The princess regretted it.

As soon as Zhong Chuzhou said this, the eldest princess's expression suddenly became gloomy. She raised her hand and slammed the table hard, angrily scolding: "Evil creature! How can you do this?" The majesty of the royal family suddenly spread in her tone.

The eldest princess tried hard to hold her breath, but the rapid rise and fall of her chest and abdomen showed how angry she was at the moment. How could she not be angry? One was the grandson born to her most beloved daughter, and the other was the grandson she had placed great hopes on. Yet, it was her own grandson who had deceived her and arranged a marriage for him, even though she knew that her grandson liked a woman.

"Grandma, please don't be angry. I am not trying to snatch Zixuan's marriage away. I am trying to maintain the relationship between Jin'an and my aunt's family that has finally been restored." Zhong Chuzhou knelt down quickly and explained to the eldest princess.

"What nonsense! You're still trying to argue? You already knew your aunt had mentioned marriage to Jin An, yet you still tricked me into telling Jin An you wanted to marry her. Wasn't that intentional? Huh?!" The eldest princess was truly furious. She scolded him angrily, slamming her hands on the table.

Zhong Chuzhou said seriously, "Grandmother, my aunt didn't formally send anyone to ask Jin'an for marriage. Instead, my uncle wrote home, mentioning his intention for my cousin to marry Jin'an. My aunt simply asked Ziyun to go back and consult Jin'an first. Furthermore, my cousin came to me and said he didn't want to marry Jin'an. I don't want my cousin's refusal to hurt Jin'an and affect their friendship. Of course, I do have selfish motives. I've always had feelings for Jin'an, so I came to ask for your intervention."

"If it is true as you said, why didn't you tell me at the beginning, but chose to hide it from me?" the eldest princess asked sternly.

"It is true that my grandson was wrong. I don't have the confidence to convince my grandmother, and I am also worried that if Jin'an agrees unilaterally and Zixuan is unwilling, how will Jin'an cope with it? That's why my grandson resorted to this last resort. I beg for your understanding, grandmother." Zhong Chuzhou knelt there with his back straight, speaking frankly and sincerely.

"Hehe, so what you mean is that you did the right thing?" The eldest princess asked back with an unsatisfied look. In her heart, she believed Zhong Chuzhou's words to some extent, but still felt that his approach was inappropriate and not very gentlemanly.

Zhong Chuzhou quickly replied, "No, Grandma, you're right to reprimand me. It's true that I didn't act honestly enough, which brought shame to the family and my aunt. Don't worry, I'll apologize to you and explain the reason."

The Grand Princess didn't reply, but sat there, calming her anger and pondering Zhong Chuzhou's words. She had actually come to believe her grandson's words, as she hadn't heard a word about the Prime Minister's residence wanting to marry Jin'an, and Wen Qing hadn't brought any information. But Zixuan had always loved Jin'an and cared for him. How could he not want to marry him? She looked up at Zhong Chuzhou again, "You said Zixuan came to you and said you didn't want to marry Jin'an?"

"Yes, Grandmother. I didn't lie." Zhong Chuzhou's firm tone slightly alleviated the Grand Princess's suspicions, but she still had some questions, so she continued, "Then tell me why he didn't want to. I remember that he loved Jin'an very much when he was a child."

"Grandma, it's true that my cousin loves Jin'an, but he has always treated her like his own sister. So when he learned that my uncle and his family wanted him to marry Jin'an, he came to me in a hurry. He said that he couldn't accept marrying Jin'an and felt that it was incest. He told me all this in a panic." Zhong Chuzhou said slowly.

The Grand Princess didn't ask any further questions, but instead lowered her eyes in deep thought, her right hand constantly fiddling with the Buddhist beads on her left wrist. After a moment, she raised her eyes to look at Zhong Chuzhou. "Get up first. I will verify this matter with your aunt, but your actions are indeed inappropriate. I punish you by forcing you to kneel in the ancestral hall for three days to reflect on your mistakes. You are not allowed to leave the house for these few days. You must reflect on your mistakes behind closed doors. If you do it again, I will not forgive you."

Zhong Chuzhou was startled and quickly responded, "Grandson knows his mistake and accepts the punishment." After that, he respectfully withdrew and went to the ancestral hall to receive punishment.

The eldest princess looked at Zhong Chuzhou's back as he left and sighed in her heart. This child has always been very cautious and prudent, but he was so reckless this time. It seemed that he really liked Jin An. As long as he had this intention, she, as a grandmother, would naturally do her best to help them.

The news of Zhong Chuzhou being punished to kneel in the ancestral hall alarmed the other masters of the mansion, but after they learned the reason, no one intervened. Although the wife of the Duke of Huguo felt distressed, she simply had the nanny nearby bring him some thick cushions and warm clothes, and urged him to reflect on his behavior.

Nothing had leaked out of the Duke of Huguo's mansion, a testament to the strictness of its rules. Mu Zixuan, therefore, had no idea what his cousin had done, and spent his days worrying secretly at home.