The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

"Get up!" Seeing everyone kneeling before her, Consort Yu's vanity was greatly satisfied.

After everyone expressed their gratitude, they noticed that a beautiful young woman was accompanying her. She was slender and had a face that resembled Consort Yu's. She was also charming and beautiful. Some of the clever noble ladies had already guessed the young woman's identity, but since neither the Consort nor the princess had spoken, they naturally wouldn't ask.

"Yuanxiang greets the princess!" Yu Yuanxiang bowed to Jing Anle, her voice gentle and her demeanor graceful.

"Get up!" Jing Anle glanced at her indifferently.

"The princess has arrived too." Consort Yu smiled at Jing Anle, then turned to Afang and scolded, "It's windy outside, and the princess is weak. Why didn't you bring a cloak?" She looked every bit the loving mother.

The noble ladies present all exclaimed in admiration that Consort Yu truly possessed the demeanor of managing the inner palace affairs, and treated the princess with utmost care in every way.

Jing Anle sneered inwardly. This Consort Yu was too hypocritical, as if she really cared for him. Yet, in his previous life, he had been infatuated with this kind of false maternal love.

Just as Afang was about to reply, Jing Anle interrupted her, "The weather is hot, and the imperial physician said that I should not cover myself up. I should drink more calming tea."

These words were a heavy slap in the face to Consort Yu. She appeared to care about the princess, yet she knew nothing of her well-being. Consort Yu's smile froze unnaturally, but she still feigned composure and said, "These imperial physicians... women are so delicate, how can they withstand such a cold? We should give them a good talking to later."

No one dared to speak, and they all realized that the relationship between the two was not as good as rumored.

Then Consort Yu continued, pointing at Yu Yuanxiang, "This is my niece. I brought her out to broaden her horizons, so please don't laugh at her!"

No one dared to say anything; they could only smile. At that moment, a palace maid came to report, "Your Majesty, the time has come."

"Please take your seats, everyone," Consort Yu said to the crowd.

Consort Yu sat at the head of the hall, followed by Jing Anran to her right, then her cousin Qin Zhihua, and then Yu Yuanxiang next to the other noble ladies. To her left was Jing Rou, followed by Chu Mingyue, the daughter of the Prime Minister, and then the other noble ladies.

"There are eighteen people in total for this flower appreciation and poetry gathering. The top three will all receive prizes. I urge all the ladies to give their all," Consort Yu said with a smile.

"Yes," everyone said in unison.

Consort Yu had naturally made thorough preparations. As the organizer, she could decide which flowers to appreciate. Yu Yuanxiang only needed to recite a pre-prepared poem after everyone had finished speaking to make a stunning impression.

Looking at her smile, Jing Anle naturally knew what she was thinking, but she knew that she probably wouldn't be smiling so happily in a little while.

The arrangement of their seating resembled the Chinese character "口" (kou), with a low round table in the middle, on which two maids carried a pot of peonies and placed it.

"For the first round, I would like to ask all the ladies to compose a poem on the theme of peony within half an incense stick's time," Consort Yu announced.

This was a piece of cake for Jing Rou, and the other noble ladies also picked up their brushes. Qin Zhihua wrote with divine inspiration, and Yu Yuanxiang was also writing furiously. Only Jing Anle calmly admired the peonies, a scene that Jing Rou and Consort Yu found utterly perplexing.

Half an hour passed quickly. A knock sounded, and everyone stopped writing. Qin Zhihua, who was closest to Jing Anle, noticed that Jing Anle's paper was still blank. She looked at her with concern. Jing Anle noticed her cousin's gaze, turned her head, and gave Qin Zhihua a reassuring smile.

Consort Yu looked at the blank sheet of paper in front of Jing Anle and was naturally pleased, thinking that no matter how high Jing Anle's status was, she was still a commoner. So she pretended to look troubled and said, "Let's start with Princess Rou!"

Everyone was surprised to hear this, since according to their status, it should be Jing Anle who should be in charge. They all turned their heads and noticed the blank paper in front of Jing Anle, but dared not say anything.

Jing Rou outwardly appeared flattered, but inwardly she was overjoyed. A palace maid presented her poem, which she read aloud: "Peony blooms in the south, its heavenly fragrance wafts to the jade steps. The moon moves the shadow of the immortal tree, the moon shines brightly over the imperial city."

Everyone nodded in approval after hearing this, and the four judges discussed and determined the score, which would be announced at the end.

Jing Rou knew that her literary talent was among the best in the capital, and she took the praise from other noble ladies for granted.

Next up was Chu Mingyue's poem: "In March, peonies bloom, and all flowers flourish. Dew-laden petals, one after another, drift on the wind." The lyrics were well-crafted, making it another fine piece.

Next, the poems of the noble ladies were read aloud. The noble ladies who read well were confident and dignified, while some of the less impressive ones simply lowered their heads slightly.

When it came to her cousin Qin Zhihua's poem, it was also an extremely rhyming quatrain with gorgeous language, but it still couldn't compare to Jing Rou's.

Finally, it was Yu Yuanxiang's turn. She smiled and waited for the palace servants to read her poem. She thought about what Consort Yu had said: not every poem had to be outstanding, as long as she won first place in the end.

Sure enough, after she recited her poem, everyone felt that it was only of average to above-average quality. Moreover, since she was Consort Yu's niece, she naturally had some literary talent.

After the first round, only Jing Anle remained who hadn't composed a poem. Consort Yu said, "You are all talented women who have read extensively in poetry; I am very satisfied." Turning to Jing Anle, she asked, "I wonder how the princess's preparations are going?"

Looking at Consort Yu's malicious smile, Jing Anle replied, "Anle's wrist is just a little sore, but Consort Yu didn't even ask before letting Princess Rou speak first. What's the reason for that?"

Consort Yu was taken aback, then changed to a smile, "I just thought the princess was unwell. In that case, please recite the poem."

Everyone felt the atmosphere was somewhat awkward and thought that Consort Yu had acted inappropriately, but no one dared to say anything more.

Then Jing Anle recited clearly: "A night of wind and rain, she blooms alone in her beauty. She left no trace of her former glory, let alone in the fleeting years. Her delicate pink and red hues blended into a blush, her fragrance mingled with purple as her garment. Alas, the third month is over, and she adorns herself with loneliness."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent. While the others composed only four lines, Jing Anle composed eight. Afterwards, they all whispered among themselves, praising the poem's excellence. One noblewoman even remarked, "It's even better than Princess Rou's!"

Qin Zhihua looked at Jing Anle with approval, thinking to herself that this princess was indeed both talented and beautiful.

Jing Rou, sitting opposite Jing Anle, stared wide-eyed in disbelief. How could this be? Consort Yu on the stage looked at Jing Anle, unable to believe her ears. She even suspected that Jing Anle had also hired a ghostwriter.

But Consort Yu had to put on an appreciative expression and said, "Princess, you have indeed made a name for yourself. You usually hide your talent so well that you have surprised me."

Consort Yu's words were pointed, clearly implying to everyone that the poem was not written by Jing Anle, otherwise she wouldn't have written such a good poem out of nowhere without leaving any trace.

Before long, the rankings were announced. As expected, Jing Anle came in first, Jing Rou came in second, and Qin Zhihua came in third.

Jing Rou felt as if she were being cut by a knife, and the silk handkerchief in her hand was almost torn to shreds. Why, why was she always overshadowed by Jing Anle?