The princess regretted it.

In Wuqiu Palace, Concubine Zhang was pruning a red camellia plant in the hall with scissors in hand, a look of deep thought on her face. Just now, she had heard about Miss Lin's broken leg, and she was shocked, and countless doubts surged in her heart.

The imperial concubine tilted her head slightly, looking at Qiuwen beside her, and whispered, "Qiuwen, do you think Miss Lin's misfortune was truly an accident? I find this matter quite strange." Qiuwen nodded slightly and responded in a low voice, "Your Majesty, this matter is indeed strange. I, your servant, also feel that something is amiss."

The imperial concubine frowned slightly, and after a moment's silence, she said, "I've been thinking about it, and I feel there must be something behind this." Qiu Wen nodded in agreement, "Yes, Your Majesty. You just invited her to the banquet yesterday, and now she's in trouble. And I heard she won't be able to dance anymore. Do you think this could be..."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Zhang's eyes narrowed, their gaze instantly becoming sharp. She turned to look at Qiu Wen, "Are you saying this is directed at me? Someone wants to use this to frame me?"

Qiu Wen hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, this is just my guess. But, Your Majesty, please think about what happened to Miss Lin at the banquet yesterday!" Qiu Wen pointed in the direction of Feiyu Palace.

A complex expression flashed across the Imperial Concubine's eyes, a mixture of suspicion and fear. She continued, "Princess Jin'an has always been intelligent and astute. Could it be that she has discovered something? Yesterday, she used Miss Lin's dance to her advantage, and I found it somewhat strange. But if this is indeed her doing, then her methods are truly formidable."

Qiu Wen, knowing Concubine Zhang well, offered a suggestion: "Your Majesty, I think that regardless of whether Princess Jin'an did this or not, we should investigate. If we can find evidence against Princess Jin'an, it will be of great benefit to Your Majesty."

After listening to this, Concubine Zhang thought it made sense, but she frowned soon and said worriedly, "But, you must not use the palace staff to investigate this matter. If the emperor finds out that I'm secretly investigating Princess Jin'an, it will be troublesome." She turned her eyes and whispered to Qiuwen, "Well, you go out of the palace and ask my eldest brother to help investigate this matter. They act outside the palace, which is relatively much more covert. As long as they are careful, they will be able to find some clues." Qiuwen responded and hurried out of the palace to make arrangements.

Concubine Zhang gripped the scissors tightly, pondering all the possibilities. "Snap!" A camellia in full bloom was snipped off, and Concubine Zhang, lost in thought, didn't even notice. She didn't even hear Changsun Jiaoyu arrive. Princess Jiaoyu looked at the fallen camellia on the ground and inexplicably called out, "Mother?"

Concubine Zhang was lost in her own thoughts, and the sound of the voice snapped her out of her consciousness. She slowly turned her head, her gaze settling on Changsun Jiaoyu. A gentle smile played on her lips, she put down the scissors in her hand, and whispered, "You're here."

Changsun Jiaoyu took light steps, bent down and picked up the cut camellia on the ground. Her eyebrows knitted slightly, and she asked in confusion, "Is there something on my mind, mother? You even cut off such a beautiful flower."

Concubine Zhang was stunned for a moment, her eyes falling on the cut camellia. A wave of heartache welled up in her. But she quickly calmed down, her face showing no sign of it. She continued with a gentle smile, "What could be worrying Mother? I'm just thinking about your brother."

"My brother's matter?" Changsun Jiaoyu was slightly stunned, but after a moment's thought, she understood. "Is mother thinking about my brother's marriage?"

Concubine Zhang nodded slightly, her eyes full of love as she said, "Your brother will be leaving the palace to build his own residence next year. How can I not be anxious? It's not just your brother, but yours as well. The lifelong affairs of you two siblings are the most important things in your heart."

When Changsun Jiaoyu heard this, she immediately became shy, stamped her feet lightly, and said coquettishly, "Mother!" After that, she turned and walked towards the window and slowly sat down on the chair.

Concubine Zhang looked at her daughter's charming appearance, smiled happily, and followed her. She gently took Zhangsun Jiaoyu's hand and said with emotion, "How fast things have progressed! My daughter has become a graceful little beauty. It's just that your nature is too gentle. Mother will have to make some plans for you."

Changsun Jiaoyu lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushed, and she said softly, "Mother, there's no need to rush about my daughter's affairs. But brother, does Mother have a woman she likes?"

Concubine Zhang sighed softly and said, "There were indeed a few before, but none of them were satisfactory. Let's wait and see."

Changsun Jiaoyu nodded. "Mother is right. I wonder what kind of suit would you like to choose for my brother?"

Concubine Zhang smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry about this. Let your mother take care of these matters."

Zhangsun Jiaoyu pursed her lips and said coquettishly, "Mother, I'm just curious, but your vision is definitely not wrong. You will definitely find a good sister-in-law for me."

Concubine Zhang smiled and looked at Zhangsun Jiaoyu lovingly, "You only know how to make me happy. I will also carefully monitor your marriage. I won't let you suffer any injustice."

Changsun Jiaoyu blushed and said, "My daughter believes in mother."

A hint of relief flashed in Concubine Zhang's eyes, "Don't worry, your mother will definitely find a perfect husband for you." As she said that, she gently patted Changsun Jiaoyu's hand.

Changsun Jiaoyu suddenly realized that she hadn't seen Aunt Qiuwen in such a long time, so she asked, "Mother, why don't I see Aunt Qiuwen today?"

Concubine Zhang's eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled and said, "Mother asked Qiuwen to leave the palace and send some things to your maternal grandparents. Your maternal grandparents have been very concerned about you recently, so sending some things to them will let them know that everything is going well in the palace."

Zhangsun Jiaoyu was doubtful and replied thoughtfully, "Oh!" Then she slowly stood up and bowed, saying, "Mother, I have to go to my sister Jin'an soon. I have to prepare some cakes that she likes. I will take my leave now."

Concubine Zhang looked at Zhangsun Jiaoyu with a bitter feeling in her heart and said gently, "Okay! Go ahead. I know you care about your sister, but you shouldn't do everything yourself and tire yourself out."

Zhangsun Jiaoyu nodded softly and turned to leave. Concubine Zhang narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at her daughter, thinking to herself: Ever since Jin'an came into being, Yu'er hasn't been as favored by the Emperor as she is. Yu'er is too kindhearted, thinking she's the older sister and giving in to Jin'an in everything. It seems I need to make careful plans myself. If I can successfully move into the Central Palace, then Ji'er and Yu'er will have a better chance. Jin'an's recent behavior has been quite unusual. If I can't win her over, then don't blame me for being rude.

Concubine Zhang was still preoccupied with paving the way for her daughter, unaware that her supposedly kind daughter was currently in her own palace, gloomily ordering her confidants to investigate Qiuwen's whereabouts. She believed her mother must be hiding something from her. Why would she suddenly allow Qiuwen to go to her maternal grandparents' home if it wasn't a special occasion or a significant ritual? This was truly bizarre. Normally, Qiuwen wouldn't have been sent to her maternal grandparents' home at this time unless it was a special holiday or a significant ritual. What could have happened to prompt her mother to make such an arrangement? Was there something urgent at her maternal grandparents' home? Or perhaps something had happened that required her mother to pass on some important information through Qiuwen? There was definitely something hidden.

After everything was arranged, Changsun Jiaoyu called her personal maid Cuiguo to change her clothes into a lotus pink gauze dress, and walked towards Feiyu Palace with the Poria cocos cake she had prepared in advance.