The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 259 Suspicion Arises (1)

Winter weather can change in an instant. The sky, which had been sunny, turned gray in a flash, and snow began to fall faintly.

As Jing Anle emerged from the hall, the snow intensified.

"Princess, why don't we wait until the snow subsides a bit before we go?" Zhao Yayi followed closely behind. She looked at the sky, also surprised and puzzled, wondering how the weather had changed so quickly.

"This snow isn't going to stop anytime soon, so it's best to return to the palace quickly," Afang advised.

Jing Anle knew that the heavy snow would make travel difficult, when suddenly a man stumbled in from outside the gatehouse. It was the guard who had been escorting Jing Anle.

"Princess!"

"The old wall on the road ahead has collapsed, and we can't go any further now."

Afang, unable to contain her impatience, asked anxiously, "When can we leave?"

"I have already sent people to clean up, and they should be able to return to the palace in about an hour," the guard said respectfully.

It was fine when I arrived. Jing Anle was puzzled. She looked up at the sky. Although it had been snowing for the past few days, the snow accumulation was far from enough to collapse the wall.

“In that case, Princess, why don’t you go inside and rest for a while?” Zhao Yayi said.

Having been indoors for a while with a charcoal fire burning inside, Jing Anle wanted some fresh air and asked, "Does your residence have a terrace or gazebo?"

Zhao Yayi immediately understood and was secretly annoyed at herself for not being hospitable enough. She hurriedly said, "There is a scenic terrace in the mansion where one can watch the rain in spring, admire the lotus in summer, appreciate the chrysanthemums in autumn, and enjoy the snow in winter. I would be grateful if Your Highness would take the opportunity to visit it."

Jing Anle followed Zhao Yayi for a short while before arriving at a pavilion.

There's a pond in front of me, a bamboo grove behind me, and I'm on high ground with a wide and bright view. The snow is falling even harder now, drifting down like dancing snowflakes. It falls into the pond and creates flowers when it touches the water—it's truly a wonderful sight.

"What a beautiful view!" Jing Anle had been accustomed to elaborate and magnificent scenery since childhood, and seeing such a scene occasionally filled him with delight.

Zhao Yayi hadn't expected Jing Anle to be so easygoing, and her liking for the princess grew even stronger.

"Since the princess likes it, then let me accompany the princess to enjoy the snow."

"Ah."

The two were enjoying the snow when a maid came to report that Madam Zhao had fallen ill.

"fall ill!"

Zhao Yayi's expression changed drastically. She hurriedly apologized to Jing Anle and left in a hurry.

Jing Anle wanted to go along to see if she could help, but Zhao Yayi refused, citing her old health condition, and told Jing Anle not to worry.

She wondered to herself if Zhao Xun's return to Beijing was also related to Madam Zhao's illness.

"Afang, what time is it now?" Jing Anle had no interest in appreciating the snow and was thinking about returning to the palace as soon as possible.

“There’s still half an hour left. The guards said they’d let us know when we’re ready to depart,” Afang replied.

"That's good."

Both master and servant were wearing thick cloaks, so they weren't cold. As snowflakes fluttered down, Jing Anle felt a sudden pang of sorrow.

"Now I come to think of it, and the rain and snow are falling heavily."

Upon hearing Jing Anle recite poetry, Afang was filled with questions: "Who is the princess thinking of?"

Now it was Jing Anle's turn to gasp. The slight sorrow she felt turned into helplessness. It seemed she couldn't spoil this girl too much. She would have to make her memorize a couple more poems when they got back.

"Hmm? Princess!" Afang blinked her adorable big eyes and asked again, "If the princess misses someone, this servant will bring them back for you, so that the princess will not suffer the pain of unrequited love."

At this moment, Jing Anle was completely speechless and helpless.

My heart is grieved, but no one knows my sorrow.

"Hmm?" A voice suddenly rang out from behind them, "The snow scene is beautiful now, why is the princess filled with sorrow?"

That voice... it sounds so familiar.

"Young Master Xie?" Afang's shock was no less than Jing Anle's.

The person who arrived was none other than Xie Bailing!