The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 156 Jing Rou Falls into the Water

As the group was talking, several people walked towards them from a distance. The lights were bright, and Jing Anle immediately recognized them.

"cousin!"

Jing Anle's voice was filled with joy, and everyone followed her gaze. They saw a woman in a purple dress walking towards them, her beautiful eyes relaxed, her smile radiant. Beside her stood two handsome young men, one of whom bore a resemblance to her.

"Greetings, Princess and County Princess, greetings to Crown Prince Xiao and Prince Qi." The three of them came before them and bowed in unison, instantly making the place lively.

"Please rise quickly." Jing Anle warmly took Qin Zhihua's hand. Today, she looked much better than when he last visited her at the General's Mansion, which made Jing Anle genuinely happy.

Qin Zhihua also had a smile on her face. Jing Fengyao had visited her yesterday and said many things, which put her at ease. Thinking of this, her smile widened. The two looked at each other, appearing as if they were sisters.

Jing Rou, standing to the side, couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly, thinking: What's with this sisterly affection act! But with so many people around, especially Qi Zhi, she had to maintain her composed demeanor despite her inner hatred.

"My cousin and Young Master Xie are here too." In fact, Jing Anle had already seen Qin Xiuyuan and Xie Bailing beside him. After exchanging pleasantries with Qin Zhihua, he greeted the two of them.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's attention was drawn to Xie Bailing, a man whose face was unfamiliar.

Qin Zhihua and Qin Xiuyuan, needless to say, were born into the General's Mansion and were also Jing Anle's cousins, familiar faces in the palace. But this Young Master Xie, I don't have much of an impression of him.

"This young master Xie is a stranger."

Xie Bailing smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "In response to Prince Qi, I am Xie Bailing, son of Xie Shikai, the Grand Master of the Palace. I was fortunate to be invited by Princess Jianing, and since I happened to be going the same way as General Qin, I came along with him."

His tone was neither humble nor arrogant, showing no trace of a subject's subservience, but rather a sense of composure. Seeing this, Xiao Heng, who was standing to the side, revealed a hint of appreciation.

"Grand Master of the Imperial Secretariat?" Qi Zhi's tone was extremely arrogant. He clearly did not take Xie Bailing seriously, considering him to be merely a fourth-rank official.

Qi Zhi changed the subject, "I suddenly remembered that I have some things to discuss with Crown Prince Luo, so I won't disturb you any longer." Qi Zhi said politely.

Jing Anle smiled and said, "Please proceed, Prince Qi."

Qi Zhi glanced at Jing Anle, then nodded to Xiao Heng. As for the others, he didn't care at all. He just gave Jing Rou a meaningful look as he left.

Jing Anle witnessed this scene, and Xie Bailing understood it as well, but he simply smiled and remained silent.

Xiao Heng had intended to be alone with Jing Anle, but more and more people were gathering. Suddenly, he noticed the way Qin Xiuyuan looked at Jing Anle. As a man, he understood all too well what that look meant—it was admiration, it was longing.

Similarly, before Qin Xiuyuan arrived, he also saw Xiao Heng standing beside Jing Anle from afar. He couldn't do anything, but the strange feeling in his heart couldn't deceive himself.

"I have long heard of General Qin, who is both brave and resourceful. In the Battle of Guihan City, he defeated the enemy and became famous. I have long admired him. However, I have been in Jing Kingdom for many days and only now have I had the opportunity to talk with General Qin."

Xiao Heng's sincere tone made Qin Xiuyuan look at him in a new light.

"I am deeply grateful for Crown Prince Xiao's high praise. It was Crown Prince Xiao's victory at the flower appreciation poetry gathering that day that I, a military general, truly admire."

Watching the two of them praising each other, Jing Anle remembered the important matter at hand. How could Jing Rou be so patient? Qi Zhi had already left, yet she was still here.

Just then, a maidservant approached from a distance. She was dressed in the servant's clothes of the princess's mansion and had an ordinary appearance. She bowed to everyone and then said to Jing Rou, "So the princess is here. Miss Fang from the Marquis of Xinyang's mansion has sent me to invite the princess over!"

In fact, Jing Rou didn't want to stay here and watch Jing Anle. She was just about to leave when she thought: This maid has come at just the right time.

"In that case, I shall take my leave."

Jingrou then led Can'er and followed the servant to a pavilion in the mansion.

As the three walked further into the darkness, Can'er couldn't help but ask, "Princess, why is it so dark here?"

Jing Rou glanced around the pavilion. Not only was it remote, but it was also so dark. She felt something was wrong and questioned the servant, "Didn't you say Wanrong was looking for me? Where is she?" Her voice was impatient.

Seeing that no one was there, Jingrou angrily cursed, "Speak up, you brat!"

Jing Rou was about to turn around when, before she could react, she was suddenly shoved from behind. She screamed instinctively and fell into the pond with a splash.

The servant fled quickly and disappeared into the night.

"Ahhh! Princess!"

Can'er was stunned for a moment, then pretended to be frightened and shouted desperately, "Help! Help! Help! The princess has fallen into the water!"

It was a chilly autumn day, and Jingrou couldn't swim. She struggled desperately in the cold lake water, but instead of getting up, she choked on several mouthfuls of water.

Seeing that no one was around, she called out loudly to Jing Rou, "Princess, don't worry, I'll go find someone to rescue you right away."

The person who had been hiding in the shadows watched this scene with extreme anxiety. He instinctively wanted to help, but before he could act, a man beat him to it. He used his lightness skill to rush over and easily rescued Jing Rou from the water.

Meanwhile, Can'er deliberately delayed for a moment before rushing anxiously to Jing Anle and the others, looking terrified. "Oh no! Oh no! Princess Rou has fallen into the water!"

By now, most of the people had arrived and were gathered together chatting.

Falling into the water? Jing Anle hadn't expected this. She only wanted Murong Peifeng to witness Qi Zhi and Jing Rou getting close and to make them fight amongst themselves, but she didn't expect someone to suddenly interfere.

Upon hearing this, everyone present was startled and immediately began to look at each other in bewilderment and discuss the matter.

Princess Jianing, in particular, was taken aback at first and was about to reprimand him, but then she remembered that this person was not from the princess's household and it was not appropriate to blame him.

But she quickly regained her composure and sternly ordered, "Someone, go and save them!"

As she said this, Princess Jianing seemed to remember something and glanced at Kou Shuran. Sure enough, a smile appeared on Kou Shuran's lips, but when she met Princess Jianing's gaze, she lowered her head slightly in fear.

Without asking any further questions, Princess Jianing led everyone to follow Can'er towards the place where Jingrou had fallen into the water.