The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 132 The Empress Dowager Returns to the Palace (2)

Jing Anle followed Emperor Jing's gaze and saw that Prince Qing was quite anxious. She clearly remembered that although the Empress Dowager favored Prince Qing, she did not know that Prince Qing was so eager. They did not seem like mother and son who were not related by blood.

The incident happened suddenly; the Empress Dowager suffered an accident, and the ceremony had to be stopped.

Xie Bailing, standing in the crowd, felt utterly bored. He had specially changed into a new long robe and tied his hair up today. From a distance, all he saw was a woman in her fifties who had fallen out of her sedan chair. It was truly uninteresting.

Xie Bailing simply retreated to a corner where no one would notice him, and then openly began searching for Jing Anle in the distance.

As soon as the Empress Dowager was moved back to Zhangtai Palace, the other concubines and members of the royal family rushed to check on her condition, especially Consort Chen, who followed Prince Qing early on. Seeing Consort Chen's urgency, Consort Li was also very anxious. She was not as close to the Empress Dowager as Consort Chen, and she couldn't afford to fall behind.

"Your Highness, you mustn't be in such a hurry," Qingyu said, supporting Consort Li as she continued to persuade her. "Now that you have a prince, you naturally need to slow down. Nothing is more important than our health right now."

These words awakened Consort Li, who then slowed her pace but still followed.

In contrast, Consort Lin followed the crowd at a leisurely pace. Because everyone was in a great hurry, no one paid any attention to her.

……

Inside Zhangtai Palace.

Inside the magnificent inner chamber, the royal men waited outside the screen. The Empress Dowager, having been treated by the imperial physician, lay quietly on the bed, with the palace maid Su Rong taking care of her.

"Physician Zheng, how is it?"

Before Emperor Jing could speak, Prince Qing preemptively asked a question. Upon hearing this, Princess Qing, who was standing beside Prince Qing, subtly clenched the handkerchief in her hand, but remained silent.

Jing Anle stood aside, thinking to himself: This Prince Qing is usually so cautious, how come he can't restrain himself when it comes to the Empress Dowager's affairs?

Physician Zheng, however, was a shrewd man. He quickly replied to Emperor Jing, "Your Majesty and Prince Qing, please rest assured that the Empress Dowager's forehead is only slightly injured. Although she is currently somewhat unconscious, I estimate that she will wake up by tonight. As long as she rests well, she will be fine."

Tonight? Others may not have seen it clearly, but Jing Anle saw it clearly. The Empress Dowager, lying on the bed, had her eyelids twitching several times without being noticed. She probably had to get up as soon as they left. It must have been difficult for Physician Zheng to come up with such an excuse.

Upon hearing Physician Zheng's answer, Prince Qing visibly relaxed. It was at this moment that he noticed Emperor Jing's pale face and said with a forced smile, "In that case, Your Majesty can rest assured."

As he spoke, Prince Qing turned to Emperor Jing and bowed apologetically, "Your Majesty, I was just confused because I was worried. Please forgive me."

Princess Qing and Jing Rou also bowed, effectively placing Emperor Jing on the high platform, as if Emperor Jing's calmness meant he was indifferent to the Empress Dowager.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing's eyes darkened, and a surge of anger rose in Jing Anle's heart. No wonder he and Jing Rou were father and daughter; their behavior was exactly the same.

The room was filled with cunning individuals; anyone could see that Prince Qing's outward respect was merely a facade of provocation. Jing Anle touched the jade beaded string in her hand, feeling a wave of nausea. Prince Qing had been sinister from the very beginning.

The room was eerily quiet; no one dared to make a sound.

"Brother Qing, you flatter me."

After a long while, Emperor Jing's voice was heard. His voice was neither happy nor angry, but very clear: "Jing Kingdom has always governed the country with filial piety and righteousness. How could I possibly blame him?"

As he spoke, Emperor Jing slowly walked up to Prince Qing and extended his right hand. Prince Qing smiled slightly and stood up a little, ready for Emperor Jing to help him up.

Just as Emperor Jing and Prince Qing were a few steps apart, Emperor Jing suddenly turned around and said indifferently, "Get up."

This action caused Prince Qing's expression to change abruptly, but because he kept his head down, no one could see it clearly. In just a moment, Prince Qing had already bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Since there is nothing else, you may all leave so as not to disturb the Empress Dowager's rest."

The one who spoke was naturally Emperor Jing, whose expression was inscrutable, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

"This humble woman is willing to stay and take care of the Empress Dowager. I cannot rest easy if the Empress Dowager does not wake up." Jing Rou, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up. As she spoke, she knelt down and wept bitterly, looking very sad.

Jing Anle simply shook his head. Why was this family never going to stop? He called out, "Imperial Physician Zheng."

Physician Zheng had long known that being in the palace meant he had no control over his own life, but this situation was still quite unusual.

"The minister is here."

Jing Anle glanced at the Empress Dowager, who was feigning unconsciousness on the bed, and then stared at Physician Zheng's lowered head, asking, "Would it be better for the Empress Dowager to rest quietly?"

Suddenly, Physician Zheng felt a sweat break out on his forehead. He was pushed out of the room and felt burning up.

"Exactly."

There's no such thing as a perfect person; he could only adopt the attitude of a doctor.

"Very good," Jing Anle nodded in satisfaction, and walked up to Jing Rou. "Rou'er, did you hear that? It's best to rest quietly and not disturb your grandmother. Otherwise, people might think that only you are filial and everyone else is heartless."

Although Jing Anle smiled, the question in her words was extremely sharp. The others included not only the concubines, princes and princesses, but also the current emperor!

Jing Rou immediately understood, but she couldn't bear such a huge accusation, so she could only deny it repeatedly, "This subject...this subject didn't mean that." She secretly resented, "Jing Anle, why do you have to go against me?"

There was no true ruler in the harem, and no one dared to step forward to smooth things over. Only the voice of Princess Qing could be heard, "The princess is right, Rou'er. Your grandmother must know of your filial piety."

Jing Rou is a junior, so her words were unintentional and Emperor Jing wouldn't really hold it against her. The person he wanted to deal with was Prince Qing, his brother who harbored improper intentions.

Disgusting, utterly disgusting. At this moment, Jing Anle truly felt that this family was not only ambitious, but also scheming in every word and deed.

"What Your Highness says is true. Your Highness is feeling unwell, you should go and rest as well." Consort Li had been pondering for a long time, and finally she had a chance to speak. Although her rank was not high, she still held the title of managing the six palaces.

Upon hearing this, Consort Chen was also displeased. They were all consorts, so how could she be the only one to steal the limelight? She seized the opportunity, moved closer to Princess Qing, and said, "That's right, Your Highness should take good care of yourself."

If Consort Li was being polite and considerate, then Consort Chen was deliberately trying to please him, unaware that her actions greatly displeased Emperor Jing.

"Thank you both, Your Highnesses." Princess Qing bowed with a smile before withdrawing.

Emperor Jing watched the departing figures of Prince Qing and his entourage, then glanced back at the Empress Dowager lying on the bed, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes.

Jing Anle almost thought she was seeing things. She clearly remembered that in her previous life, her father was extremely respectful and obedient to the Empress Dowager. But seeing it today, she felt that this was not the case.

After a flurry of activity, it was already noon.

Everyone had gotten up early this morning and was now exhausted, hungry, and thirsty.

If they were in such a state, one can only imagine how difficult it must have been for the Empress Dowager on the bed, who was probably starving and still had to pretend to be unconscious.

"You may all leave!" Only after Emperor Jing spoke did everyone withdraw, leaving only Emperor Jing and Jing Anle behind.

Jing Anle had noticed Jing Fengyao's absence earlier, but what she said was, "Father, there's no need to worry. The Empress Dowager is a lucky person." Her tone was mournful, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, and she looked heartbroken.

Heavenly signs? Jing Anle wished the Empress Dowager had just kowtowed to death outside the palace.