"Wisdom and reason, talent and virtue, that is my expectation for him."
"Jing Mingzhang, Mingzhang, Zhang'er," Yue Jiang chewed, looking tenderly at the child beside her pillow, trying to engrave these three words into her heart.
It's strange, she and Jing Yan had seen many names before, but none of them had much of a connection with them.
Now, seeing her child in front of her, Yue Jiang felt that the name Jing Mingzhang was the perfect one for their child, representing his lifelong devotion.
"It sounds nice, so we'll call him that, Zhang'er."
She smiled gently, patting the baby's tummy with her palm.
Whether it was a prenatal intuition or not, Zhang'er seemed to know that his mother was calling him, and he opened his eyes with a twitch of his eyelids.
It seemed she hadn't woken up intentionally, but rather, feeling drowsy and sleepy, she let out a big yawn, smacked her lips, and fell asleep again.
It was as if he was telling others that he was very satisfied with the name, which made Yue Jiang and Jing Yan smile indulgently.
...
Yue Jiang gave birth to a healthy child, but the atmosphere in several parts of the palace was not cheerful.
Empress Dowager Cheng never expected that Jing Shuo, who was crippled in both legs, could still cause such a big trouble. She also never expected that after Jing Shuo was ordered to be detained by Jing Huaixu, Jing Yan would come to visit him personally.
Empress Dowager Cheng said that regardless of Jingshuo, he was still a child she had watched grow up, and her niece, Consort Cheng, had taken the blame for her, so she couldn't bear to truly let go.
"Your Highness, Jing Shuo is a complete cripple, and His Majesty doesn't like him either. Can you give him a way out?"
Empress Dowager Cheng was hunched over. Ever since those around her died or left, Yongshou Palace had never been lively again.
Jing Shuo was ordered to be locked up, and she was not even allowed to see him.
If Jing Yan doesn't let Jing Shuo go, Empress Dowager Cheng fears that the next time she sees Jing Shuo, she will only see a corpse.
Jing Yan said calmly, his hands behind his back, "I never kill the crippled. I just want to see if he is really crippled. The sun is scorching, so Grandmother Cheng should not block the door."
"Someone, escort Empress Dowager Cheng back to Yongshou Palace."
When Jing Yan gave the order, the palace servants around Empress Dowager Cheng dared not disobey and all escorted her back to Yongshou Palace.
Empress Dowager Cheng did not understand the meaning behind Jing Yan's words. She looked back every few steps, watching as Jing Yan waved for someone to unlock the door and walked inside.
Although Jing Shuo was imprisoned, he was still served in the palace. However, due to his sudden imprisonment and leg injury, he lay on the bed in a daze.
He cursed Jing Lu repeatedly in an attempt to comfort himself.
Suddenly a shadow fell over the bed. Jing Shuo frowned, and when he opened his eyes and found that it was Jing Yan, he was filled with surprise and worry, and immediately began to explain.
"Brother, are you and your wife alright? It wasn't me, it really wasn't me. It was Zheng Yutong who pushed me. Otherwise, how could I have bumped into her myself?"
"No, no, no, there's also Jing Lu. Jing Lu and Zheng Yutong have been having an affair for a long time. It must have been Jing Lu who instigated it."
Jing Shuo explained with great enthusiasm, but seeing that Jing Yan's expression remained unchanged, he figured that perhaps Jing Yan didn't believe him.
"Brother, I know you don't believe me, but it really is Jing Lu, it really is him. Have you been deceived by him too?"
"I didn't say I didn't believe you."
Just as Jing Shuo was breaking down in despair and crying, Jing Yan's simple words immediately stopped him from crying and made him raise his head.
"Do you believe me?"
Jing Yan found a chair and sat down, facing Jing Shuo, her words firm.
"I believe it. I believe that Jing Lu caused your leg injury. Jing Lu was also responsible for that night at Liushang Pavilion. And yesterday, when your wheelchair went out of control and you ran away, I also believe it was Jing Lu."
Jing Shuo was surprised that Jing Yan knew so much. He felt like he had found a helper and crawled forward, his words filled with eagerness.
“Brother, since you know all this, then go and kill Jing Lu. He has harmed me so badly, his next target will definitely be you, your Crown Prince.”
"You must nip this in the bud; you can't let his plot succeed."
"He is grieving the loss of his son, there is no evidence, the whole palace sympathizes with him, and besides, isn't it you who hates him the most than I do?"
"I will get rid of Jinglu for you. Are you prepared to be trapped and die in this palace, or will you leave once you hear of Jinglu's death, your wish fulfilled?"
Jing Yan's gaze fell on Jing Shuo's legs; perhaps his eyes were too sharp.
Whenever Jing Shuo sees someone staring at his legs, he can't help but feel inferior and hastily grabs the blanket to cover his legs in order to maintain the last bit of self-respect.
But Jing Shuo found that this was still not enough. He felt that Jing Yan could laugh at his legs through the blanket, and in an instant, he shouted in self-deprecation.
"What can I do? I'm already a cripple. Yes, I was jealous of you and wanted to take your place, but I was stupid. I've accomplished nothing and Jing Lu has ruined me like this."
"If I had the ability, wouldn't I want to kill him with my own hands? Royal brother, what exactly are you here for today?"
"If you're here to laugh at me, then you've seen it. I'll have to spend the rest of my days in this dilapidated house. If that makes you happy, then you can leave."
Jing Yan ignored Jing Shuo's nonsense and beckoned to Shang Yu, whom he had brought: "Let him check if his legs can still stand up."
Shang Yu carried the medicine box to him. Jing Shuo subconsciously tried to resist, but Shang Yu took out a silver needle and stuck it into Jing Shuo's neck. He became weak and unable to move.
Then Shang Yu used silver needles to try pricking a few acupoints on Jing Shuo's legs, and Jing Shuo felt only mild pain.
Shang Yu glanced at Jing Shuo, then put away the needles and said, "The Second Prince is of noble birth. He hasn't been injured for long, and he has people treating and taking care of him every day, so it's not too bad."
"Your right leg is a little stronger than your left. Follow my method for acupuncture treatment. Although you will still need to practice using crutches, as long as you don't slack off, it will definitely be better than sitting in a wheelchair."
Jing Shuo looked at Jing Yan in disbelief: "You're willing to have someone treat my leg? Why?"
“Because you are filled with hatred,” Jing Yan said with a light sneer, “Just tell me if the hatred in your heart is enough to rouse you. This palace is no longer suitable for you to stay in. Make it clear whether you want to take revenge yourself.”
"If you still have the backbone to strive for improvement, I will help you leave the palace and send you away to recuperate and gain experience. In the future, you will be at my command, and I will see if you can turn the tables on Jing Lu."
Jing Shuo laughed and said, "Your Majesty wants to use me to get rid of Jing Lu. You don't want to be associated with the reputation of killing your brothers, do you? You were born into the royal family, why are you still concerned about such trivial matters?"
Jing Yan: "It is true that the three of us are of one mind and should support each other. However, people's hearts are unpredictable. I do not care about my reputation, but he is used to being innocent and my father spoils him too much."
“Letting him die innocent might cause controversy. Jing Ning is still the queen of Yu Kingdom. If Yu Kingdom uses this as an excuse to interfere, Jing Kingdom will be in turmoil, and An Kingdom will also take advantage of the situation.”
“He has harmed you many times. Your leaving the palace only adds to his fear. There will come a day when he loses his composure and can no longer pretend.”
"Look at your legs again. You've fallen to this state. Do you feel no shame at all, or even pleasure?"
Jing Shuo pressed his leg tightly, recalling the humiliation and ridicule he suffered after his leg was broken. He felt more than just ashamed; he felt like he was living a life worse than death.
If Jing Lu had suffered a complete loss of reputation before his death, it would have been extremely satisfying.
Jing Shuo's eyes darkened as he said, "Brother, I promise you, no matter how much suffering I endure, I will kill Jing Lu with my own hands."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
