The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Just as Jing Anle was wondering, a maid came in and said respectfully, "Greetings, Princess, Aunt Cao, the General has returned."

The maid looked unfamiliar, but she was quick-witted. Instead of telling Jing Anle to go directly to Qin Xu's study, she phrased it differently. Jing Anle immediately understood and said, "Since Uncle is back, I naturally have to go and see him."

Cao Wantang smiled and bowed to Jing Anle, "Then I won't disturb the princess any longer."

Jing Anle smiled and nodded, watching her leave. This Cao Wantang was indeed not simple.

Dark clouds surged, and a strong wind suddenly shook the trees in the courtyard. As soon as Jing Anle stepped into Qin Xu's study, a torrential downpour began behind her.

"Uncle!" Jing Anle called softly.

Qin Xu immediately stepped down from his seat and said, "Greetings, Princess!"

Although Jing Anle had repeatedly said that there was no need for formalities, Qin Xu still adhered to etiquette. After this happened several times, Jing Anle could only accept it and say, "Uncle, there's no need for such formalities."

"Thank you princess!"

Jing Anle walked directly to the lower seat and sat down. She noticed the mud on the soles of Qin Xu's shoes and knew that Qin Xu hadn't even had time to change his shoes after returning.

The sound of rain pattering outside the door couldn't drown out Qin Xu's voice, "I already know about Fang Ling's matter." He glanced at Jing Anle, his expression complicated, and continued, "Princess, you shouldn't have taken such a risk. You should at least have informed me."

Qin Xu's tone was ambiguous, revealing a deep sense of worry.

"Uncle, don't worry. Anle was just too impulsive." Jing Anle stood up and apologized. She knew that people were treacherous and that there weren't many people who truly cared about her, so she cherished this family bond all the more.

Qin Xu nodded, accepting Jing Anle's statement, and continued, "I have already asked Mu Ping about this matter. The princess's plan is quite good. Fang Ling lost his son in middle age, so he must have some grievances with Prince Qing. However, the firepower is still insufficient."

"Uncle is right." Jing Anle's original plan was to incite infighting between Fang Ling and Prince Qing, thereby weakening their internal structure, a fact that Qin Xu was naturally aware of.

"I also learned that Fang Ling suffered a great blow and has been frequenting brothels lately."

"Gallery?"

As far as Jing Anle knew, Fang Xianda was Fang Ling's only son. Now that Fang Xianda was dead, did Fang Ling still want to have another son? In an instant, Jing Anle had a new idea, but she felt that it might be inappropriate to discuss it with Qin Xu, so she put it aside for the time being and waited until Mu Ping recovered before taking action.

Seeing Jing Anle deep in thought, Qin Xu knew she had a plan in mind. "Does the princess have a plan?"

Jing Anle smiled and said, "Fang Ling has climbed from the fourth rank to his current position, so he must be no ordinary person. If we make a move now, it will definitely arouse his suspicion."

More importantly, Qin Xu is, after all, a general who protects the country. If Qin Xu were to handle many matters, it would likely arouse even more suspicion.

"Good." Qin Xu looked at Jing Anle in front of him, who was clear-headed and resourceful, and nodded approvingly.

It took Jing Anle so long to notice the potted begonia on the shelf behind Qin Xu. The flowers were delicate and beautiful.

Crabapple blossoms? Could they have been a gift from Cao Wantang?

Jing Anle stood up, looked at the crabapple blossoms and said, "Uncle, these crabapple blossoms are blooming beautifully. They must be well taken care of."

"Hmm?" Qin Xu turned around and looked at him with a strange expression on his face, but still replied, "It was probably sent by Aunt Cao."

"Aunt Cao?" Jing Anle murmured, then continued, "I ran into her in Mother's courtyard just now?"

Jing Anle turned around and looked at Qin Xu. "Aunt Cao has a dignified demeanor. May I ask which family's young lady she is?" She said that on purpose. Since Cao Wantang told her that her background was tragic, she should give Qin Xu the same answer.

Sure enough, Qin Xu paused in his tea-drinking, as if he had thought of something. He glanced at Jing Anle again and immediately understood that Jing Anle was reminding him that Cao Wantang was problematic. Although Qin Xu was a military general, his judgment of people was not bad. If Jing Anle could see it, how could he not know?

So Qin Xu put down his cup and said, "I understand what the princess means, but the key is to find out who is behind this."

It turned out that her uncle knew all along. She had been worried before, but now that she knew, she was relieved. However, what Jing Anle didn't know was that there was another saying: even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman.

"Qi Kingdom..."

"Hmm?" Upon hearing these two words, Jing Anle felt her heart sink heavily. She held her breath and listened quietly as Qin Xu continued.

"The people from Qi Kingdom will be arriving soon, probably in the next few days."

Jing Anle took a deep breath. In her previous life, the Qi Kingdom conquered the Jing Kingdom, a blood feud. But now, the Qi Kingdom and the Jing Kingdom appeared calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging beneath. At the slightest mishap, they might turn on each other. This move was risky, and she didn't know if it was the right one.

Qin Xu saw through Jing Anle's thoughts and said, "We have no choice but to give it a try, since it's a risky move."

Since Jing Anle first came to the General's Mansion to analyze the situation with Qin Xu, Qin Xu has investigated a lot. He had guessed some of the things that Prince Qing was ambitious and secretly colluded with Murong Peifeng. Now, he could use the eldest prince of Qi to eliminate Murong Peifeng, which could be considered a plan.

Jing Anle and Qin Xu exchanged a glance and nodded.

When the two finished their discussion and came out, the rain had subsided considerably. Qin Hu approached them with an oil-paper umbrella, and Jing Anle smiled gently in response.

As soon as she stepped out of the courtyard, she saw that Afang's shoulders were already soaked by the rain. When she saw Jing Anle come out, she exclaimed with joy, "Princess!"

……

"Princess, why don't you wait until the rain stops before you go?" The carriage swayed and wobbled. Afang opened the small window and glanced outside. It seemed that the rain was about to stop.

Jing Anle was well aware of this, but when she thought of Qin Xiuyuan's gaze, she felt she shouldn't linger. Sometimes, if there's no future, then you shouldn't give people hope.

Seeing Jing Anle smile without saying a word, Afang closed the small window and asked no more questions.

……

Rong'en Palace.

Consort Li lay reclining on the couch, her jade-like fingers gently stroking her lower abdomen as she listened to Qingyu speak.

"You mean, Princess Anle went to Consort Lin's palace?" Consort Li frowned, full of questions.

Consort Chen was upset that day, so she naturally wouldn't let the matter get out. Therefore, everyone only knew that Princess Anle had gone to Yunqing Palace.

Qingyu knew Consort Li's worries and said, "Your Highness, our most important thing right now is to take care of the little prince in our bellies. What kind of person is Consort Lin? She's as cold as ice and out of favor. Why should we bother with her?"

"If Princess Anle can help me, will I also help her?" This was Consort Li's question.

"Your Majesty is overthinking it. How can Consort Lin's family background compare to ours? Besides, we have a prince to rely on. If I may say something I shouldn't, even if Princess Anle wants to support Consort Lin, it has to be Consort Lin's own willingness."

Consort Li nodded. Consort Lin had been favored for a time, but two years ago, after Emperor Jing stormed out of Yunqing Palace, she fell out of favor. No one knew what had happened that day.