The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 343 Yongping's Defense

Jing Anle's voice was soft and clear, with just the right amount of innocent confusion, as she came out of the inner room.

She changed out of the heavy palace attire she wore in the morning, now a pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with light makeup, looking innocent and harmless. However, her gaze first fell on the bell on the ground before turning to Emperor Jing and the pale-faced Princess Yongping.

"Greetings, Aunt." She then gently curtsied.

"Anle? What are you doing here?" Princess Yongping's eyes were full of surprise.

"Today is my elder brother's wedding, and Anle thought she would keep Father company and have a chat. Unexpectedly, she and Aunt had the same idea."

Jing Anle's gaze swept past Yongping's flustered expression and finally landed on the string of bells that had rolled to Emperor Jing's feet. He bent down to pick them up, his fingertips tracing the fine patterns engraved on the bells, and said with feigned curiosity, "Father, look, these bells are quite unique, but their tone is rather strange, unlike ordinary ornaments."

She handed the bell to Emperor Jing, her voice soft and filled with the curiosity of a young girl.

Princess Yongping looked even more flustered. She stepped forward and reached out to snatch it, but Jing Anle took it to Emperor Jing first.

Emperor Jing initially didn't take it seriously, but a casual glance revealed something amiss. In his early years, he had fought in numerous battles and encountered many evil and heretical forces. The patterns on this... seemed to be something commonly used in the Western Regions.

Seeing the sudden coldness in Emperor Jing's eyes, Jing Anle knew that her father must have noticed something was wrong.

"Anle, you go back first!"

Emperor Jing did not want Jing Anle to be involved in such matters in the slightest.

"No, Anle still needs to talk with Father!" Jing Anle pretended not to notice anything.

Although Emperor Jing favored Jing Anle, he was very strict at crucial moments and immediately sent someone to send Jing Anle back to Yongfu Palace.

Only Emperor Jing and Emperor Yongping remained in the room.

"Aren't you going to tell the truth?" Emperor Jing sat in his chair, holding the string of bells in his hand. His tall figure was incredibly intimidating.

Yongping felt a chill run down his spine, but still managed to explain, "This is merely a Buddhist ritual implement given to me by Master Jiquan, who said it can calm the mind and soothe the nerves. Seeing that my brother is working so hard day and night, I originally intended to use the sound of the bell to help him relax. However, what my brother said has left me somewhat confused..."

Emperor Jing touched the strange patterns on the bell, his gaze towards Yongping as cold as ice. "A Buddhist ritual implement? Yongping, do you take me for a three-year-old child?"

"Does Your Majesty really not trust Yongping at all?" Although he had done something wrong, Yongping still felt wronged. Did the person he loved with all his heart not trust him at all?

Tears welled up instantly, not from guilt, but from a mix of grievance and stubbornness. She gritted her teeth and thought to herself: No matter how Emperor Jing treats her, or where his heart is, she will want Emperor Jing.

"This was indeed a gift from Master Jiquan! My only concern is for Your Majesty's health!" She clung to Jiquan, unwilling to reveal her scheme. "If Your Majesty doesn't believe me, you can summon Master Jiquan for a confrontation. He will surely be able to prove my innocence!"

Looking at Yongping standing before him, Emperor Jing felt a dull ache in his forehead. The innocent child of the past had transformed into the fierce Princess Consort of the Southern Frontier before him.

He was aware of many of the things Yongping had done over the years, but out of consideration for their past relationship, he let them go.

now……

Emperor Jing clenched his fist and said coldly, "Summon Ji Quan."

The guards obeyed and left, and the hall fell silent for a moment.

Before long, Ji Quan, dressed in a gray monk's robe, stepped into the hall, put his hands together in a gesture of respect, and remained calm, as if he were detached from the matter.

"This humble monk pays his respects to Your Majesty and Princess Yongping."

“Master Jiquan,” Emperor Jing threw the string of bells in front of him, “this is something you gave to Yongping? She said it was a Buddhist ritual implement that could calm the mind and soothe the spirit. Do you recognize it?”

Ji Quan's gaze fell on the bell, his eyes flickered slightly, then he regained his composure and slowly said, "Your Majesty, this item was indeed a gift from this humble monk."

Yongping had barely felt a moment of relief when Jiquan continued, "But it is not a Buddhist ritual implement." His voice was calm, yet it struck Yongping like a thunderclap...