The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 158 Who is the murderer?

Banquet hall.

Because Jing Rou fell into the water, the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet could not be held. Princess Jianing sat at the head of the table with a face full of anger. In order to investigate the murderer, everyone in the main hall was not allowed to leave. In addition to the powerful and noble people in the capital, there were also Jing Anle, Xiao Heng, Qin Xiuyuan, Qin Zhihua, Xie Bailing and others.

As for Mu Ping, she had already slipped away quietly beforehand, and as a servant, she went unnoticed for a while.

Yelü Yuanxiu was already dissatisfied. As a distinguished guest, he was being treated as a suspect and surrounded, which naturally made him resentful. Moreover, although the princess's mansion was wealthy, it had no dealings with the Dongyuan Kingdom. So he immediately lashed out, stood up, and said coldly, "Does Princess Jianing think we are the murderers who harmed Princess Rou?"

Princess Jianing frowned, thinking it was some ignorant fool. She was about to get angry when she realized it was the Crown Prince of the other country. So she said, "Crown Prince Yelü misunderstands. This action is to silence public opinion, not to target anyone. It is just to find the murderer as soon as possible."

After speaking, Princess Jianing stood up and said, "Everyone, today is the fault of my Princess's Mansion. In order to find out the real culprit, please forgive me if there is anything inappropriate."

The guests at this chrysanthemum appreciation banquet were all noblemen and ladies, without any elders accompanying them. Moreover, Princess Jianing held a high position and was well-known for her favor, so naturally no one dared to contradict her. These words were naturally meant for Xiao Heng, Qi Zhi, Yelü Yuanxiu, and the other two foreign princes.

“What the princess says is true. Brother Yelü is just worried.” Seeing that something was wrong, Luo Wei pulled Yelü Yuanxiu to sit down as he spoke.

His actions stemmed from his admiration for Kou Shuran, and he naturally did not want to cause trouble for her mother.

Yelü Yuanxiu flicked his sleeves and sat down with a gloomy expression.

At this moment, everyone was seated at the table, none of them saying a word. Princess Jianing glanced at everyone, her gaze suddenly stopping on Jing Anle. While everyone else was uneasy, she calmly drank her tea, oblivious to everyone else, her demeanor elegant.

Princess Jianing felt a pang of sadness, suddenly remembering that her daughter was missing. Her heart sank, and she turned to look at the old nanny beside her. The old nanny also looked bewildered, seemingly unaware of the situation. Just then, a loud shout rang out, "The murderer has been caught! The murderer has been caught!"

Everyone was startled and turned to look, curious about who the murderer was.

The person who came was Kou Shuran, followed by her maid Tingxiang, and two strong servants who were forcing a woman dressed as a servant of the princess's mansion forward.

When Luo Wei saw Kou Shuran arrive, he was overjoyed and couldn't take his eyes off her.

Seeing this scene, everyone's eyes were filled with undisguised curiosity, and for some reason, Princess Jianing's eyelids twitched, and a trace of panic appeared in her heart.

“Mother, the murderer has been caught.” Kou Shuran stood below and said. A sly glint flashed in her eyes as she continued, “The murderer is the new servant in the manor, named Nongcui.”

Everyone followed her gaze to the bound woman. Her mouth was stuffed with a rag, so she couldn't make a sound. Her appearance was quite ordinary, except for her bright eyes. Strangely, even though she had been arrested as a murderer, her eyes showed only calmness and no fear.

“How dare you plot against the princess! This is outrageous! Speak! Tell me the truth! Why did you try to harm the princess?” Princess Jianing looked at the woman, who seemed completely unfamiliar, and immediately questioned her.

Jing Anle simply watched quietly, fearing that Kou Shuran was crying wolf.

Sure enough, Kou Shuran's maid, Tingxiang, ripped the rag out of the woman's mouth and said sternly, "Your mistress is asking you a question, why aren't you answering?"

At this moment, the woman raised her head. She was the same woman that Jing Anle and her group had met earlier. She was dressed the same as before, but her hair was much more disheveled, as if she had been through a lot.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, she remained tight-lipped, refusing to utter a single word.

"Since that's the case, guards, beat them!" Princess Jianing coldly ordered from her seat.

The woman was stubborn, and after several heavy blows, she just lay on the ground groaning. Sweat had soaked her hair, and when she raised her head, there was blood on the corner of her mouth.

"What a stubborn girl!"

At this moment, Princess Jianing stared intently at Nongcui, "Guards, keep beating her!"

Just as the servants were about to take action, Kou Shuran stopped them in time, calling out, "Mother!"

“Mother, this can’t go on. She’s a weak woman; she can’t take much more.”

"She hasn't been in the household for long, but she's quite diligent. I don't think she would have the audacity to do that; she must be acting under someone's orders!"

Her words were tactful and elegant, demonstrating both her refined manners as a lady from a prominent family and her consideration for her servants.

Below, some people whispered among themselves, "The county princess is indeed a compassionate person."

"Yes, it is a blessing for servants to have such a master."

But some people whispered among themselves, "Why ask so many questions? It would be better to just kill him."

As Kou Shuran spoke, she squatted down next to Nongcui. "You are an orphan girl, you must be being manipulated by someone. Don't worry, as long as you tell me, I promise to spare your life."

After these words, Nongcui struggled to open her eyes. Her voice was weak and trembling as she said, "I...I won't tell." But as she spoke, her eyes were fixed on Jing Anle.

“I will never betray my master,” Nongcui said, her voice growing louder as she repeated.

Her voice naturally attracted everyone's attention. The young masters and ladies in the capital were all shrewd people. Even if they noticed something was wrong, they would look at Jing Anle, but no one would say it out loud. They only dared to guess in their hearts.

Qin Zhihua noticed this and looked at Jing Anle with a worried expression. Jing Anle, however, remained calm and composed, put down his teacup, and calmly accepted everyone's scrutiny, his eyes meeting Nongcui's gaze directly.

Nongcui was taken aback by Jing Anle's imposing manner and felt uneasy, but she still mustered her courage and continued, "It was all my doing."

Qi Zhi, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it any longer. He stood up, bowed to Princess Jianing, and said, "Princess, this person is stubborn and unyielding. Why don't I give him a try?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was quite surprised, and couldn't help but wonder if Qi Zhi was standing up for Jing Rou.

Kou Shuran was taken aback, as if she hadn't expected it, and her expression showed a slight hint of worry.

“Alright, then I’ll have to trouble Prince Qi.” Princess Jianing said without any hesitation.

Qi Zhi walked up to Nong Cui, took out a small box from his sleeve, and took out a silver needle from it. He said in front of Nong Cui, "This needle is called Soul Separation. One needle can make you suffer unbearable pain, as if your soul has left your body. I will give you one last chance. Tell me, who ordered you to do this?"