Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 508: Perhaps a Little Too Sensitive

This is actually a very terrifying thing.

The secrets in the depths of a person’s heart could be easily pried into, and if Wang Yingluo hadn’t brought it up on her own initiative, Eunuch Li would have probably remained completely unaware, not having the slightest inkling of what he had said.

Murong Jiu spoke earnestly, "Wang Yingluo probably also probed into your mind just like she questioned Eunuch Li, that’s why she is so brazen, as if she knows everything about you, confident that she can make you love only her. However, modifying memories must have been a difficult task for her, which is why she didn’t use hypnotism afterward."

Jun Yuyan nodded.

"I didn’t think that such abilities existed in the world."

"I also wonder whether Gu insects would have any effect on this ability," she mused.

Since Jun Yuyan has lost that part of his memory, he doesn’t know how formidable Gu insects are, but he said:

"We can try it. Even if it doesn’t work, we can just make sure Fu Rong escapes in time."

Murong Jiu nodded with a smile.

"Yes, we are in the palace after all, where Wang Yingluo can’t cover the sky with one hand or kill as she pleases. Even if she suspects something wrong with Fu Rong, we won’t give her the chance to hypnotize her. At worst, I can transfer Fu Rong to Kunning Palace."

Jun Yuyan held her in his arms, saying gently, "Mm, there’s no need to be as if facing a great enemy. At worst, it will just be a breach of protocol, and all she will face is either life imprisonment or death."

Life imprisonment was only being considered due to the knowledge she possessed; otherwise, given her crimes of great treason, deceiving the emperor, and attempting to replace the Empress, not even execution of her entire family could atone for her offense.

Let alone that she used hypnotism to alter the emperor’s memory and hid his whereabouts.

"Alright, let’s not talk about her anymore. Let’s rest early. You have to leave the city early in the morning."

Murong Jiu felt a bit sorry for him running back and forth every day.

He was already tired from being in the army camp and still had to come back to the palace to accompany her.

"The Empress might not know this, but the fatigue of an entire day dissipates the instant I see the Empress. You are my best medicine," he said.

Murong Jiu could hardly suppress her smile, chiding him, "Your Majesty is getting more and more glib."

Jun Yuyan picked her up horizontally, "Come, Your Majesty, let’s get ready for bed quickly, don’t let me disturb your sleep."

...

The next day, when Murong Jiu woke up, Jun Yuyan had already left the palace early.

After finishing breakfast, she sent for Miao Wuxie to discuss the matter of Gu insects and hypnotism.

Miao Wuxie was not as skilled as her in medicine, but his innate gift for Gu insects was exceedingly strong; if he hadn’t turned against her later, he would have been a formidable opponent.

"As long as you keep someone constantly awake, they should be able to avoid her manipulation. I think it’s worth a try," he said.

It sounds simple, and Miao Wuxie also has such a Gu insect.

But without a real-world test, no one knows if it’s workable or not.

After all, very little is known about Wang Yingluo’s abilities in hypnotism.

"By placing this Gu insect inside a palace maid, I’ll keep an eye on the mother Gu at all times. If the child Gu shows any anomalies, I’ll control the mother Gu, and theoretically, it should prevent the maid from being hypnotized. It all depends on how good her acting is to pretend to be hypnotized without being detected by the other party," he explained.

Murong Jiu pursed her lips, saying, "Wang Yingluo isn’t only surrounded by Fu Rong who is on our side; there are five others who are also mixed in."

Miao Wuxie said, "That’s not a problem. Junior Sister, I can now control several child Gus, but they probably can’t be too far apart. I’m afraid I’ll have to stay in the palace for a few days."

"Then I’ll arrange for you to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau, and you can stay under the pretext of treating me," she said.

After discussing for half an hour, Miao Wuxie left Kunning Palace and went to the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Wang Yingluo had always instructed people to keep an eye on the happenings over there.

"So, Miao Wuxie is the Empress’s senior brother, isn’t he? I thought Her Majesty the Empress looked quite well yesterday, why has she fallen ill again?"

In her heart, she thought that it would be better for Murong Jiu to succumb to illness and die, so she wouldn’t have to take matters into her own hands.

But given Murong Jiu’s seemingly untroubled demeanor yesterday, it didn’t seem likely that she was seriously ill. What if she didn’t come to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager today? Wouldn’t her own plans be in vain?

Eunuch Li said, "It is said that the Empress started coughing last night, which is why Miao the Divine Healer was summoned to the palace. He is the Empress’s senior brother, though this humble servant has overheard that his intentions toward the Empress are not quite ordinary."

"Oh? How so, not ordinary?"

Wang Yingluo’s interest was piqued.

Miao Wuxie didn’t have much fame in history, not as much as his father, Divine Doctor Miao, and his great uncle, Divine Doctor Zhai, both of who made significant contributions to ancient medicine.

By comparison, the son of Divine Doctor Miao seemed rather obscure.

It begs the question of whether it was due to Miao Wuxie being low-key or simply mediocre.

"This humble servant was by the late emperor’s side in the early mornings. Originally, Miao Wuxie’s father, Divine Doctor Miao, served the late emperor, while Miao Wuxie served the then Second Prince. Miao Wuxie and the Empress were once at odds like fire and water, but unexpectedly, Miao Wuxie suddenly switched sides and joined Prince Ling’s Mansion, even falling out with his own father, Divine Doctor Miao," Eunuch Li divulged.

"In this light, Miao Wuxie’s feelings for the Empress are indeed quite unusual," Wang Yingluo murmured with a light chuckle. What other kind of feeling could drive a man to turn against his own father, if not for a woman? It definitely wasn’t a simple fraternal relationship.

Eunuch Li also chuckled, "Exactly. The Empress’s cough wasn’t all that serious, yet Miao the Divine Healer attended to her for nearly half a Shichen."

After yesterday’s events, Eunuch Li’s demeanor toward Wang Yingluo had become even more respectful and subservient, almost to the point of groveling, fitting the description of a "dog servant" quite perfectly.

Fu Rong, too, exhibited a timely smile, not interjecting with any commentary.

At this moment, a little eunuch rushed in from outside reporting, "Miss, Her Majesty the Empress is heading towards Cining Palace."

Wang Yingluo immediately shed her languor, rising from the Noble Consort’s couch, "Good, Eunuch Li, a reward."

The little eunuch, having received a reward, thanked her profusely before withdrawing.

"Eunuch Li, you remember the task this miss entrusted you with, don’t you?"

"This servant dares not forget."

Wang Yingluo primped and adored herself, looking exquisite as she went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.

Upon arriving, she lavished praise upon the Empress Dowager until she beamed with joy. Taking advantage of the moment, she said,

"It is said that happiness rejuvenates one’s spirit. You look as though you’ve lost twenty years today. Ah Ying believes that You should have moved to Cining Palace much earlier."

Today marked the first official day the Empress Dowager took up residence in Cining Palace, having just moved in yesterday. It wasn’t just Wang Yingluo paying her respects; several Consort Dowagers who had not left the palace due to lack of a place to retire to were also present, usually living quietly without causing trouble.

Upon hearing this, the Consort Dowagers exchanged glances.

They didn’t particularly like Wang Yingluo and could sense the provocative undertone in her words. However, it wasn’t their place to comment, especially knowing her current favor with the court.

Moreover, as Wang Yingluo’s comment seemed to have slipped out unintentionally, it wasn’t really up for criticism.

Empress Dowager Qi, however, gave Wang Yingluo a piercing look, saying, "I do not take kindly to those who stir up trouble. Today is a joyous day, and I will not hold it against you, but you should take this to heart and ensure there won’t be a next time."

At those words, Wang Yingluo felt extremely embarrassed.

All she did was make a casual remark, how did it become stirring up trouble?

The women of these ancient royal courts were overly sensitive indeed.