The princess regretted it.

Changsun Wuwang stood up from his seat, looked at Jin'an with a smile and said, "There's nothing we can do. Third brother's riding skills can't compare with Jin'an's!" Jin'an's words gave him a feeling of preemptive action, but he also felt that it was giving him a way out.

Jin An looked at him with an expression of disbelief, and said with a smile: "Third brother is still so humble. Just now, my cousin Zhong and I were galloping in the paddock, and it felt so refreshing. It's a pity that third brother didn't feel it with me." At the end, he still looked regretful.

Zhangsun Wuwang raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes flickering between Jin'an and Zhong Chuzhou. "Oh? It seems like you guys had a lot of fun. Next time, Third Brother will have to learn this riding technique from you guys. You can't be lazy anymore."

Jin An smiled and nodded. "Okay, Third Brother, look, we also got a pheasant." She pointed at the pheasant that Zhong Chuzhou had taken from the saddle and said excitedly. Her eyes were bright and her smile was as bright as the sun, which made people feel happy.

After handing the pheasant to a nearby attendant, Zhong Chuzhou also entered the tent and stood aside. Watching the interaction between Jin An and Zhang Sun Wu Wang, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. His eyes were filled with tenderness, as if the whole world had become better because of Jin An.

The atmosphere in the tent was relaxed and cheerful, as if the previous tension and anxiety had never existed. Everyone was also infected by this atmosphere, and smiles appeared on their faces. However, beneath this seemingly harmonious appearance, everyone had their own thoughts in their hearts.

After a good rest and some pheasant soup, they boarded their respective carriages and headed home. On the return journey, their mindsets were very different from when they arrived.

Jin An felt much more relaxed than when she arrived. She leaned against the carriage wall, eyes slightly closed, her mind replaying the words Zhong Chuzhou had said in the paddock like a scroll. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, and she felt not only a hint of shyness but also a greater sense of calm, free from the initial anxiety. She could sense the sincerity and warmth in Zhong Chuzhou's words. Those words, like a spring breeze, gently caressed her heart and brought her a sense of peace. Ziyun and Hanshuang both sensed her good mood and naturally felt happy too.

In another carriage, Zhong Chuzhou was twirling his teacup with a gentle smile. Although he hadn't received a response from Jin'an to his confession, the fact that Jin'an had accepted the Duke of the Protectorate's residence filled him with joy and relief. He sat in the carriage, his lips curled slightly, the red mole between his eyebrows becoming more vivid, his eyes glittering like stars. He felt this was a good start.

The only person who was unhappy was Changsun Wuwang. He had accompanied Jin'an this time with the intention of relaxing, having fun, and further strengthening their relationship. However, now that Jin'an was indeed having fun, it wasn't because of his company. This made him feel very depressed.

He sat in the carriage, his brow furrowed, a hint of annoyance in his eyes. He felt that since the failure of the Wu Changfeng incident, things had been going wrong recently. Although his father had finally given him more attention at court and assigned him a number of tasks, he was also being targeted by the ministers who supported the Second Prince. He really needed a strong supporter. He couldn't help but sigh heavily, closed his eyes helplessly, and raised his hand to rub his brow.

The carriage moved slowly along the road, making a slight lurching noise. Outside the window, the scenery shifted constantly as we slowly advanced toward the capital. Time slipped by as the carriage moved forward. As the sun set, a brilliant sunset glow spread across the horizon. Its vibrant colors, like a painter's meticulously painted scroll, adorned the sky with a dreamlike quality.

The carriage finally arrived in the capital, and the bustling clamor of the bustling streets gradually filled the air outside. Jin An lifted a corner of the curtain and gazed upon the bustling street scene, feeling a surge of joy. The bustling crowds, the dazzling array of shops, and the ceaseless cries of vendors made her feel the capital's prosperity and vitality. She seemed to be infected by the lively atmosphere, feeling particularly relaxed.

The carriage traveled for a while and stopped at the intersection where it was about to part ways with Zhong Chuzhou. Zhong Chuzhou got off his own carriage and walked to the carriages of the third prince and Jin An respectively to say goodbye to them. Then the carriages of Jin An and the third prince started again and headed towards the palace.

Zhong Chuzhou stood there, watching the carriage gradually go away, rubbed his palms, turned around and got on the carriage. The driver shook the reins, and the carriage headed towards the Protector of the Country Mansion. Sitting in the carriage, Zhong Chuzhou recalled in his mind what Jin An had said to him before, deliberately lowering her voice, that she was going to go to Minister Lin's mansion tomorrow. He knew why Jin An wanted to go to Minister Lin's mansion. Before, Prime Minister Mu came to the mansion to look for his grandfather and him, and made some things clear, including Minister Lin's plan. But tomorrow Jin An was going to see Lin Qian, and it would be difficult for him to accompany her as a man. It seemed that he would have to trouble his mother to go with him tomorrow.

Jinan and the Third Prince had also returned to the palace. They said goodbye to each other and returned to their respective palaces. Back at Feiyu Palace, Ziyun Hanshuang and the others sorted out the items they were carrying. Zhao Ma and Hongyu came to help Princess Jinan wash and change clothes. Jinan felt a little tired and lazily let Zhao Ma and Hongyu fiddle with her. After washing up, Jinan felt sleepy and went straight to bed to rest. Before his eyes closed, he thought that he seemed to have something unfinished. However, he was too sleepy and his brain was a little slow to work, so he fell asleep in a daze.

She slept soundly. The Third Prince had just returned to his Cuiyuxuan when he received a small paper tube from a trusted confidant who had stayed behind. It contained a message from Zuo Tianyou, the Minister of War. After reading it, he burned it in the nearby charcoal stove and sat down at his desk, lost in thought. Xiao Xizi tactfully gathered the items and left the room. Changsun Wuwang leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, for a long time without moving.

The sky gradually darkened. Xiao Xizi knocked on the door gently with a lunch box in his hand. Changsun Wuwang in the room opened his eyes and called out in a low voice, "Come in." After Xiao Xizi came in, he first placed the lunch box on the table, then went to light the candle. The originally dim room suddenly became bright.

"Your Highness, let's have dinner first." Xiao Xizi said as he opened the food box and took out the food and placed it on the table.

Changsun Wuwang glanced back, then said nothing. He stood up and walked to the hand-washing basin nearby. Xiao Xizi hurried over to help him wash and dry his hands. Changsun Wuwang sat down at the table in silence, picked up his bowl, and began to eat slowly. The room was silent, the only sounds being the occasional soft clatter of chopsticks against the bowl and the occasional popping sound of the newly lit candle. Xiao Xizi waited respectfully by his side.

Changsun Wuwang seemed to have eaten a bit too much in the paddock and wasn't too hungry at the moment. So, without eating much, he put down his bowl and chopsticks. Seeing him put down his chopsticks, Xiao Xizi quickly stepped forward and swiftly cleared the table. Changsun Wuwang wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief and said slowly, "Get the hot water ready in a while. I'm a little tired today and want to rest early." Xiao Xizi quickly agreed.

As night fell, the entire capital city gradually became quiet as the night deepened.