The princess regretted it.

"Nothing, go on." Zhong Chuzhou rubbed his nose lightly. Mo Qing said, "Oh!" and continued, "The Zhang family is really annoying, always playing dirty tricks behind our backs. This time they wanted to burn the western warehouse under the guise of a fire. If we hadn't been secretly guarding it in advance, they might have succeeded. This food and fodder is clearly for the peace of the border, but they're trying to interfere." As Mo Qing spoke, he became agitated and indignant.

"Humph, all they care about are disputes over power and interests. If the Zhenbei Army is defeated, they will have the hope of taking control of the 200,000-strong Zhenbei Army. How can they resist such a huge temptation? Naturally, they don't worry about the dire straits that the people living on the border will fall into if the Zhenbei Army is defeated." Zhong Chuzhou's originally affectionate eyes became extremely cold at this moment, and he spoke in a cold tone.

At this moment, a servant's voice came from outside the door, "Prince, the Duke's wife is back." Zhong Chuzhou's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he stood up instantly. Mo Qing was stunned by his sudden action, and then asked, "Prince?"

Zhong Chuzhou was naturally a little embarrassed, but he was good at disguising himself. He looked at Mo Qing and said calmly, "Give them the order to keep a close watch. We also need to be careful to see if they attack the people escorting the grain."

"Yes." Mo Qing bowed and retreated.

Zhong Chuzhou quickly left his yard and went to find his mother anxiously.

After Zhong Chuzhou asked the servant, he learned that his mother had gone directly back to the inner courtyard. Before the servant finished speaking, he turned around and went to Qin Susu's courtyard in the inner courtyard.

Before anyone entered the house, a voice was heard, "Mother." His voice was filled with a hint of urgency and expectation. This call made everyone in the house turn their heads to look at the door.

Zhong Chuzhou had just stepped over the threshold when he stopped at the doorway. He saw that there were quite a few people in the house, and five pairs of eyes were all looking at him. He was slightly startled, but then he reacted and a bright smile appeared on his face. He walked quickly into the house, bowed slightly to Qin Susu and Jin An, and said in a light tone: "Mother, Jin An's sister."

Qin Susu looked at her son's anxious look and secretly laughed in her heart, but she remained calm on the surface.

Jin An slowly stood up, bowed, and called softly, "Cousin Zhong." She tried to keep a natural expression, but the slightly red tips of her ears quietly revealed a hint of unrest in her heart.

Zhong Chuzhou's gaze lingered on Jin An for a moment, tenderness in it. He then turned to Qin Susu and asked, "Mother, did your trip to the Lin Residence go smoothly today?"

Qin Susu's eyes swept between the two of them, and she smiled gently, a smile as warm and gentle as the spring breeze. She said slowly, "Everything is going well, you don't have to worry."

Zhong Chuzhou nodded, his eyes falling on Jin An again, hesitant to speak. Jin An noticed his gaze, raised his eyes slightly, and looked at him with a proper smile.

Zhong Chuzhou coughed lightly, concealing his inner nervousness, and said, "Sister Jin'an, did everything go well at the Lin Mansion today?"

Jin An nodded slightly, and said in a clear and pleasant voice, "Everything is fine."

Zhong Chuzhou nodded slightly when he heard this, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes, "That's good. I think Miss Lin should be a sensible person."

Jin An pondered for a moment and said, "Miss Lin is extremely intelligent and courageous."

Zhong Chuzhou chuckled after hearing Jin'an's comments, his laughter full of admiration for him. He didn't ask any further questions because he knew that Jin'an's judgment was always accurate.

Qin Susu said at this time: "Chu Zhou, it's rare for Jin'an to come to the mansion. Since you are at home today, you can accompany Jin'an to walk around the courtyard."

After hearing what his mother said, Zhong Chuzhou smiled and said, "Yes, mother. Sister Jinan, then I will accompany you around the mansion?" After that, he stood up and looked at Jinan with anticipation in his eyes.

Seeing this, Jin An had no choice but to stand up and bow to Qin Susu. Qin Susu smiled and said, "Go ahead, you young people have more topics to talk about."

Zhong Chuzhou extended his hand to Jin An, making a gesture of invitation, his gesture elegant and gentlemanly. Jin An walked out slowly, and Zhong Chuzhou bowed to Qin Susu. Then he turned and followed him out.

Qin Susu watched Zhong Chuzhou and Jin An leave with a smile on her face, feeling quite relieved. She knew that her son was deeply in love with Jin An, and that Jin An was also a smart and kind woman. If they could be together, it would definitely be a beautiful marriage.

In the garden of the Duke of Protectorate's Mansion, Jin'an and Zhong Chuzhou walked half a step apart, while Ziyun and Hanshuang followed about ten steps behind them.

Zhong Chuzhou said softly, "Jin'an, are you sure you want to help Lin Qian?"

Jin An said slowly, "Right now, I do need Minister Lin's assistance. She's determined to enter the palace, and even if I don't help her, she'll find a way to get in. So, why not lend a hand? This will satisfy her wish and benefit me at the same time."

Zhong Chuzhou nodded slightly, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes, "You are right, but even if she enters the palace, you must be on guard. Her original intention of entering the palace is not pure."

"I know. Cousin Zhong, don't worry." Jin An turned his head to look at him, a gentle smile on his face. That smile was like the warm sun in winter, warming Zhong Chuzhou's heart.

Zhong Chuzhou also looked at Jin An with a doting look on his face, "Jin An, you promised me that you don't have to be so polite in private."

Jin An's face flushed, and he looked away, looking around in panic. He looked like a frightened deer, so adorable.

Zhong Chuzhou looked at her like this, and tenderness welled up in his heart. He wanted so badly to hold Jin An in his arms and tell her his feelings. But he knew that now was not the right time. He had to wait until Jin An willingly accepted his love.

Han Shuang and Zi Yun behind her looked at each other. Zi Yun saw the smile in Han Shuang's eyes and realized that her guess was correct. However, a faint worry welled up in her heart. If the princess and Master Zhong were like this, what would happen to Master Mu? If this continued, how would the princess get along with her uncle's family? Would this matter cause a rift between the two sides? However, she could see that the princess did not seem to have such thoughts about Master Mu, and her attitude towards Master Zhong was indeed somewhat different. Of course, she hoped that the princess would be happy, but she also knew how much the princess cared about family affection. Zi Yun frowned slightly and fell into deep thought. She didn't know what choice the princess would make when facing this relationship, nor did she know where the future would go. But she secretly decided that no matter what choice the princess made, she would stand firmly by the princess and support her decision.

Ziyun didn't know that her worries were unnecessary. The Mu family, the Zhong family and the princess did not become estranged because of this incident, but became closer.

The people from Jin'an stayed in the Duke of Huguo's mansion for a while, then said goodbye and returned to the palace.