The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

When Consort Yu heard that Jing Anle had won first place, although she wore a smile on her face, she had already cursed Jing Anle to death in her heart. However, she still had to say to Jing Anle, "Congratulations, Princess, on winning first place!"

Looking at Consort Yu's forced smile, Jing Anle felt a sense of satisfaction and replied, "Thank you, Consort! I should thank you for your guidance and support!"

The two locked eyes, their outward calm masking the turbulent undercurrents beneath.

It wasn't yet time for the banquet, so the noble ladies could stroll freely in the Imperial Garden and make friends. Consort Yu also rushed back to Jinhua Palace in a huff, as she had just lost face in front of so many people and needed to vent her anger.

The noble ladies were all with their close friends. Jing Rou was with Fang Wanrong, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Xinyang, and other noble ladies she was close to, while Jing Anle naturally got together with Qin Zhihua.

"Cousin!" Jing Anle called out.

"Greetings, Princess," Qin Zhihua said, bowing.

Just as Qin Zhihua lowered her head, Jing Anle noticed that Qin Zhihua was actually wearing a white jade hairpin. The hairpin itself was unremarkable, but what was remarkable was that it was exactly the same as the one her imperial brother had given her.

Could it be? Jing Anle had a bold guess in his mind.

"Cousin, please get up quickly. There's no need for such formalities between us." With that, Jing Anle went to help Qin Zhihua up.

The two smiled at each other. Jing Anle felt an immediate connection with Qin Zhihua the last time she met her, and this time she was even more certain of that feeling.

Just as the two were about to go to the artificial hill together, the Prime Minister's daughter, Chu Mingyue, called out to her, "Princess!"

Jing Anle and Qin Zhihua turned around when they heard someone call their names. They saw Chu Mingyue smiling at them. Chu Mingyue approached Jing Anle and said, "Greetings, Princess!"

"Please get up quickly!"

"I apologize for disturbing you, Princess and Miss Qin. Would it be my honor to travel with you?" Chu Mingyue said.

Jing Anle was somewhat puzzled. She didn't really know much about this Chu Mingyue, and she hadn't experienced this in her previous life. However, she knew that the Prime Minister was a loyal minister who assisted her father and was sworn to serve Emperor Jing to the death. Thinking of this, she felt more favorably toward Chu Mingyue.

Jing Anle then said, "It will be even more lively with Miss Chu as our companion!" He then introduced her to Chu Mingyue, "This is my cousin, Qin Zhihua!"

Chu Mingyue naturally knew Qin Zhihua. She often heard her father talk about General Qin as a pillar of the state, and his words were full of praise.

Chu Mingyue and Qin Zhihua exchanged greetings, both with smiles on their faces. This was Qin Zhihua's first time attending a flower appreciation and poetry gathering. Looking at the poised and elegant Chu Mingyue, she thought to herself: If it weren't for this trip to the palace, the two of them probably wouldn't have met.

Chu Mingyue had also attended the flower appreciation and poetry gathering last year, but she felt that Jing Anle was completely different this year. Not only was she talented and beautiful, but she also spoke clearly and calmly. Chu Mingyue couldn't help but be attracted to such a person.

From a distance, Fang Wanrong whispered to Jingrou, "Princess, look!"

Jing Rou followed Fang Wanrong's gaze and saw Chu Mingyue and Jing Anle chatting happily. Fang Wanrong continued, "This Chu Mingyue has always considered herself aloof and aloof, but now she can't help but fawn over the princess!"

Jing Rou also thought so. After all, she had taken the initiative to befriend Chu Mingyue before. Even though she was a princess, Chu Mingyue's attitude was still indifferent. But now she took the initiative to please Jing Anle. Wasn't it because she was a princess and Jing Anle was a princess?

Jing Rou felt resentful, but on the surface she said gently, "Never mind, Wanrong, people strive for better things, we can't force them."

Fang Wanrong is straightforward. Her father, Marquis of Xinyang, and Prince Qing have always been on good terms. Right now, she is still speaking up for Jing Rou, unaware that she is just a pawn in Jing Rou's eyes.

Jing Anle, Qin Zhihua, and Chu Mingyue came to the artificial hill to admire it, because there are many fireflies there at night, which is very beautiful.

Sure enough, as soon as the three arrived, a swarm of fireflies were already flying around, their green light especially beautiful in the darkness.

"So beautiful!" Qin Zhihua exclaimed involuntarily. Although Qin Xu often fought on the border and would tell her about the beautiful scenery there, including fireflies, she had grown up in the capital and had never seen fireflies before.

Chu Mingyue agreed, "Yes!" At that moment, the light of fireflies was reflected in her eyes.

Jing Anle gazed at the fireflies dancing freely in the sky, and it seemed as if her hatred had flown away with them in that instant. She murmured, "I've heard that if you make a wish to a firefly, it will come true. I wonder if it's true or not!"

Qin Zhihua blinked and asked, "There's such a saying?"

"Why don't we make a wish? What does it matter if it comes true or not!" Chu Mingyue suggested, looking at the two people who were talking.

"Okay!" Jing Anle and Qin Zhihua said in unison. After they finished speaking, they couldn't help but chuckle softly.

So the three of them put their hands together and made their wishes devoutly. Before they even opened their eyes, they heard a familiar voice: "So it really is here!"

All three of them immediately opened their eyes and turned around to find that it was the eldest prince, Jing Fengyao, and his entourage.

"Brother, what brings you here?" Jing Anle asked in surprise.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Qin Zhihua and Chu Mingyue quickly bowed.

"Why can't I come?" Jing Fengyao asked casually. Then he said to Qin Zhihua and Chu Mingyue, "Get up quickly!" As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on Qin Zhihua.

Qin Zhihua felt Jing Fengyao's gaze, looked up, and saw Jing Fengyao looking at her with a smile. She then lowered her head shyly.

Seeing this scene, Jing Anle's guess was confirmed, but she had no intention of revealing it.

As Chu Mingyue looked at the handsome and extraordinary First Prince, her heart pounded uncontrollably. She secretly pinched her palm to calm herself down.

"Anle, your performance today has greatly surprised your elder brother!" Jing Fengyao said to Jing Anle, as if he did not regard Qin Zhihua and Chu Mingyue as outsiders at all.

"Brother! Your words make it sound like Anle is usually so ignorant and incompetent!" Jing Anle pretended to be angry.

"Hahahaha!" Jing Fengyao burst into laughter, then gently tapped Jing Anle's forehead and said, "You little brat, talking back!"

"Alright, I have something to do, I won't bother you any longer!" Jing Fengyao said and was about to leave, but his eyes were still on Qin Zhihua, which even Chu Mingyue noticed.

"Alright, alright, we'll meet again at the banquet!" Jing Anle stepped in front of Qin Zhihua, stopping him from staring at her.

Seeing Jing Anle's reaction, Jing Fengyao understood a bit and said with a smile, "Alright!"

After saying that, he turned around and left.