The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 181 Reunion with the Cao Family

After finishing breakfast, Jing Anle's carriage swayed and wobbled as it drove out of the palace.

"Princess, look!"

Having not left the palace for a long time, Afang quietly pulled back the carriage curtain. Outside, it was bustling with activity, but Jing Anle had a cold face, as if she was preoccupied with something.

Afang wanted to cheer Jing Anle up, but Jing Anle just smiled slightly and showed no interest.

Afang looked at Muping with some frustration. Although Muping had no expression, she knew what Jing Anle was worried about. Soon the carriage arrived at the General's Mansion.

As was customary, Jing Anle first paid her respects to Old Madam Qin, and then Qin Hu led her to Qin Xu's study.

Mid-Autumn Festival has passed, the weather is getting colder, and the trees in the yard are gradually withering.

"Hiss~" As the autumn wind blew, Jing Anle shivered from the cold.

Mu Ping asked with concern, "Is the princess cold? Afang, quickly go to the second young lady and borrow a cloak."

There were clearly outer robes on the carriage. Afang had wanted to take one earlier, but Jing Anle stopped her. Now that she wanted to borrow one, Afang was a little confused, but she quickly realized what was going on and said, "I'll go right away."

“There’s no need to go to the trouble.” Jing Anle looked up. “I’m freezing, and the General’s Mansion is huge. There’s Aunt Cao’s courtyard right in front, so I’ll go ask Aunt Cao for something to borrow.”

Qin Hu was taken aback. Jing Anle was the legitimate princess. Before he could react, Mu Ping had already stepped forward and knocked on the door.

A young maidservant opened the door, looking quite cheerful. It seemed that Aunt Cao treated her servants well.

"Greetings, Princess." The little maid was very surprised and quickly bowed.

Because Jing Anle came often, the General's Mansion had specifically instructed the servants to recognize him.

"The autumn air is chilly, and the princess would like to borrow a cloak. Where is Aunt Cao?" Mu Ping asked.

The maid was very clever and immediately led Jing Anle and the others inside.

"Auntie, the princess has arrived."

This was her first time visiting Aunt Cao's courtyard. Although it was small, it was elegant, with many flowers and plants planted in the courtyard, but most of them had withered in the autumn.

As soon as the maid finished speaking, a woman came out from inside. She was beautiful, graceful, and had a charming smile.

The person who arrived was Cao Wantang. When she saw Jing Anle, she was slightly taken aback, but then immediately smiled and bowed, "Greetings, Princess."

Cao Wantang remained the same, poised and confident, neither humble nor arrogant.

Jing Anle looked Cao Wantang up and down. If he hadn't known her beforehand, who would believe that she was a spy?

“Aunt Cao is pregnant, no need for formalities. Mu Ping, quickly help Aunt Cao up.” Jing Anle gave a wink, and Mu Ping immediately understood. She subtly took Cao Wantang’s wrist, and Cao Wantang was helped up.

"Thank you, Princess." Aunt Cao lowered her eyes, and there was not a single fault in her. She was just like a proper concubine.

"I was unaware of the princess's arrival. What are your orders?"

Cao Wantang knew that Jing Anle would come to the General's Mansion today, but she didn't expect her to come to her own courtyard. For a moment, she had no idea what Jing Anle was up to.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little cold, so I came to borrow a cloak." Although Jing Anle smiled, her innate nobility and aura remained undiminished, and there seemed to be something resisting each other between the two.

Cao Wantang smiled knowingly, "It is my honor to serve the princess." Then she turned to her maid and said, "Qiao'er, go and fetch my soft wool brocade cloak."

"Yes," the maid replied and left.

Aunt Cao smiled and said respectfully, "Please sit down, Princess."

Jing Anle did not refuse and sat down sideways. In an instant, she caught a faint fragrance. She was born with a keen sense of smell and could easily detect scents that others could not.

Pregnant women shouldn't use incense, but Jing Anle didn't ask directly. Instead, she looked at Cao Wantang's belly and smiled, saying, "Now that you're pregnant, you need to be more careful. Your grandmother will be overjoyed when you give birth to your child!"

"It is my honor and the child in my womb to have your concern, Your Highness." Cao Wantang touched her belly, her face beaming with a loving motherly expression.

Jing Anle didn't say anything, took a sip of tea, and said, "Your life has been full of hardships, but now that things are better, your life will only get better and better." Then, she turned her head and ordered, "Afang, bring me what I have prepared."

"Yes." Afang took out an exquisite wooden box from her sleeve and handed it to Cao Wantang.

Jing Anle said, "This is a longevity jade lock, a small token of my appreciation."

Cao Wantang was slightly taken aback, then bowed her head and said, "My status is lowly, and I cannot accept the princess's kindness."

Looking at Cao Wantang's appearance, Jing Anle felt that he couldn't figure her out at all. Her expression was not one of being flattered, but rather one of fear of getting involved in trouble. Who was behind this woman, and what were her intentions?

"It's just a lock, Aunt Cao, please accept it without worry."

"This……"

As they were talking, Qiao'er had already brought the cloak.

"Princess, Aunt, the cloak has been brought."

Afang helped Jing Anle put on a cloak. It looked quite ordinary on her, but it looked rather unique on Jing Anle. Cao Wantang looked at her and thought to herself: She really is a beauty.

"Then thank you for your cloak. I still need to see my uncle, so I won't bother you any longer."

Cao Wantang didn't say much, but respectfully saw Jing Anle out of the courtyard.

Watching Jing Anle and the others' retreating figures, Qiao'er was a little curious. She turned her head, intending to ask Cao Wantang something, but found that Cao Wantang's eyes were dark and unfathomable, as if she was thinking about something.

As soon as they came out, they saw Qin Hu, who was eagerly waiting for them.

"General Qin, you've kept me waiting," Jing Anle said with a smile.

"Your subordinate wouldn't dare," Qin Hu said respectfully.

As they spoke, the group headed towards Qin Xu's study, with Qin Hu leading the way, followed by A Fang and Mu Ping, who walked behind Jing Anle.

"How is it?" Jing Anle asked in a low voice.

Now that no one was around, and Qin Hu was someone she could trust, and she was speaking softly, no one would hear her.

Mu Ping simply held Jing Anle's hand to make it easier to speak, "I just checked her pulse, and it was like pearls rolling on a plate, strong and steady, definitely a pregnancy pulse."

"Is it absolutely true?" Jing Anle asked again.

"In response to Your Highness, I studied medicine under a master when I was young. I am not very proficient in other areas, but I am at least 90% skilled in pulse diagnosis."

Seeing Mu Ping's certainty, Jing Anle's heart sank. If she really had her uncle's bloodline, it would be difficult to handle. But for some reason, Jing Anle felt that something was wrong.

Before long, they arrived at the door of Qin Xu's study.

"Princess, please." Qin Hu said respectfully.

Jing Anle nodded, instructed Mu Ping and A Fang to wait outside, and then went inside.