The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 304 A banquet in the palace

The next day.

When Jing Anle woke up, her neck was sore. She had been troubled by Xie Bailing's matter all night and hadn't slept well. Today, Jing Rou was going to the palace for a family banquet, and she couldn't leave either. So Jing Anle summoned Mu Ping and asked her to go to the General's Mansion in person.

Mu Ping was shocked when she learned the truth, and she immediately felt that Jing Anle was surrounded by danger.

"But if I leave, will there be any problems with the family banquet today?"

Seeing Mu Ping's worry, Jing Anle comforted her, "Don't worry, I am a princess after all, and my father has sent many experts to protect me. Although I am not on good terms with Jing Rou, she wouldn't dare to do anything to me openly in the palace. You can go without worry. I will go to the General's Mansion in person tomorrow."

"Yes, Princess." Mu Ping finished speaking and left the palace directly. Jing Anle did not write a letter, after all, it would be troublesome if it fell into the hands of someone with ulterior motives.

Outside the palace, at the Prince Qing's residence.

To dispel recent rumors, Prince Qing and Princess Qing deliberately set up a carriage at the gate, and Jing Rou also lingered at the gate of Prince Qing's mansion for a long time. With people coming and going on the street, she also wore tight clothes and had a flat stomach, doing her best to tell the world that she was not pregnant.

Jing Rou's actions sparked a flurry of discussion among the crowd, with many whispering that the previous rumors were nonsense. She boarded the carriage with satisfaction, but unexpectedly, Princess Qing inside the carriage frowned and covered her mouth and nose with one hand, seemingly feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

"Mother, are you feeling nauseous again?" Jing Rou quickly went to greet her and asked, her face full of worry.

Princess Qing didn't have any major symptoms during the first few months of her pregnancy, but in the last few days she has suddenly started experiencing severe morning sickness and is vomiting frequently.

Logically, the last few months should be a stable time for the fetus, but now she is feeling unwell instead. The royal physician said it was because Princess Qing was having a child at an advanced age and her body was not used to it, and there was nothing seriously wrong, but it was indeed tormenting.

"Mother, it's best if you don't go to the palace today. The carriage ride is too bumpy and it's really not appropriate." Looking at the somewhat haggard Princess Qing, Jing Rou felt very sorry for her.

Princess Qing waved her hand weakly and said, "No, I must go to this banquet. I'm not comfortable leaving you alone."

Just then, Prince Qing arrived. Seeing that Princess Qing was unwell, he immediately bowed and entered the carriage, saying, "My dear princess, it would be best if you did not come to the palace if you are not feeling well."

After saying that, he lifted Princess Qing down by the waist.

"Your Highness... Princess Qing was still a little embarrassed in front of everyone."

“Yes, you have a child in your belly. With Father King by my side, it’s the same. It’s just a meal anyway,” Jing Rou said.

Princess Qing touched her belly, then looked at Jing Rou and Prince Qing before agreeing to rest properly at the manor. However, she was still a little worried and instructed, "Can'er, take good care of the princess."

"Yes, Your Highness," Can'er said, bowing her head. Although the maids had been released, Can'er could clearly feel that Jingrou no longer trusted her as much after this incident.

After Princess Qing went inside, Prince Qing and Jing Rou each boarded their carriages and headed to the palace. On the way, they made a detour to the busiest shop in the capital to buy things, so that everyone could see that the rumors should not be believed entirely.

Meanwhile, preparations for the family banquet in the palace were in full swing.

Besides the Empress Dowager, Emperor Jing, princes, princesses, and other members of the royal family, there were also Princess Yongping, Princess Laili, Prince Yingeer, and even foreign princes were invited to the banquet in order to dispel the rumors. This was exactly what Jing Anle wanted.

Winter nights fall early, and under the lamplight, Xuanyang Palace shines even more brilliantly.

Everyone took their seats. Emperor Jing raised his wine cup and surveyed the audience below. Both sides of the stage were filled with people. His voice was deep and resonant. "It has been a long time since the palace has been this lively. Now that the New Year is approaching, I am very pleased. Today, I am gathered with you all to share this feast. I hope that in the coming year, the country will be prosperous and the people will live in peace. The weather will be favorable and the world will be at peace."

Everyone stood up, raised their glasses in agreement, and shouted "Long live!"

Then songs and dances began, and fine wine and delicacies were served continuously.

Jing Anle observed her surroundings discreetly. She sat to the lower right of Emperor Jing, with Jing Fengyao at the head of the table, followed by herself, then Prince Qing, Jing Rou, and Jing Fengyu, Consort Li, Consort Chen, and Consort Lin sitting behind them.

Opposite her sat Princess Yongping of Southern Xinjiang, with Laili and Yingeer sitting behind her. Beside her sat Qi Zhi, Xiao Heng, Yelü Yuanxiu, Xia Tingfu, and Luo Wei, in that order.

Hmm? Princess Qing didn't come. Jing Anle noticed this and subconsciously looked at Consort Chen. After all, it was Consort Chen who tampered with Princess Qing's pregnancy-preserving medicine that day. Sure enough, Consort Chen's eyes were also lingering on Jing Rou and Prince Qing.

At this moment, the Empress Dowager slowly spoke: "Why didn't Princess Qing come?"

Prince Qing quickly stood up and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Shuting is not feeling well today and is suffering from severe morning sickness. It is really not advisable for her to travel to the palace. I hope Your Majesty will forgive her."

The Empress Dowager nodded. "If that's the case, then so be it. Let her rest and recuperate."

Consort Chen's eyes flickered, secretly delighted. Unable to contain her smugness, she spoke first, "It's not easy for the Princess to be pregnant, and now that she's not feeling well, she must take good care of herself."

Jing Anle sneered to himself, thinking that Consort Chen was really impatient. She had done something to harm others but instead of hiding quietly, she was making a scene everywhere. She was truly stupid.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Consort Chen without speaking, seemingly telling her not to say anything more. Consort Chen pursed her lips, remained silent, picked up a glass of wine and downed most of it, thinking to herself: Just you wait, it'll be strange if you give birth to a normal person.

Jing Anle naturally took this scene in her eyes. Consort Chen was foolish and stupid. She only entered the palace as a concubine by relying on the Empress Dowager, but she had no children after many years in the palace.

Princess Qing was not only favored by the Empress Dowager, but also had a son late in life. Naturally, the Empress Dowager was jealous and poisoned Princess Qing. This can be considered retribution. It is ridiculous that the Empress Dowager was biased, that her own niece could not compare to her son who was not related by blood.

After reading this, Jing Anle looked up and met Xiao Heng's gaze. Xiao Heng was also expressionless, as if the two weren't very familiar with each other—clearly, this was just for show. Jing Anle subtly looked away again; she wanted to look at Qi Zhi, after all… he was about to become a "father," wasn't he?

Jing Anle casually picked some grapes from the fruit platter, but out of the corner of her eye, she was looking at Qi Zhi, who was pouring himself a drink, expressionless, as if nothing had happened.

Jing Rou, on the other hand, was much less calm. Jing Anle could feel that her body was stiff, and she kept glancing at Qi Zhi, but unfortunately, Qi Zhi didn't give her a single glance.

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Jing Anle's lips. She raised her wine glass and said to Jing Rou, "Rou'er, let me toast you to your upcoming marriage." After saying this, Jing Anle herself felt a pang of jealousy.

Don't think she didn't see it. When Emperor Jing raised his cup to drink with her, Jing Rou secretly poured out the wine. Now, in front of everyone, should she drink this cup or not? After all, everyone knows that pregnant women cannot drink alcohol, and wine is extremely strong. But if she doesn't drink it, wouldn't that confirm the rumors?

For a moment, Jing Rou wished she could stab Jing Anle to death. Why was it always Jing Anle who jumped out and caused her trouble?