The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 255 A Family Banquet in the Palace (5)

Everyone looked at Jing Rou in disbelief. Although Jing Kingdom was open-minded and women had a high status, no noblewoman had ever stood up in front of so many elders to say that she had someone she loved.

"Rou'er, what are you saying!" Princess Qing's expression immediately changed; a woman's reputation is of utmost importance.

Jing Anle glanced at Princess Qing secretly. She looked to be in good spirits and seemed to have no change after taking Consort Chen's medicine.

But Prince Qing immediately realized what was happening and turned to Emperor Jing, saying, "Your Majesty, Rou'er had already told me about this matter, but I thought that such a major event as marriage should be carefully considered, so I did not announce it to the public."

"Oh?" Emperor Jing became interested.

Jing Anle feigned curiosity and asked, "For the past six months, Anle has been attending classes with Princess Rou every day, and we've almost always been at the same family banquets and gatherings. I wonder who could have captured the princess's heart?"

It's as if this sentence implies that Jing Rou deliberately fabricated a lie to avoid marrying into the Southern Frontier.

Jing Rou's fingers clenched tightly, her heart burning with anger. Why, why was Jing Anle always making things difficult for her?

At this moment, no one in the main hall dared to make a sound; they all just quietly watched Jing Rou.

Looking at Jing Rou's defeated and flustered appearance, Jing Anle found it amusing. After all, who should she be referring to? Her former crippled lover, or her current powerful new favorite?

“It is the eldest prince of Qi Kingdom, Qi Zhi.” Jing Rou lowered her head, her voice timid, as if she were very shy.

For a moment, it was clear that Prince Qing and Princess Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing the tense situation, the Empress Dowager tried to defuse it, saying, "Why must Your Majesty make things difficult for a young woman? Who hasn't been young and full of youthful expectations?"

Qi Kingdom… Emperor Jing’s eyes darkened, a huge wave suddenly surged in his mind, swaying and then slowly dissipating. He turned to look at the Empress Dowager, then at Jing Rou and Prince Qing, and after a long while, he suddenly burst into laughter.

For a moment, everyone was completely baffled.

The concubines didn't care about court affairs, but Jing Fengyao and Jing Anle knew that Qi State and Jing State had never been enemies or friends. In fact, there were times when they were outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds, and many things were just going through the motions.

"Is this true?" Emperor Jing asked again, his smile fading.

"This humble woman dares not lie. This humble woman and Prince Qi are in love. I beg Your Majesty to grant our wish." Jing Rou said, and then knelt down.

Prince Qing's mind worked quickly. Although he had been having Jing Rou win over Qi Zhi, he hadn't figured out how to get them to make it public. Now was a perfect opportunity.

Now it was Inger's turn to be dumbfounded. It seemed that he would not be able to marry either of the two noble ladies of Jing Kingdom. He glanced at Princess Yongping, but Princess Yongping was expressionless, as if she had not recovered from her shock.

"Good!" Emperor Jing waved his hand, his voice full of vigor.

"I understand. Princess Rou has someone she loves. I don't want to separate the lovers. Why don't we wait until the plum blossom festival in a few days and ask Prince Qi what he thinks? If he is in love and she is willing, I will grant you marriage and fulfill your wish."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jing Rou hurriedly kowtowed to express her gratitude.

Prince Qing thought that Emperor Jing was trying to win over the Qi Kingdom, and sneered inwardly: My son-in-law, Jing Qing's son-in-law, will naturally be at my service!

Jing Anle and Jing Fengyao exchanged a glance, neither understanding Emperor Jing's meaning, yet helpless. But at least if Jing Rou and Qi Zhi were truly engaged, Murong Peifeng would be furious. It would be quite a sight when they actually fought. It was time to add fuel to the fire, Jing Anle thought to herself.

……

By the time the family banquet ended and Jing Anle returned to the palace, it was already late at night. The winter night was even colder and more frigid, but fortunately, Mu Ping had already taken care of everything.

After the other palace maids left, Afang chattered on and on, telling Muping about Jing Anle getting out of the sedan chair. She described it so vividly that even Jing Anle thought Afang should go to the market to tell stories; she certainly wouldn't go hungry.

Mu Ping felt a lingering fear after hearing this and hurriedly said, "Fortunately, the princess is alright, but today's events are really strange, and I'm afraid it was done by someone."

Jing Anle and Mu Ping exchanged a glance. "You guessed right. Who else could it be besides my dear aunt?"

Mu Ping immediately understood, "But there is no trouble in the southern border region now. It is all Princess Yongping's doing. I'm afraid she wants to marry the princess off to a distant place."

"More than that!"

"Hmm? What does the princess mean by this?" Afang was confused.

Jing Anle snorted coldly, "Given her relationship with Prince Qing, and with Jing Rou's instigation, what she wants is probably my life!"

Afang and Muping were both alarmed. After all, the journey to the Southern Frontier was long, and anything that happened along the way could be considered an accident. Afang patted her chest in relief and said, "Fortunately, His Majesty did not agree to Princess Yongping's request today, otherwise it would have been dangerous."

"It's just that Princess Rou is lucky, she doesn't have to marry far away."

Mu Ping looked puzzled and didn't understand, so A Fang told Mu Ping everything that had happened in the court.

“Then Princess…” Mu Ping’s face showed obvious joy.

“That’s right.” Jing Anle knew what she was going to say.

"As soon as Qi Zhi and Jing Rou's marriage is announced to the world, the first person who will be unable to bear it will be Murong Peifeng."

"Although Father Emperor didn't say anything today, with his intelligence, he will surely understand Prince Qing's actions and take precautions."

Mu Ping's eyes also turned cold. "Then we'll sit back and watch the tigers fight."

"Also, could you do me another favor?"

"Princess, please give your orders."

“Jing Rou must be feeling uneasy right now. She must be afraid that Murong Pei Feng will expose their affair.”

Mu Ping immediately understood, "The princess means that Princess Rou will send someone to kill Murong Peifeng."

"She will naturally do it; nothing can stop her from gaining power and wealth."

"I understand. I will send someone to rescue Murong Peifeng."

Jing Anle nodded, "We must not be too deliberate. It doesn't matter how many injuries or sins he suffers, as long as he has a breath left. I still have a use for this worthless life."

"Yes."

The snow in winter is cold and chilly, but even its biting cold cannot compare to the excruciating pain of my past life. Murong Peifeng, Jing Rou, Prince Qing, your good days are coming to an end.