The princess regretted it.

Ziyun resigned herself to her fate and walked to where the bowls were placed. She picked up a bowl and paced back to where she had been standing in horse stance. She took the correct stance, placed the bowl under her head, and then squatted down in horse stance.

Han Shuang was no longer shaking his head like before. Instead, he looked very serious and was instructing Ziyun in a serious manner.

Princess Jin'an sat on a chair in the corridor, looking at Ziyun and Hanshuang with interest, while Nanny Zhao stood quietly by the side, occasionally looking at Princess Jin'an, then at Ziyun and Hanshuang.

"Mammy, do you think I can practice with you?" Jin An said slowly.

Zhao Mama said nervously, "Princess, you are a precious child, you can't do this! This martial arts training is too arduous. What if you get hurt? You just need to watch from the side, but you must not practice martial arts yourself.

"But didn't you say before that I would feel better if I exercised my muscles?" Jin An said slowly.

"Oh! Princess, that's different. You can stretch your muscles by taking a walk, appreciating flowers, or moving around in the yard, but practicing martial arts is different. Practicing martial arts is so dangerous. If you get hurt, how can I explain to Your Majesty? Princess, just listen to me, don't even think about practicing martial arts." Nanny Zhao's face was full of worry. While she was eagerly persuading Jin'an, she kept waving her hands, as if she wanted to completely dispel Jin'an's idea of practicing martial arts.

"I see Ziyun is training very well, there is no danger." Jin An said slowly.

"Princess, Ziyun is thinking that after she has mastered the skills, she will be able to better protect you. Princess, you see there are so many skills to protect you, so you don't need to learn them. Otherwise, if they learn them but have no place to use them, wouldn't all your efforts be in vain?" Nanny Zhao was trying her best to persuade her.

Jin An raised his eyebrows slightly, and said unwillingly, "Mammy, I'll just try. It's not like I'll get hurt. Besides, Han Shuang is watching over me, so I'll be fine."

Madam Zhao shook her head repeatedly, her tone becoming more urgent. "Princess, you absolutely cannot do that. If anything were to happen to you, even if I had ten lives, it wouldn't be enough to compensate you. You can't joke with your body. Practicing martial arts is not something you should do."

Jin An looked at Zhao Ma's anxious attitude, smiled, and did not insist any further, saying, "Okay, Ma, I won't practice."

Zhao Ma finally breathed a sigh of relief, a pleased smile on her face. "Princess, if you want to move around, I'll take you for a walk in the garden, or even to the lake to enjoy the scenery. That would be so pleasant."

Jin An nodded and turned his gaze to Zi Yun and Han Shuang who were practicing martial arts. Seeing their serious expressions, Jin An thought to himself, "I have to avoid Madam Nanny and ask Han Shuang."

Meanwhile, Madam Zhao was secretly thinking, "I need to tell Han Shuang in advance. I absolutely must not agree to the princess's request to practice martial arts."

The thoughts of the master and servant are strangely similar yet contradictory.

The next day, after court was dismissed, Minister Lin looked at Prime Minister Mu in front of him and quickly caught up with him. "Where are you going, Prime Minister?"

Prime Minister Mu glanced at him, smiled officially, and said, "What's the matter, Minister Lin?"

Minister Lin glanced at his colleagues, chuckled, and said, "I have some matters regarding this year's local harvest that I'd like to consult with Minister Mu. Is that convenient?"

Prime Minister Mu knew this was just a pretense. He smiled and said, "I'm not worthy of your advice, but if Minister Lin truly has any questions, we can discuss them."

Minister Lin quickly smiled and said, "That's great! But there are so many people here, it's not convenient to discuss in detail. Why don't we go to Zuixianlou, sit down for a drink, and discuss it slowly?"

"Okay!" Mu Xiang agreed readily.

The two men walked out of the palace together. Not far behind them, the Minister of War, Zhang Chengde, gazed at them intently, his eyes narrowed slightly, a sinister expression on his face. Ever since the Qi Kui incident, Minister Lin had been openly and covertly targeting officials in his own camp at court.

Now that he was close to Prime Minister Mu, he seemed to understand what he meant. He left the palace with a gloomy face and returned home.

At the entrance of Zuixianlou, Minister Lin quickly got off his carriage first, then stood beside Prime Minister Mu's carriage, waiting for him to get off. The two of them walked towards Zuixianlou one after another. The shopkeeper of Zuixianlou saw them and hurriedly came forward to greet them, "My two lords, please come upstairs."

The shopkeeper led the two upstairs, and Minister Lin followed Prime Minister Mu upstairs. The shopkeeper led the two to an elegant private room. Minister Lin asked the shopkeeper to prepare some food. The shopkeeper respectfully withdrew and went to make the arrangements. He closed the door of the private room as he left.

Minister Lin waited until Prime Minister Mu sat down before he slowly took his seat. With a humble smile on his face, he said, "Prime Minister Mu, I'm sorry to have invited you today. I do have some questions in my mind and would like to ask for your guidance."

Prime Minister Mu looked at Minister Lin with a deep gaze and said calmly, "Minister Lin, please feel free to speak."

Minister Lin cleared his throat and said carefully, "I wonder what Minister Mu thinks about the matter I mentioned last time?"

"You said that the matter is of great importance and cannot be decided lightly. Minister Lin should understand that this matter concerns His Majesty and the harem, and requires long-term consideration." Prime Minister Mu frowned slightly and said in a calm tone.

Minister Lin, showing his eagerness, said, "Prime Minister, if this can be accomplished, it will benefit both you and me. The situation is so unpredictable right now, we should seize the opportunity."

Prime Minister Mu was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Minister Lin, don't be anxious. This matter requires careful planning. The slightest mistake could lead to disaster. Not to mention that your daughter hasn't recovered yet, even the selection won't take place until February of next year. We still have time to discuss this matter."

Minister Lin sighed slightly and said, "Your Excellency is absolutely right. I was just too impatient. But I hope the Prime Minister will make a decision on this matter as soon as possible."

Prime Minister Mu nodded slightly and said, "I will consider this matter myself. Minister Lin, please wait patiently. I have also informed Princess Jin'an of your daughter's intentions. Princess Jin'an may seek an opportunity to meet with your daughter in the future. You should be prepared."

Upon hearing this, Minister Lin had no choice but to respond, "Yes, I will obey the Prime Minister's orders."

At this moment, there was a knock on the door of the private room, and the shopkeeper's voice came from outside the door, "Sir, the food you ordered is ready. Would you like to bring it in?"

Minister Lin looked at Prime Minister Mu, waiting for his signal. Prime Minister Mu nodded slightly and said, "Send it in."

The shopkeeper pushed open the door, followed by several waiters, who placed exquisite dishes on the table. After the waiters left, the shopkeeper said respectfully, "Enjoy your meal, my lords. If you need anything, please call me anytime." With that, he gently closed the door and retreated.

Minister Lin looked at the table full of delicacies and said with a smile: "Prime Minister, the dishes of Zuixianlou are the best in the capital. Today we are eating and drinking to our heart's content, which is not a waste of this delicious food."

Prime Minister Mu nodded slightly and said, "Well, Minister Lin is thoughtful."

The two chatted and occasionally tasted the dishes. Behind this seemingly harmonious scene, there were complex political games and considerations of interests.