Chapter 23
In the courtyard, Qiu Chi raised an eyebrow as she watched Yun Jing return with a sullen face. “Did the talk not go well?”
Yun Jing glanced at Qiu Chi in silence, saying nothing.
He recalled Cui Mingyu’s question—had he fallen in love with Qiu Chi? How could he possibly fall for her? Impossible.
Meanwhile, Cui Mingyu was hugging the Prime Minister’s wife, crying. “Mother, he said he wants to forget the past! It’s only been a few days since his wedding, and he’s already been seduced by that slut. How could he do this to me!”
The Prime Minister’s wife’s heart ached for her. “There, there, don’t cry. Have you forgotten she has a lover? King Jing probably doesn’t know. We’ll have someone inform him. No man can tolerate his own woman cuckolding him.”
The Prime Minister’s wife’s words gradually stemmed Cui Mingyu’s tears. Just then, the Prime Minister walked in. “You were the one who insisted on entering the palace. You are now the Emperor’s woman, so why are you still pining for King Jing? He is no longer the brilliant and stunning King Jing of the past. What does he have to offer now, besides the title of a king? Never mind setting aside his official consort to perform the wedding ceremony with a concubine—just look at his outrageous actions today. What kind of man would do such a thing?”
Cui Mingyu bit her lip. “But I just can’t accept it.”
She had genuinely liked Yun Jing and had fantasized about what it would be like to be with him.
But who could have predicted it? The former emperor’s death was so sudden that no one had time to react. The current emperor immediately seized control of the late emperor’s bedchamber and produced an imperial edict, claiming the throne had been passed to him.
Even though everyone knew in their hearts that there was something suspicious about the former emperor’s death and the edict, what could they do?
At the time, Yun Jing was not in the capital, and the other princes were powerless to cause any trouble. By the time Yun Jing returned, the dust had already settled.
The man most likely to inherit the throne was reduced to an idle king. The Emperor was deeply suspicious of him and would never allow him to leave the capital. In the beginning, his manor was surrounded by spies. He would be summoned to the palace for simply stepping outside his residence.
Yet the Emperor wouldn’t kill him. He simply enjoyed watching him seethe with helpless resentment, forced to act grateful for his mercy.
Even though Cui Mingyu still liked Yun Jing, she also loved power.
Before, Yun Jing had been the most likely candidate for the throne. If she had married him, her life would have been glorious; she might even have become the mother of the nation.
But now, what future did Yun Jing have?
He was not even on par with her father, who at least held real power. What did Yun Jing have?
Yun Jing had nothing. Naturally, Cui Mingyu was unwilling to be by his side, so she had the Prime Minister send her into the palace.
But she did genuinely like Yun Jing and didn’t want him to fall for someone else. She certainly couldn’t tell him the truth, which had led to the current situation.
The Prime Minister snorted coldly. “What is there to be upset about? Do you really think you’re so clever, stringing two men along? Especially when one of them is the Emperor. The moment anyone discovers a hint of this, our entire family could be put to death because of you. You’d best take this opportunity to cut off all contact with King Jing.”
“If you’re truly unhappy that he likes your sister, then do as your mother suggested. Tell King Jing she has a lover. Her life certainly won’t be easy after that.”
“And you should focus on winning the Emperor’s favor and conceiving an imperial heir as soon as possible.”
After hearing the Prime Minister’s words, Cui Mingyu gradually calmed down.
She wasn’t unaware of how different the current Yun Jing was from the man he used to be. But the Yun Jing of the past had been so dazzling that his current state felt unreal to her. She found it hard to believe he would remain so subdued forever.
But as her father said, Yun Jing’s current actions were absurd, and he had offended countless court officials. How could he possibly stage a comeback?
Cui Mingyu pressed her lips together, her mind made up.
Qiu Chi was unaware of Cui Mingyu’s decision, but by now, the plot had already collapsed beyond recognition.
In the original plot, Cui Yueyue was still being abused in the manor while Yun Jing and Cui Mingyu were still entangled. Without Yun Jing’s sudden change in attitude and without the unexpected appearance of Lian’er, Cui Mingyu wouldn’t have had to pay Cui Yueyue any mind. She could occasionally have Yun Jing be a little ‘nicer’ to Cui Yueyue, and all she had to do was enjoy the show.
Qiu Chi and Yun Jing didn’t stay overnight at the Prime Minister’s Manor. They returned after lunch, while Cui Mingyu planned to go back to the palace the next day.
At the dinner table, Cui Mingyu’s cold attitude toward Yun Jing earned her a glance from Qiu Chi, but only a glance. Qiu Chi wasn’t particularly concerned with Cui Mingyu’s affairs.
After returning to King Jing’s Manor, Yun Jing finally received the report on Cui Yueyue.
After reading it, Yun Jing went to find Qiu Chi. “Where is Cui Yueyue now?”
Qiu Chi took a sip of water. “Isn’t that me?”
“This king is not joking with you.”
“Who’s joking? This is Cui Yueyue’s body. Cui Yueyue is dead. I’m an immortal she summoned to avenge her, and you’re on the list.”
Yun Jing was speechless. “Even if this king were to believe your nonsense, you haven’t actually done anything to me.”
Aside from being a bit arrogant and ordering him around with practiced ease.
“That’s because I’m lazy. My revenge against you is to let you live out your days alone, to grow old and die without a woman by your side.”
Besides, Yun Jing seemed like a relatively normal person, not repulsive like Gu Ting, so she naturally wouldn’t resort to beating him up at the drop of a hat.
As she’d said before, she was an easygoing person who disliked fighting and killing. As long as no one provoked her, everyone could get along just fine.
Yun Jing fell silent at her idea of revenge. He couldn’t comprehend her words. “You are currently this king’s official princess consort. I have other concubines and can take more in the future. How could I possibly end up without women, dying old and alone?”
Qiu Chi’s gaze swept over him from head to toe. Then she said faintly, “I can have you castrated. Painlessly.”
Yun Jing: “…”
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