The princess regretted it.

Indeed, at this moment, the Shuyu Hall of the Imperial Palace was being disturbed by the events in the Jinluan Palace. Changsun Jiaoyu was dressed in a moon-white casual dress, the sleeves fluttering like clouds. A lavender ribbon tied around her waist highlighted her slender figure. Her inky black hair was casually tied up, a few strands falling on her cheeks, adding a touch of charm.

Alone in her own palace, her brows furrowed, her face sullen. She had already heard the news from the morning court, and now, a burning rage burned within her. Why were so many people defending Jin'an? Her father had always favored him; in his eyes, he always seemed far more important than herself. No matter how hard she tried to be gentle, considerate, kind, and tolerant, it seemed Jin'an's hint of dominance was no match for her father's affection. This injustice filled her with a deep-seated resentment towards Jin'an.

Now, that man named Wu Changfeng has begun defending Jin'an. What are his intentions? Is he truly interested in Jin'an, or is this farce orchestrated by Marquis Jin Wu? Is he hoping to take advantage of Jin'an's status as a princess? However, aside from her status as a princess, Jin'an has neither a mother supporting her in the harem nor a brother to rely on. What do they want from her? Is it simply because Princess Jin'an is favored by her father? But how long will this favor last? What future will they have when a new emperor ascends to the throne?

Changsun Jiaoyu pondered over it, but remained baffled. This was because she hadn't even considered Jin'an's grandfather—Prime Minister Mu. After all, they hadn't seen each other in nearly ten years. Sometimes, she even thought Jin'an was truly foolish. With such a powerful family, he didn't know how to maintain it properly, relying solely on his father's meager favor. What future could he have?

However, the thought that Jin'an's notoriety had spread brightened her mood. Rumors can be devastating. Although the Dali Temple had issued a strict ban on spreading the rumor, they had overlooked a common belief: officials protect one another. The Dali Temple's ban had reinforced their conviction of the rumor's authenticity. At this thought, a smile forced itself across her gloomy face, though it seemed a bit chilling.

She laughed in her heart: Jinan, are you happy now? Don't be afraid, sister will work harder to "help" you. Hahahaha... the next plan...

Suddenly, she seemed to remember something she had recently forgotten—Cheng Xiao! Why hadn't her uncle sent any reply after so long? Was the matter resolved? Or what had happened? Feeling vaguely agitated, she stood up and called Cuiguo, "Change my clothes. I need to go see Mother."

.......

Inside the Imperial Palace's Cuiyu Pavilion, Changsun Wuwang, his face gloomy, stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back, lost in thought. He had also heard the news from the morning court. His plan had been to use this incident to elevate the status of Marquis Jin Wu and his son in his father's esteem, but the outcome had drastically exceeded his expectations. He had meticulously calculated every possible scenario, and the matter had initially proceeded steadily according to his plan. He had even anticipated the possibility that his father would consult with Prime Minister Mu, but he hadn't anticipated the numerous doubts the Prime Minister would raise. It seemed he had underestimated the Prime Minister's meticulousness.

Changsun Wuwang couldn't help but feel a surge of regret. He had thought everything was under control, but he hadn't expected such a change. He paced slowly back and forth in the room, pondering his next move. He knew that this mistake could affect his entire plan, and he had to come up with a countermeasure quickly to regain control of the situation.

Changsun Wuwang sat slowly in his chair, brow furrowed, pondering for a long moment. He knew the most urgent task was to appease the Jinwu Marquis's forces. Although Prince Wu had escaped safely, there was still one person imprisoned, requiring urgent arrangements and a way to rescue him. Furthermore, he needed to ascertain Princess Jin'an's thoughts. She must have been aware of today's court proceedings, and he needed to ascertain her true attitude toward Wu Changfeng. Her attitude might be the only hope for a reversal in this predicament.

Thinking of this, Changsun Wuwang recalled a foal he had stumbled upon earlier. It was a remarkable steed, with a lustrous coat and a graceful physique. He had originally intended to ride it during the autumn hunt, but he figured Princess Jin'an might like it, so perhaps he could borrow it to explore the waters. He stood tall and called out, "Little Xizi."

Xiao Xizi bowed and entered upon hearing the voice. He then bowed and saluted, saying, "What are your orders, Your Highness?"

"I will go to Feiyu Palace in a while. You don't need to follow me. Go to the stable and take care of the brown horse we caught last time." Changsun Wuwang ordered in a deep voice.

"Yes." Xiao Xizi took the order and left.

.......

Jin An was completely oblivious to the plots being waged on both sides. She eagerly anticipated her trip to her maternal grandmother's home. She was unaware of the undercurrents slowly creeping toward her within the palace, and even if she had known, she wouldn't have feared them. She was no longer the innocent and naive Jin An of her previous life. A new fate was quietly turning, and the future was filled with uncertainty.