The princess regretted it.

Princess Jiaoyu was shocked when she heard her father had gone to Concubine Cen's palace. Then, feeling that this was unusual, she set out for Wuqiu Palace. She expected her mother to be furious, and sure enough, she saw a mess on the floor. Concubine Zhang sat on the couch with a sinister expression, her chest heaving. Qiuwen was beside her, soothing her.

She stepped forward and said, "Aunt Qiuwen, I'll accompany Mother. You can have someone clean this up." Qiuwen obeyed and stepped aside. Jiaoyu walked to Concubine Zhang's side and whispered a few words. Concubine Zhang's expression changed from anger to shock, and then to panic. She turned her head and looked at Jiaoyu, who nodded seriously.

.......

"What? Father went to dine at Concubine Cen's palace?" Jin An was equally shocked when she heard the news. What was the emperor's trick? Could it be that the emperor's heart was set on Concubine Cen? But Concubine Cen seemed to be injured and couldn't get pregnant. Jin An thought about it for a long time, but still couldn't figure it out. She thought that this news would probably spread in the palace soon, and Concubine Chun would definitely know about it. Then she said she would help her, but her father went to Concubine Cen. This made her feel a little uncomfortable facing Concubine Chun.

No, she had to start with Eunuch Fuquan and find out what happened today. After that, she called Hongyu and whispered a few words in her ear. Hongyu took the order and left in a hurry.

Jin An stood up and walked slowly into the courtyard, her expression full of thought. Han Shuang followed her slowly, always keeping a certain distance. At this time, Zhao Ma walked over, bowed to Jin An and said, "Princess, His Majesty has finished his meal and returned to the imperial study."

"Hmm," Jin An frowned and nodded. Seeing her like this, Nanny Zhao thought for a moment and understood that the princess hadn't figured out why the emperor suddenly went to Concubine Cen's palace today. She stepped forward and whispered, "Princess, this isn't a bad thing. Think about it, if the emperor starts favoring concubines, how can Concubine Zhang tolerate it? This afternoon, I heard that a lot of things were broken in Wu Qiu Palace. You see, there was a commotion just over lunch. In my opinion, whoever is the first person His Majesty favors in the harem will likely be the target of everyone in the harem. Besides, Concubine Cen is the person with the highest status in the palace besides Concubine Zhang, and she will never have children in this lifetime. I think His Majesty also wants to appease her first."

Jin An was somewhat surprised by Madam Zhao's insight. This remark had enlightened her. That's right! It wouldn't be a good thing if the people in the harem used Concubine Chun as a target. It seemed that her father did have his own considerations. She only hoped that Concubine Chun could understand this.

After a while, Hongyu returned and told Jin'an what she had gathered. Eunuch Fuquan wasn't quite sure what the emperor meant, but from what he said, the emperor decided to visit Concubine Cen only after drinking the medicinal tea. Jin'an wondered if her father only remembered that I had sent the tea, and only thought about my request for him to favor the harem, and then, as Madam Zhao had suggested, to appease Concubine Cen first. She thought about it and decided to wait and see what her father would do next. At worst, she could mention Concubine Chun when the time was right.

Jin'an's worries were unfounded. Concubine Chun and Gan Cao had also learned that His Majesty had dined at Concubine Cen's palace today. Upon hearing this, Gan Cao looked at Concubine Chun with a worried look on her face. She sat quietly by the window, a book in hand, her expression calm. The sunlight from outside shone on her, casting a gentle glow over her.

Licorice tiptoed to Concubine Chun's side, wanting to say something but stopping herself. Concubine Chun noticed her strangeness, raised her eyes slightly, and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Licorice bit her lip and said cautiously, "Master, I just heard that His Majesty went to Concubine Cen's palace for dinner today."

After hearing this, Concubine Chun was stunned for only a moment, then she smiled with relief and looked up at the medicinal field in the courtyard. The lush herbs swayed gently in the breeze, as if telling of the tranquility of time.

In Gan Cao's eyes, her appearance was full of sorrow. She couldn't help but whispered, "Master, don't be sad!"

After hearing Gancao's words, Concubine Chun tilted her head to look at him and said slowly, "Gancao, I'm not sad. We've been living well for all these years. Besides, do you remember why I was sick back then? Now, if His Majesty favors the harem again, you can imagine what kind of turmoil it will cause."

Licorice frowned and said after thinking for a moment: "The master stayed at home due to illness in order to avoid the fighting in the harem. You mean there will be fighting like before, right? But the master doesn't want to join..." Licorice bit her lip here and didn't continue, but looked at Concubine Chun with a twinkling eye.

Concubine Chun smiled faintly and said, "I want to gain your Majesty's favor and grace. But first we have to live well! I took that step because I want a better life, but if that step will make my life worse than it is now, then what should we do?"

Licorice seemed to understand, but also seemed not to fully understand, "Does the master mean to stay sick like before?"

Concubine Chun pondered for a moment, then said with a sullen look in her eyes, "Not for now. As I said earlier, if His Majesty favors the harem again, this move will surely cause a great stir. Which woman in the harem doesn't long for this day? We've seen what lengths they'll go to for that favor. Although I don't want to harm anyone, I don't want to be harmed either. We don't have to take the initiative to do those things; we just need to maintain the current situation."

After listening to this, Gan Cao thought for a moment and asked, "Master, do we still need to contact Princess Jin'an?"

"I told you, just keep doing what you're doing now. You don't need to do anything extra. Do you understand?" Concubine Chun patiently explained to Gancao, because she knew that if she really wanted to be favored in the future, Gancao would have to grow. That's why she taught her so carefully. "Of course, we have to be more careful in the future."

Licorice now understood her master's intentions and continued to interact with Princess Jin'an. However, since the other ladies in the harem were all on the move, she had to be more discreet when interacting with the princess. As for the previous words, although she didn't fully understand them at the moment, she decided to slowly think them over in her mind several times afterwards.

At this moment, Changsun Hongze was sitting in the imperial study, concentrating on reviewing memorials. Suddenly, there was a noise outside the imperial study. Changsun Hongze did not look up, but just put the memorial in his hand flat on the table. When Eunuch Fuquan saw it, he immediately bowed and left.