being the same self-righteous person, but she said nothing, obediently nodding no matter what the other party said.

Consort Dowager Qi did not say much more, because Zhijin and Zhiyu had run over from the other end. As soon as she saw her grandsons, her eyes lit up, and she eagerly waved them over.

"My dear grandchildren, come here quickly!"

"Grandmother!"

The two little ones ran into Consort Dowager Qi’s arms, her delight spilling out in tender cries and endearments.

The two little ones even blinked at Murong Jiu, showing no partiality.

At such a young age, they were already quite charming.