The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 164 A City in Turmoil (2)

Seeing Jingrou's flustered appearance, Can'er instantly understood what was going on. However, she was genuinely unaware of the matter, so she pretended to be concerned and stepped forward, asking, "Princess, what's wrong?"

Knowing the matter was of great importance, Jing Rou suppressed her fear and said in a low voice, "It's nothing. I'm a little tired. You can go out now."

Can'er had expected Jingrou to fly into a rage, but she only said a few simple words. Can'er knew that something was wrong. She stepped forward to tuck the blanket around Jingrou and said, "Princess, please rest well. This servant will take her leave now."

After waiting for Can'er to leave and close the door, Jing Rou took a deep breath before daring to lift the covers. The bright red stain on the bed deeply stung Jing Rou's eyes.

She couldn't believe it was real. She was so scared that she quickly covered herself with the blanket. Her heart was pounding wildly. In fact, out of fear, Jing Rou shrank back and hid in the corner of the bed. Her eyes filled with tears, but she didn't dare to make a sound. She could only cover her mouth tightly with her hand, not daring to cry out.

But Jingrou had no recollection of it at all. She was clearly just talking to Murong Peifeng, so how could she have fainted? And now... The more she thought about it, the more confused and annoyed she became, and she didn't know what to do.

This scene was naturally discovered by Can'er, who was peeking from the doorway. She pondered the situation and came up with an idea.

On the other side, the study of the princess's residence.

Servants stood guard at the door, and it was very quiet inside, so no one could hear anything. After an unknown amount of time, Prince Qing finally came out. However, unlike when he went in, he seemed to have a smile on his face.

In contrast, Princess Jianing, who was inside the house, looked terrible. Tonight, she seemed to be possessed, as events came crashing down like a flood. First, Jing Rou fell into the water, then Kou Shuran had an accident, and then Prince Qing arrived.

Princess Jianing had a terrible headache. She rubbed her temples wearily, her face full of exhaustion, but she couldn't afford to collapse yet.

"Has the county princess been found?" Princess Jianing asked in a calm voice.

The old nanny Gui Rong quickly said, "Princess, don't worry. The county princess is just frightened and is hiding. I have sent more people and she will be found soon."

Princess Jianing sighed. She knew her daughter well; she would definitely stay at home and wouldn't dare to go out. There were more important things to do right now.

Gui Rong saw through Princess Jianing's thoughts and whispered, "Does the princess really intend to agree to the prince's conditions?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Jianing's eyes suddenly turned sinister. Although she had long known that Prince Qing was ambitious, she had not expected his appetite to be so great that he actually wanted her family's gold mine. However, if she did not comply, then her Shuran, Shuran's reputation and future would be ruined.

Kou Shuran is certainly important, but the gold mine was discovered ten years ago, and only one-tenth of it has been mined so far. Yet, it has already made the Princess's mansion incredibly wealthy. How could she be willing to give it to Prince Qing? Moreover, putting aside the money, the gold mine's location is special, situated at the intersection of three kingdoms. Who knows, it might be of great use in the future.

Gui Rong saw through Princess Jianing's thoughts. No one would want such a huge gold mine. She thought for a moment and then suddenly said, "Princess, things have come to this point. This old servant thinks we should try to find Princess Anle."

"Anle?"

Princess Jianing recalled Jing Anle's words.

"What time is it now?"

Gui Rong glanced out the window and said, "It's the hour of Chou (1-3 AM) right now."

"Perhaps I should go and see if Princess Anle is still alive?"

Princess Jianing pondered in silence for a long while before finally saying, "She's only a year older than Shuran, what can she do?"

Gui Rong naturally understood Princess Jianing's meaning and comforted her, saying, "Your words are golden; now that you have spoken, you will surely be able to turn the tide."

"Then go and take a look."

"Yes."

Meanwhile, Jing Anle naturally did not leave the Princess's residence, but instead used the excuse of being frightened to rest here temporarily.

"Princess, why don't you rest first?" The princess's clothes were heavy and gorgeous, but they were also a kind of shackle. Afang felt sorry for her and said.

Jing Anle, however, calmly sipped his freshly brewed Pu'er tea and said leisurely, "No rush, we have guests coming later!"

Afang looked at Jing Anle with a puzzled expression, then at Muping.

Mu Ping remained expressionless and said nothing more.

A moment later, a knock came at the door.

Afang glanced at Jing Anle and Mu Ping with suspicion before going to open the door. She was greeted by a smiling old woman dressed in apricot-colored silk, clearly not an ordinary servant.

"Who are you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jing Anle waved his hand and said, "Let her in."

Afang, puzzled, stepped aside.

"See Princess."

The newcomer was Gui Rong. She bowed respectfully and looked up to see Jing Anle calmly setting down her cup, her every movement exuding elegance. Moreover, she was impeccably dressed, as if she had expected this and was waiting there.

"What brings you here so late at night, Granny?"

Jing Anle asked this question on purpose, and Gui Rong followed suit.

"This old servant is Gui Rong, the princess's close attendant. The night is just right, and I have come on the princess's orders to invite her to admire the epiphyllum flowers."

As expected of the princess's close confidante, he spoke very appropriately.

Jing Anle nodded. "Afang, Muping, let's go take a look together."

The Princess's Residence, Study.

The study was once again under strict guard, only this time it was guarded by Jing Anle instead of Prince Qing.

In the center of the study, there was indeed a pot of night-blooming cereus, half-open and half-closed, with a captivating fragrance.

"I was too harsh with my words today, please forgive me, Princess."

Would Princess Jianing, who always held herself in such a haughty manner, really be so humble? Jing Anle found it amusing.

“Auntie’s kind heart truly moves Anle.” Jing Anle sat at the head of the table, as if she were the one who owned the place.

The situation was urgent, and Jing Anle's attitude ignited Princess Jianing's anger. However, the matter was of great importance, and she needed Jing Anle's help, so she had to lower her attitude even further. "Princess, what are you saying? You are a noble lady of noble birth, and you are naturally showered with love and affection."

“Even though Anle has received all the favors, she has never received maternal love!” Jing Anle’s voice was neither loud nor soft, and even very calm. Even so, Princess Jianing seemed to have been discovered, and her eyes were momentarily lost in thought.

Unfortunately, Jing Anle caught them.

“Princess, I was indeed unaware of the late Empress’s affairs at the time.”

Upon hearing this, Jing Anle felt as if a thunderbolt had struck her mind. Her eyes were filled with disbelief as she stared intently at Princess Jianing.

Princess Jianing assumed that Jing Anle had discovered something and was using this as leverage in their negotiation, but judging from her reaction, she seemed unaware of the truth. Princess Jianing realized her mistake and quickly changed the subject, saying, "Please enlighten me, Your Highness, and help Shu'er."

But this matter concerns the late Empress, and it's not something that can be easily dismissed. Jing Anle's eyes grew increasingly dark, and her voice lowered, "Please say it again, Aunt, about the late Empress?"

She approached Princess Jianing step by step, forcing Princess Jianing to retreat. Her words were hesitant, "Princess... Princess."

Princess Jianing looked back and saw that her back was almost touching the wall, which showed that Jing Anle was truly unaware of the situation.

"Aunt!" Jing Anle's voice rang out again, "Don't you want to save your daughter?"

"After all, I was almost framed by the county princess, which is a serious crime!"

Jing Anle's voice grew louder, its coldness tinged with a threat.