The princess regretted it.

The next day, Jin An was woken up by Madam Zhao. They had arrived late the previous night, but he'd been overthinking and couldn't sleep. So, he couldn't get up this morning. Jin An closed his eyes and asked lazily in a hoarse voice, "Madam, what time is it?"

Madam Zhao said softly, "Your Highness, it's already past noon!"

Jin An opened his eyes hazily: "It's so late?"

Aunt Zhao smiled and said, "Yes! Is Your Highness going to get up?"

"Well~! Get up!" Jin'an slowly stood up and responded to Nanny Zhao.

Hongyu and Ziyun came in with toiletries and quickly helped Jin'an wash up. Qingli brought up the breakfast that had been prepared earlier and kept warm.

After washing up, Jin An felt more awake and alert. She took the hot towel Ziyun handed her, gently wiped her hands, and sat down at the table. She looked at the exquisite breakfast before her, but didn't pick up her chopsticks immediately. Instead, she frowned slightly, as if still thinking about what happened last night.

"Your Highness, please eat first, otherwise it will get cold." Nanny Zhao reminded softly from the side.

Jin An came back to her senses, nodded, and picked up her chopsticks, but she was still a little absent-minded. While eating breakfast, she was thinking about how to deal with Cheng Xiao's situation and her plan to go to her grandparents' house.

Breakfast was taken in a quiet atmosphere, but Jinan's thoughts had already drifted far away.

In Ning'an Hall, within the inner courtyard of the Prime Minister's Mansion, an elderly lady with a head full of silver hair sat at the head of the room. Her hair was neatly combed and piled high, a red gold hairpin inlaid with rubies securely placed upon it. On either side of the hairpin, several small ruby flower ornaments shimmered, emitting a soft and captivating light.

She wore a deep purple brocade gown with delicate ruyi cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, exuding a dignified and elegant demeanor. The collar and cuffs of the gown were inlaid with delicate piping, embroidered with elegant plum blossom patterns, adding a touch of elegance.

The old lady had a dignified and wealthy face, with kind eyes. Though she bore some marks of age, she still retained the beauty of her youth. Within her slightly sunken eye sockets, a pair of deep brown eyes, shone with the wisdom and composure of time, bright and intelligent. A light coat of lip balm graced her lips, adding a touch of youthful radiance.

On her hands were a pair of emerald jade bracelets, the jade was soft and smooth, with a rich and clear color. The old lady exuded a noble and calm temperament that made people respect her.

This was the current Prime Minister's wife, Mrs. Xue, the late Empress's mother and Princess Jin'an's grandmother. She held a small wooden sword in her hand, her fingers gently caressing the blade. The sword looked quite old, evidently polished frequently, its surface remaining incredibly smooth. The old woman sat quietly for a long moment, her eyes filled with an unspoken sadness.

Nanny Gui watched, her heart pounding with anxiety. She knew the old lady was reeling from the words the Prime Minister had spoken the day before, after returning from his visit to the Emperor, and was missing the Empress and the Crown Prince. As the old lady aged, her health declined year by year. By now, everyone in the palace knew to avoid mentioning Princess Jin'an in front of the old lady, to avoid upsetting her by recalling the Empress.

Yesterday, the Emperor suddenly sent Eunuch Fuquan to hurriedly summon the Prime Minister to the palace. Upon his return, the old lady inquired about the matter, and the Prime Minister recounted a few rumors about Princess Jin'an. The old lady slept restlessly last night and ate only a small breakfast this morning. She didn't leave the courtyard today, and she took out the small wooden sword again.

At this moment, Siqi, who was outside, stepped forward from the doorway, raised the curtain and entered. She bowed and said, "Madam, the eldest lady has come to pay her respects." The old lady raised her eyelids and nodded slightly. Siqi bowed her head and withdrew. Then, a steady sound of footsteps could be heard, and a middle-aged woman, about thirty years old, walked in with a graceful figure and steady steps.

As soon as she came in, she bowed respectfully and said in a clear voice, "Mother!"

The old lady raised her chin slightly and said, "The literary youth is here, please sit down!"

She was Zhong Wenqing, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Prime Minister and wife of the General Zhenbei. Born into the Protectorate's mansion, she was the younger sister of Protectorate Duke Zhong Jing. Her features were not of the gentle and graceful type; rather, they possessed a rather heroic air. Her chiseled face was framed by eyebrows like sharp swords, gently raised. Her eyes were bright and intense, seemingly hiding glittering stars, and her high nose bridge added a touch of resolve. Her hair was tied high in a neat, tightly styled bun, adorned only by a white jade hairpin and a few smaller silver hairpins, creating a refreshingly clean and refined look.

Zhong Wenqing walked over to the old lady's lower right seat and sat down. The old lady once again lowered her head to look at the small wooden sword in her hand, lost in thought and silent. Seeing this, Zhong Wenqing seemed to understand and looked up at Aunt Gui, as if to confirm her intention. Aunt Gui met Zhong's gaze and nodded helplessly.

Zhong retracted her gaze, raised the corner of her mouth, and smiled, saying to the old lady, "Mother, the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. Shouldn't we also prepare a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in our mansion?"

The old lady withdrew her thoughts and gently placed the wooden sword in a box beside her. She turned her head to look at Mrs. Zhong and said slowly, "Hasn't this matter always been handled by you in previous years? Just arrange it."

Mrs. Zhong smiled again and said, "This Mid-Autumn Festival, my daughter-in-law wants to make it more lively, so there are more things to do. Our Zixuan follows Chuzhou around all day long and never pays attention. This child just knows how to play all day long, and I don't know when he will become more stable. However, he cares about you as his grandmother the most. Every time he comes back, he brings you some little things to make you happy."

The old lady's mood brightened when she heard the name of her beloved grandson, and a smile appeared on her face. Although this grandson rarely came home all day, wandering around the capital with his cousin, he always remembered to bring her food and pretty things every time he came back, and his little mouth was very good at making people happy.

The old lady smiled and nodded, saying, "Zixuan is indeed a filial child. However, we can't let him go on like this. As a mother, you should also take good care of him."

Mrs. Zhong quickly responded, "Mother is right. I will teach him well. For this Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, I want to invite all the relatives in the mansion to have a lively party. I also want Zixuan to get closer to the elders and learn some etiquette."

The old lady pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, let's take this opportunity to get everyone together. You should make good arrangements and make sure nothing goes wrong."

Zhong said respectfully, "Don't worry, mother. Your daughter-in-law will do her best to host the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet." After that, Zhong chatted with the old lady for a few more words, then stood up and took her leave to prepare for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

With Mrs. Zhong's departure, Ning'an Hall returned to its previous tranquility. The old lady, exhausted, retreated to her inner chambers with the help of Nanny Gui to rest. Sunlight streamed through the windows into the hall, and dust particles danced softly in the beams, as if time had stood still.