The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 347 Yongping's Deception

The Empress Dowager's smile vanished instantly, and her gaze shifted to Qin Zhihua. She tightened her grip on Qin Zhihua's wrist with her fingertips, her knuckles turning white, but her tone was soft and amused, "Zhihua, you seem so honest. Why didn't you say a word just now? Do you also think I'm getting senile and meddling in too many other things?"

Qin Zhihua's wrist ached from being gripped so tightly, but she dared not pull away. She bit her lip, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes, but her face remained relatively calm. She could only respectfully say, "Zhihua wouldn't dare..."

Just then, Jing Fengyao stepped forward, bowed slightly, and interrupted the Empress Dowager in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, “Grandmother, please calm down. Zhihua is naturally shy and inevitably reserved. She did not mean to be negligent. My household affairs are complicated, and the two concubines still need time to adapt. I hope Grandmother will not hold it against them.”

His tone was gentle, yet it carried a subtle air of unquestionable authority.

The Empress Dowager glanced at him sideways, a cold glint flashing in her eyes, but she couldn't lash out in front of Emperor Jing. She could only slowly release Qin Zhihua's wrist, then stroke the phoenix hairpin at her temple, sighed deeply, and her tone suddenly became mournful, "To hold a grudge? How dare I hold a grudge? I was only thinking of Yongping's suffering."

"Back then, when the barbarians of the southern frontier were causing chaos and the border was engulfed in flames, who was willing to marry a man thousands of miles away and sacrifice himself for the peace of the border? It was Yongping! She was just a pampered princess, yet she had to endure years of hardship in that desolate land. Even returning to the capital required her to be subservient to others. Now, she only wants to stay a few more days, yet she is caught in this dilemma..."

These words, each one uttered with heartbreaking sorrow, moved the palace attendants standing in the hall to tears.

Emperor Jing sat upright on the dragon throne, the warmth of the teacup in his hand long since dissipated. He lowered his eyes, his fingertips casually stroking the cloud pattern on the bottom of the cup. His face showed no emotion, but in his heart, he was already sneering.

How could Yongping's thoughts possibly escape his notice?

Although her marriage to the Southern Frontier was a reluctant decision, it made her the high and mighty Queen of the Southern Frontier, earning the respect of its people. Over the years, she has wielded real power there and is no longer the princess who could be manipulated at will.

My return to Beijing is nothing more than an attempt to stay in the capital and scheme for things I shouldn't be scheming for!

The Empress Dowager wanted to add a few more words to persuade him to give in, but suddenly a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall. A little eunuch tumbled in and knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling uncontrollably, "Your Majesty! Empress Dowager! Something terrible has happened! Princess Yongping... the princess has fallen into the ice cave in the Imperial Garden and is now unconscious. The imperial physicians are on their way there!"

"What?!" The Empress Dowager suddenly raised her voice, her sorrow turning into surprise in an instant. Yongping was not her biological son, and her pleading for him was only for the sake of Prince Qing's grand plan. But she never expected that Yongping would be so ruthless to himself in order to stay.

Emperor Jing slowly put down his teacup, a cold glint flashing in his eyes before he quickly concealed it, his face displaying just the right amount of solemnity. Then he abruptly stood up and said in a deep voice, "Prepare the carriage! Set up the imperial garden!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to remember something, turned to look at Jing Fengyao, and said in a calm tone, "Take the two concubines back to the manor first. You don't need to get involved in palace affairs."

Jing Fengyao understood immediately and bowed, replying, "Your subject obeys."

Chu Mingyue and Qin Zhihua also quickly bowed, and the three of them quietly withdrew.

Now that things have come to this, how can she not continue the charade? The Empress Dowager was so anxious that she staggered and was supported by Su Rong. She still turned back to Emperor Jing and cried out, "Your Majesty! You must save Yongping! If anything happens to her, I will..." As she spoke, she kept wiping away tears with her handkerchief, truly displaying the heart of a loving mother and the deep affection between mother and daughter.

Emperor Jing glanced at her indifferently, his voice respectful yet cold, "Mother, rest assured, I will have the imperial physicians do their utmost to treat you."

He strode out, the hem of his dragon robe sweeping across the cold gold brick floor, stirring up a cool breeze.

Since Yongping wanted to play this self-inflicted injury trick, he would play along to the end.

But once the stage is set up, when the show ends is no longer up to her.

Many palace servants and eunuchs had already gathered by the ice cave in the Imperial Garden. When Emperor Jing and the Empress Dowager arrived, they all knelt down and dared not utter a sound.

So much time has passed since the eunuch reported that Yongping had fallen into the water, yet Yongping has still not been brought back to the palace. It's obvious that this was Yongping's deliberate act, wanting himself and the palace servants to know about it and see for themselves what he would do.

Now that everyone knows she fell into the water, they can't force her to return to southern Xinjiang.

Emperor Jing strode to the ice cave and looked at Yongping, who had been pulled out of the water, soaking wet and unconscious. Her face was pale and she looked very unwell.

Emperor Jing frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Issue my decree that the head of the Imperial Medical Academy personally examine the princess and ensure her life is saved. Also, send people to guard the area around this ice cave and forbid anyone from approaching, and thoroughly investigate the cause of the princess falling into the water."

His gaze swept over the silent palace servants around him, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

Yongping, oh Yongping, your falling into the water has given me an opportunity.