Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 496: Holding the Crown Prince and Princess in the Palm of Hand

Chapter 496: Chapter 496: Holding the Crown Prince and Princess in the Palm of Hand

After having lunch, Consort Dowager Qi instructed the Emperor to visit the Crown Prince and the Princess.

Wang Yingluo thought to herself that although she had been in the palace for a while, she had not yet seen the twin siblings. She had only caught a glimpse of them from afar before, but this time, she really wanted to see what these historically famous figures looked like in their childhood.

Previously, she believed that without the Emperor’s affection, these two children posed no threat. Now, however, she was not so sure.

Moreover, since Jun Zhijin had been established early as the Crown Prince and was the legitimate eldest son, even if one wanted to depose him, a suitable reason was necessary. If the Emperor, motivated by guilt, ended up doting on these siblings, they could pose a significant threat to her in the future.

She could not let that happen.

Just as she was about to say that she wanted to accompany the Emperor to see the Crown Prince and the Princess, the Emperor said to Consort Dowager Qi:

"My son has to meet with the ministers later, and I’ll visit the Crown Prince and Princess when I have time."

Turning his head towards Wang Yingluo, he asked with concern, "Ah Ying, are you getting used to living here with your mother? "

With Consort Dowager Qi nearby, Wang Yingluo naturally nodded, "Of course, I’m used to it. Brother Yan, Ah Ying has never lived in such a nice house before, and the Consort Dowager is as gentle and kind as a mother. I really like it. By the way, Brother Yan, since the Consort Dowager is your mother, why don’t you elevate her to Empress Dowager?"

Sooner or later Consort Dowager Qi was bound to become the Empress Dowager, and Wang Yingluo clearly wanted to make a good impression in front of Consort Dowager Qi.

However, when Consort Dowager Qi showed a pleased expression, the Empress suddenly said, "Miss Wang, I have already discussed this with His Majesty just yesterday. Since tomorrow is an auspicious day, His Majesty plans to announce it at tomorrow’s early court as a surprise for the mother."

Upon hearing this, a smile burst forth on Consort Dowager Qi’s face that she couldn’t suppress.

"Empress, you are thoughtful," she said.

Even the Emperor praised her, whereas Wang Yingluo, who first brought it up, received the cold shoulder, not getting a single word of praise.

It felt like someone had stolen her credit.

A shadow passed across Wang Yingluo’s eyes.

Since the Emperor had to meet with his ministers, Wang Yingluo could not follow and had to stay in Consort Dowager Qi’s palace.

Watching the Emperor and Empress leave one after the other, Wang Yingluo felt a surge of impatience, worried about the two getting along on their way.

She could have used the excuse to go to the Imperial Garden to see the Emperor off, but Consort Dowager Qi insisted her calligraphy needed more practice and asked her to stay and practice her writing.

Having fought in the harem for so many years, Consort Dowager Qi was no naive sweetheart; she was clearly creating opportunities for Murong Jiu and the Emperor to be alone!

Wang Yingluo took a deep breath and tried to calm herself.

It didn’t matter, she was the true favored one. As long as she asked, there would be people from the Emperor’s side willing to report to her what the Emperor and Empress had said, just to curry favor with her, like Eunuch Li.

Since Consort Dowager Qi disliked her calligraphy, she would improve it. Her handwriting was not bad in modern times; she just hadn’t practiced with a brush. For her, it was not difficult.

Surely, once Consort Dowager Qi saw her rapid progress, she would look at her differently.

This incident had proven that she needed to please Consort Dowager Qi even more; otherwise, the other party would subtly sabotage her in small ways.

Well, if she must ingratiate herself, so be it. She would endure this period of humiliation. Once the Emperor and Empress were thoroughly estranged, with no chance of love, and once the Empress became a deposed Empress and she became the Empress of Great Yan, controlling the power of the harem, she would see how this old pious woman would cause her trouble!

Wang Yingluo constantly sought updates, instructing the palace maid to remind her as soon as the Emperor was done with his official duties.

But she had not expected to be outmaneuvered by the Empress!

She had just hurried over when she heard from the palace maid that the Emperor had gone to the Empress’ Kunning Palace to see the Crown Prince and Princess; the Empress had personally sent someone to invite him, claiming the children missed their father.

Missing the opportunity, Wang Yingluo’s expression turned extremely unsightly.

She subconsciously wanted to head toward Kunning Palace to see how Murong Jiu shamelessly seduced Jun Yuyan.

"Miss! If you go to Kunning Palace, wouldn’t it make things difficult for Your Majesty? I am speaking out of turn, but Your Majesty favors women who are understanding," said the palace maid softly.

Her name was Fu Rong, a clever one; Wang Yingluo liked to use her services. Over the days, Wang Yingluo had also learned that Fu Rong came from a poor family and was short on money, which made her opportunistic and skilled at flattering others, making her easy to control.

"You are right, I was too hasty," Wang Yingluo conceded.

She calmed down, perhaps because things had been going too smoothly for her lately, everything had come too easily, and she hadn’t thought things through as thoroughly as a palace maid would.

Indeed, although Jun Yuyan had her in his heart, as a woman, ensuring that a man’s love for her never waned was the true essence.

If she just went to Kunning Palace like that, Jun Yuyan might think she was going to confront him.

"Let’s wait for His Majesty at Qianqing Palace. Once he is finished with his duties, he will naturally return."

Wang Yingluo indulged in the demeanor of the Empress and headed to Qianqing Palace, ordering the Imperial Kitchen to prepare nourishing soup and desserts.

The desserts came quickly; she languidly ate them while reading a book, but by the time she finished the desserts, the Emperor had not returned.

"Is Your Majesty still in Kunning Palace?"

Fu Rong hurriedly replied, "Miss, it seems His Majesty is having dinner there. I just inquired, and the Imperial Kitchen is already preparing the meal."

"What did you say?" Wang Yingluo’s expression darkened slightly. "Does His Majesty not know I am waiting for him here?"

"This... I had Eunuch Li inform him. Perhaps Your Majesty has not seen the Crown Prince and the Princess for a long time. Kunning Palace is filled with laughter and joy, and His Majesty, carried away by happiness, might have forgotten," replied Fu Rong.

"Very well, if that is the case, let’s return to the Consort Dowager’s Palace."

Wang Yingluo was very composed at this moment.

She felt that Murong Jiu was deliberately trying to provoke her, to make her act improvidently, showing jealousy that might displease the Emperor.

If she were an ignorant country girl, she might have fallen for it, but she was not.

The more composed and sensible she behaved at this time, the more the Emperor would cherish her once he found out.

Meanwhile.

Jun Yuyan was still playing with Zhijin and Zhiyu.

Blood ties were indelible, and moreover, this was not his first time seeing the children. In fact, he often stayed here at night, and sometimes his Empress would bring the children over.

It was just that this was the first time openly.

Both children resembled him and his Empress; they were the crystallization of their love, and he cherished both deeply.

He was happy to openly play with the children, even acting as a horse for them to ride.

Unfortunately, his Empress wouldn’t allow it. If Wang Yingluo heard about it, it might be too stimulating, provoking her to do something irreversible, so they had to proceed step by step.

After dinner, Jun Yuyan had to leave, even though he didn’t want to.

With no one else around, he hugged Murong Jiu and left a kiss on her forehead, tenderly saying, "Empress, remember to wait for me tonight."

Wait for him to scale the wall!