inspire-indiana Chapter 251 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (151)
Chapter 251 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (151)
Lu Liruan breathed a sigh of relief and got up with her.
"Li Ruan, go back to sleep." Ji Shumin raised his hand and tied his loose hair up with a hairband.
He put on a black fur cloak, turned, and disappeared into the night.
Lu Liruan stood at the door. It was still completely dark, and not a ray of light could be seen. Servants were walking around in the courtyard with lanterns in the distance. The light was not warm at all, but rather made them look shadowy.
"Your Highness, it's cold outside. You should go back and rest," Qinghe said softly, standing beside Lu Liruan.
When will it get light?
"It's still early, about two more hours." Qinghe looked at the horizon.
"What could be so urgent?" Lu Liruan asked herself, feeling uncertain.
"This servant does not know, but His Highness the Third Prince must have his own plans. Your Highness need not worry. After you get a good night's sleep, we will know the outcome tomorrow," Qinghe comforted, helping Lu Liruan back to her bedroom.
The longer she waited, the slower time seemed to pass. Lu Liruan lay on the bed, tossing and turning for what felt like an eternity before finally falling asleep. When she opened her eyes again, light was already streaming in through the gaps in the bed curtains.
"Has the Third Prince returned?" Lu Liruan lifted the bed curtains, squinting as she was stung by the light.
"not yet."
Lu Liruan slept too late yesterday and didn't get up until almost noon today.
After she finished washing and dressing, someone came in to announce: "Your Highness, the Second Prince's concubine has come to see you. Would you like to see her?"
Lu Liruan frowned slightly, feeling utterly bewildered.
After Lu Yushi entered the Second Prince's palace as a concubine, the second branch of the Lu family took pride in this, which made Madam Gao extremely tired of it. At that time, she even mentioned to Lu Liruan in private that the second branch's wife, when she went to the Marquis of He'an's residence, shamelessly and subtly said: "Lu Yushi will definitely give birth to a royal heir before Lu Liruan. At that time, it is not certain which branch of the Lu family will be more important."
The implication was that Lu Liruan might be living a life of widowhood, and that the Marquis of He'an's family had sold their daughter to such an extent for the sake of glory. In comparison, their second branch of the family was the one that treated their daughters better!
"Shameless thing! The less you have in your own home, the more you flaunt it outside!" Madam Gao spat out at the time.
Many people in the capital say that the daughters of the Marquis of He'an's family have all been blessed with good fortune and happy marriages for generations. The Marquis of He'an's family has only managed to avoid decline because of its daughters.
Of course, many people were sour, saying that the Marquis of He'an's family relied on women, but those who said such things were naturally jealous; they were just sour grapes.
On the surface, the second branch of the Lu family looked down on this, but in reality, they had sent their daughters away many times over the years, but to no avail.
Now, Lu Yushi has been chosen by the Second Prince and made into his concubine. The Second Prince's wife mocks Lu Liruan for marrying the Third Prince, while praising the deep affection between her daughter and the Second Prince.
"Nonsense!" Madam Gao was most annoyed by the second wife's gossip about Lu Liruan.
During that time, I almost completely lost contact with the second roommate.
Especially at that time, because of the Second Prince, Lu Yushi often came to the palace to chat with Lu Liruan, acting weak to lower Lu Liruan's guard, so as to get information from Lu Liruan and let the Second Prince plot against Ji Shumin.
After that unsuccessful attempt, Lu Yushi, perhaps feeling guilty, never came to see Lu Liruan again. It wasn't until the truth came out and the Second Prince was punished by the Emperor and imprisoned that she was also imprisoned.
The second branch of the family became much more obedient as a result. They shamelessly and secretly tried to curry favor with the Marquis of He'an's mansion, hoping to sever ties with the Second Prince. At this point, they stopped mentioning their own daughter, acting as if Lu Yushi didn't exist. They were extremely cold-hearted, only wanting to protect themselves and not showing any concern for her.
When the Second Prince was released, Lu Yushi, who had been imprisoned with him, also returned to her original palace.
After Ji Shumin took the lead in leaving the palace to establish his own residence, the other princes, having obtained permission, also left the palace one after another. Everyone knew that life in the palace was not as easy and enjoyable as it was outside.
They had no ambition to vie for the position of crown prince, so naturally they left the palace to stay away from trouble and make their lives easier. Thus, they moved out one after another.
Only the second prince and the seventh prince remained in the palace.
The Second Prince's residence was under construction, so he remained in the palace until Ji Shuqin became regent, at which point he reluctantly moved out of the palace. However, he often used various excuses to stay overnight in his own courtyard in the palace.
Since the emperor is still alive and Ji Shuqin is not the new emperor, no one can say anything about the second prince's behavior.
The Seventh Prince is now disabled, and his behavior is inconsistent, sometimes lucid and sometimes dazed. Consort Rong is worried about him and often visits him.
Before the Emperor fell seriously ill, Consort Rong's life was very difficult. Everyone knew that Consort Rong, who was once the most favored concubine in the palace, had now completely fallen out of favor!
Not only did she fall out of favor, but the emperor also disliked her intensely; otherwise, why would she... commit suicide by hitting her head against a pillar?
Imperial concubines were not allowed to commit suicide. Naturally, the Emperor was disgusted by Consort Rong's actions. Although the Rong family was not implicated, they were still terrified.
In the palace, people always fawn over the powerful and oppress the weak. Consort Rong had been a powerful and domineering figure for so many years. Now that she has fallen to this state, those who have a grudge against her come to kick her while those who don't come to kick her.
After all, it's quite pleasing to be able to step on the once high and mighty empress.
Those were truly difficult times for Consort Rong...
Having grown accustomed to a life of luxury, she found it difficult to even light a charcoal fire in the cold or change into lighter clothes in the heat. She wanted to visit the Seventh Prince, but was repeatedly prevented from doing so. She cried in the palace every day, praying that the Seventh Prince was alright.
These days only gradually improved after the emperor fell ill and the eldest prince took over the regency.
Ji Shuqin hadn't expected these things; he knew nothing about the affairs of the harem.
Although the Empress would not take Consort Rong's life, she was still filled with resentment and turned a blind eye to those who tormented her. As the head of the harem, her attitude emboldened those people to become even more lawless and unruly.
The turning point came when Lu Liruan visited the Empress Dowager at the palace.
Although she left the palace to establish her own residence, Lu Liruan still went to pay her respects to the Dowager Consort every month. In Lu Liruan's heart, the Dowager Consort was a very worthy elder to care about.
Every time Lu Liruan went to the Dowager Consort's place, she felt very comfortable. The Dowager Consort was kind and wise, and sometimes just talking to her made her feel enlightened.
When she met the Dowager Consort that time, the Dowager Consort did not say anything directly. The palace maid happened to be reporting to her that Consort Rong went to visit the Seventh Prince. Because she tried to force her way in, she was pushed and fell to the ground, and her arm was broken.
"Let the imperial physician go and take a look. Just say that I summoned him." The Empress Dowager sighed. She was always like this, showing compassion and pity to everyone.
If the Empress's peace and compassion were merely a facade, then the Dowager Consort was genuinely compassionate. Although she did not usually chant scriptures or worship Buddha, she truly deserved the title of "Bodhisattva-like heart."
Even in this cannibalistic palace, few people speak ill of the Dowager Consort. Whenever the Dowager Consort is mentioned, everyone subconsciously treats her with utmost respect. The Dowager Consort has been in the palace for so many years, and countless people have benefited from her kindness.
Whether they were concubines or palace maids, the Dowager Consort was never arrogant or domineering.
After the old woman left, Lu Liruan asked softly, "What happened?"
The Dowager Consort then briefly told Lu Liruan, "I don't even know how the Seventh Prince is doing now." Since returning all the power to manage the harem to the Empress, the Dowager Consort rarely even leaves her own palace. If she insists on getting involved with the Seventh Prince, she might be seen as competing with the Empress and disrespecting her. The Dowager Consort was unwilling to cause any unnecessary disputes.
Lu Liruan could tell that the Dowager Consort was somewhat worried about the Seventh Prince, because indeed, there had been no news of the Seventh Prince for quite some time.
The Emperor has no interest in these matters now, nor does he care about the Seventh Prince.
The Dowager Consort did not bring it up herself, but after Lu Liruan returned, she still told Ji Shumin about it: "The Dowager Consort probably wants the eldest prince to know about this, but she doesn't want to cause any disputes or suspicions."
"Your Highness is very kind." Ji Shumin nodded.
It is unknown how he brought up this matter with Ji Shuqin, but Ji Shuqin personally visited the Seventh Prince and found a reason to allow Consort Rong to visit him frequently.
After that, Consort Rong and the Seventh Prince had a much easier time. After all, the person they couldn't afford to offend now was the First Prince. Even the Empress had no right to interfere with what the First Prince did.
Even a kind-hearted person like the Dowager Consort frowned when she mentioned Lu Yushi, and said indifferently, "Your child... has a wicked heart."
Lu Liruan was too lazy to pay attention to her. She herself was probably feeling guilty. Although she was bold enough to be manipulated by the Second Prince, she was not very smart. When trouble came, she would just cower and hide, not knowing how to clean up the mess or conceal her true intentions.
Lu Liruan thought to herself: I wonder if the Second Prince regrets letting her test him?
I thought she would avoid me for the rest of my life, so why did she come looking for me again today?
Lu Liruan hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, let her in."
When Lu Yushi came in, she saw Lu Liruan sitting there calmly in a red dress with gold flecks, and unconsciously tugged at the hem of her dress.
From a young age, she was willing to compare herself with the girls of the Marquis of He'an's mansion, but she was just not as beautiful as them.
Lu Yushi could comfort herself about the two younger children, since she was born to the principal wife. But when facing Lu Liruan, she always felt inexplicably awkward and sour.
For some reason, she now felt that Lu Liruan was more beautiful than her, not in a way that she was more attractive, but rather in the imposing aura she exuded, which left Lu Yushi speechless for a moment...
She was terrified when she was imprisoned. After her release, even her own family refused to associate with her. It wasn't until the Second Prince returned to court that they...
Looking at Lu Liruan, Lu Yushi felt she couldn't even maintain her smile.
"Li Ruan..." she called out with difficulty.
Lu Liruan didn't embarrass her, because there was no need. Ultimately, it was the Second Prince's idea, and she made the choice to cooperate willingly. She would bear the consequences herself, whether it was good or bad. There was no need for Lu Liruan to break ties with her; that would be a waste of time and emotion.
Lu Yushi felt somewhat embarrassed by Lu Liruan's nonchalant and indifferent attitude.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Lu Liruan, she hesitated before speaking under Lu Liruan's gaze: "Sister Liruan... did the Third Prince also... go to the palace in the middle of the night last night?"
Lu Liruan frowned upon hearing her question.
Lu Yushi remained unchanged; he could glean information from just one sentence.
She was not sent by the Second Prince; she came to ask Lu Liruan for advice on her own.
"Why do you ask that?" Lu Liruan asked calmly, but when she looked at Lu Yushi, Lu Yushi unconsciously lowered her eyes in fear.
“Last night, the Second Prince was summoned away in a hurry. It seemed like something had happened to him. He hasn’t returned yet, and I… I’m really worried.” Lu Yushi stammered as she glanced at Lu Liruan out of the corner of her eye.
"Oh? What do you think might happen to him? The palace might be safer than outside," Lu Liruan said calmly.
When Ji Shumin entered the palace, at that time and in that atmosphere, it was natural for Lu Liruan to feel worried, but... she wouldn't be worried to this extent. Looking closely at Lu Yushi's face, even with powder on, the dark circles under her eyes and the paleness on her face could not be concealed.
He shared a deep bond with Ji Shumin, and was able to eat and sleep well.
If Lu Liruan were to say that there was a deep enough relationship between Lu Yushi and the Second Prince to cause her such concern, she would not believe it from the bottom of her heart; Lu Yushi was not that kind of person.
Her behavior... there must be other hidden reasons.
Lu Liruan sighed: "When did the Second Prince leave?"
Lu Yushi clearly lacked a backbone; she answered whatever Lu Liruan asked, as if she wanted to hear some reassuring news from Lu Liruan.
"It was around the same time the Third Prince left, so something must have happened in the palace." Lu Liruan nodded and answered her directly: "The Third Prince hasn't returned to his residence yet either, and he hasn't sent back any news. It's the same for him, so you don't need to be so nervous."
"No...no news?" Lu Yushi was not comforted by Lu Liruan's words. Judging from her appearance, she wanted to know what had happened in the palace from Lu Liruan, which was why she asked Lu Liruan if she had received any news.
"Hmm, have some calming tea. You don't look too well."
Lu Liruan had just asked someone to brew a pot of tea, and Lu Yushi picked it up and took a few sips. Although she tried to hide it, she still looked worried and distressed.
"You and the Second Prince are quite affectionate, but you've only been together a few hours and you're already this worried?" Lu Liruan deliberately ignored her expression and teased her with a smile.
"Ah..." Lu Yushi chuckled, gripping the teacup even tighter.
"Don't worry. If the Third Prince returns but the Second Prince hasn't, then come find me again," Lu Liruan said gently. She also wanted to know what could be making Lu Yushi so worried!
Lu Yushi couldn't hear what she wanted to know here, so she had no choice but to sit for a while before getting up to leave.
She was indeed extremely worried. The Second Prince had stayed at her place last night, and after he left, she didn't sleep a wink all night and couldn't even eat a meal.
She wouldn't have come to Lu Liruan if she hadn't been completely desperate...
What she knew could only be kept to herself; she couldn't tell anyone, it was driving her crazy!