Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 189 - Iron Ore Unexpected Surprise

Chapter 189: Chapter 189 Iron Ore, Unexpected Surprise

Chapter 189 -189 Iron Ore, Unexpected Surprise

The words of the Empress were spoken in anger.

Even if Murong Jiu still held feelings for the Second Prince, she wouldn’t dare make a move against the Third Prince under the Emperor’s watchful eye—she certainly did not have a death wish.

The Second Prince persuaded, “Father Emperor will not get his way this time, either, and it’s not without gains; the Grand Tutor has already died and can no longer continue to mentor the younger brother. We’ve had him return to the Capital City early; he might not have learned anything substantial. Even if Father Emperor insists on his own way, the court officials won’t be willing.”

That was the reasoning behind it.

After listening, the Empress’s expression relaxed slightly.

The Second Prince added, “Besides, it’s not certain that the younger brother will survive this ordeal. Perhaps, he’ll deteriorate these next few days and soon pass away.”

“Then, I would indeed go and pray daily, hoping the Third Prince ascends to paradise soon!”

However, the mother and son’s intentions were not fulfilled.

The Third Prince did suffer a fever along the way, but it soon subsided, and over the next few days, he showed signs of improvement, being awake more than he was unconscious.

Similarly, the condition of his wound visibly improved; though the stitched area looked fierce, there were no further issues of pus and decay—a very good sign.

The Imperial Physicians were finally not so anxious, a look of joy returning to their faces.

Thanks to Murong Jiu, the Third Prince was brought back from the brink of death; the Imperial Physician had dodged a bullet and was not sparing in his praise for Murong Jiu.

The Emperor also knew that Murong Jiu played an indispensable role, feeling relieved, he waved his hand and sent down a large batch of rewards for her.

Possibly because he had aged, and having nearly experienced sending off his beloved son, the Emperor’s disposition towards Murong Jiu and Jun Yuyan seemed even more genuine than before.

He emotionally expressed, “Yanyan, Xiao Jiu, I am getting old and can no longer withstand shocks. This time, fortunately, you were by my side. Once Huan’er has recovered, I will have him go to the Prince Mansion personally to express his thanks.”

“Father Emperor, there is no need for such formality. The Third Younger Imperial Brother is my sibling, and since Ah Jiu had the capability to heal him, how could we stand by and do nothing? Ah Jiu has always been a person of compassion toward all.”

Having saved a life, and borne the hardships, a simple reward was something Jun Yuyan could hardly value. He understood that the Emperor only saw Ah Jiu as a court physician to be used. Speaking like this now was merely an emotional outburst. In the eyes of the Emperor, probably no one was more important than the Third Prince.

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Although those rewards were precious, how could they compare to Ah Jiu’s days and nights of hard work?

A life had to be saved, as the Third Prince was needed to compete against the Second Prince, but having saved him, Jun Yuyan did not want the Emperor to simply dismiss him and Ah Jiu with just that.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor nodded and said, “Xiao Jiu indeed has a kind heart, which I deeply understand. Indeed, I was once also saved by Xiao Jiu.”

This statement was indeed heartfelt; although the Emperor previously did not like Murong Jiu, he nevertheless remembered that she had saved him.

This time, Murong Jiu saving the Third Prince had deepened his experience.

After all, he had witnessed the Third Prince lying unconscious, having ingested countless medicines without any improvement.

If not for Murong Jiu, his most beloved son might indeed be headed for the netherworld.

Jun Yuyan then said, “Your son boldly requests a special grace for Ah Jiu.”

Murong Jiu looked at him in surprise, unaware of what he would request for her.

The Emperor said, “As long as the request is not too excessive, I will agree to it.”

“Ah Jiu is passionate about medicine, and I have heard that the soil and climate of Tea Ridge County are very suitable for cultivating herbs. I would like to ask Father Emperor to bestow this county to Ah Jiu. Since it is not far from the Capital City, your son could also frequently accompany Ah Jiu in tending to flowers and herbs.”

Upon hearing this, the Emperor immediately agreed.

Tea Ridge County was only a half-day’s journey from the Capital City; the area was planted with many tea gardens. In the past, a tea-picking girl had entered the palace and had greatly charmed the Former Emperor, but unfortunately, she bore no children and was later buried in the Imperial Mausoleum.

Although the place boasted clear mountains and beautiful waters, that was all there was to it—the population was only a few thousand, a very inconspicuous little county, much poorer compared to other areas around the Capital City. Since grain could not be grown there, apart from tea, only some vegetables were cultivated and sold.

But going back and forth took a whole day, leaving the vegetables less fresh. Farming wasn’t a good livelihood, and most people made their living by picking tea.

This was also the reason why the Emperor had immediately consented to the proposal.

Moreover, the Emperor was happy to see Jun Yuyan’s affection for Murong Jiu; he would rather have Jun Yuyan lack the ambition to fight for the throne and live a carefree life.

It was known that compared to the Empress’s son, the Second Prince, his eldest son was the truly talented one.

If it weren’t for watching his youngest son grow up, investing so much love and effort in him, and the youngest looking most like him, earning his deepest affection—otherwise, the eldest son would have been the most suitable candidate for the succession.

Human hearts do feel bias, from the start, the Emperor’s heart was inclined towards favoritism; since the birth of his third son, the Emperor’s intention was to have his eldest and second sons pave the way for his most beloved third son, never considering other sons for the role of Crown Prince.

It was merely a matter of rewarding with a small county to give Murong Jiu as a medicinal field, and the Emperor had no objection to this.

He thus drafted the imperial decree, bestowing Tea Ridge County as a fief to Princess Consort Ling, with its county officials and people under her administration.

Murong Jiu, holding the imperial decree on her way back to the Prince Mansion, was still in a daze.

Her face was flushed with exhilaration, feeling a surreal dreaminess, her heart fluttering with the swaying carriage.

“Prince,” she asked, “did Father Emperor really give me Tea Ridge County?”

Jun Yuyan chuckled, finding her bewildered, excited state too vivid and amusing.

He nodded, “Yes, Father Emperor has given you Tea Ridge County; now you are not only Princess Consort Ling but also the Lady of Tea Ridge County.”

Murong Jiu, thrilled, threw herself into his arms, frightening Jun Yuyan, who quickly reached out to catch her, fearing she might fall.

“Be careful, you are carrying a child right now; what would we do if you were to hurt yourself?”

“But didn’t you catch me?”

Murong Jiu was very happy. She said, “Prince, you are really amazing, to have acquired Tea Ridge County just like that—it is Tea Ridge County, after all!”

The Prince also had a good memory; just a few days ago, she had casually mentioned that there were iron mines in Tea Ridge County, and he could send someone to secretly survey it someday. Today, he had acquired Tea Ridge County; how could she not be elated?

What were iron mines?

Iron mines were money! They were weapons!

Currently, only the Imperial Court had the rights to mine iron, and illicit mining was a crime heavier than plotting a rebellion, as they feared that people might privately forge weapons for insurrection.

So, she was truly too surprised and overjoyed.

“You’ve been tired these past few days, isn’t it right for you to receive some compensation? What does this count for? The Third Younger Imperial Brother is his lifeblood; you saved the Third, so he would be willing to give you even heavier rewards. I don’t want him to suspect anything; your child hasn’t been born yet, and I don’t want to stir up trouble before then. Let the Third and the Second fight it out,” he said.

Jun Yuyan gently embraced her in his arms, the interior of the sedan was lined with thick cushions for her comfort.

But Murong Jiu was sitting on his lap, her hand hooked around his neck, her eyes as clear and luminous as water, the affection within them visible to Jun Yuyan at a glance, softening his heart.

She tilted up her delicate white chin, her red lips slightly parted, “Prince…”