Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 596: Don’t Hold a Grudge Against Him Anymore!

Chapter 596: Chapter 596: Don’t Hold a Grudge Against Him Anymore!

Long Yue’s complexion became extremely unsightly, and Chai Qiao’er watched worriedly from the side, feeling puzzled about what exactly had happened.

She coolly said, "I understand, you may leave now!"

The servant bowed and retreated. Once he left, Long Yue returned to normal and continued her needlework, which further confused Chai Qiao’er.

But she didn’t ask, knowing that if Long Yue wanted her to know, she would tell her.

Having been in Shengjing City for so many years, Chai Qiao’er was no longer the little village girl from Qingshui Village she once was.

When someone can come to the rapidly changing Capital City of Dazhou, experiencing the bustle and power struggles, her perspective naturally broadens greatly.

Some matters she should ask about, while others she should not; not knowing is sometimes simpler than knowing.

"Princess Consort, the Crown Prince has arrived!"

The Crown Prince?

Chai Qiao’er was slightly taken aback, remembering that the deposed Crown Prince had already died, so how could there be a Crown Prince?

She was merely the legitimate wife of a merchant family, so she was not privy to many things. Of course, this was something Long Yue had just learned as well.

Long Yue rarely smiled, "He certainly comes frequently, let him in. No, I’ll go meet him."

Having the Crown Prince come here himself was a breach of etiquette, but Long Yue was too saddened by Li Qingmu’s death to remember such formalities.

She hurriedly tidied up, handed Rui’er to Hongtang, and went to the front hall herself.

"Yue’er, shall I head back now?"

Chai Qiao’er could read the situation, knowing that staying any longer at this moment was inappropriate.

Long Yue nodded lightly, "Alright!"

Long Yue then made her way to the front hall to meet the new Crown Prince—Qi Jingyu!

Yes, Qi Jingyu had actually become the Crown Prince!

"Grandpa announced his abdication at this morning’s court assembly, directly appointing Father as the Crown Prince, then allowing him to ascend the throne. The enthronement ceremony will be held at a later date, and as for me, I was directly made the Crown Prince!"

As soon as Long Yue arrived, Qi Jingyu briefly summarized the dramatic events of the morning.

This child probably ran all the way, panting, with a sweaty brow. He picked up a tea cup, poured himself some water, and gulped it down.

Long Yue glanced around, and promptly shouted, "Where are the servants? The Crown Prince is here, why is no one attending to him? This group of servants is becoming less and less disciplined!"

Long Yue said angrily.

Qi Jingyu, feeling better after drinking water, saw the servants being called in by Long Yue, kneeling on the ground with a look of trepidation, and quickly said: "Imperial Aunt, don’t blame them, I asked them to leave!"

Long Yue let out an ’oh’ and coldly said, "Though Your Highness says so, you are merely being courteous. How dare they neglect their duties like this? All of them will have their wages docked for a month! All of you, leave!"

The servants wanted to plead for mercy but, seeing Long Yue’s icy expression, dared not speak and could only obediently withdraw.

Qi Jingyu looked up at Long Yue, his expression somewhat pained, "Imperial Aunt, you really don’t have to do this."

Qi Jingyu, being extremely intelligent, naturally understood that Long Yue’s actions had deep significance.

Etiquette towards the Crown Prince must not be overlooked, which demonstrated her attitude and stance. Previously, Qi Yun was too sentimental, and posthumously ennobled Li Qingmu as a prince was tolerable, but giving him a burial with the Crown Prince’s rites was somewhat excessive.

Therefore, at this time, Long Yue needed to show more deference to alleviate the Emperor’s suspicion.

She could actually not do this, but considering that Rui’er existed, even if it didn’t matter to her, she had to think about Rui’er’s future.

Long Yue thought Qi Jingyu had dismissed the servants as a test for her, but Qi Jingyu was wronged; he merely wanted some peace and quiet due to his exhaustion, with no intention of testing her.

"Your Highness jests, you are the future Crown Prince; how could you be neglected? Is there something you came here to discuss?"

Qi Jingyu tilted his head, obviously sensing Long Yue’s estrangement from him.

It wasn’t like this before!

Why is this happening?

Is the Imperial Family truly so unfeeling?

"Imperial Aunt, I truly did not expect that Uncle Mu was my real uncle." Qi Jingyu sighed, visibly distressed, "I deeply regret not getting closer to him back then..."

Long Yue remained silent; Qi Jingyu’s words were to reassure her that she would firmly maintain her position as the Princess Consort Mu, as he still cherished memories of Li Qingmu.

The Emperor abdicated and a new one ascended, putting Long Yue’s side in the position of the previous dynasty, which was even more devastating for a widow.

"Moreover..." Qi Jingyu hesitated for a moment, "Grandpa wants you to enter the palace with Rui’er to accompany him; he says he is very lonely."

Qi Yun even had Qi Jingyu convey his wishes, indicating how deep his regret was. Logically, as the Supreme Emperor, Qi Yun, being above the Emperor, could summon her to the palace with an imperial edict.

However, he did not, but rather inquired in a tone of seniority, with even a hint of pleading.

"Grandpa is in very poor health now. Imperial Doctor Shen said he is overly grief-stricken, compounded by his advanced age and previous illnesses, leaving him utterly exhausted and plagued by ailments. He advised him to rest often. Grandpa felt he could no longer handle governmental affairs, so announced his abdication this morning."

Qi Jingyu briefly explained the cause to Long Yue, "Imperial Aunt, Uncle’s death was truly accidental. Grandpa is more heartbroken than anyone; please don’t hold it against him."

As Qi Jingyu spoke, tears welled up in his eyes, and Long Yue’s frosty demeanor showed a trace of emotion.

In the past two months since Li Qingmu’s departure, Long Yue had been distant from the Imperial Family, even rejecting visits from numerous clan members, showing her resentment towards Qi Yun.

At the start, she insisted on taking Mu and told him not to imprison Mu, why didn’t he listen?

As a result, Mu got into trouble.

However, in reality, Li Qingmu’s death was catastrophic for her, and for Qi Yun as well.

His overwhelming grief even ruined his health, draining his will for governance, thus he abdicated. Moreover, inviting her with the Crown Prince to attend to the Supreme Emperor—how great an honor is that?

Historically, filial piety is paramount; the Supreme Emperor is both sovereign and father. Even with Qi Junlian on the throne, Qi Yun could intervene in politics under the guise of "advisory governance," so though there appeared to be an emperor, there was still a mighty presence above.

Under the care of the Supreme Emperor, within Dazhou, who dared to challenge her?

Long Yue’s eyes gradually welled up with tears; she took a deep breath and calmly said, "I understand. Your Highness can return to tell the Supreme Emperor that I will soon enter the palace with Rui’er."

"Imperial Aunt, then I shall take my leave!"

Qi Jingyu stood up, saluted Long Yue as a junior, and then turned to leave.

After Qi Jingyu left, Ning Xiang came in, looking at her worriedly, "Princess Consort?"

"Go, take me to freshen up and change clothes; I’m going to the palace."

In the past two months, though Long Yue’s mood had improved, she still didn’t want to see the Royal Family members. It was only just now, learning that Qi Yun’s regret had ravaged his health, causing him to abdicate, that her icy, unyielding heart was slightly softened.

Since he wants to see her and her son, let it be!