The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Kou Shuran glanced at Xiao Heng through the fabric, then quickly looked away. Her face turned bright red, and her heart pounded uncontrollably. She didn't hear a word Chi Wenyuan was saying.

Crown Prince Luo Wei of Shu was also secretly watching Kou Anran. His Shu Kingdom had countless beauties, and Jing Kingdom was not lacking in beautiful women. But just now, he felt as if his heart had been struck by something. His gaze followed Kou Anran until she sat down. This action was clearly seen by Xia Tingfu next to him, who raised an eyebrow at Luo Wei.

When she first arrived at her seat, she was too shy to greet Jing Anle and Jing Rou. She thought to herself that she would have to apologize to them properly after class.

"Luo Wei, what do you think about this question?" Seeing that he was not paying attention, Chi Wenyuan called on him to stand up and answer the question.

The lesson was about how rulers and officials should employ people, but Luo Wei didn't listen at all. He was completely preoccupied with Kou Shuran and didn't even know the question. So, he could only stammer, "This question... well..."

He hesitated and couldn't get a coherent answer out, so Chi Wenyuan interrupted him, saying, "Alright, sit down and pay attention in class." Then he scanned the room with a scrutinizing gaze, fixing it on Xiao Heng. "Xiao Heng, if it were you, how would you answer?"

When Kou Shuran heard Xiao Heng's name, her thoughts were immediately pulled back, but she didn't dare to look at him openly. Instead, she listened carefully, afraid of missing a single word.

Xiao Heng stood up and said without wasting words, “I believe that choosing the right people for a position leads to order, while choosing the right people for a position leads to chaos; appointing people based on merit leads to prosperity, while appointing people based on personal relationships leads to decline; using people with the right talents leads to stability, while using people with the wrong talents leads to deterioration; using people at the right time leads to success, while using people at the wrong time leads to failure.”

Xiao Heng meant that people should be selected reasonably according to their positions, the best should be chosen, and talent should be valued, rather than relying on nepotism.

Chi Wenyuan nodded in satisfaction, thinking to himself that this Crown Prince Xiao would surely become a wise ruler in the future.

Not only Chi Wenyuan, but everyone else also felt that Xiao Heng's words made perfect sense. Especially Kou Shuran, whose literary skills weren't very good, but she could still understand these things, and Xiao Heng's image in Kou Shuran's mind became even more impressive.

"Alright, alright, sit down!" Kou Wenyuan said "alright" three times in a row, and then said, "Those who govern and serve the people should be discerning and open-minded, and recruit talented people widely, so as to bring benefits to the people!"

"Okay, next question." Thus began the discussion of the second topic.

……

After the class ended, Kou Shuran called out to Jing Anle and Jing Rou, "Shuran greets Princess Anle and Princess Rou!"

Jing Anle sat down and looked at Kou Shuran in front of him, saying, "Get up!"

"After class, can Shuran go with the princess and the county princess?" Kou Shuran asked, looking at the two of them.

"Of course, Sister Shuran, there's no need to be so polite. Just call me Sister Rou!" Jing Rou stepped forward and took Kou Shuran's hand affectionately.

Jing Rou is still the same; even if she doesn't like someone in her heart, she always pretends to be friendly and generous on the surface.

Kou Shuran had been pampered by Princess Jianing since childhood, rarely went out, and had few friends. Now, hearing Jing Rou say this, her eyes lit up immediately, and she affectionately called out, "Sister Rou!"

"Hey~" Jing Rou responded affectionately, "From now on, you can come and talk to me if you need anything."

Looking at the two sisters' deep affection, Jing Anle recalled her past life. Jing Rou's hypocritical appearance, seemingly harmless but actually vicious, and Kou Shuran, so innocent and naive, were devoured without even realizing it.

Jing Anle suddenly felt playful and walked up to Kou Shuran, saying, "Sister Shuran, why don't we go to the Bamboo Heart Pavilion and have a leisurely chat?"

Jing Anle's voice was sweet and soft. She was only fifteen years old and looked very cute. However, her clear eyes didn't quite blend in. Kou Shuran found it very comforting, but Jing Rou got goosebumps and thought: What's wrong with Jing Anle now?

Kou Shuran had heard her mother mention Jing Anle at home that she was of high status and willful and capricious, but now that she met her, she was as warm and gentle as a spring breeze, completely different from what she had heard. When she heard Jing Anle affectionately call her "little sister," she happily replied, "Okay!"

After saying that, the three of them headed towards the Bamboo Heart Pavilion.

"Shuran has also prepared gifts for the princess and Sister Rou!" After saying that, she had a maid bring over two boxes and placed them on the stone table.

Although the weather is scorching hot these days, the Bamboo Heart Pavilion is located in the bamboo forest by the lake, and the breeze makes it feel extremely cool.

Before Jing Anle could speak, Jing Rou interjected, "Sister Shuran, there's no need to be so polite!"

The second half of what she was thinking was, "What doesn't my Prince Qing's Mansion have? Who cares!"

Kou Shuran said shyly, "It's just a small token of my appreciation. I hope the princess and Sister Rou like it!" As she spoke, she opened the box.

Inside were two hairpins. The one given to Jing Anle was a five-phoenix hairpin with pearls hanging in the morning sun, and the one given to Jing Rou was a gold-threaded eight-treasure hairpin with pearls. When the box was opened, it was dazzling with colorful lights.

Jing Rou, who had just been disdainful, was indeed surprised when she saw the hairpin. Just by looking at it, she could tell that the hairpin was intricately crafted and exquisitely made, especially the pearls on it, which were about the size of her little finger, each one lustrous and could be considered a rare treasure.

Jing Rou was very pleased with it, but she still calmly said, "Thank you, sister, I like it very much!" Her tone was indifferent, as if she had seen many good things before.

Jing Anle, needless to say, had been raised amidst rare treasures since birth. However, she found the Phoenix and Five Phoenix Hairpin with Pearls quite nice and said, "The design is exquisite, and I like it very much. Thank you, Sister Shuran. I didn't know you would be coming, so I didn't prepare any gifts. I will definitely bring them to you tomorrow."

Jing Rou was annoyed that Jing Anle would say that, thinking it made her seem petty. So she quickly replied, "Of course I can't forget either. I'll bring it to you tomorrow."

When Kou Shuran heard that Jing Anle and Jing Rou both said they liked it and wanted to bring her gifts, she was very happy, but still declined, saying, "How can I do that? Shuran is the youngest, so it's only right that I prepare a gift for her."

"Yes, yes," Jing Rou said with a smile, then turned to ask Jing Anle, "Princess, don't you think so?"

Seeing Jing Rou's adeptness at navigating social situations, Jing Anle smiled and said, "Sister Shuran, you don't need to be so polite."

Kou Shuran smiled sheepishly upon hearing this.

"By the way, Princess, you probably don't know why Sister Shuran is here for class!" Jing Rou said, looking at Jing Anle.

Upon hearing this, Kou Shuran blushed deeply and gently scolded Jing Rou, "Sister Rou!"

"Alright, alright, I won't say!" Jing Rou said with a light laugh.

The way Jing Rou said this clearly indicated that she had a better relationship with Kou Shuran. Jing Rou said this on purpose to make Jing Anle feel uncomfortable.

Jing Anle snorted inwardly. She was no longer the little girl who would fight for everything, nor would she always strive to be first.

"Alright, your sister Rou is just teasing you. I won't pry," Jing Anle said.

Seeing that Jing Anle didn't seem to care about her intimate behavior with Kou Shuran, Jing Rou felt deflated and thought to herself: This Jing Anle is really different.