The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 179 So that’s it

Time flew by, and Chi Wenyuan closed the book, saying, "That's all for today."

After the ceremony, everyone left. Before leaving, Xiao Heng glanced at Jing Anle without making a sound.

"Princess Anle, please wait."

"What advice do you have for me, sir?" Jing Anle asked respectfully. She had intended to speak with Jing Fengyao, but Chi Wenyuan stopped her just as she stood up.

Chi Wenyuan came down, holding a sheet of Xuan paper in his hand, and said, "These are the exam questions from that day, and I have already made annotations."

Jing Anle gave her a wink, and Afang lowered her head and respectfully accepted it.

“That day Anle asked for leave and did not receive your instruction in person. I am sorry to have troubled you.”

Chi Wenyuan has been in the palace for several months now and knows that Princess Jing Anle is favored by everyone. Rumors in the palace say that this princess is arrogant and domineering.

On the day of the exam, Jing Anle wrote two pages of paper with great ease. In addition to the good deeds of the previous generation, she also wrote about agricultural production and the reduction of corvée labor. Although it was similar to what the other princes wrote, for a favored princess, her thoughts were no less than those of men, which impressed Chi Wenyuan.

Chi Wenyuan nodded, then said to the page, "Bring me that copy of 'Tongda Ji'." After saying that, he turned to Jing Anle and said, "It is truly remarkable that the princess, who holds such a high position, is able to care for the people's livelihood."

“Anle has been taught by her father and instructed by you, sir. As a princess, it is her duty to seek happiness for all people. You flatter me, sir.”

Chi Wenyuan knew she was modest, but he didn't say much, just smiled. A moment later, a servant boy came over with a booklet.

"Your Highness is wise and intelligent. This is a book I compiled for your leisure. If Your Highness has time, you may take a look."

"Thank you, sir." This time, Jing Anle personally took the booklet from him.

After saying that, Chi Wenyuan turned and left. Watching his back, Jing Anle looked at the booklet in his hand again, waved his hand and said, "Let's go back to Yongfu Palace."

……

Upon returning to the palace, Jing Anle went straight to the inner room, and Afang instructed the palace servants to prepare tea.

"Go and call Mu Ping in."

Jing Anle lay reclining on the couch, casually flipping through Chi Wenyuan's booklet. She was a little confused; Chi Wenyuan had been coming to class for so long, so why was he giving her a book today?

Somewhat puzzled, she curiously opened it to take a look, only to find that it contained measures to benefit women. She thought to herself: This Mr. Chi is nothing special. Even if he didn't say it explicitly, Jing Anle understood his meaning. He wanted to use her to benefit women all over the world.

Just as she was thinking this, as the sun began to set and the sky grew dim, Mu Ping pushed open the door and came in.

"Princess," Mu Ping said in a low voice.

Jing Anle closed the book and sat up.

"How is it?" She was asking about the matter concerning Prince Qing. This matter had caused such a stir that it couldn't be easily resolved.

The affairs of the imperial court are not to be interfered with by the harem, so Mu Ping went to inquire about them specifically today.

"This morning, a scapegoat died in the palace. The Third Prince went to the palace to beg His Majesty to make a decision. On the other hand, Prince Qing's men struggled and refused to take responsibility. His Majesty was caught in a dilemma and issued an edict to strip Prince Qing of his military power."

Mu Ping raised her head as she spoke, "The person who died in the palace was probably the assassin from that night. I heard that he confessed in the palace that he killed Consort Yu, and then he died suddenly after saying that."

The inner palace was completely unaware of this news. Jing Anle was shocked upon hearing it, "Military power?"

Mu Ping nodded. "Exactly."

Jing Anle's heart suddenly pounded. She got off the couch, clutched her chest with her right hand, and murmured, "So that's how it is."

Mu Ping was somewhat puzzled. "What do you mean by that, Princess?"

"Mu Ping, we have all been deceived by Father."

Looking at Mu Ping's face, Jing Anle continued, "We've done so much before, from Luo Xun's private acceptance of salt fields to the current murder of the Imperial Concubine. Father should have known about Prince Qing's wolfish ambitions long ago. All of this is to weaken Prince Qing's power. Father is going to dismantle Prince Qing step by step."

Mu Ping suddenly realized and said, "Your Majesty is truly wise."

Jing Anle gazed at the painting on the wall, lost in thought. So her father had always known. Then why did Prince Qing still rebel in her previous life, and even succeed?

"Oh, Princess, I just remembered something."

"Hmm?" Jing Anle asked.

"Can'er reports, oh, that's Ning Wen, now Jing Rou's maid. She sent a secret report that there was another person in the Prince Qing's mansion that day."

"Oh? Who is it?"

Mu Ping said with certainty, "It was Prince Su, Ji Kun. He even specially sent a gold hairpin to the Prince's residence, saying that the hairpin was specially kept in Prince Su's residence, but who knew that the hairpin was fake."

"Prince Su?"

"Yes, he was personally appointed by the late emperor, the first non-royal prince of Jing Kingdom, and the father of Princess Qing."

With one thing after another happening lately, Jing Anle simply sat down, thinking to herself: Could it be? The rebellion in her past life was related to this Prince Su. In her past life, she only knew how to have fun and knew nothing about this prince. Moreover, he lived a secluded life and had long since abdicated, so Jing Anle knew even less about him.

"Mu Ping, what do you know about this Prince Su?"

Mu Ping looked at Jing Anle, thought for a moment and said, "Although I grew up in the General's Mansion, I have only heard that this prince of a different surname was incredibly brave on the battlefield and made great achievements. I don't know anything else."

Jing Anle took a breath, feeling that something was amiss, and said, "Make preparations, we'll go to the General's Mansion tomorrow."

"Yes."

……

With the arrival of an imperial edict, the Qing Prince's mansion was unsealed that very day, but no one showed the slightest joy.

"This is simply outrageous!" Prince Qing was burning with anger. He paced around the room several times, feeling extremely agitated.

Princess Qing was anxious but helpless, and could only advise, "Your Highness, please calm down!"

In contrast, Prince Su, sitting high above, remained calm despite Prince Qing having lost his military power.

"Father, please say something!" Princess Qing finally couldn't hold back any longer and said to Prince Su.

Prince Su calmly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and after a long while said, "What's the use of being anxious? This time you've been tricked."

“Of course we know that, but right now the most important thing is the Prince’s military power,” Princess Qing argued.

Princess Qing, who is usually quiet and generous, was much less aloof today and seemed rather anxious.

"Of course I know this. I'm not just boasting, but I have poured half my heart and soul into the Jing Kingdom. I fought bloody battles for the late emperor, but His Majesty dares to disrespect me and seize my son-in-law's military power. I'm afraid there must be a mastermind behind this."

"What does Father-in-law mean...?" This startled Prince Qing, who quickly asked.

Prince Su stroked his beard and snorted coldly, "My dear son-in-law, it seems we need to think of another way and bring the plan forward."

Upon hearing this, Prince Qing's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he respectfully said, "I will leave it to my father-in-law."