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

Chapter 183 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (87)

The kneeling officials behind him fell into an unprecedented silence; the scene before them was truly unheard of.

Drops of blood fell into the cup and were placed on the altar for the sacrifice to heaven.

In the silence of heaven and earth, the Directorate of Ceremonial chanted auspicious vows.

abruptly—

A muffled thunderclap boomed across the sky.

The summit of Tianzhu Mountain is completely exposed, so when lightning flashed across the sky, the white light almost blinded everyone.

The explosions, which came from afar and grew louder, made people's eardrums ache. Not only those around the altar, but also the female palace servants who were watching from a distance were stunned!

Lu Liruan had never seen such a spectacular scene before. Nature's masterpiece, a casually placed descent, was enough to leave one breathless.

"This...this is!"

The chanting of the eulogy by the Directorate of Ceremonial was interrupted, stuck in his throat. At this moment, he could no longer care about etiquette and stiffly turned his neck toward the Emperor.

"A good omen! A good omen!"

Suddenly, a thunderous shout rang out from the kneeling crowd!

"Thunder and rain on the winter solstice is a response from heaven to the emperor's prayers at the sacrificial altar; this is an auspicious sign!" the voice continued, trembling, as it prostrated itself in the direction of the emperor and the altar.

As he shouted, the other large crowd around him seemed to suddenly realize what was happening.

So everyone knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

"This is an auspicious sign! An auspicious sign indeed! Heaven blesses our dynasty! Heaven blesses His Majesty!"

The Director of Ceremonial Affairs also raised his arms high, looking up at the rain pouring down on him.

The emperor's dragon robe was soaked by the rain, yet he still stood in the rain. The sky was dark and gloomy, and the lightning reflected his inscrutable expression. Amidst the three shouts of "Long live the emperor!", a hint of madness crept into his eyes.

The blood wine that the princes had just offered was now scattered all over the altar, its deep red color mixing with the rainwater and flowing down, revealing strange and winding traces.

Because of his physical disability, Ji Shumin stood at the very back of all the princes, while the eldest prince, Ji Shuqin, who had regained favor, stood half a step above the emperor as the eldest son of the legitimate wife.

Ji Shumin stared at Ji Shuqin across a distance of people whose faces he couldn't even make out. Ji Shuqin was dressed in a magnificent prince's robe. He did not kneel, so Ji Shumin could see his face, which was dark and serious.

He nodded in the direction of Ji Shumin. The two brothers did not speak, but at that moment they understood what each other was thinking.

The sacrificial ceremony ended in an extremely eerie atmosphere, with no one able to fathom the emperor's intentions.

The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs felt their heads were in danger. Such a calamity had occurred during the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven; surely the Emperor would have to kill them all?

To everyone's surprise, after returning to the palace, the emperor did not mention the matter again. The next day, when the Director of Ceremonial Affairs apologized in court, the emperor even bestowed a reward upon him.

After the court session, the emperor drank a cup of tea and returned to his bedchamber, where he took out a jade pendant from a small box.

The jade pendant was originally a pale moon white, but what was strange about it was that it had many fine cracks on it, some deep and some shallow. The reason why the cracks were so conspicuous was that each crack was stained with blood.

The blood-red color was glaring, and you could almost smell the pungent stench of blood. No one who saw it would think it was a good thing, but rather extremely sinister!

But the emperor seemed oblivious, placing the jade pendant in his palm and examining it closely.

He stroked each line with his fingers, as if it were something he loved and cherished.

After stroking it for a while, the emperor put the jade pendant back under his pillow.

Decheng tidied up the box that originally contained the jade pendant.

"Do you think I will truly achieve immortality this time, as the immortals have said?"

"This servant...this servant does not know."

De Cheng shrank back as he spoke.

"I don't know either, but for the sake of the country and for all generations to come, I have no choice but to do this!" the Emperor said quietly.

"Your Majesty is wise." De Cheng raised his head slightly, but his words were completely different from his expression. A hint of anger flashed across his face, but he immediately lowered his head again.

"What is the reason for Father's actions?" Ji Shuqin asked Ji Shumin solemnly.

“That day I stood behind my father and saw him muttering something under his breath… Father, didn’t you always disbelieve in these things?”

Ji Shuqin was a devout Buddhist, but he did not rely solely on the Buddha's salvation. Rather, he believed more in the existence of a predetermined cycle of reincarnation.

Those who do good will have a smooth life, while those who do evil will surely suffer the consequences.

"Father is probably getting old," Ji Shumin said calmly, but his words hit the nail on the head.

Yes, the emperor is old. Any aging monarch is more or less different from what he used to be, and basically none of them will grow old peacefully.

"Why should Your Majesty worry about this and that? Taking care of yourself is better than anything else," Ji Shumin said lazily.

“I know, but Father…” Ji Shuqin wanted to say that his father’s current actions seemed to be leading him down a path that was completely contrary to what he had once insisted on.

"Is there any progress on the matter that Father Emperor ordered you to investigate?" Ji Shumin didn't want to hear his worried ramblings, so he changed the subject.

"It seems... we've made some progress." Mentioning this, Ji Shuqin seemed to want to share his discovery with Ji Shumin.

But then he saw his younger brother raise his hand to cover his ear and wag his index finger: "I don't want to hear it."

Ji Shuqin: ...

"Then why do you ask?"

"I was just mentioning it casually. Don't be like those two, barging into my yard, pointing your finger at me and accusing me of doing it," Ji Shumin sneered.

“It has nothing to do with you.” Ji Shuqin nodded: “They have wronged you, don’t be sad. They are after your status as the Crown Prince.”

Ji Shumin smirked: "Why would I be sad? Getting angry with a fool will only drain your energy and spirit."

Ji Shuqin ignored his sarcasm: "Father believed the Second Prince's words, how could you be unmoved? You also didn't want to continue as the Crown Prince because of Father's actions, right?" Ji Shuqin thought he had figured things out clearly.

Indeed, that was the impression Ji Shumin wanted to give others.

But in reality, these were all just excuses he made up; everything that happened was paving the way for what he wanted to achieve.

He even anticipated the slightest hint of guilt the emperor might feel.

With just a little bit of guilt, Ji Shumin managed to secure for himself a princely privilege that had never been seen before in this dynasty.

Although he has lost his position as crown prince, who in or outside the palace dares to say that the Third Prince is no longer favored by the Emperor...?

That's why they've been able to have such a leisurely time lately.

Lu Liruan was somewhat surprised: "No one has come to cause us any trouble?"

"Why do you think someone will come looking for trouble, Li Ruan?" Ji Shumin asked, feigning innocence and vulnerability.

Lu Liruan rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking to herself: With such poor interpersonal relationships, who wouldn't want to trip you up...

Of course this is a joke.

Ji Shumin was a sitting duck in the palace, a target of everyone's ire.

Even though he never actively makes enemies, his status is undeniable. There are countless people who want to bring him down, want to see him fall so they can take his place, or simply harbor jealousy and resentment towards him.

"You think you're so easy to bully..." Lu Liruan bent down, suddenly pinched his nose with one hand, and mischievously flicked his earlobe with the other.

Ji Shumin has been quite weak lately, and he has begun to gradually recuperate. After finishing this dose of medicine, he can try to detoxify.

At first, Lu Liruan was very worried, but later she found that Ji Shumin was not affected at all.

The physical changes did not cause significant emotional fluctuations in him.

Perhaps it's because we've gotten used to the ups and downs over the years.

He, who was about to face life and death, seemed more relaxed and calm than Lu Liruan, who was just watching.

“What’s the use of worrying? It’s better for Li Ruan to treat me better now… Spend more time with me, talk to me more, think about me more. The thought of Li Ruan worrying about me is more effective than taking medicine.” Ji Shumin was a little out of breath after saying a few words.

Lu Liruan placed her hand on his heaving chest, feeling his delicate, cool, and jade-like skin through the loose collar. Her heartbeat was so faint that she wanted to hear it more clearly.

"Li Ruan..."

When Ji Shumin noticed Lu Liruan's fingertips slowly slipping inside his clothes, he raised an eyebrow in surprise and instinctively tried to get up.

As a result, Lu Liruan held him down with one hand.

Lu Liruan pressed his shoulder casually, but unexpectedly... Ji Shumin really couldn't get up!

Upon discovering this, before Lu Liruan could even think about it further, a strange flutter of emotion suddenly welled up in her heart.

You can do whatever you want with him, and torment him however you want.

Seeing that he was powerless to fight back under her control, and not knowing where he was being touched whole, Ji Shumin suddenly stiffened and tried to curl up.

Lu Liruan's eyes lit up, and she stepped forward, bending one leg and pressing it against his hip.

He used his upper body to press down on Ji Shumin, forcefully pinning him to the soft couch!

A thick, soft mattress was laid on the couch, and Ji Shumin immediately sank into it.

"What's wrong...can't you move?"

There is always a weakness in human nature; when faced with something delicate yet endearing, one cannot help but want to possess and seize it.

Lu Liruan never imagined that she would become such a character, but at this moment she was overwhelmed with emotion. Looking down, she saw a scene so vibrant and intense that she could hardly bear to look at it.

"Li Ruan..."

Ji Shumin seemed not to have expected her to suddenly attack, and his wrist, which was being held down, struggled and rubbed against Lu Liruan's palm.

The wrist bone brushed against Lu Liruan's palm, and was pressed even tighter.

Lu Liruan, inexperienced in bullying others for the first time, grabbed a little too hard, causing Ji Shumin's wrist to turn red. He frowned and hissed, "Be gentle... Why is Liruan so ungentle?"

"Hmm?" His voice trembled softly at the end, making it unclear whether he was rejecting or teasing.

Those eyes, as smooth and distinct as a fine brush painting, glanced sideways at Lu Liruan. In that fleeting look, there was a mixture of mockery and doting, which annoyed Lu Liruan.

"Behave yourself, Your Highness, you're in my hands now."

When the two of them were together, there were usually no palace servants around, which is why Lu Liruan dared to be so unrestrained.

"Go ahead and scream, no one will come to save you no matter how hard you scream..." In a moment of madness, Lu Liruan lowered her voice and uttered a very classic, perverted line.

"What is Li Ruan going to do?" Ji Shumin asked, looking at Lu Li Ruan's blushing face, he found her adorable.

Lately, Li Ruan seems particularly reluctant to part with me... This realization made Ji Shumin quite proud, as he felt that he was now ranked first in Lu Li Ruan's heart.

Lu Liruan was at a loss for what to do next. Looking at the handsome prince who was obediently letting her hold him down, she felt powerless and didn't know how to move him!

"What's wrong... Li Ruan doesn't know what to do?" Ji Shumin noticed, shifted his body, and leisurely found himself in a more comfortable position.

His wrists were pinned above his head by Lu Liruan, who held him down with one hand. Every time he moved, Lu Liruan would glare at him.

"If you don't want me to move... why don't you tie me up first?" Ji Shumin suggested softly.

Lu Liruan's mind was already in a mess, and she hesitated for a moment after hearing his words.

I was tempted, but if I let go to grab the item, wouldn't that give him a chance to escape?

“My legs can’t walk, so I can only obediently let you do whatever you want…” Ji Shumin once again accurately guessed Lu Liruan’s thoughts.

She was always being teased by Ji Shumin. It was rare for him to be so delicate and weak now. Once this opportunity was gone, she didn't know where else she would find it. Lu Liruan steeled her heart, let go of her hair ribbon, and started to untie it.

After the hairband was removed, Ji Shumin indeed behaved himself, with his hands outstretched and folded above his head without moving.

Lu Liruan hurriedly tried to tie him up.

As a result, the hairband was only wrapped around the headband haphazardly twice when Ji Shumin flipped his wrist and broke free!

Lu Liruan glared at him.

“You can’t tie me up like this…” Ji Shumin curled the corners of his mouth and took the hairband to demonstrate to Lu Liruan how to tie it securely.

Just as he was about to tighten the strap, Lu Liruan quickly pulled her hand away, her face saying, "Don't try anything funny, I've seen through you."

Ji Shumin obediently let go: "Li Ruan, be careful."

Following his example, Lu Liruan tied him up, making the whole scene even more vibrant.

Lu Liruan reached out to touch him, this time with unrestrained abandon, and the hairband also came in handy, binding Ji Shumin tightly.

He could only follow Lu Liruan's rough and tentative touches, breathing softly and speaking in a sticky and seductive voice, deliberately teasing her in her ear: "Is Liruan satisfied?"

Lu Liruan pressed her thumb against his Adam's apple, slowly applying pressure until he opened his lips, licked the corner of his mouth with his tongue, but could not make a sound, and his face gradually showed some pain.

“Satisfied, it would be even better if you could cry. Your Highness’s eyes are so beautiful, I wouldn’t feel sorry for you if you cried…” Lu Liruan was repeating what Ji Shumin had once told her.

She didn't feel it when she was the listener, but now that she was in control, the indescribable excitement made Lu Liruan reluctant to let go.

Ji Shumin is truly a teacher who doesn't teach anything good. Lu Liruan subtly shifted the blame.

After abandoning her brief period of rationality, Lu Liruan felt that if she didn't do something in this situation, she would never have another chance.

Holding Ji Shumin's face in her hands, Lu Liruan brushed her fingertips against his, her eyes fixed on him with a playful gaze: "Close your eyes, or I won't kiss you." As she spoke, Lu Liruan dodged Ji Shumin's attempt to kiss her.