Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved

In the palace these past few days, aside from Noble Consort Qi who still enjoyed favor, the one who gained the most attention was Consort Yun Pin, who had entered the palace three months ago.

She had risen from a mere Palace Maid to the rank of Consort, not only because of her stunning beauty but also due to her promising womb; after being favored only twice, she had conceived a Dragon Seed.

The Emperor had few descendants, only four sons and two daughters in total, and although Noble Consort Qi had been favored for many years, she had only one son, the Eldest Prince.

No good news had come from the palace for over a decade, so when news of a concubine's pregnancy spread, the Emperor was thrilled and even declared that Consort Yun Pin would be promoted to Noble Consort should she give birth to the child.

However, on this day in her previous life, after a farce, Eunuch De, following the Emperor's command, had specifically sought out Murong Jiu, telling her to remember her place and not to think about divorcing or seeking death.

It must have been Jun Yuyan who did not want the divorce, or else the Emperor would have quietly had her executed that very day instead of sending Eunuch De with a message.

After delivering the message, however, Eunuch De had drawn her into a trap, causing Consort Yun Pin to miscarry. The Emperor was enraged, implicating both Jun Yuyan and Noble Consort Qi.

The Empress and the Second Prince had killed two birds with one stone, reaping the benefits effortlessly.

"Princess Consort Ling, follow this servant."

Eunuch De's duck-like voice snapped Murong Jiu out of her thoughts. Knowing she could not defy, she lowered her head and followed Eunuch De.

"Your Highness the Second Prince, Murong Jiu seems different from before," whispered the Fifth Princess to the Second Prince.

The Second Prince did not respond, his expression thoughtful.

"Princess Consort Ling, His Majesty has instructed this servant to remind you, now that you are married into Prince Ling's Mansion, you must be cautious with your words and actions, and not bring shame upon the Prince Mansion..."

Eunuch De's words to Murong Jiu were the same as in her previous life. The Emperor planned to leave the error uncorrected; there was no room for changing this marriage anymore, so in her past life, she had felt desperate and had ignored her surroundings.

Now, Murong Jiu hung her head in listening, but her eyes darted around the perimeter.

This was the Imperial Garden, where Eunuch De had led her to the edge of the Lotus Pond. The surrounding rockeries blocked the view, leaving only one exit.

Footsteps sounded faintly in the distance, and Eunuch De stopped talking immediately, saying, "His Majesty's sacred decree has been fully conveyed by this servant. Princess Consort Ling must bear it in mind."

Seeing Murong Jiu nod, her expression unreadable, presumably overwhelmed with sadness, Eunuch De's mouth twisted into a small smirk, "This servant will escort you back. Please, after you."

Eunuch De gestured for her to go ahead.

Murong Jiu walked ahead, and just as she emerged from behind the rockery, she faced Consort Yun Pin, who was smelling a lily, escorted by four Palace Maids and walking very slowly. Suddenly, Eunuch De pushed her from behind, causing her to stumble toward Consort Yun Pin!

"Your Majesty, be careful!"

The Palace Maids shouted.

In the chaos, Murong Jiu saw the Palace Maid closest to Consort Yun Pin reach out with a malicious hand.

Indeed, she had been right: a glint sparked in her eyes. In her past life, Eunuch De had pushed her, but at the critical moment, she had fallen to the ground sideways without touching Consort Yun Pin. Yet, Consort Yun Pin had still taken a fall from the stairs—it had been a conspiracy between Eunuch De and that Palace Maid.

"Ah!"

The ground beneath Consort Yun Pin shifted, and she tumbled toward the steps. At that crucial moment, Murong Jiu lunged forward, narrowly pulling Consort Yun Pin back from the edge of the steps.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, are you alright?"

A few Palace Maids quickly came to assist her.

Consort Yun Pin leaned on a Palace Maid, her face pale as she clutched her belly, gasping for air.

"Who are you, and why did you push Consort Yun Pin!"

The Palace Maid who had secretly pushed Consort Yun Pin just moments before stood glaring at Murong Jiu, accusing her vehemently.

"Quick, summon His Majesty!"

She directed the other Palace Maids.

Eunuch De looked at Murong Jiu in panic and said, "Princess Consort Ling, why would you push Consort Yun Pin? She is carrying the Dragon Seed!"

Everything had happened so quickly; Consort Yun Pin knew only that someone had pushed her, almost sending her tumbling down the stairs.

Hearing this, she looked warily at Murong Jiu, "Are you Princess Consort Ling?"

Could it be Noble Consort Qi's people? Could it be out of jealousy, Noble Consort Qi wants to kill the Dragon Seed in her womb?

The Emperor arrived quickly, accompanied by Noble Consort Qi and Jun Yuyan, along with Her Majesty the Empress, the Second Prince, and others.

Jun Yuyan's gaze fell on Murong Jiu, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Noble Consort Qi was clutching her handkerchief, her expression ugly.

"Princess Consort Ling, I heard that you pushed Consort Yun Pin?"

The Emperor stared sternly at Murong Jiu, his eyes angry, a murderous intent stirring.

Consort Yun Pin was carrying what might be his last child, and he valued her greatly.

The Empress said softly, "Your Majesty, could it be a misunderstanding?"

"Yes, indeed... Princess Consort Ling would not do such a thing,"

The Second Prince added, sounding like he was trying to exonerate Murong Jiu.

"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress, Your Highness the Second Prince, this servant clearly saw Princess Consort Ling charge at Consort Yun Pin,"

Eunuch De timely spoke.

"What? Was it really Princess Consort Ling who harmed Consort Yun Pin?" exclaimed the Empress.

Murong Jiu turned her head and gave Eunuch De a cold look.

Eunuch De felt a chill run through his body as if he had been targeted by a malevolent spirit. He found it strange that this princess consort, as plain as a sack of potatoes, could have such a sharp gaze, matching Prince Ling's.

Eunuch De knew Murong Jiu had realized it was he who had pushed her, but he was not the least bit afraid. He had been a favorite at the Emperor's side for many years, and Murong Jiu's accusation would be seen as slander, and nobody would believe her.

However, Murong Jiu did not accuse him, but instead pointed at the palace maid beside Yun Pin and said, "Father Emperor, Mother Empress, the one who pushed Consort Yun Pin was this palace maid."

"Yin Xing?"

Consort Yun Pin looked at her own palace maid in surprise.

Yin Xing immediately knelt down, looking wronged: "Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress, Princess Consort Ling is falsely accusing me. I am a child brought from Yun Pin's estate; how could I hurt Her Majesty! It is Princess Consort Ling who is targeting our mistress. If it weren't for her luck, she would have already fallen down the steps!"

Everyone glanced at the steps, more than ten levels high; a fall would surely endanger the child.

"Oh my, how could the Imperial Sister-in-Law be so cruel!"

The Fifth Princess covered her mouth, her expression one of disbelief.

The Emperor's expression darkened: "Take Princess Consort Ling..."

"Father Emperor."

At this moment, Jun Yuyan stepped forward and said, "She had no reason to harm Consort Yun Pin, I wish to hear her explanation."

The Emperor harrumphed coldly and glanced at him and Noble Consort Qi.

Everyone present understood that the Emperor was now suspicious of Prince Ling and Noble Consort Qi.

After all, Murong Jiu's current identity was that of Princess Consort Ling.

Murong Jiu looked towards Jun Yuyan; in her previous life, it was he who had spoken up for her. But she had lost control of her emotions and had not realized it was Yin Xing who pushed Consort Yun Pin and had accused Eunuch De, whom no one believed.

Poisoning a consort carrying the Dragon Seed was a capital offense, but she returned to Prince Mansion unscathed. All this was because Jun Yuyan had helped her and taken the severe punishment for her.

Recalling her past life, gratitude filled Murong Jiu's heart. She said loudly, "Your Highness truly did not push Consort Yun Pin. Father Emperor, please see, this is the pollen left from when I was touching the flowers earlier. If it brushed against clothes, traces would certainly remain."

Her open hands were covered with bright yellow pollen, very conspicuous.

Everyone looked towards Yun Pin, who was wearing a simple white palace dress today. If Murong Jiu had pushed her, the pollen would definitely be on her dress.

But there was no pollen on Yun Pin's dress.

Consort Yun Pin suddenly looked at her own left hand and said, "The pollen is on my hand! Your Majesty, just now, Princess Consort Ling grabbed my hand and saved me!"