The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

For a moment, the hall was filled with silence.

"That's natural." Emperor Jing finally spoke, his hand touching the dragon throne, and continued, "The princess has been wronged, so she cannot suffer in vain. The county princess is ill, so she shall be fined three years' salary and shall not step out of the mansion until her hysteria is cured."

The punishment was neither too lenient nor too severe, and Prince Qing really couldn't find a reason to object.

"Moreover."

"Jianing has handed over the Pro gold mine to the imperial court today."

Emperor Jing's voice echoed in the hall.

After a moment, Li Cong stepped forward and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty."

Every minister present knew the importance of the Pro gold mine to the Jing Kingdom. It could be said that acquiring this gold mine would not only subsidize the treasury but also give them a favorable position.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

All the ministers offered their congratulations with clasped hands, except for Prince Qing, whose fists clenched so tightly they cracked. He knew that if he refuted them now, the ministers would accuse him of disregarding the fate of the nation, so he could only remain silent, though in his heart he wished he could tear Princess Jianing to pieces.

……

Princess Jianing's Residence.

Kou Shuran was young and not very cunning. She knew she had made a mistake and was as obedient as a kitten.

“You wretched child, you are just like your father.”

Hearing Princess Jianing say this, Kou Shuran knew that she was really angry.

"Mother, I was wrong." Kou Shuran said, pulling on Princess Jianing's sleeve, her voice trembling with tears as she pleaded.

A gold mine is important, but Kou Shuran is her only daughter.

"From now on, you shall not leave the Princess's residence until your hysteria is cured."

"Hysteria? What hysteria? Mother, I'm not sick at all!" Kou Shuran had been pampered since childhood, so how could she accept being confined to her home? She was extremely dissatisfied and started to throw a tantrum.

"enough!"

Princess Jianing felt a headache coming on as she looked at the ignorant Kou Shuran.

A sharp rebuke startled Kou Shuran, causing her to freeze in place.

It was Granny Gui Rong who quickly stepped in to smooth things over. She first pulled Kou Shuran aside, saying, "Princess, you may not know, but in order to protect your future, the Princess has already handed over the Pro Gold Mine to the imperial court."

"That doesn't mean I should be confined!" Although Kou Shuran knew the importance of the gold mine, she also knew that the Princess's Mansion had no shortage of money.

"evil creature!"

Princess Jianing was trembling with anger and, unable to bear it any longer, slapped Kou Shuran across the face.

In an instant, red marks appeared on Kou Shuran's fair cheeks.

Kou Shuran looked at Princess Jianing in disbelief. She covered her face in grievance, tears streaming down her face, and ran out crying.

"Princess!" Granny Guirong saw this and was about to chase after her.

"Let her go!" Princess Jianing stopped her.

"The county princess is still young..."

“She’s still young! I was already married when I was her age.” Princess Jianing’s voice was filled with anger.

"Alright, you go and keep an eye on her, lest she do something wrong."

"Yes."

Two things were circulating in the capital that day.

First, Princess Jianing's daughter, Kou Shuran, suffered from hysteria. Second, the prince of Qi Kingdom heroically rescued Jing Rou from drowning, and the rumors even became more and more outrageous, claiming that the two were already engaged.

Of course, this matter also reached the Prince Qing's residence.

Princess Qing was frightened by Jing Rou's fall into the water and had to stay in bed to recuperate. Her face was pale, and she wore a light-colored undergarment, but her charm was not diminished. She was still beautiful as she lay half-reclined on the bed.

"Mother."

This was the scene that Jing Rou saw when she entered the room.

Seeing Jing Rou return unharmed, Princess Qing was excited and tried to get up, but she had no strength.

"I am an unfilial daughter and have caused my mother worry." Jing Rou went to Princess Qing's bedside and sobbed softly.

Princess Qing took Jing Rou's hand and comforted her, "There's no need to cry, it's good that you're back safe and sound." After saying that, she noticed the dark circles under Jing Rou's eyes.

No one knows a daughter better than her mother. Princess Qing immediately knew something was wrong and sent the servants away.

"What exactly happened?" Princess Qing asked.

Jing Rou didn't know how to begin. She felt a tightness in her chest and all the grievances welled up inside her. She leaned on Princess Qing and began to sob softly. At first, she suppressed her sobs, but then she couldn't hold back and burst into loud wails.

"Mother……"

So Jingrou recounted in detail how she fell into the water at the princess's mansion the previous night, then met Murong Peifeng, and subsequently lost her virginity.

"what!"

Upon hearing this, Princess Qing felt as if her head had exploded. The woman's innocence was of utmost importance, and she immediately realized the seriousness of the matter. She grabbed Jing Rou's hand and pressed her for details, "Who else knows about this?"

Seeing Princess Qing's serious expression, Jing Rou wiped away her tears and shook her head, "It shouldn't be."

"That's Murong Peifeng! He's bullying my royal residence!"

Princess Qing knew about his previous affair with Jing Rou, but things changed later. In addition, his hand was crippled, and he was no longer a contender for the throne of Qi. She had originally planned to marry her illegitimate daughter Jing Rong to him, but now it seems that she really cannot keep him.

"Rou'er, if you're not ruthless, things won't be stable. This Murong Peifeng can't be allowed to live. With such leverage over you, he'll only hinder your path."

This matter already angered Jing Rou. She still had some feelings for Murong Peifeng, but now it has extinguished the last bit of hope in her heart.

Jing Rou wiped away her tears, her eyes filled with determination. "Mother, I will listen to you."

……

That night, in the Cold Palace.

Hearing the steady footsteps, Consort Yu stopped the wooden fish in her hand and slowly turned around. She had considered a thousand possibilities, but she never expected that the person who came would be Jing Anle!

"It's you!"

"What are you doing here!"

Consort Yu questioned, her face showing not only shock but also disgust.

Jing Anle, dressed in a white robe, was elegant and beautiful, resembling a dancing butterfly in the candlelight.

Upon seeing Jing Anle's attire, Consort Yu actually let out a sneer, "Hahahaha!"

"The death knell has not yet sounded, yet you dare to wear mourning clothes in the palace. Even if you are a princess, you will not escape punishment for transgressing palace rules!"

"Guards! Princess Anle has overstepped her bounds! Guards!" Consort Yu, as if she had found a pretext, rushed to the door and shouted loudly, hoping that Princess Anle would be convicted because of this.

But before she could even step out the door, Mu Ping shoved her back hard. Consort Yu was not satisfied and tried to rush forward again, but Mu Ping pushed her back once more.

No one will come tonight.

Jing Anle ignored Consort Yu's outburst and simply sat down, quietly watching her.

Those few simple words, however, stirred a bad feeling in Consort Yu's heart.