The princess regretted it.

In Wuqiu Palace, Concubine Zhang smashed several pieces of porcelain in a rage, but her emotions remained unresolved. Her chest rose and fell with each heavy breath, her proud figure becoming even more prominent. The shards of porcelain scattered across the floor seemed to speak of her rage.

Princess Jiaoyu quietly waited for her mother to finish throwing things. She looked calm, as if she was used to it. After her mother calmed down a bit, she calmly said to Qiuwen, "Aunt, have someone clean up!" Qiuwen immediately obeyed and sent someone in to clean up the floor.

Jiaoyu watched them clean up everything, then she turned to look at Concubine Zhang and said softly, "Mother, why are you so angry?"

Concubine Zhang said angrily: "Your father has been avoiding me recently. Several times I sent people to invite him over, but he always found excuses to send us away. It must be that Jin'an said something in front of your father." Her eyes were full of anger and suspicion, as if she had already determined that Jin'an was the culprit.

Princess Jiaoyu's expression remained calm after hearing this. She spoke slowly, "Mother, Father is only going to Jin'an's palace, not to any of the other concubines. Why bother making things difficult for yourself?" Her tone was calm, as she tried to dissuade her mother from being so sensitive.

"But didn't you say today that the Grand Princess wanted your father, the Emperor, to select a concubine?" Concubine Zhang said impatiently. Her brow furrowed, her worry evident.

"Mother, didn't my grandfather already say that they would find a way to stop it? What are you still worried about?" Jiaoyu looked confident, her eyes revealing confidence and composure.

"Jiao Yu, you don't know, mother has always felt that something is wrong recently, and I am always a little panicked. Your second brother is also deliberately avoiding me now, and rarely comes to mother. Mother is a little worried. She is the eldest princess, and His Majesty has always listened to his aunt. What if..." Concubine Zhang's tone was full of anxiety. She held Princess Jiao Yu's hand tightly, as if seeking comfort.

"Mother, I've finally calmed down and thought, even if there really is a selection, what's the point? You're in charge of all harem affairs now. Don't all the newcomers have to obey you?" Jiaoyu twitched her lips slightly, speaking slowly, word by word. Her eyes gleamed with a cold glint that chilled anyone who saw her.

After hearing her daughter's words, Concubine Zhang calmed down a lot. "That's right! Now that I'm in the same position as the Empress, even if those bitches enter the palace, what kind of trouble can they cause? I want to punish them in some ways, some of which are unknown to the public. For so many years, who in this harem dared to show up?"

She took Princess Jiaoyu's hand and gently stroked it, a fierce glint in her eyes. "Jiaoyu is right. Mother was impatient. However, we can't let our guard down. We must remain cautious. Jin'an is becoming increasingly sinister, completely different from before." Her tone was filled with vigilance, as if she was ready to respond to any crisis.

Jiaoyu nodded and said, "Don't worry, mother. I know what's going on." Her eyes revealed a fierceness and determination that made Concubine Zhang feel at ease.

Concubine Zhang nodded slightly, leaning back on the couch, pondering countermeasures. She already had some ideas in mind. She knew that within the harem, only by constantly scheming and fighting could she maintain her position and power. "Don't you want the Emperor to select a concubine? I can just arrange someone for the Emperor myself." Besides, what if the chosen one can't bear children? What will happen to you?

Of course, the eldest princess had no idea that her visit to the palace, just to fulfill her grandson's request, would cause quite a stir. She thought it was just an ordinary visit to the palace, but she didn't expect it to trigger a series of chain reactions.

Jin An had no idea that his impromptu prank on Zhangsun Jiaoyu would lead to so many unexpected consequences, accelerating the downfall of Concubine Zhang's faction. Later, Jin An couldn't help but sigh, "Too much evil will lead to one's own downfall! Being too clever can only lead to one's own failure."

Back at the Duke of Huguo's residence, Zhong Chuzhou, a rare exception, stayed home. He eagerly anticipated his grandmother's return, and upon learning her carriage was about to arrive, he hurried to the gate to greet her respectfully. As the Grand Princess disembarked, she saw her eldest grandson, his face calm but his eyes filled with anticipation, reaching out his hand.

The Grand Princess smiled inwardly, rolled her eyes at him, and then placed her hand on the one he extended, slowly getting out of the carriage. After getting off the carriage and stabilizing herself, she said nothing more, simply took her hand away from Zhong Chuzhou and said, "Chuzhou, are you going out again?" Without waiting for her grandson to answer, she said to her personal nanny, "Let's go back to the courtyard first." After that, the nanny understood and immediately stepped forward to help the Grand Princess. She walked slowly into the mansion with a normal expression and walked towards the courtyard.