The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

"You can go out now," Consort Lin said to Chunmei.

Looking at Consort Lin's expressionless face, Chunmei didn't dare to say anything more and lowered her head, saying, "Yes, this servant knows what to do."

After saying that, he scrambled away.

Watching Chunmei's retreating figure, Jing Anle asked, "After this is done, what does Your Majesty intend to do with Chunmei?"

Consort Lin remained expressionless at first, then smiled calmly, "What else can I say to someone who is treacherous and greedy for money?"

Jing Anle looked at Consort Lin. She understood the feeling of being betrayed by someone close to her. It was heartbreaking and left her feeling utterly hopeless. Consort Lin was just a little luckier than her because someone could tell her before she made a terrible mistake.

At first, she thought Consort Lin would soften her heart, but now it seems that she was overthinking it. Consort Lin is much more resolute than she thought.

……

Jiying Palace.

Chi Wenyuan looked at Jing Anle's empty seat and heard someone report that the princess had asked for leave. He remained calm and did not intend to ask any further questions.

Jing Fengyao was also puzzled. Although his younger sister loved to play, this was the first time she had asked for leave since starting school.

The people sitting below the classroom had various expressions.

Sitting behind Jing Anle, Jing Rou couldn't help but feel a ripple in her heart when she recalled the scene of Qi Zhi helping her today. She originally wanted to follow her mother's arrangement and only needed to obtain the position of Queen of Qi. But now that someone was actually showing her favor, how many women could resist being tempted?

She could almost feel a burning gaze fixed on her from behind, and Luo Wei, Xia Tingfu, and Xiao Heng all understood Qi Zhi's meaning.

……

The cool moonlight illuminated the half-open windows of Changying Palace.

Consort Rong was wearing a nightgown and leisurely arranging several boxes of jewelry on the table.

She casually picked up a string of red agate beads. The agate beads were of excellent quality and shone with a red luster under the light. They were rare treasures. However, Consort Rong said, "Father is really something. He only knows how to send pretty stones. They are pretty, but they are cold and impersonal."

"Your Highness, it's because the Lord loves you so much that he gave you jewelry to protect you." The one who spoke was Consort Rong's maid, Cang Shui.

There are many sycophants in the palace, so Consort Rong's father naturally wanted to give her the best. Consort Rong understood this, but she was just a bit spoiled.

Consort Rong's father was not of a high enough rank to elevate her to the rank of consort. She had no children and was not the most favored. Her success was entirely due to the fact that her grandfather had saved the late emperor during a royal hunt.

Later, when a grand selection of beauties was held, Consort Rong was among them. To repay a debt of gratitude and to appease his court officials, Emperor Jing bestowed upon her the title of Consort.

As the mistress and servant were talking, a palace maid came to report, "Your Highness, Chunmei has arrived."

Every time Chunmei came to Changying Palace, she would arrive and leave quietly under the cover of night.

"Oh?" Consort Rong naturally assumed that Chunmei had brought good news, and with a slight smile, she said, "Let her in."

"Yes!"

Before long, Chunmei followed her in. She looked as usual, just like when she came to Changying Palace before.

"Your Majesty!" Chunmei immediately knelt down and bowed.

"How did things go?" Consort Rong sat in her chair, fiddling with the red agate bracelet on her wrist, but did not call her up. Who would respect someone who betrayed their master for personal gain?

Chunmei immediately recalled Jing Anle's words, "Pretend nothing happened!"

Chunmei immediately replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, everything is proceeding as you instructed, and everything is in accordance with the plan."

"Hahahaha!" Consort Rong laughed loudly, "Really?"

Chunmei didn't dare to look up and could only whisper, "This servant wouldn't dare to lie."

"well done!"

Consort Rong simply stood up. Consort Li was only good because her father held a higher official position and even entrusted her with the management of the harem. That was fine enough, but now that this wretched woman had actually become pregnant, Consort Rong was driven mad with jealousy. Now she had finally found an opportunity.

If things succeed now, it will be killing two birds with one stone, achieving two goals at once.

Upon hearing Consort Rong's words, Chunmei could only respectfully reply, "It is my honor to serve Your Highness."

Seeing Chunmei's fawning manner, Consort Rong felt nothing but contempt, yet she wore a friendly smile on her face. "Don't worry, once things are settled, I will naturally take you away and won't let you suffer."

She picked up Chunmei's hand and clicked her tongue, saying, "Look at what Yunqing Palace has done to you. You're as thin as a kitten."

"Cangshui?"

"The servant is here."

Consort Rong gave Cang Shui a wink, and Cang Shui immediately took out the smallest gold ring from the jewelry box and handed it to Consort Rong.

"Take it." Consort Rong took the gold ring and handed it to Chunmei.

Chunmei looked at the gold ring but dared not accept it. Her mind was filled with the words Jing Anle had told her: she was nothing more than a dog that Consort Rong could summon and dismiss at will.

She didn't dare to accept it now, but if she didn't, it would arouse suspicion. So Chunmei could only pretend to be overjoyed and happily accepted the ring, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty!"

Consort Rong was very disdainful of Chunmei's greedy appearance and looked down on her. She knew that once things were settled, she would definitely not let this person live.

Consort Rong adopted a kind attitude and said, "Don't worry, as long as you serve me well, I will naturally not treat you unfairly."

These words sent a chill down Chunmei's spine. She knew that if Lin Fei hadn't discovered it, she would surely have died in the future. At this moment, she deeply regretted that she had almost risked her life for a moment's gain.

“This servant is willing to serve Your Majesty forever!” Chunmei replied.

Consort Rong and Cang Shui exchanged a glance, revealing unfathomable smiles.

……

Yongfu Palace.

It was late at night, and all was quiet except for the chirping of insects and birds.

Afang was removing Jing Anle's jewelry, first the hairpin, then the hair ornament, and finally the earrings, while Jing Anle was flipping through the notes in her hand.

"These are the notes that the Crown Prince sent over today. Everything the teacher taught is in there!" Ah Qin said from the side.

The notes are neatly written, with some parts marked in red pen, making them easy to read and understand.

"I understand. You may go and rest now!" Jing Anle glanced at it a few times and then instructed Aqin.

"Yes."

Seeing that Aqin had left, Afang finally asked, "How did the princess know there was something wrong with Consort Li's medicine packet today?"

Jing Anle could see Afang's curious expression in the mirror. She had only said it casually today, after all, Consort Li's offspring were rare, and one should always be wary of others. Who knew that her words would become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

"I was just saying it casually at the time, but I never expected that the real culprit behind it would be Consort Rong."

Afang felt that Jing Anle was becoming more and more formidable, and asked, "What do you mean by that, Princess?"

"It is common for concubines to be jealous of each other. I initially thought it was Consort Chen."

After all, Consort Chen was used to being arrogant and domineering. She acted strangely because the Empress Dowager was her aunt. It was just that this time it was not her, which made Jing Anle feel surprised.

“No matter who the murderer is, once we know, things will be much easier, won’t they?” Afang said.

Jing Anle smiled and said, "That's true!"

She wouldn't kill the wrong person, nor would she let the real culprit go free.