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

Chapter 200 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (104)

"Qin'er!" The Empress's expression was grim; she had never shown such a loss of composure in front of Ji Shuqin.

"What does Mother want to say?" Ji Shuqin shook his head: "When did Min'er ever need my protection?"

"My mother and I have lived in seclusion in the mountain temple for so many years, without concerning ourselves with worldly affairs. Who has been protecting Min'er? No one has been protecting him, yet he has grown up so well." Ji Shuqin really couldn't understand where the claim that he had protected Ji Shumin came from.

Ji Shuqin had never known the dangers of court intrigue before, but now that he had experienced it firsthand, he felt a surge of resentment. He realized that Ji Shumin must have played a significant role in navigating the peaceful life on the mountain.

In the end, the Empress Dowager actually took it for granted that he should protect Min'er. Ji Shuqin looked at the Empress's slightly angry face and felt that it was utterly absurd.

“Times have changed. He is physically disabled and certainly cannot be the ruler.” The Empress stared at Ji Shuqin: “Qin’er, you care about the people and pity my weakness. How can you properly protect the people of the world?”

Ji Shuqin was stunned for a moment, opened his mouth, but didn't know how to express his feelings.

Seeing Ji Shuqin hesitate, the Empress realized that her words had an effect: "Qin'er, don't act rashly. You and Min'er are brothers, but the people of the world will not regard him as a wise ruler just because he is your brother. Qin'er, you are harming him and the people of the world!"

"Mother, please stop talking." Ji Shuqin frowned and straightened his body.

"Qin'er..."

Ji Shuqin suddenly stood up: "Mother, today I'm going to talk to you about that immortal."

The Empress wanted to say more, but Ji Shuqin refused to listen and left directly.

Once outside, the cold air filled his chest, causing Ji Shuqin to feel a stinging pain.

Although Ji Shuqin was unwilling to admit it, what the Empress said might not be without reason.

But he didn't want to consider it. Ji Shuqin believed that he had no ability to inherit the throne, nor did he have any ambition.

After Ji Shuqin saw through the Empress's thoughts, she no longer concealed them.

Ji Shuqin spent more time with the Emperor than anyone else, so he naturally noticed the Emperor's unusual behavior. Although the Emperor didn't say anything, Ji Shuqin carefully probed and had already learned a little about it.

Ji Shuqin was worried, wondering why the emperor had suddenly become like this.

Whenever faced with a situation he couldn't judge, Ji Shuqin would always think of Ji Shuqin first. This was also an important reason why he felt he couldn't inherit the throne. He knew he was somewhat indecisive and couldn't make decisions easily, which was not a sign of being able to achieve great things.

But now that Ji Shumin can't see him, Ji Shuqin feels no joy at the beginning of the year, only deep worry and unease.

Ji Shumin and Lu Liruan had no idea what Ji Shuqin was thinking. Perhaps it was the festive atmosphere of the New Year that made Ji Shumin feel better, and he was able to get up on his own.

Lu Liruan pushed him around the mansion for a few days, then planned to take Ji Shumin out for a stroll and visit the Lu mansion.

"Take good care of yourself. You look so pitiful." Lu Liruan pinched Ji Shumin's cheek while he was drinking his medicine.

Ji Shumin's skin was as cold as jade, without any warmth. Lu Liruan would often warm her hands by the fire pit and then use them to warm Ji Shumin's ears and face.

Like small animals, the two sat in the sun wrapped in a blanket. When Lu Liruan turned her head to look at Ji Shumin, his hair looked particularly smooth and shiny in the sunlight, and his face seemed to be tinged with a faint warmth.

The painful and dark past seems like a dream, and feels like a lifetime ago.

What are you looking at me for?

“I thought I wouldn’t be able to push you around in your wheelchair anymore a few days ago,” Lu Liruan said honestly.

"If one day I can stand up, then Li Ruan won't have to push me, this burden, anymore," Ji Shumin said softly, opening his eyes to look at Lu Li Ruan.

"When did I say you were a burden? You're getting better and better at pinning things on me that I never said or did..." Lu Liruan pouted.

“Yes, Li Ruan never said that,” Ji Shumin admitted quickly.

Lu Liruan was used to his harsh words, but after thinking for a moment, she still earnestly told him, "I'm willing to push you for the rest of my life... just consider it exercise, so you can live a long and healthy life!"

"Pfft—" Ji Shumin suddenly laughed, then coughed lightly and said seriously, "Yes, Li Ruan is in good health and has a lot of strength."

Although Ji Shumin's consciousness was blurred, he was not completely unconscious. Sometimes he could vaguely feel Lu Liruan lifting him up with a force, and other times she easily turned him over.

In his fragmented memories, Ji Shumin could still recall that once Lu Liruan helped him up and fed him medicine, muttering to herself, "As expected, unconscious people are heavier than usual. That's why people say they're so heavy..."

"Bah bah bah!"

Then Lu Liruan slapped her leg three times: "Unlucky, unlucky."

Seeing that Ji Shumin had no reaction, Lu Liruan raised her hand and patted Ji Shumin three times: "You should also go and ward off bad luck."

Ji Shumin wanted to laugh, but his body was beyond his control; he couldn't even raise his hand to smirk.

Helpless, he could only let Lu Liruan manipulate him, whispering something in his ear until he was plunged back into boundless pain and darkness.

Ji Shumin never told Lu Liruan that he had thought countless times about dying to end it all, to be free from all responsibility, and to feel neither joy, anger, nor guilt.

Whether Li Ruan felt sad or relieved, he had no way of knowing... Ji Shumin felt a little regretful. He wanted to see Li Ruan cry for him again.

But every time he heard Lu Liruan's voice, Ji Shumin would suppress these thoughts again and continue to suffer in agony.

Recently, I've even felt a kind of dazed relief, because every time I experience pain, it's for Li Ruan to take another step forward.

Later, Ji Shumin could clearly sense that Lu Liruan was becoming more and more skilled at taking care of people.

From initially being clumsy, to later becoming quite skilled.

She combed his hair with her own hands, murmuring, "One comb to old age, two combs to white hair together..."

Although it was quite fitting for the occasion, Ji Shumin clearly remembered that Lu Liruan had once told him which book this was written in, describing a custom for a bride's wedding.

Later, Ji Shumin never thought of giving up. He couldn't bear to part with it. Even if he had to suffer, even if he had to live a mediocre life, he couldn't bear to never see Lu Liruan again.

"Don't underestimate yourself. Our lives are getting better every day. We should learn to be content." Lu Liruan squinted her eyes. She was very content now.

Apart from life and death, nothing else matters.

Ji Shumin agreed, but the thoughts in his mind did not stop.

On New Year's Eve, the two went to bed early, and despite the noise of firecrackers outside, Lu Liruan slept soundly.

To ward off evil spirits during the New Year, red paper flowers cut by Lu Liruan herself were hung on all the doors and windows, creating a festive atmosphere, and the charcoal brazier inside the house was burning warmly.

Most importantly, suddenly there was a sense of life here, unlike a few days ago when Lu Liruan always felt gloomy and incredibly sad when she stayed in the house.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Lu Liruan and Ji Shumin returned to the Marquis of He'an's residence together.

His Highness the Third Prince rarely goes out, especially these days, and there is almost no news of him. Marquis He'an and his wife never expected that he would come to visit.

"Your Highness has lost so much weight."

After examining her closely, Madam Gao couldn't help but say something.

"Mother, please prepare plenty of good food, we can't finish it all and we'll have to take it with us!"

Lu Liruan giggled and reached for the freshly fried meatballs in the bowl.

The vegetarian meatballs made in the kitchen of the Marquis of He'an's mansion are very delicious. They contain no meat and are made only with two kinds of radishes, eggs and batter. They are fresh and sweet, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Lu Liruan ate one herself, and even stole one and stuffed it into Ji Shumin's mouth.

"You child! This is for the Kitchen God!" Madam Gao raised her hand to slap Lu Liruan's hand: "Stealing food meant for the gods will make your mouth rot!"

From a young age, Madam Gao had said this countless times to her sisters who were always causing trouble and stealing food during the Lunar New Year.

This time, just as Lu Liruan stuffed the meatball into Ji Shumin's mouth, Madam Gao's words slipped out without her thinking.

Before he could finish speaking, he saw the Third Prince sneaking a bite with Lu Liruan.

The moment their eyes met, Madam Gao opened her mouth, unsure of what to say to ease the tension.

Lu Liruan, standing to the side, laughed so hard she almost fell over, pointing a finger at Ji Shumin: "Hahaha, Mother says you've been stealing food and your mouth is rotten!"

She had two meatballs stuffed in her mouth, one on each side, making her cheeks bulge out, and her smile was round and cute.

The warmth from the underfloor heating in the room made her little face flushed.

At this moment, it was flushed with blood, looking very fresh and vibrant.

No matter what she has been through or what hardships she has encountered, she always finds joy in the smallest things and genuinely sheds tears when moved by something.

It seems that the noise and commotion in the outside world can never shake her sincere and warm personality.

Ji Shumin was captivated by this aspect of her; whenever he looked at her, he felt fulfilled and completely filled, leaving no room for any other thoughts in his mind…

"Nonsense!" Madam Gao rolled up her sleeves and slapped Lu Liruan on the back of the head.

"Please have mercy, Madam."

Before Lu Liruan could react, Ji Shumin spoke first.

Just as Madam Gao was beginning to regret her lack of decorum with Lu Liruan in front of Ji Shumin, the Third Prince was probably displeased...

Then Ji Shumin said slowly and deliberately, "Li Ruan is not very bright to begin with. If you knock her head down, she'll become even dumber..."

"you!"

Lu Liruan stared wide-eyed and gasped.

"Chi chi chi——"

Lu Wanqing and Lu Wanyun, who were crowding at the door, had originally come to join the fun and steal some meatballs, but when they saw this scene, they couldn't help but laugh.

When she spoke alone with Lu Liruan, Lu Wanyun said with a smile, "I didn't expect the Third Prince to be such an interesting person."

"Heh, hmm." Lu Liruan pouted, thinking to herself: That's really interesting.

"If you and your future husband can be as harmonious and fulfilled as your sister and the Third Prince," Lu Wanqing said with a smile.

A few months ago, Lu Wanyun got engaged to a scholar from another county.

His family had many business dealings with Lu Liruan's two elder brothers, and he once accompanied them to the capital and stayed at the Marquis of He'an's residence.

Back then, he was just a scholar, but now, when he went to the capital again, he was already a candidate for the imperial examination.

Marquis He'an never sought to marry his daughter into a wealthy or noble family. He found this son to be handsome, polite, a good friend of his son, and of good character.

There is no rule in this dynasty that prohibits the sons of merchants from taking the imperial examinations and entering officialdom. His family name is Deng, and they are from Jiangnan. They have been merchants for generations and are quite wealthy.

Deng Wencheng was the second son in his family. He was exceptionally gifted in his studies from a young age. His family hired tutors to teach him, and he passed the imperial examinations with great success. At such a young age, he was able to meet the emperor, truly a young talent.

What pleased Marquis He'an the most was that his ancestral home was in Jiangnan, and he had come to the capital alone to take the imperial examinations, after which he would stay there.

His daughter married him, and there were no in-laws to bother her, and she was under his very nose.

If it weren't against the rules, Marquis He'an would have been willing for them to continue living in his mansion after their marriage.

Marquis He'an thought he would marry any of his daughters, but after Lu Wanyun met him a few times, the two developed feelings for each other.

When the Deng family heard the news that they were going to marry the daughter of the Marquis, they were overjoyed. Cartloads of betrothal gifts were transported from Jiangnan, attracting everyone's attention when they entered the capital.

Some say that the daughters of the Lu family are indeed all lucky, and they never have to worry about marriage.

Some people sarcastically remarked that the Marquis of He'an's marriage to the son of a merchant clearly showed that he didn't care about the marriage of his illegitimate daughter.

These words were incredibly sarcastic. Although some unmarried women from various families mocked Lu Wanyun, no one took them seriously.

The only person he cared about was Aunt Zhao. No one knew where she heard the gossip, but she went to Marquis He'an and cried her heart out.

Marquis He'an couldn't reason with her, so he told her to go back. As a result, Aunt Zhao cried and made a scene, which made her sick.

Lu Wanyun and Lu Wanqing couldn't do anything with her. Madam Gao glared at them and said, "She really has no sense of propriety. I'm going to argue with her. You two mustn't follow her example!"

Later, when she went to care for Zhao Yiniang again, I don't know what Madam Gao said to her, but although Zhao Yiniang was still unwilling, she stopped making a fuss.

“Li Ruan married the Third Prince. Although you two are concubine’s daughters, how can Master marry Yun’er to a merchant?”

“What’s wrong with being a merchant… I still want to be a merchant.” Lu Wanqing whispered.

"What did Qing'er say?" Aunt Zhao looked over with a sorrowful expression.

"nothing."

Lu Wanqing and Lu Liruan didn't hide it; they always talked about everything.

Lu Liruan listened attentively as she explained that she didn't want to get married so early and wanted to go into business with her two older brothers.

"Did they agree to your request?" Lu Liruan asked curiously.

"Yes, the reply said they really need more people. I've helped my mother manage the household for so many years, so I know how to keep accounts, but it's just that my father..."

Sending his daughter out into the world to make appearances and run errands—wouldn't that be half-dead for Marquis He'an? Lu Liruan found the thought laughable.

“I agree that you should go.” Lu Liruan expressed her support, and Lu Wanyun nodded as well: “Everyone has their own ambitions. Who knows, our family might produce a remarkable female businesswoman!”

After Lu Liruan returned home, she brought up the matter in casual conversation: "Do you think this is feasible?"

Ji Shumin pondered for a moment: "It is certainly feasible."

Lu Liruan was just thinking that Ji Shumin, despite living in this era, had a very active and open mind.

Then Ji Shumin's next words silenced Lu Liruan.