Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 549: Call Me Ah Jiu

"Master Hui Jue?"

Having only been half a year, upon seeing Master Hui Jue again, Murong Jiu hardly dared to recognize him.

It was because he seemed to have aged decades in an instant, his eyebrows pale, appearing almost like a centenarian.

The previous time he saw him, he was only middle-aged.

The feeling he gave off seemed even more compassionate.

Jun Yuyan was also full of surprise; although he had lost some memories, he had known Master Hui Jue a few years ago, and the difference was too great compared to his memory.

"It is indeed I, the old monk. Please, have a seat," said the master.

Master Hui Jue had a serene smile on his face, his gaze wise, as if he understood everything.

After they sat down, he slowly began to speak.

"This is the last time the old monk will enter the capital. Afterwards, I will continue to wander the world and eventually pass away serenely when the time comes."

"Your age..."

Master Hui Jue laughed, saying, "The old monk has lived for over a hundred years, and the day of my serene passing is approaching. There is no need for sorrow. I am fortunate to have seen peace restored during my lifetime."

Without the need for them to ask, Master Hui Jue then revealed the purpose of their visit.

"The old monk is not a court physician. I cannot assist with matters of memory. However, I have come to the capital this time for the Soul from Another World."

Murong Jiu was not disappointed. Before meeting Master Hui Jue, Jun Yuyan had told her that the likelihood of regaining her memories might be very slim, urging her not to feel downhearted. Even without her memories, he loved her all the same, even more than before.

It was a matter beyond their control.

What surprised both of them was that Master Hui Jue had come for the Soul from Another World.

Murong Jiu could not help but ask, "Master, since you already know about this, do you know where the original soul inside Wang Yingluo’s body has gone? Did it disappear, or did it go to Wang Yingluo’s era?"

This was a question that concerned everyone in the know.

Wang Yingluo had travelled through time three years ago, yet the body was originally Wang Dahua’s. She had taken over someone else’s body. Where the original soul had gone was an intriguing question.

"That young girl is trapped within this person’s body."

"So, Wang Yingluo’s body is still alive?"

Master Hui Jue nodded, "She is merely alive, unable to move, speak, or see."

"A vegetative state!"

"Vegetative state" was a term from Wang Yingluo’s side, but Great Yan also had vegetative state cases, most often as a result of severe brain injuries from falling from high places, making them breathing corpses.

It’s just that the vegetative people here do not live long, whereas on Wang Yingluo’s side, they can inject nutrients and have equipment that can sustain life indefinitely.

"That poor young girl."

She frowned as she spoke.

Having come through time over three years ago, if that girl had been trapped in Wang Yingluo’s body for three years, it would be like being in a dark room, unable to move or speak. It would truly be unbearable.

"She wants to return."

Master Hui Jue said.

Murong Jiu, "Do you have a way to help her? Whatever you need, just say it!"

Jun Yuyan nodded, Murong Jiu’s intentions were his.

"The old monk indeed needs the help of both benefactors."

First, Wang Yingluo must not die; without her physical body, even if the young girl returns, she will become a lonely, wandering ghost.

Secondly, a ritual is necessary.

Master Hui Jue was to perform a ritual that required several Buddhist relics from the Imperial Treasury, precious items given by the small nations of Southeast Asia years ago with the efforts of entire countries, more useful than ordinary Buddhist relics.

Furthermore, sixty years ago, a monk who had attained enlightenment had passed away, leaving behind a crystalline and translucent Shariputra. This Shariputra was also kept by the Imperial Family, guarded within the Huguo Temple, and Master Hui Jue needed it as well.

All these were naturally not a problem.

They could even be given to Master Hui Jue.

For them, these were merely treasures of the state treasury; they were gathering dust in the Imperial Treasury. They had never expected them to be put to use.

"Three days later, at the Chen Hour, bring the Buddhist relics, and at noon, bring that female devotee here."

Jun Yuyan and Murong Jiu agreed.

After returning to the palace, Jun Yuyan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "In three days, this farce will finally end."

For him, it felt like a dreamlike unreality.

The appearance of Wang Yingluo, to him, was like an irremovable plaster on his skin, not only hard to tear off but also dirtying himself.

Fortunately, the moment he saw the Empress for the first time, he almost couldn’t shift his gaze away. In that moment, he was certain that Wang Yingluo was not his lover; it was his Empress who was the most important person deep in his heart, so his heart throbbed and ached at the sight of his Empress’s wan and ill appearance.

A person’s first reaction is the most genuine.

Fortunate that he hadn’t fallen for Wang Yingluo’s deception, otherwise his Empress would certainly have left him.

Murong Jiu nestled in his arms, softly saying, "It also feels like a dream to me. After you returned, I dreamed many times of that cliff, standing below and screaming hysterically for you, but I could never find you. Only upon waking up and seeing you could I be at peace."

Jun Yuyan’s expression was complex, both joyful and heartbroken, his voice even softer and more tender: "Empress, I will never be separated from you again. From now on, no matter where we go, we will always be together, okay?"

"Call me Ah Jiu," Murong Jiu looked up at him, "In the past, you always called me Ah Jiu."

"Ah Jiu."

Jun Yuyan embraced her tightly: "Ah Jiu, my dear Empress."

As emotions peaked, the two of them couldn’t help but kiss passionately.

Hong Yi had excused herself early, hearing faint movements inside, she turned to look towards the Empress Dowager Qi who was almost at the Kunning Palace then finally knocked on the door.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is here." freewēbnoveℓ.com

Murong Jiu quickly pushed Jun Yuyan away, wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, her ears flushed.

It was still broad daylight outside; any more intimacy would have to wait for the dark.

Jun Yuyan had a somewhat goofy smile; if not for his handsome face, he would indeed look like a fool from a landlord’s family.

However, by the time Empress Dowager Qi entered, Jun Yuyan had regained his serious composure, his expression calm and natural, betraying nothing.

"What brings Mother here? Is there something you need to discuss?"

Jun Yuyan asked.

"The Emperor is here?"

Empress Dowager Qi apparently did not know the Emperor was here, and upon seeing Jun Yuyan, she looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Did Mother come to see me?" Murong Jiu asked.

Empress Dowager Qi glanced at Jun Yuyan and hesitated to speak.

Jun Yuyan’s brows furrowed, asking, "Is there something Mother wants to discuss with the Empress that I shouldn’t hear?"

"It’s not that you shouldn’t hear it, nor is there any serious matter. I just came to see how the Empress’s health was. Since there’s nothing pressing, I will go visit Zhijin and Zhiyu now."

Saying so, she left without even taking a sip of the tea that had been brought to her.

Jun Yuyan looked towards Murong Jiu, "Has Mother been troubling you in private?"

Murong Jiu shook her head, "No, these past few days she has been asking Fu Rong a lot. This is the first time she has come here; if she really has something to say, she will come again when you are not in Kunning Palace."