The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

“Indeed, the princess is in poor health. Mr. Chi said that if she doesn’t take good care of herself, she may not be able to make a living in the future… It is truly difficult for women.” Jing Anle sighed helplessly.

Her words were both subtle and clearly implied.

Everyone understood what Jing Anle meant: that Jing Rou would have difficulty conceiving in the future.

These words stunned Prince Qing. He had originally planned to delay, but if Jing Rou really had difficulty conceiving in the future, then this child was Jing Rou's only hope.

Jing Rou was struck dumb, her initial shock turning into utter bewilderment. Her mouth hung open, but she couldn't utter a single word.

In contrast, Qi Zhi's expression changed from indifference to something else. He knew he had been completely outmaneuvered. From the banquet at the Prince Qing's mansion to Jing Rou's pregnancy, everything was forcing him to marry Jing Rou.

Although Prince Qing agreed to lend him a hand, he was, after all, the crown prince of a country, and how could he be manipulated like this?

So he planned to poison the palace banquet, but... the abortifacient was given to Jingrou, and he didn't know why it was Consort Li who was affected.

Now, due to a series of unforeseen circumstances, his crimes have come to light, and he has become a criminal. He thought he would be sent back to Qi Kingdom, but now he has learned that if Jing Rou's child cannot be saved, Jing Rou will never be able to be a mother again. Perhaps, considering this point, there is still a chance for things to turn around.

"Crown Prince Qi, in that case you'll have to take responsibility for Princess Rou!" Yelü Yuanxiu was always one to say something shocking, and he was just watching the show. Who told Qi Zhi to be so arrogant? It would be quite interesting to see someone in a high position fall.

Qi Zhi sneered inwardly, thinking, "Go ahead and be smug, you won't live much longer anyway." But on the surface, he put on a moved expression, saying, "The princess and I are in love and our hearts are perfectly matched. No matter what the princess does, I will marry her."

Hearing these words, Jing Rou's turbulent heart calmed down a little. She looked at Qi Zhi with tears in her eyes, deeply moved.

Prince Qing, that old fox, naturally saw through Qi Zhi's thoughts. He didn't know if marrying Jing Rou was sincere, but at the moment it was indeed his best choice.

Firstly, by marrying a princess of the Jing Kingdom's royal family, Jing Kingdom would not make things difficult for him on the surface, and Prince Qing would do his best to help him; secondly, Qi Kingdom is currently in turmoil, with everyone vying for the throne. If such a thing were to spread to Qi Kingdom, it would be entirely detrimental.

Of course, whether in the present or in the long term, Prince Qing naturally agrees with Qi Zhi marrying Jing Rou.

"It seems a conclusion has been reached." Emperor Jing's voice was deep and powerful.

"Prince Qi has already expressed his opinion, and the Princess does not object. Mother, Brother Qing, what do you think?"

The Empress Dowager looked at Prince Qing with some anxiety in her eyes, and said only: "Rou'er and Crown Prince Qi are deeply in love, so they will naturally become husband and wife and grow old together."

Prince Qing then cupped his hands, his eyes lowered, and said, "Your Majesty, I only have this one daughter. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request."

Looking at the meek and submissive Prince Qing, Jing Anle felt nothing but amusement. "How could a villain like you have any family affection?" she thought. "In that case, I'll naturally lend you a hand."

"Father, please grant the wish of Crown Prince Qi and Princess. Now that things have come to this, and they are in love, why make them a tragic couple and drag innocent people down with them?" Jing Anle's face was full of worry, as if he was truly concerned for Jing Rou.

Jing Rou was feeling very uneasy. She knew that Jing Anle had ill intentions, but she didn't have the strength to argue with him.

Emperor Jing glanced around at the crowd below the stage; everyone's faces were stiff, and Jing Rou's face was already pale.

"If that's the case, then..." Just as Emperor Jing was about to agree, Prime Minister Pei suddenly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, please forgive this old minister for being so bold. The matter of Crown Prince Qi and Consort Li being poisoned is closely related. Now that the matter of Consort Li's poisoning has not yet been resolved, the princess is already marrying Crown Prince Qi as a member of the royal family. People will surely say that our Jing Kingdom is acting unfairly, trying to curry favor with the Qi Kingdom while ignoring the grievances of Consort Li and the young prince."

“This old minister has followed the late emperor for many years. If the late emperor were still in power, he would never have allowed such a thing to happen.”

Prime Minister Pei's words were resounding and every word was precious.

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

"Prime Minister Chu, His Majesty has spoken, do you still dare to stop him?" The Empress Dowager's expression was very displeased.

"This old minister does not intend to stop the marriage," said the Prime Minister of Chu.

"Then what do you mean?"

"If the princess wishes to marry into the Qi Kingdom, she must sever ties with the royal family and marry as a commoner."

Jing Rou stared wide-eyed at Prime Minister Chu in disbelief. Being stripped of her royal status meant she would lose all her honor.

Qi Zhi frowned, secretly resenting Prime Minister Chu for meddling.

Prince Qing's expression changed slightly; he hadn't expected Prime Minister Chu to interfere at this moment.

"What!" the Empress Dowager exclaimed in shock.

"Prime Minister Chu, do you know what you're saying? The princess is a noblewoman of the royal family. Wouldn't it be extremely aggrieved for her to be separated from the royal family?"

"Your Majesty, the truth is still unclear, and everything is just speculation. Do we really want to implicate the princess for something so unfounded?"

After hearing this, Emperor Jing fell into deep thought.

Jing Anle was secretly delighted; Prime Minister Pei's move was truly brilliant.

Jing Rou was so anxious that tears streamed down her face. She looked at Prince Qing, hoping that her father would speak up for her. Prince Qing hesitated. He knew the character of Prime Minister Chu. He was a veteran of two dynasties and had a special status. If he really went against him, it would definitely cause turmoil in the court and criticism from the people. Moreover, he really needed the support of the forces behind Qi Zhi.

Qi Zhi also wavered. If Jing Rou lost her royal status, the significance of this marriage to him would be greatly diminished.

The Empress Dowager wanted to argue further, but Emperor Jing waved his hand, "Prime Minister Pei, is there truly no way to resolve this matter?"

The Prime Minister of Chu knelt down with a thud, his expression resolute: "Your Majesty, this matter concerns the dignity and justice of the Jing Kingdom, and there is no turning back. If the Princess retains her royal status and marries Crown Prince Qi, the grievances of Consort Li and the young prince will have nowhere to be redressed, and the people of the world will question whether our Jing Kingdom is currying favor with the powerful and has no principles. How can such a monarch win the hearts of the people and govern the country?"

Emperor Jing's expression was solemn as he scanned the crowd, seemingly in a difficult position.

Prince Qing gritted his teeth and stepped forward: "Your Majesty, what Prime Minister Chu said makes sense. For the sake of the Jing Kingdom, Rou'er is willing to give up her royal status."

Jingrou stared wide-eyed, unable to believe her father would make such a decision, and tears streamed down her face.

Qi Zhi was displeased, but he couldn't show it in the imperial court.

Jing Anle smiled slightly, watching the situation develop in the direction she had hoped for. She coughed lightly and said, "Prime Minister Chu is absolutely right. Royal rules cannot be abolished. I just wonder if Crown Prince Qi is willing to accept a princess who has lost her royal status?"

At this moment, Qi Zhi was filled with hatred. He had initially hoped that Jing Rou could help him get out of his crime, but he did not expect that Jing Guo would abandon her directly. How could he be willing to marry someone who was of no help to him? But what could he do now?