Quick Transmigration: What to Do When the Male Supporting Character You Saved Becomes Obsessed with

Chapter 234 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (134)

The Empress stared intently at Lu Liruan, as if that would shut her up.

Lu Liruan had been holding it in for a long time. She had wanted to say these words for a long time, but she couldn't find a place to say them. She was worried that if she told Ji Shumin, she would bring up his unpleasant past. Now that the culprit was standing in front of her, Lu Liruan could say a lot without even taking a breath!

"You're always trying to control him and use him, and in the end you still blame him? What has he done wrong!"

"If he refuses to listen to you, what are you going to do with him? Take his life? Kill him?" Lu Liruan asked pointedly.

Sure enough, the Empress's expression changed for a moment, and she subconsciously looked at Ji Shumin, as if to determine whether he had told Lu Liruan the secret that only the two of them knew.

Ji Shumin looked at her with a faint sarcasm, devoid of joy or sorrow, even detached, simply scrutinizing the Empress's current state.

The Empress had seen Ji Shumin angry and in pain, and she had seen the tears in his eyes when he first came up the mountain to see her after he was in a wheelchair.

A faint sense of pity flickered in the Empress's heart. She didn't even say a word of concern or comfort to Ji Shumin, only feeling that Ji Shumin would have no choice but to obey her even more from now on.

She was the one who gave birth to him and gave him life, so he should obey her.

But now, the Empress looked at Ji Shumin, her anger choking her speechless. She looked at Ji Shumin, wondering why he didn't stop that chattering girl!

But Ji Shumin showed no intention of stopping him. He calmly raised his hand, steadily poured the tea into the cup, and considerately pushed it in front of Lu Liruan.

That means: Speak slowly, don't strain your voice.

Ji Shumin indeed did not care how the Empress belittled him or humiliated him by giving him orders.

Because he was so familiar with these things, from childhood to adulthood, whether with the Empress or with other people, Ji Shumin had seen them all before, and they were not surprised at all.

He endured all those years in the palace, gritting his teeth and experiencing all sorts of hardships. But later, he gradually pieced together his pride, donned the official robes that represented his status and dignity, and tidied himself up to look presentable.

Li Ruan used to cry because she was wronged, humiliated, and humiliated, and was trampled on in the mud.

When Ji Shumin stroked her hair, his face showed a gentle and delicate expression of tenderness, but in his lowered eyes, there was only a faint, satisfied smile.

He didn't tell Lu Liruan or tell her about it. It wasn't that he couldn't face his less-than-glamorous past. Ji Shumin didn't care about those things. So-called nobility was just a thin sheet of paper. Whoever gained power could paint as vividly on that paper as they wanted.

Ji Shumin never cared about superficial glamour; he cared about what he gained and whether his ambitions and desires could be satisfied. As long as he could achieve his ultimate goal, he didn't care about the intermediate steps.

He simply enjoyed seeing Lu Liruan worry about him.

He liked to see Lu Liruan care about him, be concerned about him, be nervous for him, and shed tears for him. The tears were plentiful and urgent, and he didn't even have time to wipe them away before they fell onto the back of his outstretched hand.

The heat sent shivers down his spine, making him utterly captivated.

But it can't be too much...

Ji Shumin originally thought he would never experience what it felt like to be controlled or to feel sorry for others...

But he later realized that this feeling was not something taught by others, nor something he learned through self-study, but rather an instinct that appeared and lingered in his heart without any thought or instruction.

Lu Liruan was completely devoted to him, and when she couldn't eat or sleep and suffered day and night because of him, Ji Shumin felt the same piercing pain in her heart.

Torn between joy and heartache at Lu Liruan's affection and care for him, Ji Shumin experienced a subtle, indescribable feeling that he would savor and cherish in his heart whenever he thought of it.

He loved anything that connected him to Li Ruan, and Li Ruan would get angry for him, stand up for him, and protect him like a fragile fledgling...

That's good too.

Ji Shumin never insisted on protecting Li Ruan from wind and rain, from mud and grime; she wasn't that kind of girl.

She is a pearl, which can be held in the hands and in the mouth, but can also illuminate the surroundings and shine brightly. She is a flower that blooms profusely, not the kind that falls at the slightest touch, but rather a cluster of flowers, full of vitality, fresh and generous.

He was overjoyed that she was holding his hand, and he couldn't see anything else, let alone feel sad for anyone else.

When the Empress looked at him, it was with reproach and resentment, but it was not worth mentioning at all. Ji Shumin looked at her, but was not moved in the slightest.

It's nothing but arrogant and laughable.

"I have nothing to do with you." The Empress's tone was hurried, as if she was about to force Ji Shumin to speak!

Ji Shuqin frowned deeply. He had heard his mother say such things before, but that was... Now, in front of his younger brother, his mother had gone even further, and the malice and harassment she displayed were something Ji Shuqin could not digest.

He was about to speak up to stop him, but when he turned around, he found his younger brother smiling...

It wasn't a cold laugh or a bitter laugh, but a genuine laugh of joy. He looked up at his sister-in-law, and just looking at what was behind her, he appeared happy and cheerful.

Regardless, Ji Shuqin had never seen his younger brother show him such an expression before.

So the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat. He clenched his fists and looked at the almost absurd scene unfolding before him.

But at this moment, he no longer felt the same emotions as before. Unconsciously, he had become different from his former self... Ji Shuqin didn't know whether he should be happy about this change.

"Is Mother planning to have me steal the Imperial Seal and leave it on the edict you prepared?" Ji Shumin asked softly.

“Only by doing this will your brother’s position be legitimate! You don’t want to see another brother sit in that position, do you? Do you think you’re living too comfortably?” the Empress said urgently.

"If we are exposed, I will bear the blame for forging the imperial edict, will I?" Ji Shumin said quietly, directly revealing the Empress's true thoughts.

Those people in the court are all incredibly shrewd. If things really go wrong in the end, Ji Shumin will be the one to take the blame. As the former crown prince, Ji Shumin is enough to make those people hold a grudge...

"You really have a motherly heart," Ji Shumin said softly, seemingly without any derogatory meaning.

Ji Shuqin felt his face burning with shame. Even though he had never thought of it that way and would never cooperate with his mother in doing anything detrimental to Ji Shumin, he was still deeply ashamed upon hearing these words.

"Mother! I will not let Min'er do such a thing!" He stood up abruptly, his face taut, and said to the Empress.

The Empress was interrupted by his blunt words, choked for a moment, and looked at him with displeasure, feeling that he was being inconsiderate and undermining her. Who was she doing this for?

Seeing that the sickly one is about to collapse, if we don't make plans soon, will we really have to watch a chaotic battle for power? After all, the Second Prince is definitely not going to back down.

"Mother!" Ji Shuqin emphasized.

“I will not fight for that position as you wish,” Ji Shuqin said clearly.

The Empress looked at him, seemingly not understanding or reacting. After a long while, her expression was almost distorted as she asked, suppressing her emotions, "Qin'er, what did you say?"

“From beginning to end, I never thought of…” Ji Shuqin said loudly, “I think Min’er is more suitable for that position than me, and more than my brothers. I will do everything in my power to help Min’er…”

"Qin'er! What nonsense are you spouting!" The Empress's voice was so shrill it hurt one's eardrums.

"You...you're confused! What did I tell you...why didn't you listen to me! Did he lie to you? How did he lie to you!" The Empress stood up, the hairpins and ornaments in her hair rattling loudly.

“The people need a suitable ruler, and the court needs an emperor who can maintain balance and control. I can’t do it, but Min’er can. All the things I’ve done during my regency these days were taught to me by Min’er.” Ji Shuqin spoke his mind without reservation.

It was not only said to the Empress, but also to Ji Shumin.

Since he had spoken to Ji Shumin about it that day, he hadn't gone into details because he didn't know how to bring it up. Now that everyone who needed to hear it was here, Ji Shuqin finished speaking in one go.

“I know in my heart what kind of person Min’er is. Mother, you don’t need to remind me anymore. Min’er and I are brothers…” Ji Shuqin didn’t go into details. No matter how the Empress instigated and slandered him, Ji Shuqin had his own judgment.

"Mother, please don't force this on me. I know it's inappropriate."

Forcing him into that position is not only his suffering, but also the suffering of the people.

The Queen could hardly believe her ears!

She originally thought that since Ji Shuqin was willing to act as regent, he had accepted her arrangement.

Unexpectedly, Ji Shuqin pulled this stunt on her now!

The Empress screamed almost frantically, "I am your mother! How could I not know what he is like! Qin'er, why don't you listen to me? If I had known you would turn out this way... I would have..."

She immediately shut her mouth as soon as she said that.

It seemed that even she herself hadn't realized why she had blurted out such a thing.

Ji Shuqin's pupils dilated, and he stood frozen in place. How could he not understand what the Empress was about to say?

Even though she didn't finish speaking.

If I had known this would happen, why did I save your life back then?

Did saving her life back then mean she wanted to be manipulated for the rest of her life, unable to speak, move, or have her own thoughts, forced and driven like a puppet to do whatever she wanted?

Before today, no matter how much Ji Shuqin thought about it, he never expected to hear such words.

"Qin'er, Mother, Mother didn't mean that! Mother just..." The Empress staggered over.

She always maintained that she was doing everything for Ji Shuqin's good, and that what she said just now wasn't her true intention! She was just pushed to the limit!

Before her hand could even touch Ji Shuqin, she saw her eldest son close his eyes, avoid eye contact with her, and take a step back.

Zhou Shen was as cold and hard as if he were frozen.

"Qin'er..."

"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your kindness over the years... If Your Majesty truly wishes for me to cut off my flesh and bones to return to you, I am willing!"

Our bodies and hair are given to us by our parents. We don't know whether cutting off our bones and flesh is repaying their kindness or rebelling.

"How could the Empress Dowager want you to be like that?" The Empress looked haggard. "Min'er is unable to walk properly. Where in history has there ever been an emperor like this? You are just being delusional!"

Looking at her, Lu Liruan felt no pity whatsoever. She was too obsessed, whether she was cold and dignified or revealing her ugly side.

Whatever it was at the beginning, she was definitely wrong.

"Oh? You didn't know that His Highness has improved greatly?" Lu Liruan said loudly.

Ji Shuqin turned around and looked at Ji Shumin with a surprised expression. He had no idea and had never noticed it before.

“Min’er, you are now…”

Lu Liruan raised an eyebrow, got up and took a few steps to the side. Ji Shumin knew what she was planning as soon as he saw her, and felt quite helpless.

Sure enough, about seven or eight steps away from him, Lu Liruan stopped, turned around, and stretched out her hand to him with a smile, the meaning of which was very clear: Come over here and let them see!

Ji Shumin felt a rare sense of unease.

Even at his age, his wife still encourages him as if he were a toddler learning to walk.

If this were just a private, intimate matter between the two of them, it would be fine, but now that it has been openly brought before others, Ji Shumin secretly took two deep breaths before looking up at Lu Liruan's pretty little face full of hope.

Slowly supporting himself on the armrests of the wheelchair with his arms, Ji Shumin moved his legs and stood on the ground. After so long, he had gotten used to the feeling of his feet on the ground, and the sensation in his legs had almost completely returned.

But he still sensed something was wrong. Ji Shumin stood there for a while, making sure he could support his body weight and find his balance so he wouldn't fall.

Steadily, take the first step forward.

Step two, step three...

With each step he took forward, Lu Liruan's expression became more vibrant.

Even in this tense atmosphere, Lu Liruan could only see Ji Shumin.

When his fingertips finally touched her hand, Lu Liruan could not contain her excitement and took the last step between them!

He intertwined his fingers with Ji Shumin's, turned his head to Ji Shuqin and the Empress, who were still stunned in place, and said, "Look, can't he leave now?"

Lu Liruan used to joke, "We should practice secretly, and one day, we'll scare them so much that their eyes will pop out of their sockets!"

Unexpectedly, in a sense, it has come true today...

Ji Shumin covered half his face with his hand, speechless for the first time.

"Min'er! Are you alright?" Ji Shuqin reacted, his voice trembling slightly.

Just as he was about to say something to the Empress, he heard her panicked voice: "You...when will you be able to leave? Impossible...how can you get better while you're taking elixirs?"

"Mother! What did you say?!"

Upon hearing the words "elixir," Ji Shuqin suddenly turned his head and questioned them aloud.

Lu Liruan's heart tightened, wondering what the Empress was going to say!