The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 272 Plum Appreciation Rally (4)

"Since Feng Yao already has Miss Qin and Miss Chu as his concubines, why not add another concubine?" the Empress Dowager said with a smile.

What?! Qin Zhihua and Chu Mingyue exchanged a glance and then tacitly looked away.

Qin Zhihua barely dared to lift her head, afraid that tears would fall from her eyes. Although she had known this day would come, facing it was still heartbreaking. In contrast, Chu Mingyue admired Jing Fengyao wholeheartedly and knew that he would not have only one woman. So she remained calm and composed, but her heart was still aching.

"I wonder which young lady Your Majesty is referring to?" Emperor Jing asked with a smile, seemingly quite interested.

"It is Fang Wanrong, daughter of the Marquis of Xinyang," the Empress Dowager said with a smile, then beckoned to a young girl sitting behind Jingrou, "Wanrong, come out and let His Majesty see you!"

"Yes."

As she spoke, Fang Wanrong respectfully stepped forward from her seat and bowed to the center, saying, "This humble woman, Fang Wanrong, greets the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, and all the ladies."

"What does Your Majesty think?" the Empress Dowager asked again.

Emperor Jing looked down and saw a girl with a beautiful face and eyes as bright as autumn water, unlike Qin Zhihua's gentleness or Chu Mingyue's elegance. She was like a budding calla lily.

Fang Wanrong? Jing Anle instantly realized that it was Fang Ling's daughter, Fang Wanrong! The day Jing Anle orchestrated the death of his son, Fang Xianda, it was to sow discord between Prince Qing and Fang Ling. How could his only daughter now be used by Prince Qing, ostensibly as a concubine, but in reality, to monitor Jing Fengyao!

I'm afraid Fang Ling doesn't dare to contradict Prince Qing on the surface, but he already harbors a grudge against Prince Qing. If his two children die because of Prince Qing, then... things will get interesting, Jing Anle thought to himself.

"Indeed, she is a beauty." Emperor Jing could see through the Empress Dowager's thoughts. He then said, "But Feng Yao already has two concubines. Wouldn't it be a waste for the daughter of the Marquis of Xinyang to be a concubine?"

Ostensibly, it was to arrange for Jing Fengyao to take a concubine, but in reality, they had planted a pawn. The Empress Dowager and Prince Qing were indeed treacherous.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, Marquis Xinyang is loyal and devoted. It is only right for him to share Your Majesty's burdens. If Wanrong is able to have a son or daughter in the future, it will be an honor for the Fang family. There is no question of grievance. Your Majesty is overthinking it!" the Empress Dowager explained.

Emperor Jing's smile was unnatural. "The Empress Dowager is indeed concerned about Feng Yao, even thinking of such things so thoroughly."

"How can planning for one's grandson be considered hard work? Besides, having only two concubines is too few. His Majesty has few children, so Feng Yao naturally has to work hard to continue the lineage of our Jing Kingdom." The Empress Dowager could see Emperor Jing's displeasure, but she didn't care at all and continued to speak.

"Continuing the lineage?" Jing Anle snorted. "What face do you have to talk about offspring, you old hag? You haven't given birth to a single one yourself."

Throughout the entire process, no one asked Jing Fengyao if he was willing.

“Father!” Jing Anle suddenly stepped forward.

Emperor Jing's eyes lit up. "Does Anle have something to say?"

When Jing Anle stepped forward, Prince Qing's eyelids twitched.

“Father, I believe this matter is inappropriate,” Jing Anle said respectfully.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room was stunned, especially Fang Wanrong, whose face turned bright red with embarrassment. What young woman could bear being rejected in court?

“Although Fang Wanrong is a beauty, her brother Fang Xianda has committed murder. If his sister enters the palace, it will likely damage the royal family’s reputation.” Everyone was shocked; no one expected Jing Anle to say such a thing.

The Empress Dowager's expression changed. She was unsure whether the matter was true or false and was also puzzled. She couldn't help but look at Prince Qing. Prince Qing also didn't expect Jing Anle to jump out and say these things at this time. This matter had already passed for four or five months, and now that the old matter was being brought up again, it was a troublesome thing.

Anle sneered, "Grandmother, you may not know this, but everything I said is true. Fang Xianda murdered an innocent girl that day, and this case was handled by Lord Li Cong."

When Consort Li heard Jing Anle mention her father's name, her heart tightened. She suddenly remembered the matter that Jing Anle had asked her to do. Now that they were connected, she wondered if it was a coincidence or intentional.

Emperor Jing frowned slightly and looked at the Empress Dowager. "Mother, I am also aware of this case. Since Fang Xianda has broken the law, how can his sister be allowed to enter the palace as a concubine? Wouldn't that make the world talk about how our Jing Kingdom has no regard for the law and sets a bad example?"

The Empress Dowager trembled slightly with anger, yet she could not refute it; this Jing Anle always ruined her plans.

"It was my oversight. I was only thinking of giving Feng Yao a suitable partner, but I didn't expect that my good intentions would backfire."

Jing Anle immediately changed her expression, pitifully saying, "Please don't blame Anle for meddling, Grandmother! Anle just doesn't want the royal family to be talked about."

The Empress Dowager was already furious, with a lump in her throat. Now, seeing Jing Anle's hypocritical act, she wanted nothing more than to slap her twice on the spot. After calming herself down, she feigned kindness and said, "Anle, what are you saying? You are considerate of the overall situation and reasonable. I cherish you too much to ask for blame."

"Thank you, Grandmother!" Jing Anle curtsied obediently, a sly glint flashing in her eyes. This was quickly caught by Xiao Heng, who smiled, picked up a cup of wine, and downed it in one gulp.

Jing Fengyao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and glanced gratefully at Jing Anle.

"In that case, let's put this marriage aside for now," Emperor Jing concluded. Jing Anle's lips curled up slightly; thankfully, the Empress Dowager and Prince Qing's wicked scheme hadn't succeeded.

Fang Wanrong immediately covered her face in shame and left, but Fang Ling, sitting below the stage, smiled. At least his only daughter wouldn't have to go to the palace to die.