The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

The next day.

Although today should have been a school day, classes were suspended to welcome Qi Zhi.

Palace servants carried delicacies and fine wines in and out of the Hall of Union.

Jing Anle stood in the pavilion, head bowed, waiting for the show to begin tonight.

Murong Peifeng would certainly not miss the chance to welcome Qi Zhi, and even Jing Rou would probably be unable to contain herself.

……

As soon as the sun began to set, the Hall of Union was already brightly lit, as if it were daytime.

In just over a month, the person accompanying Emperor Jing had changed from Consort Yu to Consort Li.

The two sat facing each other. To the left, Prince Qing was still the head, but Jing Rou was nowhere to be seen. In order were Jing Fengyao, Jing Anle, Jing Fengyu, and Kou Shuran.

Since it was to welcome Qi Zhi, he sat in the first seat on the right, followed by Luo Wei, Xiao Heng, Xia Tingfu, Yelü Yuanxiu, and Chi Wenyuan at the end.

The banquet naturally required singing and dancing to entertain the guests. As the dancers moved about, Jing Anle appeared to be drinking, but in reality, she was sizing up Qi Zhi. This was the first time she had met the eldest prince of Qi Kingdom.

Xiao Heng was sitting opposite Jing Anle, so he naturally saw her every move.

Lo Wei's eyes seemed to be glued to Kou Shuran, carefully observing her, but she was a bit oblivious and didn't realize that anyone was paying attention to her.

Kou Shuran came today not only because of Emperor Jing's invitation, but more importantly to see Xiao Heng.

She was surprised to find that Xiao Heng wasn't keeping a close eye on Jing Anle, which ignited a glimmer of hope in her heart, and she decided to do something.

After the song and dance ended, Emperor Jing spoke first, "Prince Qi has come from afar, I toast you." He then raised the cup in his hand.

In an instant, everyone's attention was focused on Qi Zhi, including Murong Peifeng, who was sitting in the third row.

Murong Peifeng's hands, hidden under his sleeves, were clenched into fists. Everything Qi Zhi had should belong to him.

Qi Zhi was only around twenty years old, dressed in a gold brocade robe, with long, handsome eyebrows and eyes, full of heroic spirit, and thin lips slightly pursed, bearing a resemblance to Murong Peifeng.

He raised his wine cup, stood up, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. This is my first visit. I have prepared a small gift for you. Please accept it."

"Oh? Prince Qi, there's no need for such formality. All who come are guests," Emperor Jing replied.

After he finished speaking, the envoy behind him came out with a box. Qi Zhi introduced it as follows: "This is called the Immortal Travel Pillow. When you sleep with it on, you will feel like an immortal traveling around the world."

Everyone was very curious, since they had all heard of this thing but no one had actually seen it.

Sitting below the stage, Xiao Heng couldn't help but sneer inwardly. There was only one Immortal Pillow, and it was kept in the national treasury of his Li Kingdom. Where did Qi Zhi get an Immortal Pillow to give away?

Emperor Jing waved his hand, and the eunuch Nian beside him stepped down and took the item up. The Immortal Pillow was exquisitely crafted, with a bright green color all over, like jade, and it was clear at a glance that it was very expensive.

"Thank you very much, Prince Qi!" Emperor Jing smiled with satisfaction after reading it.

Seeing that Emperor Jing was satisfied, Qi Zhi was naturally pleased as well. After all, his goal was not the Jing Kingdom, and any future plans were for the future.

"I have not yet introduced you to Mr. Chiwen Yuanchi," Emperor Jing said.

Qi Zhi was exceptionally intelligent and had long noticed the young man sitting at the end of the table. Dressed in blue, with an elegant and graceful figure, he possessed a rare and otherworldly charm. Yet, he pretended not to notice him.

"Then thank you very much, Your Majesty."

"Sir, this is the eldest prince of Qi Kingdom, Qi Zhi. From now on, you will have one more student," Emperor Jing said with a smile.

Chi Wenyuan stood up from his seat, cupped his hands and said, "If Your Highness Qi does not mind, this humble subject is willing to serve you."

As everyone knows, the Qi Kingdom is tyrannical, and its oppressive government is more ferocious than a tiger. It is likely that the Qi government would not listen to Chi Wenyuan's welfare policies that benefit the people. However, Chi Wenyuan cares about the common people and is willing to give it a try even though he knows the situation in the Qi Kingdom.

"Then I'll have to trouble you from now on, sir." The two bowed to each other, looking quite amicable.

For a time, everyone at the banquet was drinking and chatting happily, when suddenly a melodious pipa sound drifted through the air.

"Is there a sound?"

"It looks like a pipa?"

"Isn't this 'Shocking Thirteen Rains'?"

“You play it really well!”

A buzz of discussion arose among the crowd as the sound of the pipa grew closer, and everyone strained their ears to listen intently.

Jing Anle smiled. She didn't need to guess who it was; after all, that person wouldn't pass up such an opportunity to steal the spotlight.

Sure enough, a woman wearing a veil and carrying a pipa entered from outside the hall. She wore a light gauze dress with cloud patterns and a jade hairpin with begonia flowers on her head. Her fingers flew as she plucked the strings, creating a sound like that of a fairyland.

Consort Li on the stage narrowed her eyes and looked impatiently at the woman below the stage, thinking she was a vixen trying to attract Emperor Jing's attention.

Everyone was completely absorbed in the experience, except for Prince Qing, who showed an appreciative smile.

After the piece was finished, everyone remained stunned for a long time.

"Who is below the stage?" Emperor Jing asked.

At this moment, Prince Qing, who was sitting below the stage, stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, this is my eldest daughter, Jingrou."

"I thought she was some kind of fairy, but I didn't expect her to be Princess Rou. She is truly outstanding," Consort Li said.

Emperor Jing laughed a few times and said, "My beloved concubine is right. Princess Rou's zither skills are superb, adding to the festivities of today's banquet. She is worthy of reward."

It's true that Jing Rou plays the piano well, but Emperor Jing is only doing so out of consideration for the royal family's reputation and to make up for the damage to her appearance last time.

Hearing this, Jing Rou finally smiled with satisfaction. She had asked Prince Qing to arrange this matter in order to regain the glory that Jing Anle had taken away from her. Even after she recovered, she still wore a veil, all for today.

Jing Anle snorted inwardly. She had already guessed this would happen. But what Jing Rou didn't know was who Qi Zhi was. He appeared to be a gentleman, but in reality, he was a lecherous man. She had made a big splash today. Wasn't this like a lamb entering a tiger's den?

Sure enough, Qi Zhi's face was filled with curiosity. He had seen many beauties, but such a mysterious and delicate beauty was rare.

Suddenly a gentle breeze swept by, blowing off Jingrou's veil. Beneath the veil lay an absolutely stunning beauty, with delicate eyebrows and shimmering almond eyes. She truly lived up to her name, possessing a charming and gentle beauty.

Everyone was stunned, and even Jing Anle had to say that she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Murong Peifeng knew Jing Rou was beautiful, but seeing her now, he was even more beautiful, otherworldly and untouched by worldly affairs. His heart stirred. Such a woman would be his wife in the future.

Qi Zhi couldn't help but look at her, and secretly decided that he must have this Princess Rou.

Looking at Qi Zhi's expression, Jing Anle knew that things would develop according to her plan.

This scene was witnessed by Prince Qing. He picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and thought, "Hmph, all of this was deliberately arranged by him. Qi Zhi is a womanizer, and his daughter is as beautiful as a fairy, which is just what he likes."

He couldn't put all his eggs in one basket with Murong Peifeng. After all, it didn't matter who became the king of Qi; what mattered most was whether he could become the king of Jing.

Jing Rou enjoyed the praise she received from everyone, and her vanity was greatly satisfied. She couldn't help but glance in Jing Anle's direction. Jing Anle, I want you to know that apart from your status, you are inferior to me in every way.