The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 317 Guessing the Real Murderer

Wei Nian personally helped lift the heavy curtain, and a cold wind blew in, carrying some snowflakes.

"It's snowing?" Jing Anle was somewhat surprised.

It's common for snow to fall in the twelfth lunar month, but tonight, when she accompanied Consort Lin to Xuanyang Palace to investigate poison, it hadn't snowed yet.

“You are most afraid of the cold, Wei Nian, escort the princess back to Yongfu Palace for me.” Emperor Jing frowned. He was so worried about Jing Anle that he completely forgot that everyone was currently being held in the back hall of Xuanyang Palace.

Jing Anle immediately stopped her, saying, "Father loves Anle dearly, and Anle is extremely grateful. However, since the real culprit has not yet been caught, in order to show justice, I should return to the inner palace first to avoid causing controversy."

After speaking, Jing Anle raised her head again, looking innocent and puzzled, "Father, you were gone for so long today, did you find the murderer?"

"Don't worry, there will be results after dawn. Alright, you should go back quickly. You're exhausted today, go back and get some rest."

Emperor Jing was unwilling to say more, so Jing Anle had no choice but to go back and wait for news.

When they returned to the inner palace, everyone had already rested. Although they were nominally detained, they each had their own rooms for the night. Jing Anle sat on the bed, recalling Emperor Jing's words: "The results will be known at dawn."

What does this mean? Has Father found the real culprit? Or does he already have a plan?

"Princess, let me help you change and go to bed." It was Afang who spoke.

So much has happened today. I didn’t realize it before, but now that I’m sitting down, I feel exhausted and my body is stiff.

"How's the matter I asked you to do coming along?"

Jingrou is pregnant, and such good news should naturally be announced to the world so that everyone knows.

"Princess, rest assured, the two palace servants we sent have already deliberately informed Yelü Yuanxiu of the matter. I presume those foreign princes already know about it by now." Afang's voice was extremely low, and her face was filled with a triumphant smile.

After spending half a year with these foreign princes, Jing Anle had begun to figure things out.

Aside from Xiao Heng, Xia Tingfu is warm, open-minded, upright, and cheerful. Although Luo Wei is handsome, he is somewhat reserved and often acts cautiously. The most distinctive character is Yelü Yuanxiu, who acts flamboyantly and speaks without reservation, making him the most likely to offend people.

Later, Qi Zhi became cunning and ruthless. When Yelü Yuanxiu arrived, the two were irreconcilable enemies. Now, even the surface peace has been broken, and there's bound to be a good show to watch.

Regardless of whether the two of them had a grudge, it was a fact that he had gotten Jingrou pregnant. Other princes would not have deliberately made a fuss about it, but Yelü Yuanxiu was different. He would definitely make it known to everyone, so it was most appropriate for him to say it himself.

If that happens, Qi Zhi will lose face and will only suspect that the Prince Qing's Mansion did it on purpose, which will deepen his resentment.

As for Jing Rou, hmph, she loves power and wealth so much, and now she's suffering the consequences; it's her own fault.

Seeing that Jing Anle was still pondering, Afang became a little anxious. She felt very sorry for Jing Anle, who had stayed up all night, and advised her, "Princess, you should go to sleep first. It will be dawn in two hours."

Yes, it's almost dawn. Jing Anle looked out the window; it was still pitch black outside.

"Afang, who do you think the murderer is?" Jing Anle suddenly asked.

Afang waved her hand in fright, "This servant doesn't know."

From yesterday until now, she has witnessed Consort Li being poisoned and Xuanyang Palace being sealed off. This matter has caused such a big uproar that she dares not speak recklessly.

"Look how scared you are! I was just asking casually. Can you help me think of who it could be?"

Jing Anle was very tired after a busy day.

"Hmm..." Afang frowned, as if she was really thinking seriously. After a while, she pouted and said, "This servant can't figure it out. There are so many people in the harem who are scheming against each other. It could be other noble ladies or beauties who are jealous of Consort Li. But anyone could be it, but it definitely can't be Crown Prince Qi. He is the child's biological father!"

These words left Jing Anle speechless. She shook Afang's shoulders, "Afang, what did you say?"

Afang was a little confused, her big eyes looking cute and innocent. "This servant said, anyone could be..."

“That’s not the sentence!” Jing Anle grabbed Afang’s hand and pulled her down to sit on the bed.

"You think the murderer might be Prince Qi?" Jing Anle asked.

Afang swallowed hard, nodded blankly, and hesitated before saying, "They say even tigers don't eat their cubs, so why would Crown Prince Qi harm Princess Rou?"

Jing Anle gently tapped Afang's head and scolded, "I'm not clear-headed, and you're confused too, aren't you? We're talking about Consort Li's poisoning right now. What does that have to do with Jing Rou, and what does it have to do with Qi Zhi?"

"Oh dear!" Afang pinched her arm hard to clear her mind. She turned to look at Jing Anle, her face full of self-reproach and regret. "It was my mistake. Please forgive me, Princess."

From yesterday until now, Afang has not slept a wink either, which Jing Anle understands very well. However, in the deep palace, some things cannot be said carelessly. But Afang's wrong association may not be without value, and it even gave Jing Anle a bold idea.

That is, the poison was originally intended for Jing Rou, but Consort Li accidentally ingested it.

If that's the case, what happened in between?

The moment this idea came to mind, Jing Anle felt it was increasingly likely. Qi Zhi was a man of deep thoughts; how could he be easily manipulated by Prince Qing? If Jing Rou were to miscarry, it would be more like a way for him to break free from the shackles of Prince Qing's mansion, or even a form of revenge against Prince Qing's mansion's schemes.

She decided to investigate Qi Zhi's whereabouts the previous night as soon as it was light, hoping to find some clues. With that in mind, she forced her tired body to lie down, thinking that she would be able to better investigate the case if she was well-rested.

Seeing the princess lie down, Afang gently covered her with a blanket and then lay down on a small couch nearby.

The snow was still falling outside the window, and Jing Anle gradually fell asleep amidst her chaotic thoughts. What awaited her was a new day of open and covert struggles.