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

Chapter 248 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (148)

Ji Shumin took the letter from Lu Liruan and glanced at it: "All you ever do is entice your heart." He commented softly.

"Their story is so interesting, it feels like I'm right there in the story." Lu Liruan carefully folded the letter and put it into a special little box.

"I wonder when I'll see Yu Xun again. Last time she wrote to me, she said she would send me an ever-burning lantern that the people of the borderlands use to pray for blessings. If you write your name inside and put it high up, it will bring good fortune to that person." Lu Liruan has always liked the different customs and traditions of various places.

She had already celebrated the New Year in the capital several times. When she first arrived, everything was new and exciting to Lu Liruan. The disorienting feeling of time and space made her mind hazy. She found the sound of the clappers playing during the New Year's Eve vigil extremely interesting.

“If she doesn’t send it back to you, I’ll just make one with you,” Ji Shumin said casually.

Lu Liruan glanced at him, trusting Ji Shumin's hands-on skills. In recent years, Ji Shumin's interest in dressing her up had not diminished at all; on the contrary, his skills had become more and more exquisite, to the point that the tailors in the mansion had no use for them.

No matter how busy he was, he could always find time to personally buy clothes and accessories for Lu Liruan.

“If you’re so busy, you don’t need to worry about me…” A few days ago, Lu Liruan watched him carefully polishing a delicate jade hairpin by candlelight and said this.

"This is how I pass the time. Stealing moments from my busy schedule, seeing these things reminds me of Li Ruan, and it helps me catch my breath and feel a little better." Ji Shumin's earnest expression didn't seem like he was lying.

After Lu Liruan casually mentioned it, Ji Shumin seemed to suddenly understand.

He matched his clothes with Lu Liruan's; the embroidery patterns and colors of the two were similar, and when they stood together, it was obvious to anyone that it was intentional.

Lu Liruan felt somewhat embarrassed. After all, Ji Shumin didn't care what others thought, but the fact that he and she were dressed like this when they returned to the Marquis of He'an's residence still made Lu Liruan feel a little ashamed in front of her parents...

It seems like those young couples who are always showing off their love... when they grow up and look back at their old social media profiles, they're so embarrassed they'd dig a castle out of their toes!

When Madam Gao first met them, she was hesitant to speak, her eyes darting between the two of them. Only when Ji Shumin was not around did Madam Gao burst into laughter, laughing harder and harder until she bent over.

"Oh my goodness—what kind of bedroom fun is this between you two? How can His Highness the Third Prince spoil you like this? Look... hahaha, it's really funny!" Madam Gao laughed and teased at the same time.

Lu Liruan looked embarrassed and didn't know how to bring it up: This wasn't her idea.

That day, she and Ji Shumin were lying on the bed chatting. Ji Shumin's hand was on Lu Liruan's shoulder, and he was stroking her soft, black hair casually: "How can you be so blind? You can't see that Liruan and I are of one mind and deeply in love."

A few days ago, someone came up with a foolish idea, which was to try to send women into the Third Prince's residence.

Whether they were found somewhere or were originally kept in their own mansions for their own enjoyment, the women were all stunningly beautiful, ranging from slender to plump.

During the banquet, she made no attempt to hide her gaze as she looked at Ji Shumin.

Some of the bolder ones even took the opportunity of serving wine to get close to the Third Prince.

The Third Prince's face was so strikingly beautiful that it drew attention. The men present dared not look him in the eye, a mixture of fear and reverence.

Having witnessed the Third Prince's methods, what he looked like was no longer important. He was so majestic and noble that his appearance was the least noteworthy thing about him.

His identity also dictated that he didn't need good looks to enhance his appearance.

But to the woman, this face truly made her blush and couldn't help but harbor infatuated thoughts: if she could follow this Third Prince, it would be better than being anywhere else...

But those women couldn't even get close to Ji Shumin. They were immediately fixed in his piercing gaze as soon as they got a little closer. There was no disgust or disdain in his eyes, just coldness.

The cold was so intense that one could hardly move their hands or feet, and one had to behave properly, not daring to look around, let alone flirt with birdsong and dancing.

These days, he receives more and more invitations to banquets, some to curry favor, some to test him. Ji Shumin's acceptance of the invitations greatly surprises them, as they never expected the Third Prince to agree. As a result, some people have started to have ulterior motives.

Today's gathering was a prime example. After several rounds of drinks, even with Ji Shumin still present, some people began to get drunk and started to let loose, laughing and joking with the women next to them, having a great time.

The contrast with the cold and quiet surroundings around Ji Shumin makes it all the more ridiculous and absurd.

I had originally planned to send a few women to the Third Prince, as it would be a good way to curry favor. After all, in all these years of marriage, the Third Prince has only had his wife by his side. He used to be in poor health, but now he seems to have recovered somewhat, so it's normal for him to have some women. After all, which prince's residence doesn't have several women?

The Third Prince's place is really too deserted.

When it was time to leave, the person who gave the gifts was still a little reluctant, and subtly and solicitously expressed that these women were gifts for Ji Shumin, carefully selected and instructed, hoping that he would accept them with a smile.

Looking at the man's fawning expression, which made his face wrinkle with laughter, Ji Shumin coldly curled the corners of his mouth: "No need."

"I don't need anything from you, I just... want to serve you." This person was a fence-sitter. Seeing that those who challenged Ji Shumin had all suffered, he was glad that he hadn't been swayed and joined in the commotion.

Instead, he was more careful and had a better sense of smell, which is how he managed to avoid it. Now, seeing how scared those people are, he secretly patted his chest. Luckily, he had already figured out that the Third Prince was not someone to be trifled with. Look, whoever messes with him is doomed.

Now, fearing he would be purged along with those people, he hurriedly stated his position.

Even if... even if my salary is cut, it's still better than those people, isn't it?

He was also one of those aristocratic families who inherited their ancestors' glory by virtue of their family's protection. However, due to his timidity, he was willing to give up any family honor or face as long as he could continue to live a good life.

So they took the lead in currying favor with the third prince.

He himself was usually drained by wine and women, and he wasn't very profound. He thought that the only good and presentable things he could offer were fine wine and beautiful women, and he believed that men would like to have these two things.

The man still seemed determined.

Ji Shumin raised an eyebrow: "I already have a wife."

When he sat in his wheelchair and mentioned that he had a wife, his sharp and handsome eyes softened for a moment, like a cold ripple spreading across a lake that had just thawed.

But the man was heavily pregnant and had difficulty bending over, so he didn't see Ji Shumin's sullen expression at all, and instead thought that Ji Shumin was complaining.

“You are a prince, and even your wife shouldn’t interfere in this matter…” As he spoke, he blinked and cautiously glanced at Ji Shumin. The Third Prince suddenly lifted him up, and his face flashed right in front of his eyes. He unconsciously opened his mouth in surprise and clicked his tongue.

The Third Prince's face... those women are no match for him.

He secretly felt he had miscalculated and that he hadn't considered things carefully enough, which was why he hadn't been able to entertain the Third Prince properly. He was quite annoyed at that moment...

He hurriedly put on a fawning smile and said, "If you don't like it, I have more here..."

He meant to say that he had even prettier ones here, and that he could find as many as you wanted.

Are you mocking me?

Just as he was considering how to say this, he never expected that the Third Prince would have a shrewish wife in his household.

The Third Prince's Consort has lived a secluded life in recent years, rarely appearing in the circles of noble ladies in the capital.

He never expected to be able to control the Third Prince! His mind wandered, and for a moment, he didn't even know what he was thinking.

When talking to Ji Shumin, he felt at a loss for what to do.

The Third Prince's innate aura of authority is truly intimidating. Even someone as ignorant and incompetent as him couldn't muster a single, refined word of flattery.

"Huh?" Caught off guard by the Third Prince's words, he was momentarily stunned and let out a blank "Eh?"

The Third Prince appeared composed and at ease, his long, slender hand gently resting on his knee, the bracelet on his wrist swaying gracefully, beautiful yet not effeminate.

She gave him a half-smile, a hint of mockery, as she glanced at him sideways.

"Ah!" The man felt as if he had suddenly realized something!

What do you mean by having a shrewish wife at home? That's just an excuse!

There are no other women in the Third Prince's residence, probably because His Highness the Third Prince... is not capable, right?

These words, once they entered his mind, terrified him so much that he wanted to slap himself on the spot. It was truly a case of bringing up a sore spot!

If he knew...

Why didn't I think of that sooner?

If he had known the Third Prince was like this, he wouldn't have dared to provoke him; he even wanted to send a woman to the Third Prince's residence...

This is... this is like trying too hard to flatter someone and making the Third Prince unhappy!

Ji Shumin seemed completely unconcerned about what he thought, and showed no embarrassment whatsoever, sitting there calmly.

He even had a smile on his face, as if watching others panic, lose their breath, and cower in fear made him quite amused.

"You...you and the Third Prince's Consort are deeply in love! Of course...of course I should keep the Consort's feelings in mind. Yes, I was being presumptuous, so presumptuous..." In the depths of winter, cold sweat trickled down his spine.

"Hmm," Ji Shumin hummed indifferently.

"You and Your Majesty... have such a deep and profound affection. I have done something wicked. Please, Your Majesty, forgive me!"

He dared not say, "Please forgive me, Third Prince," so he could only speak indirectly.

Ji Shumin found it boring and didn't make things difficult for him. He raised his hand and gestured for Xiao Xizi to push him away.

He looked listless and showed signs of fatigue as soon as he got into the carriage.

Attending these meaningless banquets isn't because I genuinely want to see what these people are like; it's just for show.

Ji Shumin felt bored, wondering when his behavior would make those people lose their temper and take action.

He returned and told Lu Liruan about it. Lu Liruan opened her mouth, thinking to herself: You really have no shame.

“Even if it’s just some other reason, it’s better than…” Lu Liruan found it somewhat amusing. Ji Shumin never did things the way they should.

"Wouldn't that solve the problem once and for all?" Ji Shumin nestled against Lu Liruan's shoulder, rubbing against her comfortably, his voice soft.

"What's wrong? Do you have a headache from drinking too much?" Lu Liruan smelled the faint smell of alcohol on him, raised her hand to let him lean on her knee, and gently massaged his temples.

“What do you mean by ‘once and for all’?” Lu Liruan patted him on the head: “I’m afraid that wherever you go in the future, people will point fingers and gossip behind your back.”

Ji Shumin kissed Lu Liruan's thigh tenderly through the fabric, wrapped his arm around her waist, and traced delicate lines of his fingertips up her back.

He held her firmly in his arms: "I'm just telling the truth, and luckily Li Ruan doesn't mind."

In autumn, the Fifth Prince's wife went into labor.

Lu Liruan hadn't seen her for several months. This time, she went to visit her with the Fourth Prince's Consort. She saw that her belly was so big that it looked like a basin was under her clothes, and her face was haggard. She was too lazy to even apply powder.

The last time I saw her, she told me she couldn't eat or sleep well, and now it's even worse. She can't even lie down at night and can only take short naps. Fortunately, she's almost through it.

Lu Liruan thought so too at the time. Who knew that on the day of her delivery, news came from the Fourth Prince's residence that the Fourth Prince's wife was having a difficult childbirth. She had been in labor for a day and a night and was bleeding heavily. Several doctors used acupuncture and medicine and spent a lot of effort to keep her alive, but the baby didn't even have the strength to cry. It was unknown whether the baby could survive.

Fortunately, three days later, both the adults and children survived safely, and Lu Liruan was finally relieved.

Although it shouldn't have been, Lu Liruan did feel a sense of relief at the time.

She disliked children, and neither did Ji Shumin, so they couldn't have any children together, which was a real relief.

She could accompany Ji Shumin through countless hardships and had the patience to stay by his side time and time again, but Lu Liruan never thought that if she didn't like the child, she simply didn't like it, and there was no need for so many reasons.

Her love for Ji Shumin would not extend to a child. As Ji Shumin said, "I love Li Ruan dearly, and I only love you. How can I talk about loving someone else because of them?"

After realizing that the two of them really wouldn't have children, Lu Liruan felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.

Ji Shumin was satisfied with the effects of the acupuncture and medicine. The old doctor breathed a long sigh of relief and carefully never dared to mention it to Lu Liruan.

"You're the best, I like you the most." Lu Liruan recalled the past and became inexplicably happy. She leaned down and gave Ji Shumin a smiling kiss on the cheek, expressing her satisfaction without reservation.

"Of course I'm fine..."

Whether or not the matter was ever leaked out, from this day forward, no one ever sent women to Ji Shumin again.

Ji Shumin asked Lu Liruan that day, "Why can't anyone see the deep love between Liruan and me, a love that will last until death?"

Lu Liruan casually replied that this might make people sense it, and Ji Shumin took it to heart.

So now, everyone knows that the Third Prince and his wife, who have been married for several years, are still inseparable and deeply in love.

After taking turns attending to the emperor's ailing body three times, Ji Shumin finally let everyone go before the New Year.

The imperial court was unusually peaceful, but Ji Shumin received one letter after another.

It seems as if a dark cloud and a storm are about to pour down...