After the Crybaby Married the Disabled Villain - Chapter 30

“Sorry… sorry for the interruption.”

Lu Mufeng spun around to flee, but the door suddenly seemed jammed. He scrambled frantically to get out.

“Stop right there!”

An Yu’s voice halted him. If Lu Mufeng left now, things would be impossible to explain.

“Imperial… Imperial Sister-in-law.”

Lu Mufeng stood with his back to them, frozen. At this point, turning around felt just as awkward as staying still.

“Turn around,” Lu Shiyan commanded.

Lu Mufeng slowly turned back. An Yu had already stood up from Lu Shiyan’s lap and was sitting on a nearby chair, looking remarkably dignified.

“Crown Prince Brother.”

Lu Mufeng forced a smile and sat down in the opposite chair, looking extremely uncomfortable.

“Is there something you need?”

“Actually… it wasn’t Shen Heng and I who saved Imperial Sister-in-law in the hunting grounds today.”

“Then who was it?” Lu Shiyan asked casually, his gaze not even drifting. As he spoke, he reached out to smooth An Yu’s slightly disheveled robes.

Lu Mufeng’s eyes darted toward An Yu, who appeared completely unconcerned. An Yu was even busy devouring the snacks on the table, finding a spare second to chime in: “Yeah, who was it?”

You’re actually asking?!

Lu Mufeng steeled his heart and blurted out: “Today, Imperial Sister-in-law was having a tryst with a secret lover in the forest. It was that lover who saved him.”

Having said his piece with righteous indignation, Lu Mufeng turned to An Yu: “I… I know I promised you I wouldn’t say anything, but—”

He was interrupted by his brother’s light chuckle. Lu Shiyan used a handkerchief to gently wipe a crumb from the corner of the boy’s mouth.

“But you betrayed your Sister-in-law,” Lu Shiyan said calmly, sipping his tea.

Lu Mufeng was stunned for a long time before the realization finally dawned on him. He felt that coming here had been a massive mistake—his brother clearly knew and didn’t care! Was it possible his brother was the “mistress” in this scenario?

“Highness, this is so good. Did Mo Han make this?”

“Mhm. If you like it, I’ll have him make more.”

Lu Shiyan affectionately patted the boy’s head. He then stood up, retrieved a cloak from the bedside, and draped it over An Yu’s shoulders.

“Brother—”

For a split second, Lu Mufeng thought he was dreaming. He had wondered how his brother could be so calm, but then his pupils dilated in shock. He stuttered, unable to form a coherent sentence. “Brother, your legs… they’re… they’re better?”

“Mhm.”

Lu Shiyan walked behind him and gave his shoulder a meaningful pat before returning to the wheelchair.

An Yu winked: “It’s a secret, okay?

Thud!

The door closed behind him. Lu Mufeng couldn’t even remember how he had walked out of the room. All he knew now was that his brother’s legs were healed! Everything was going back to the person it belonged to.

It was just a pity he had to go through such an awkward ordeal—to find out that his Sister-in-law’s “secret lover” was actually his own brother.

Walking back to his courtyard, Lu Mufeng alternated between frowning and grinning like a fool until a young eunuch came running toward him. He quickly straightened his expression.

“What’s the rush?”

The eunuch looked like he was about to cry. “Prince, please come with me quickly. The Empress wishes to see you. We have been looking for you for hours!”

“Mother? Has something happened?”

“I do not know, but Her Majesty has already shattered several teacups in her anger. Please be careful, Prince.”

Lu Mufeng thought over the events of the last few days. Unsurprisingly, it was likely about the white tiger incident. “Thank you. Lead the way.”

The residences for the Imperial family were close to each other but far from everything else. Lu Mufeng followed the eunuch for quite a distance before reaching the Empress’s palace.

Before he even reached the entrance, he could hear the sound of porcelain shattering against the floor, followed by the Empress’s furious shouting—a far cry from her virtuous public image.

Lu Mufeng took a deep breath and stepped inside. “Paying respects to Mother.”

As soon as he spoke, another teacup shattered. The floor was covered in shards; one had to walk with extreme care.

“Kneel!” the Empress barked from her seat. The palace maids and eunuchs had already retreated, leaving only the two of them.

Acting as if the shards weren’t there, Lu Mufeng knelt straight down. His knees hit the floor with a dull thud.

“Ngh—” The muffled groan was so quiet it was almost imperceptible.

“How bold of you! You ruined all of Qi’er’s plans! You are both my sons, so why are you such a worthless wretch?”

“Helping that invalid… who gave you the guts!”

“If anything happens to Qi’er this time, I will make sure you suffer!”

The rebukes and insults were endless. Lu Mufeng, kneeling on the ground, had long since grown accustomed to this hatred. His face remained calm and expressionless.

“Speak! Have you become a mute?”

The Empress threw yet another cup—the last one on the table. It was filled with hot tea and smashed right by his leg. The scalding water soaked into his robes and pressed against the skin where the shards had pierced him. The stinging pain made him groan again.

He lifted his head, his gaze colder than he ever showed in public. “What does Mother wish for me to say?”

“Audacious! Is this your attitude after committing a mistake?”

Lu Mufeng fell silent again. His childhood had taught him that at times like this, silence was the best answer.

The Empress eventually grew tired of shouting and began muttering to herself: “An Yu was lucky to escape today. Hmph. If he ever says something he shouldn’t in front of the Emperor again, I’ll take his miserable life regardless.”

Her gaze shifted, her narrowed eyes appearing poisoned: “Who gave you permission to steal Qi’er’s thunder? A wretch like you thinks he can compete for the throne?”

“In your dreams.”

Exhausted, the Empress finally sat in silence. It wasn’t until the tea on Lu Mufeng’s legs had turned cold in the freezing weather, feeling like ice against his knees and numbing the pain, that she finally spoke: “Get out.”

“This son takes his leave.”

His legs were already numb. He staggered a few times before finding his footing and trembling his way out. The walk back felt twice as long as usual; he knew it would be pitch black by the time he reached his quarters.

Sure enough, by the time he finally returned to rest, evening had set in. Eunuchs and maids were bustling about, and the scent of food wafted from the small kitchen.

“Prince, Lord Shen asks for an audience.”

Hearing this, Lu Mufeng quickly pulled his pant legs down and poured two cups of tea. “Please, send him in.”

Shen Heng followed the eunuch inside, feeling a faint, lingering scent of blood in the air. “Mufeng, are you injured?”

Lu Mufeng froze. “No. Why do you ask?”

“I smelled a bit of blood. Perhaps it’s just tiger blood on your robes.”

Lu Mufeng nodded quickly. “Likely. How is the investigation?”

“I came here specifically for that. The wounds on the white tiger are from a sword. Neither of us was carrying a sword today. I don’t know how we’ll explain that.”

Lu Mufeng gripped his warm teacup, thinking. “Just tell Imperial Father that I was the one carrying a sword.”

“Very well. But Mufeng, you must be careful.”

“I will. Don’t worry. I’ll head over to the Crown Prince’s place in a bit to get that sword back.”

Shen Heng was confused. “Why get it from the Crown Prince? Wasn’t it…”

“Ah, right, right,” Lu Mufeng said, the words feeling heavy on his tongue, “it was indeed the sword of the Sister-in-law’s ‘lover.’ But Brother actually knows that person; it was all a misunderstanding. The sword is with Brother now.”

Shen Heng was stunned for a moment but reacted quickly: “That’s for the best.”

“Any progress on other fronts?”

“We are searching the quarters for that medicinal powder, but I doubt we’ll find much. If nothing turns up, the Emperor might increase the intensity of the investigation into everyone. This is the first time the Emperor has felt this much hatred toward the Northern Abyss; it won’t end simply.”

Lu Mufeng nodded. “You’ve worked hard. Stay and have dinner before you go.”

Shen Heng smiled warmly. “I have more to do. Next time.”

Lu Mufeng wouldn’t have it. His rugged features scrunched up as he pouted: “Lord Shen, Brother Shen, please just have a meal with me.”

“Mufeng… alright.”

“That’s more like it. No matter how busy you are, you have to eat. Go back to work after dinner, and I’ll go get the sword from Brother.”

“Lord Shen has arrived.”

Dozens of guards surrounded the Second Prince’s quarters. Shen Heng pushed through them and hurried inside. Before him was a packet of powder sitting on the table, and to the side stood Lu Youqi, his face ashen.

“Second Highness.”

“Lord Shen, you’d better investigate this properly! Not only is my tiger dead, but now someone is trying to frame me!”

“Rest assured, Highness. But for now, we need your cooperation.”

“Hmph.” Lu Youqi snorted but was forced to follow Shen Heng’s men out of the room.

In the Banquet Hall.

The members of the Imperial family, the ministers, and the noble sons who had just finished dinner and were preparing to rest were all summoned. Everyone was confused, discussing the situation in hushed tones.

“Has Lord Shen already finished the investigation?”

“Old Shen, I must say your son has much of your old spirit as the Chief of the Court of State Ceremonies.”

“Father, where is the Second Prince?”

“Quiet. The Second Prince must be helping Lord Shen with the case.”

Emperor Hongchang walked in, the weight of his thoughts visible on his face, though he didn’t care. Since he had stopped taking the “immortal medicine” from the Northern Abyss, his health had been improving. The “Immortals” had told him his current symptoms were just his body purging old impurities.

He sat firmly on the Dragon Throne, while the Empress—her makeup still exquisite—sat beside him, considerately pouring tea.

The Emperor said: “Shen Heng.”

“Present.”

An Yu sat in his place feeling a bit dazed. This scene felt remarkably like the one a month ago when the King of Xiao was accused of assassination in the palace.

A guard presented the powder to the Emperor, and then the doors were thrown open. Lu Youqi, looking innocent, was brought in under guard.

“Second Prince!”

“It actually was”

“Qi’er?” The Empress’s hand trembled, and hot tea spilled out. She dropped the cup with a dull thud.

Everyone’s eyes were on Lu Youqi; the Emperor only gave her a look of displeasure. “What is going on?”

Lu Youqi’s eyes were red as he shouted to the Emperor: “Imperial Father, this son has been wronged!”

The Emperor frowned. “Shen Heng, speak.”

Shen Heng bowed. “Replying to Your Majesty: one stick of incense ago, my subordinates were ordered to search the quarters. They found this packet of powder in the Second Prince’s storage cabinet. The outer wrapping even contained instructions for the beast-taming incantation.”

Lu Youqi grew agitated: “Lies! That doesn’t belong to me!”

The Empress chimed in: “Your Majesty, Qi’er would never do such a thing. Besides, that was the white tiger you granted him; why would he…”

The Emperor glanced at the Empress, and she was forced to fall silent.

“Crown Princess,” the Emperor said. “What do you have to say?”