The princess regretted it.

Concubine Chun quickly helped her up and gently wiped the tears from her face with a handkerchief. She said softly, "It's okay. I know you're worried about me, and I'm not ashamed. I originally wanted to use Princess Jin'an's influence to gain the emperor's favor. If I could have a child, I wouldn't be lonely in this deep palace. Besides, Princess Jin'an is kind and intelligent. If I could get her help, perhaps I could really secure a good future for myself. You are also loyal, so how can I blame you?"

After hearing Concubine Chun's words, Gan Cao was deeply moved and said with a sob, "Master, I will be more careful and cautious in the future and will not cause trouble for you again."

Concubine Chun nodded and said, "Okay, stop crying. Help me back to the house."

Licorice wiped her tears and replied, "Yes, master. Did Princess Jin'an tell you why the emperor did that?" She reached out to support Concubine Chun and slowly walked into the house.

"Don't worry. Although the princess didn't explain why the emperor left, it's not because we made any mistakes. The princess said she would find a way to find out from the emperor. Let's wait for news from Princess Jin'an." Concubine Chun said softly to Gancao as they walked, comforting her.

The master and servant went back to the house while talking. Jin An and his companions were walking on the road back to the underground palace of Feiyu Palace. Jin An suddenly stopped and said, "Mammy, let's not go back yet. I want to go see my father. Han Shuang, go back and ask Hong Yu to bring my Cuju. Mammy and I will rest in the pavilion in front." Han Shuang did not hesitate and took the order and walked away quickly.

Zhao Ma watched Han Shuang leave, somewhat puzzled by the princess's sudden desire to bring a cuju to the emperor. The cuju hadn't been played in ages, and it had been gathering dust in the storeroom. However, she didn't ask. The princess was becoming increasingly methodical, and she must have had some deliberate considerations. She simply followed Princess Jin'an respectfully as they slowly walked toward a pavilion in the imperial garden.

Arriving at the pavilion, Jin An sat down on a stone bench, resting his chin on his hand and surveying his surroundings. It was already late autumn, and the scenery within the Imperial Gardens seemed somewhat bleak. The leaves were gradually turning yellow, and when the wind blew, a few of them would drift to the ground. However, the pavement wasn't covered with many fallen leaves, as they were cleaned up by a dedicated staff. Therefore, it was rare to see such a natural spectacle of fallen leaves covering the pavement, like a golden carpet, within the palace.

Jin'an looked at the scenery in the garden for a long time without saying a word. Seeing the princess in such a daze, Zhao Ma sighed in her heart. The princess has grown up now and has become more thoughtful. It seems that the princess is rarely as unrestrained as before.

An autumn breeze blew gently, and a few yellow leaves fell down, as if telling the passage of time.

Jin An lowered her eyes slightly, fiddling with her hairpin unconsciously. She wondered if her father, despite being pleased with Concubine Chun, hadn't shown her favor because of her own farce. As the saying goes, "It takes the person who tied the bell to untie it." If that was the case, then she had to untie this knot herself. This was why she hadn't spoken to Concubine Chun before. Perhaps her outburst had served Concubine Zhang's purpose and dashed the hopes of the other concubines. Who knew how many people hated her? She had to break this situation with Concubine Chun.

Jin An sighed softly, raised his head slightly, and his gaze once again fell on the scenery of the Imperial Garden. Though the autumn colors were deepening, the garden still evoked its former prosperity. The flowers that once bloomed had now withered, leaving only a few broken branches and leaves swaying in the wind. An inexplicable feeling welled up in Jin An's heart. The people and events in the palace were as ever-changing as the scenery of this Imperial Garden.

After a while, Han Shuang came hurriedly, holding a Cuju in her hand. She came before Princess Jin'an, bowed slightly and said, "Princess, the Cuju is here."

Jin An took the Cuju and patted it gently, a smile on her face. She stood up and said to Zhao Ma and Han Shuang, "Let's go, let's go see our father."

Although Nanny Zhao and Han Shuang didn't know what Princess Jin'an meant by this, they followed her respectfully and walked towards the imperial study.

The three of them arrived outside the imperial study and saw Eunuch Fuquan guarding the door. Jin An stepped forward and asked softly, "Eunuch Fuquan, is my father in there?"

When Eunuch Fuquan saw Jin'an, he quickly bowed and said, "Princess, the Emperor is discussing important matters with the ministers inside. If you have any urgent matters, I can let you know."

Jin An waved her hand and said, "No need. I'll come back after my father finishes discussing state affairs." With that, Jin An took Nanny Zhao and Han Shuang to wait nearby. She tossed the Cuju ball back and forth, while Eunuch Fuquan watched from the side, wondering, "What's this little aunt up to today? She's come to Your Majesty with a Cuju ball. Is she trying to play Cuju with the Emperor?"

Jin An had no idea what Eunuch Fuquan was thinking. As the Cuju ball flew up and down in her hands, her mind raced. She was thinking about how to approach her father when she saw him later. How to tactfully bring up the topic of Concubine Chun without sounding like she was meddling. And how to get him to open up and talk to her.

Finally, the noise in the imperial study gradually died down, suggesting the meeting was almost over. Jin An also stopped tossing the Cuju ball and stood there with dignity, quietly waiting for the door to the imperial study to open.

After a while, the door of the imperial study opened and several court officials came out, including her grandfather, Minister Lin. When Jin An saw them, he immediately stepped forward and said, "Grandfather!"

When Mu Xiang saw Jin An, he smiled amiably, bowed slightly, and said, "Princess, are you well?" Minister Lin and several other court officials also saluted Jin An, saying, "Princess, are you well!"

An quickly helped Mu Xiang up and said, "Grandfather, there's no need to be so polite. Gentlemen, there's no need to be so polite."

Mu Xiang looked at the Cuju in Jin An's hand, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, and asked, "Princess, what's this?"

When the other court officials saw the grandfather and grandson talking, they felt it was inconvenient for them to stay, so they bowed to Jin'an and left, except for Minister Lin who stood where he was.

Jin An smiled again and said to Mu Xiang, "I haven't played for a long time. I plan to go to the Imperial Garden to play for a while. Grandfather, what are you doing?"

Mu Xiang didn't care and said with a smile: "It's a matter of food and grass. Thanks to the cooperation of Minister Lin, everything went smoothly!"

Jin An smiled and nodded to Minister Lin. Minister Lin then stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Prime Minister, this is my duty. The smooth resolution of this grain and fodder issue is entirely due to your wise planning. I have only contributed in a small way. Your dedication to the country and the people is profoundly admired. If you are ever asked to do anything in the future, I will do my utmost to fulfill your mission."