The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

When Consort Tang arrived at the main hall, she saw a head maid and several eunuchs standing there. The maid was none other than Afang. Consort Tang asked tremblingly, "I didn't know that you had the honor of visiting, Aunt. What brings you here?"

Afang glanced at Consort Tang and then said, "Convey Princess Anle's oral decree."

Everyone immediately knelt down to receive the imperial decree.

"Consort Tang has failed in her duties of managing her subordinates and has neglected her responsibilities. She shall be slapped twenty times, ordered to reflect on her mistakes in seclusion for ten days, and to copy the palace rules ten times as a warning to others!"

Twenty slaps? Upon hearing the imperial edict, Consort Tang immediately collapsed to the ground. As a young lady from a noble family, she was born with delicate skin and was used to a life of luxury. Her skin was so smooth that it had never been broken. However, Consort Tang was powerless to resist.

"Your Excellency, please accept the imperial decree," Afang said, looking at Consort Tang.

Consort Tang felt all her strength drained away. She propped herself up and said, "This concubine accepts the decree and thanks the princess for her instruction."

After Afang finished speaking, she nodded to the eunuchs behind her. The eunuchs immediately understood. Two of them stepped forward and grabbed Consort Tang's arms, while the other rolled up his sleeves and said, "Excuse me, Consort Tang."

Consort Tang looked at the eunuch in front of her and shook her head in horror. In an instant, a slap landed heavily on her face. The man was extremely strong. She felt a ringing in her ears and almost lost her hearing. Before she could react, a second slap landed.

For a moment, the room echoed with the crisp sound of slaps and Consort Tang's shrill screams.

Afang watched coldly from the side, unmoved, while Ruzhu beside her turned pale with fright and trembled. The eunuchs who carried out the executions in the palace were truly skilled, and the force could be adjusted according to their master's wishes. By the time the execution was over, Consort Tang's cheeks were swollen and she was unconscious. It was likely that when she woke up, her appearance would be damaged.

The fact that Consort Tang had been tortured was known throughout the palace, and this was the gift that Jing Anle gave to Qingzi.

……

Before we knew it, another three days had passed.

Yongfu Palace.

"Princess." Afang entered from outside the door, as if she had something to say.

Jing Anle waved her hand and said to the other palace servants, "You may all leave."

The palace servants tactfully withdrew, leaving only Jing Anle and Afang.

"Speak," Jing Anle said calmly as she trimmed the flowers and trees.

Afang walked closer to Jing Anle and whispered, "People from Qi Kingdom have arrived."

Qi Kingdom? Jing Anle paused for a moment, then asked, "Who is it?"

"It is Prince Qi Zhi of the Qi Kingdom and his envoy, who said they admire Mr. Chi Wenyuan's talent and virtue and have come to seek his guidance," Afang continued.

Qi State must not have found a reason to come, so they said this. Both Qi State and Jing State are well aware of their relationship, but now that Qi State's eldest prince has come, even Emperor Jing is probably puzzled. After all, this is equivalent to a hostage. If Qi State is not afraid, Jing State has no reason to refuse.

Jing Anle sneered, "They've finally arrived. I'm afraid some people will be restless tonight!"

Very well, it wasn't in vain that she and Qin Xu went to such lengths, sending people to spread rumors in Qi Kingdom that the little prince from back then was still alive. How could this eldest prince allow anyone to threaten his throne, which was practically within his grasp? The next step is to let this eldest prince know who the little prince from back then really is.

……

The residence of the Marquis of Pingchang.

"How could this be?"

Murong Peifeng had just learned that Qi Zhi had arrived at the palace, meaning that no word of it had been leaked beforehand.

"It was my dereliction of duty," Gao An said, bowing.

Although Qi Zhi is the son of Empress Qi, he is also Murong Peifeng's elder brother. Although they are half-brothers, they can only be enemies now for the sake of the throne. Moreover, Empress Qi is the one who killed his mother!

For a moment, Murong Peifeng couldn't understand why Qi Zhi had come to Jing Kingdom. Could it be that he had discovered his existence? No, no, no, that was impossible. Apart from King Qi and a few ministers, no one else knew that he was still alive.

Now that the enemy is in the open while we are in the shadows, Murong Peifeng had a bold idea in his mind.

Seeing Murong Peifeng's doubts, Gao An said, "Your Highness, we probably need to speed things up now."

Murong Peifeng understood Gao An's meaning: the city map had to be obtained as soon as possible. He immediately recalled the plan that Jing Rou had told him last time. He originally wanted to wait for the Empress Dowager to return to the palace and then launch an attack, but now it seemed that it was time to take action.

"Gao An?"

"You are here!"

"Place some spies in the palace to keep an eye on Qi Zhi at all times." Murong Peifeng's eyes flashed with cold light, his tone ruthless.

"Yes," Gao An replied.

Unfortunately, Murong Peifeng underestimated Qi Zhi. How could he come to Jing Kingdom empty-handed? His elite troops had already come to Jing Kingdom in batches in disguise, just to kill his brother with their own hands!

……

The Hall of Light.

The moonlight was cool and clear, a gentle breeze blew by, and the air was filled with the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms.

The palace gates had just been locked when Xia Tingfu leaped onto the roof with ease and asked, "Have you heard?"

On the rooftop, Xiao Heng and Luo Wei were drinking and making merry. The two handsome young men were quite dashing as they drank.

Xiao Heng was still upset about the tea incident with Jing Anle and decided to ignore her. However, while Jing Anle sat properly during class, he couldn't help but steal glances at her. Xiao Heng knew that he had completely lost his heart.

Thinking of this, Xiao Heng tilted his head back and took another big gulp, but unfortunately, he had a high alcohol tolerance and could not get drunk no matter what.

As for Luo Wei, he felt lost and disappointed because Kou Shuran hadn't been to class for a long time, so the two of them were troubled by love.

After Xia Ting finished speaking, Xiao Heng and Luo Wei completely ignored him. "What's wrong with you two gentlemen? Tell me, my brother."

The two continued drinking, ignoring Xia Tingfu.

"What's wrong with you two? You're ignoring me, but I'm going to talk to you anyway." Xia Tingfu stood up abruptly, somewhat exasperated, then suddenly seemed to remember something.

"The people from Qi have arrived; I reckon they'll be holding a banquet tomorrow." Then, turning to Luo Wei, he asked, "Brother Luo, do you think the person you're concerned about will come?"

Luo Wei paused in his drinking, his eyes suddenly lighting up. Yes, Kou Shuran would definitely attend such a banquet. He wiped his mouth with his hand and excitedly shook Xia Tingfu's shoulder, "Is that really true?"

"Why would I lie to you?" Xia Tingfu said, putting Luo Wei's hand down. "Don't get so agitated!"

Qi State? Xiao Heng was stunned for a moment. He knew that Qi State and Jing State had little to do with each other. Although he didn't know the relationship between Qi State and King Qing, he felt that something was wrong and that he should investigate it thoroughly.