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

Chapter 280 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (180)

Why is everyone so despicable in the eyes and heart of the Empress Dowager? Ji Shuqin was truly puzzled.

Even he could see the Dowager Consort's kindness and insight. Almost everyone in the palace respected the Dowager Consort. The Empress had been in contact with the Dowager Consort since the day she entered the palace. Over the years, what kind of prejudice and resistance could have made her say such a thing?

"Unbearable? Qin'er, do you know what unbearable really is! The ugly character hidden behind those hypocritical faces is what's truly unbearable! Do you think you can fool everyone?" the Empress mocked, her seemingly possessed appearance was indeed quite terrifying.

"And what about your son? What kind of face do you have? How ugly are you?" Ji Shuqin felt numb. He wanted to hear what other astonishing things he could hear from his mother.

"You were raised by your mother... Over the years, your mother has watched everything you do. You are your mother's most proud child! Qin'er, you cannot let your mother down..." The Empress wanted to take Ji Shuqin's hand.

Ji Shuqin suddenly took a step back, instinctively not wanting his mother to touch him. This sudden movement startled the Empress for a moment.

"Qin'er, do you... not understand what your mother is saying?"

"How could I not understand? I just understood too late!" Ji Shuqin closed his eyes.

"Mother, you are not allowed to do anything to Min'er," Ji Shuqin said firmly, each word distinct.

The Empress raised her eyes, her gaze sharp as she looked at Ji Shuqin: "Qin'er, what exactly are you...?"

"I will not allow Min'er to be in any danger. He has had enough hardship these past years, and I will not allow anyone to harm him in the slightest! From now on, Mother Empress shall not see Min'er again." Ji Shuqin meant that the Empress was not allowed to have any contact with Ji Shumin, and she would not be allowed to summon Ji Shumin to see her in the future.

“Since everyone’s faces are so ugly, then please, Mother Empress… cultivate alone, and don’t let mortals ruin your cultivation.” Ji Shuqin no longer hesitated.

"What do you mean! Qin'er! What do you mean!" The Empress snapped after realizing what was happening, "Qin'er! Why are you speaking to your mother like that! Who has bewitched you! Without your mother, how could you be where you are today? They all want to harm you after you ascended the throne, they all want to pull you down and bewitch you! Without your mother, how will you walk the path ahead!"

"Mother, I must walk the rest of the road myself." Ji Shuqin looked at her, his eyes filled with sadness and a touch of pity: he could not change his mother, he could not make her a normal mother, a normal empress dowager, he could only watch her like this, unable to change or alleviate the situation.

He has no one to rely on now and has to make his own decisions.

This was also... the agreement between him and Ji Shumin.

People are harsh. No matter the reason, mistreating one's mother and being ungrateful are considered unfilial. Even if parents have a thousand faults, children are still oppressed and imprisoned by the word "filial piety." If they try to break free, their backs will be ripped apart.

If it doesn't happen to you personally, it's just a casual judgment of people using dogma. No matter who you are, in the end no one can escape it, so you can only endure it.

Even so, those who can break free from constraints and follow their own desires are still resolute and courageous.

Ji Shuqin was fearless. Just as Lu Liruan once described him, he had his own rules and regulations, which were respectful and dogmatic. However, if he believed something was right or good, he would stick to it firmly and fearlessly.

A person who truly follows their heart.

Just like the decision he made, Ji Shumin had never received any affection or pity from his mother, so he should not bear the final blame and condemnation. This was his responsibility, something he had to shoulder.

"Qin'er, you have really disappointed your mother!" The Empress pointed at Ji Shuqin, her face, which showed signs of aging, was filled with sorrow. She tried to pull Ji Shuqin back, but she stumbled and fell to the ground.

"Mother--"

Hearing the commotion, Granny Ma stepped forward and helped the Empress up.

"Granny, how could I have given birth to such an unfilial son! All the suffering I've endured over the years has been in vain! How could he treat me like this!" The Empress seemed flustered. Looking at the resolute expression on her eldest son's face, she suddenly felt a sense of fear.

She was so stubborn that she never imagined that Ji Shuqin would oppose her. She always believed that her eldest son would always listen to her and never disobey her.

But now, like a deafening roar, something heavy struck her head, making her heart feel as if it had been ripped open, and in an instant, some thoughts came to mind.

What should I do if he doesn't listen to me?

He's no longer on my side!

The Empress's steps were unsteady, and she unconsciously began to wail loudly, trying to stop Ji Shuqin: "Qin'er! Don't you remember how you and your mother depended on each other when you were little! Have you forgotten what you said when you were little, that you would make your mother's wishes come true and that she would always be healthy and prosperous!"

"Was what Mother Empress wanted and desired back then the same as what she has now?" Ji Shuqin asked her.

Looking at the child who was no longer a child, the Queen suddenly recalled intermittently what she wanted back then.

At that time, she was also filled with hatred and had a lot of pain that she had nowhere to vent, but she still persisted. Why?

Because she wanted to protect her child...

What did she pray for, kneeling before the Buddha day and night?

She prayed... she prayed for the blessings of the gods and Buddhas, that her child could live, that her child could grow up smoothly, that her child wouldn't suffer so much, and that if her child were in pain and suffering, she could take his place.

This is what she asked for.

The empress collapsed wearily to the ground, her magnificent robes and crown seemingly devoid of luster and honor at this moment.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?"

Granny Ma's anxious voice rang out, but Ji Shuqin did not stop or look back. Instead, he walked towards the door.

His back view appeared composed, but his face was already wet with tears. He didn't stop until he left the gate of Fengyi Palace, and he raised his hand to cover his face.

The newly enthroned emperor wept silently, unable to control himself, on a chilly night.

"Does Mother want to kill me?"

Ji Shumin interrupted Ji Shuqin's somewhat vague words and asked calmly, "That's what she told you."

Ji Shuqin wanted to refute, but he glanced at Ji Shumin cautiously and found that his expression was normal and there was nothing unusual about him. So he finally gave up his desire to cover up the truth.

He neither nodded nor spoke.

"It's alright... as long as my brother doesn't want to kill me." Ji Shumin said this casually, as if it were a joke, despite his usual somewhat sarcastic tone.

"Min'er!"

But Ji Shuqin sternly rebuked him.

He rarely spoke with such sternness.

Ji Shumin paused for a moment, then turned to look at him.

"Don't...don't say that, Min'er, don't say that." He closed his eyes, his throat tightened, and he lowered his head, pressing his lips tightly together. "It hurts me to hear you say that," he said softly.

Ji Shumin's expression softened.