The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 248 Banquet in the Hall

"Princess."

Just as Jing Anle and Mu Ping finished speaking, Afang brought over ginseng tea.

"Miss Biao has come with Miss Chu Mingyue."

Jing Anle and Mu Ping exchanged a glance. Qin Zhihua and Chu Mingyue were both bestowed upon Jing Fengyao as concubines, and both came from prestigious families and were skilled in poetry and prose, making them equally matched. Although Jing Anle still preferred Qin Zhihua.

"Please ask them to come to the hall."

"Afang, help me change my clothes."

Afang put down the ginseng soup and respectfully said, "Yes."

The main hall of Yongfu Palace.

Qin Zhihua and Chu Mingyue sat facing each other, both with polite smiles on their faces. It seemed like a coincidence, or perhaps fate, that the two of them had chosen the same day to visit Jing Anle.

For a moment, the only sound in the huge hall was the occasional crackling of charcoal fire; it was eerily quiet.

One of them was in love with Jing Fengyao, and the other was infatuated with him, but both were betrothed by Emperor Jing. If nothing unexpected happens, they will become a family and share a husband. They may be friends or enemies.

"This is the first time I've seen Miss Qin since the Princess's birthday banquet last time." Feeling really awkward, Chu Mingyue spoke first.

"Yes, it has indeed been quite a while since we last met." Qin Zhihua smiled, unsure of what to say for a moment, just as Jing Anle arrived.

"The princess has arrived!" Upon hearing the palace servants' announcement, Qin Zhihua and Chu Mingyue rose to greet her in unison.

"Meet Princess!"

Although the room was warm, Jing Anle was still wrapped in a snow-white fox fur coat. She was always afraid of the cold, and the thick clothes made her look even thinner.

Jing Anle glanced at the two women; one was as elegant as a lotus, and the other as gentle as a rose—both were beauties. For a moment, she sighed at Jing Fengyao's good fortune. "You two don't need to stand on ceremony. Please sit down."

"Your Highness looks much better. This is a thousand-year-old snow ginseng that my grandmother and father asked me to bring. It's very good for your health." Qin Zhihua knew that Jing Anle was a good-natured person, but she didn't overstep her bounds. She spoke respectfully and warmly.

Jing Anle knew that the General's Mansion had always kept her in mind, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

"I'm sorry to trouble my grandmother and uncle." After saying that, he winked at Afang, who quickly reached out to take it.

Chu Mingyue saw the closeness between Jing Anle and Qin Zhihua and felt a surge of envy or jealousy, but she was helpless because they were cousins ​​and related by blood.

"Hearing that the princess is unwell, Mingyue knows that the palace has everything, so she specially found a small item for the princess to help her pass the time." As Chu Mingyue spoke, the maid next to her took out a metal object from the wooden box.

This object is butterfly-shaped and consists of nine rings made of metal wire. These rings are fitted onto a horizontal plate or various frames and are connected by a handle.

"What is this?" Jing Anle asked.

None of them had ever seen this thing before, so they couldn't help but feel curious.

Seeing that Jing Anle was interested, Chu Mingyue smiled and patiently said, "This item comes from the common people and is called the Nine Linked Rings. When playing, the nine rings can be separated or put together. Moreover, there are many ways to solve it. It can be separated or put together, and there are many variations."

Jing Anle picked it up and saw that it was made entirely of pure gold, small and exquisite, and very elegant, showing that a lot of thought had been put into it.

"Miss Chu, you're very kind."

Seeing Jing Anle say this, Chu Mingyue was very happy, and her painstaking search was not in vain.

"I'm glad the princess is happy." After she finished speaking, she turned her head and met Qin Zhihua's gaze again, and the two exchanged polite smiles.

Jing Anle noticed the awkwardness between the two. The harem was a complex place, and two such beautiful women would likely be corrupted once they entered the inner palace. Qin Zhihua was alright, as she was favored by Jing Fengyao, but what about Chu Mingyue? If she were to be neglected in the future, wouldn't that be a waste of her potential? But fate was hard to defy. What Emperor Jing cared about was not who Jing Fengyao liked, but rather the power behind them and the stability of the court.

Jing Anle had initially wanted to advise Chu Mingyue not to waste her affections on the wrong person, but since someone as noble as her had come to curry favor with her, it was clear that her heart belonged to Jing Fengyao.

For a moment, Jing Anle was at a loss for what to do.