The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 239 All are pawns

Jing Anle was suspicious and a bad feeling was creeping into her heart, but she still smiled and said innocently, "Aunt and Father Emperor have such a good relationship, how come Anle has never heard Father Emperor mention Aunt?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Princess Yongping's expression changed slightly, but she said in an instant, "You naturally don't know about the affairs of the adults."

Jing Anle ignored Princess Yongping's words and turned to her father, muttering, "Father, I'm sleepy..." As she spoke, she displayed the temperament of a little girl, looking both delicate and innocently adorable.

"In that case, you should rest well first." After saying that, Emperor Jing turned to the palace servants and instructed them to take good care of you and not let anything go wrong.

Princess Yongping, left standing to the side, gritted her teeth, wearing a polite and elegant smile on her face, but inwardly she was both annoyed and jealous.

Jing Anle pretended to be asleep, and only after Emperor Jing and Princess Yongping left did she open her eyes and instruct the palace servants, "Go and summon Afang and Muping."

……

Meanwhile, in Xiao Heng's sleeping quarters.

Xiao Heng sat upright by the window. Inside, it was warm and comfortable, with a pot of scorching charcoal burning brightly, while white snowflakes slid down outside. He held a chess piece in one hand, pondering for a long time before slowly placing the black piece. There was no one opposite him.

Just then, someone rushed in from outside, "Your Highness, why are you up?"

The speaker was Xin Wu, Xiao Heng's personal bodyguard, who usually disguised himself as Xiao Heng's ordinary servant.

"It's nothing, just a minor cold. How is she...?" Xiao Heng looked at Xin Wu.

Knowing Xiao Heng's personality, Xin Wu stopped trying to persuade him and said, "Princess Anle has just woken up. His Majesty and Princess Yongping have already gone over there."

As another chess piece was placed, Xiao Heng finally felt a little more at ease. His brows relaxed slightly. "It's good that you're awake."

"It was my dereliction of duty. If I hadn't been delayed in Li Kingdom, the Crown Prince wouldn't have suffered so much." Xinwu bowed, his words filled with remorse.

That day, a sudden heavy snow fell, and Jing Anle fainted again. Xiao Heng had no choice but to make a desperate effort, carrying Jing Anle on his back to continue their journey. Fortunately, there was always a way out, and they soon encountered Jing Fengyao, Qin Xiuyuan, and others who were looking for them.

Xiao Heng waved his hand, "It has nothing to do with you. I sent you back to Li Kingdom. But how did things turn out?"

"I have already told Her Majesty the Empress what you said, that you have found someone you love, and that Her Majesty need not worry." After saying this, Xinwu added somewhat indignantly, "It's just that although the Empress loves you, the Imperial Uncle is very stubborn and insists on marrying his daughter to you."

Xiao Heng narrowed his eyes, staring at the chessboard, his expression serious. "The Empress Dowager is soft-hearted. How could she resist Zhou Wenzhang's daily nagging? He's not doing this for his daughter; he's clearly eyeing the throne and power of our Li Kingdom!"

Seeing Xiao Heng's displeasure, Xin Wu quickly said, "It's all thanks to you for leaving Li Kingdom under the pretext of inviting Chi Wenyuan. As long as you're not here, the Imperial Uncle will not be able to marry his daughter to you."

“He won’t give up. He even wants the position of the Crown Prince’s concubine,” Xiao Heng said coldly.

Zhou Wenzhang was the younger brother of Empress Zhou Wenxi of the Li Kingdom, born of the same mother. When they were young, their former patriarch, Xiao Heng's maternal grandfather, frequented brothels, abandoning his wife and two children. He even married a courtesan, ultimately causing his wife's death from grief. Despite their harsh stepmother, the siblings supported each other and developed a deep bond.

Fortunately, Zhou Wenxi later became friends with the Princess of Li Kingdom, who was traveling outside the palace. Then, King Li fell in love with Zhou Wenxi at first sight and overcame all difficulties to marry her, which led to the birth of Xiao Heng.

"Although my maternal grandfather was a scoundrel, he still inherited the title. This uncle of mine is even worse. Not only did he help my mother become the emperor's brother-in-law, but he also had wild fantasies. He is utterly shameless!"

"Your Highness, rest assured. I have already had people frequently loitering around the places where the Imperial Uncle's daughter goes. This man is not only handsome and talented, but more importantly, he can win the hearts of young ladies."

Xiao Heng asked expressionlessly, "What is your family background?"

"Your Highness, rest assured, this person is the youngest son of a fourth-rank clerk. His status is not high, but it is still considered average."

"His brothers are all outstanding, so this young master Sun will surely do everything in his power to secure a future for himself. Once the deed is done, the emperor's brother-in-law's plans will fall through, and he won't be able to do it anymore."

“Your Highness is kind-hearted. This Miss Zhou Jiao has been spoiled since childhood and has a domineering personality. She is not worthy of the position of Crown Princess of Li Kingdom. Now that you have found a good family for this Miss Zhou, it is not a waste of her time.” Xin Wu, who is usually taciturn, rarely said more today.

A few snowflakes swirled around Xiao Heng. He looked at the chessboard and said calmly, "In the end, she was just a pawn of Zhou Wenzhang."

……

Chaoyang Hall.

"Mother, is this your former residence?" Princess Lai Li looked around the enormous palace, which had been cleaned and tidy.

Princess Yongping did not answer, but carefully examined the layout and furnishings. Her eyes seemed to glisten with tears. "Nothing has changed. Nothing here has changed."

Lai Li couldn't understand Yong Ping's melancholy, but she didn't say anything more. She was always used to obeying her mother.

"Li'er, shall we stay in Jing Kingdom from now on and not go back to Southern Xinjiang?" Yongping suddenly turned to ask Lai Li, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Lai Li didn't dare to refuse, and simply obeyed, "Okay, I'll do whatever Mother says."

Yongping suddenly burst into laughter and began to spin around in the hall, dancing and laughing at the same time. Many candles were lit in the hall, but it was still somewhat dim, creating an eerie atmosphere.

“Mother…” Lai Li said cautiously. She wanted to stop her, but she didn’t dare.

"Do you know?" Yongping suddenly asked.

“I once begged the late emperor not to send me to marry into the southern border, but even if I tried to kill myself, I couldn’t change the outcome. Now, I finally don’t have to go to the southern border.”

Even in the dim light, Lai Li could see the tear tracks on Yong Ping's face. "Mother, I know, I will help you."

Yongping looked at Lai Li's face, which bore a resemblance to the King of Southern Xinjiang, her expression complex. Suddenly, she pinched Lai Li's face hard, "So she really is his child!"

"Mother...Mother." Despite being held captive, Lai Li dared not resist and could only beg Yong Ping for mercy with her eyes.

From the time Riley could remember, her mother had always been strange. Sometimes she was very kind to her, taking care of her meticulously, but other times she would inexplicably lose her temper and mock her, like she was doing now. Gradually, Riley became obedient and cautious in front of Yongping, trying to please him at all costs, and never questioning right or wrong.

"Mother, please rest assured, Li'er is your daughter and will always stand by your side! I will always help you!"

After a long while, Yongping finally released Laili, and then, as if he were a different person, gently stroked Laili's face, saying, "You are truly my good daughter."