The princess regretted it.

The two stood in the courtyard, looking at the darkened house. Eunuch Fuquan felt the chill growing stronger around him, as if it could freeze him instantly. He cautiously said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Chun seems to have rested."

"I can see it!" There was a deep chill in Changsun Hongze's words, as if the air around him could freeze into ice.

"Then..." Eunuch Fuquan was feeling uneasy, as if his head was in danger at any time.

"Do you want me to teach you?" Changsun Hongze stood there motionless, and the words he spoke were even colder than the late autumn night, making people shudder.

Eunuch Fuquan looked at the motionless emperor and instantly understood his intention. He immediately shouted, "Your Majesty has arrived!" However, in his heart, he kept complaining: "Your Majesty wanted me to sleep with you, but you didn't tell the Imperial Household to arrange it first, nor did you tell this old servant to come and inform me earlier. You just came so suddenly, so naturally I didn't know."

Eunuch Fuquan's promise was like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake, shattering the tranquility of the courtyard. Suddenly, a flurry of noises erupted from the courtyard, a mix of hurried footsteps, the clatter of objects, and low exclamations.

A moment later, Concubine Chun, draped in a flimsy outer garment, hurried out, her face flustered and her face equally panicked. "I was unaware of your Majesty's arrival and failed to greet you. I beg your Majesty's forgiveness." Concubine Chun's face was filled with panic as she quickly knelt and saluted, her voice trembling. She hadn't expected to see the Emperor so soon. She suspected Princess Jin'an was slowly revealing some of her secrets to the Emperor, who would then summon her; or perhaps Princess Jin'an was creating another opportunity for her to approach the Emperor. It shouldn't be a sudden visit at night. Could there be another reason?

Changsun Hongze looked at the somewhat embarrassed Concubine Chun in front of him, and his displeasure eased a little. He narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at Concubine Chun with a complicated expression, and said slowly: "Get up."

Concubine Chun then stood up cautiously, lowering her head, not daring to look at Changsun Hongze, her hands nervously tugging at the corners of her clothes. She kept wondering what the emperor's purpose was.

Changsun Hongze didn't say anything more and walked straight into the house. Seeing this, Eunuch Fuquan quickly ordered Gancao to prepare tea.

Chang Sun Hongze walked into the house and frowned slightly at the simple furnishings. "Your place is really simple."

Concubine Chun followed in and said quickly, "This place is remote, although it is not as good as other places in the palace. But I want to recuperate and I think it is good here."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Hongze simply glanced at Concubine Chun, then looked around the room. He walked over to the table and saw some books and needlework on it, which made him curious. "What do you usually do?"

Concubine Chun said softly, "I usually read books, do needlework, and grow herbs to pass the time."

Changsun Hongze nodded slightly and said, "It seems that you have a leisurely life in this small courtyard."

At this time, Gancao came in with tea. Concubine Chun quickly poured a cup of tea for Changsun Hongze and said, "Your Majesty, please have some tea."

Changsun Hongze picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said, "This tea has a different fragrance. It's different from the one Jin'an sent."

Concubine Chun smiled timidly and said, "This is the scented tea I made myself. I hope Your Majesty likes it."

Changsun Hongze watched Concubine Chun's somewhat awkward appearance, and a strange emotion suddenly surged within him. He had come here to test her intentions, but after seeing her living environment and her conversation, he felt she didn't seem like someone with much scheming. Instead, she evoked a certain pity. He simply felt that this woman was different from the others in the palace; she possessed a tranquil aura that drew him closer.

"Is there anything you want?" Changsun Hongze suddenly asked.

Concubine Chun was slightly taken aback, then shook her head and said, "I have no other requests, I only wish Your Majesty good health and peace for the country and the people."

Changsun Hongze looked at Concubine Chun, and something in his heart moved. He thought that maybe she just wanted his favor. He might not be able to satisfy her with this, but he could give her compensation in other ways. He suddenly reached out and gently held Concubine Chun's hand, saying, "You are a sensible woman. No wonder Jin An likes you so much."

Concubine Chun was startled at first and subconsciously wanted to pull it out, but she came to her senses in an instant, her pretty face turned slightly red, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at Changsun Hongze.

Changsun Hongze looked at Concubine Chun's shy appearance, and a long-lost tenderness surged in his heart. He took a deep breath, retracted his gaze, and gently patted Concubine Chun's hand. "It's too late, you should go to bed early. I still have some memorials to review." After saying this, he stood up.

Concubine Chun was pulled by the Emperor's hand. She had thought he would stay tonight, but his sudden words startled her. She thought she had displeased the Emperor in some way, and she quickly stood up. Changsun Hongze stopped her from kneeling. He saw her frightened eyes and understood the reason, but he didn't know what to say. He only said gently, "You are doing well! I hope you can keep doing this. It's dark and cold, so you don't have to see me off."

After saying this, he turned and walked out of the house. Fuquan quickly followed him, holding the lantern. After Concubine Chun and Gancao bowed and respectfully saw the emperor off, Gancao stepped forward to support Concubine Chun and asked with some concern, "Master, are you okay?"

Concubine Chun withdrew her gaze and said calmly, "Go and close the door. I'm fine. Go to bed early." With that, she entered the inner room. Gancao watched Concubine Chun enter the inner room with concern, then stepped forward to close and bolt the door again. She did not return to the side room, but instead lay down on the small couch at the inner door. She felt sorry for her master. After so many years, the emperor only came once, causing a quarrel, and then left after a few words. How distressed her master must feel.

Unlike Gancao's indignation, Concubine Chun was much calmer. She lay quietly on her bed in the inner chamber, her heart unruffled. She knew full well that within the deep palace, the emperor's favor was inherently unpredictable, its comings and goings beyond one's control. She never held excessive anticipation for the emperor's arrival, nor did she feel overly disappointed by his sudden departure.

Concubine Chun sighed softly, recalling the scene just now. Although she was momentarily surprised and frightened, she quickly regained her composure. She understood her position in the palace and knew how to face all this. The emperor's arrival might have been a whim, and her life would continue.

She slowly closed her eyes and told herself not to be affected by these sudden changes, but to maintain inner peace and calmness. Only in this way could she spend every day in peace in this deep palace.

Because of the emperor's action, Chun Guiren and Gan Cao were not the only ones confused. There was another person who was also very puzzled, but he didn't dare to ask.