The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

On the way back to Yongfu Palace.

The weather was sunny and clear today, perfect for a stroll and some fun. I happened to see a woman dressed as a concubine feeding the fish by the pond.

Seeing Jing Anle staring into the distance, Afang said, "That's Consort Li up ahead. Would you like to go and say hello?"

Hearing Afang say this, Jing Anle suddenly remembered that this Consort Li was Consort Yu's mortal enemy, and that she would be pregnant in two months. As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Jing Anle walked behind Consort Li, who was happily feeding the fish. Only after the palace servants bowed to Jing Anle did she turn around and say, "Greetings, Princess."

The Jing Kingdom has strict rules. Only the legitimate sons and princesses need to bow to anyone except the emperor, empress, and empress dowager. They can also perform some simple etiquette, which is why Consort Li greeted Jing Anle.

"Your Highness Consort Li seems to be in a good mood today. I wonder if Anle could join in the fun?" Jing Anle said with a smile.

Consort Li's original name was Li Wan'er. As her name suggests, she had a gentle smile that was charming and touching.

Consort Li was somewhat surprised. She had heard before that Jing Anle had kowtowed at the lotus pond, and even the Noble Consort had forgotten about it. Moreover, Jing Anle had always sided with Noble Consort Yu and had often caused trouble for her. Seeing her today, could it be that she really damaged her brain?

Although she thought this way, she dared not say it, after all, Jing Anle's position was unshakeable and her status was noble.

Consort Li then said, "I was feeling quite bored by myself! It will be much more lively with the princess here!" As she spoke, she handed Jing Anle a small jar of fish bait.

Jing Anle sprinkled some bait into the water, and a group of goldfish swarmed around to grab the food.

"What? Does Consort Li like fish?" Jing Anle asked, looking at the fish.

While teasing the fish, Consort Li said, "It's just to pass the time."

Jing Anle understood that with so many concubines in the harem and the recent busy affairs of state, Emperor Jing rarely visited the harem. Moreover, even if Consort Li was beautiful, there would only be women more beautiful than her in the palace.

Jing Anle then said, "Father has few heirs. If Consort Li could also help Father have a son, that would be wonderful."

Consort Li stared at Jing Anle in disbelief. The Jing Anle of the past had always disliked her and would never have said such things.

Moreover, she felt that Jing Anle's speech was completely different from before. In the past, Jing Anle always spoke directly, but now it had more nuance.

Consort Li quickly smiled and said, "Of course it would be great to have it, but I regret that I am not fortunate enough to have it. I'm afraid it's not my time yet."

Consort Li certainly dared not say that Emperor Jing had not visited her palace for a long time, lest she be accused of being jealous, which would be impossible to explain even with ten mouths.

“Father has been busy with state affairs lately, and the palace servants are clumsy. If someone could prepare a bowl of his favorite refreshing tea, that would be wonderful,” Jing Anle said casually.

Consort Li was even more surprised. Was Jing Anle teaching her what to do? But she couldn't believe it. It was out of the blue, but this was a good opportunity. Rather than waiting in vain in the harem, she might as well take the initiative.

Consort Li then said to Jing Anle, "Thank you for your advice, Princess. I have some matters to attend to in the palace, so I will return first."

Jing Anle simply replied with an "okay." Only after Consort Li left did Afang ask in confusion, "Why did the princess help Consort Li?"

"Of course, it's to see someone suffer. Since some things are destined to happen, why not make them more beneficial to us? You can take the box from my dressing table to Consort Li later," Jing Anle said with a smile.

"Let's go see how Mu Ping is doing."

Meanwhile, back at Rong'en Palace, Consort Li was pondering when her maid asked, "Your Highness, should we believe Princess Anle's words?"

Consort Li was also conflicted and asked, "Qingyu, how long has it been since the Emperor last favored any of his concubines?"

Qingyu replied, "His Majesty has been busy with state affairs and has not visited the inner palace for ten days."

Although Consort Li was one of the four consorts, she relied on her family's merits. She was able to compete with Consort Yu because her father and brothers were successful. Although she was beautiful, Emperor Jing was not a foolish person, and the favor he showed to the harem was only occasional.

Thinking of this, Consort Li seemed to have made a huge decision and asked Qingyu, "Do you know how to brew herbal tea?"

"I've only heard of it, I don't know the recipe," Qingyu replied.

At this moment, a maid from Consort Li's palace came to report that Afang from Yongfu Palace had delivered a box on the princess's orders.

After saying that, Qingyu took it and presented it to Consort Li. Upon opening it, she saw that it contained a recipe for a cooling tea.

"Princess Anle is truly a remarkable person!" Consort Li exclaimed. She then instructed Qingyu to cook according to the recipe.

"Yes, ma'am. This has solved our immediate problem." Qingyu said and went to brew tea.

Back at Yongfu Palace, I saw Mu Ping sweeping up fallen leaves in the courtyard.

"Mu Ping! Who told you to do these things?" Jing Anle shouted.

When Mu Ping saw that it was Jing Anle who had returned, she quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Princess!"

Jing Anle quickly helped her up and asked again, "Who told you to do these things?"

"No one asked me to do these things. The general only instructed me before I entered the palace that I should not reveal my martial arts skills unless absolutely necessary. I'm used to being on the go and can't sit still. I thought sweeping up fallen leaves would also help me stretch my muscles," Mu Ping waved her hand and quickly explained.

"I see." Jing Anle had thought some ignorant maid dared to order Mu Ping around. "Don't worry, it won't be long before I prepare a secret place for you to practice your martial arts," Jing Anle continued.

"Princess, Mu Ping really can't bear this responsibility," Mu Ping said anxiously.

Although she grew up with the late Empress, she was just an orphan. It was Jing Anle's mother who rescued her by the roadside and taught her to read, write, and practice martial arts. She was extremely grateful.

Seeing her like this, Jing Anle didn't make things difficult for her, and just wanted to find a suitable opportunity to talk to her again.

Jing Anle didn't want to go anywhere today. She ate her meal and then went to sleep. She dreamed that the late Empress gently stroked her, and the dream was exceptionally sweet.

That night, Consort Yu received news that Emperor Jing, who had not visited the inner palace for a long time, had gone to Consort Li's palace. Enraged, she smashed her favorite vase and roared, "That little vixen! What kind of seductive tricks did she use? One day I will personally skin her alive!"

The palace servants trembled with fear and dared not utter a sound. Only Liu Lan said softly, "Consort Li was just lucky for a moment. How can she compare to you? We have the Third Prince. What does she have? Your Majesty, please put your mind at ease."

Consort Yu felt much better after hearing this and was no longer so angry.

Consort Li, who had just gained the emperor's favor, could hardly believe it. She had received such a favor from the emperor with just a bowl of ordinary cool tea. She was grateful to Emperor Jing Anle from the bottom of her heart, and felt as if she had hope for the future.

Little did she know that in the past, on hot summer days, when Emperor Jing was feeling down, the late Empress Qin Yin would brew him a bowl of refreshing tea. It was less because of the refreshing tea that he was favored and more because of the late Empress.