The princess regretted it.

On the path of the Imperial Garden, Eunuch Fuquan cautiously followed Changsun Hongze, diligently lighting a lantern to illuminate the way for the Emperor. Changsun Hongze remained silent throughout the journey, but Eunuch Fuquan could clearly sense that the Emperor was in a more relaxed mood than when they left, and the air pressure around him didn't seem as low. But he was completely baffled, not understanding what the Emperor was up to. At first, he had fully believed that the Emperor had finally come to his senses and was about to begin favoring his concubines. But it turned out to be just a false alarm? On a whim, he suddenly went to his concubine's courtyard, waking her up, only to sit for a moment, drink a sip of tea, and leave a hurried exit after a short pause. He wondered what Concubine Chun would think. He simply didn't understand.

Eunuch Fuquan was muttering to himself while carefully observing the emperor's expression, trying to find a clue from that enigmatic look. But Changsun Hongze's face remained unfathomable, as if everything that had just happened was just an inadvertent episode.

They continued walking in the Imperial Garden, the night breeze gently blowing, bringing a hint of coolness. Eunuch Fuquan couldn't help but secretly look up at his eldest grandson Hongze, and finally mustered the courage to whisper, "Your Majesty, do you want to return to the Health Hall to rest or to the Imperial Study?"

"Let's go back to the Health Hall!" Changsun Hongze said lightly.

Eunuch Fuquan hesitated for a moment and asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, why...?"

Changsun Hongze paused for a moment, but didn't answer immediately. He tilted his head to look at Eunuch Fuquan, and after a moment, he slowly said, "Fuquan, you've been by my side for many years. How many people in this harem still have any sincerity towards me?"

Eunuch Fuquan was stunned by this sudden question, and then answered cautiously: "Your Majesty, this, this old servant..."

Zhangsun Hongze sighed softly and said, "When I saw Concubine Chun today, her tranquility and indifference reminded me of many things. It is rare to find someone with such a state of mind in this deep palace. Since Jin'an likes to associate with her, I cannot ruin it."

Eunuch Fuquan finally seemed to understand the Emperor's thoughts. It turned out that the Emperor wasn't just acting on impulse, but was worried that Concubine Chun was deliberately approaching Princess Jin'an with ulterior motives, fearing that Princess Jin'an would be sad in the future. This was why he had acted so ruthlessly tonight. He must have seen something precious in Concubine Chun. He quickly said, "Your Majesty, you truly love your son!"

"What happened tonight must be kept secret and cannot be leaked. Do you understand?" Changsun Hongze said slowly.

"Yes!" Fuquan responded quickly.

Changsun Hongze nodded slightly and continued walking forward. Their figures gradually disappeared into the night of the Imperial Garden, leaving only silence. And Concubine Chun's courtyard also returned to tranquility, as if everything that had just happened was just a dream.

Early the next morning, Changsun Wuwang came to pick up Jin'an. Jin'an was wearing a luxurious red riding suit today, with gold trim on the collar and cuffs, and delicate cloud patterns and auspicious animal designs embroidered with colorful silk threads. His long hair was neatly tied into a high bun with an exquisite pearl and jade crown, without any other decorations such as pearl hairpins. He wore a black belt around his waist, with a small sachet hanging on it, emitting a faint fragrance. He wore a pair of black deerskin riding boots on his feet, the boots tightly wrapped around his calves, making his legs look longer and straighter. The boots were embroidered with golden patterns, which complemented his clothes. Jin'an looked heroic and noble and elegant, which was a bright sight.

When Jin An saw the Third Prince coming, he smiled and said, "Third Prince, you're here so early, have you had breakfast?"

"I have used it." Changsun Wuwang replied gently.

"Then please wait here for a moment, Third Brother. I will leave after breakfast." Jin An did not bother to be polite with him. After saying that, he went to the dining hall to have his meal.

After a while, Jinan and his companions set off. Jinan, Ziyun, and Hanshuang rode in one carriage, while the Third Prince and Xiaoxizi rode in another. As the two carriages slowly moved forward, Jinan nibbled on the pastries Qingli had prepared for her, while Ziyun brewed tea nearby. Hanshuang also savored a piece of pastry Jinan had handed her earlier. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable.

The carriage went smoothly towards the outskirts of the city. Not long after leaving the city, the driver said, "Whoa!" and the carriage stopped. Jin An asked, "What's the matter?"

"Princess, there are people in front." The driver's voice came. Jin An glanced at Han Shuang, who understood and gently lifted the curtain to look out. Jin An tilted his head to look outside the carriage, only to see a group of people appear in front of the carriage, one of whom was dressed like a young man from a noble family. Han Shuang turned around and saw Jin An, "Princess, the one in front is Prince Zhong."

Jin An also looked at it. She suddenly felt guilty. She sat up straight and said to Han Shuang, "Go and see what's going on."

Han Shuang responded and jumped off the carriage swiftly. Jin An's carriage stopped, and Chang Sun Wu Wang's carriage naturally stopped as well. He lifted the curtain and looked ahead, and also saw Zhong Chuzhou and others in front. His brows tightened, and he lifted the curtain and got off the carriage, and came to Jin An's carriage, "Jin An, what's going on?"

Jin An opened the car curtain beside him and smiled slightly, "I don't know yet, Han Shuang has already asked."

At that moment, Zhong Chuzhou, who was standing by the carriage up ahead, exchanged a few words with Han Shuang before sauntering towards Jin An's carriage. Han Shuang followed closely behind. Seeing him approach, Jin An felt a surge of nervousness and quickly lowered the curtains.

Changsun Wuwang turned to face Zhong Chuzhou, a smile as warm as a spring breeze spreading across his face. Zhong Chuzhou walked to the carriage and bowed respectfully, "Greetings to the Third Prince, and to Sister Jin'an." Han Shuang also bowed to the Third Prince and boarded the carriage with ease.

The Third Prince returned the greeting, the corners of his mouth raised, and he asked with a smile: "Where are you going, Prince?"

"The weather is fine today, and I want to go to the paddock in the suburbs to ride horses. Unexpectedly, the carriage had a small problem halfway. Where are you going, Third Prince?" Zhong Chuzhou smiled brightly, warming people's hearts like sunshine.

Jin An, in the car, overhearing the conversation outside, felt her heartbeat quicken. He was also going to the paddocks? Wouldn't that mean she'd have to ride with him later? This was her first time meeting Zhong Chuzhou since her great-aunt had mentioned that matter, and she wondered if he knew what her great-aunt meant. If he did, what would she do next?

Outside the carriage, the Third Prince also smiled and replied, "What a coincidence! We are also going to the enclosure."