The princess regretted it.

"Mother, cousin, don't worry, I'm fine." Wu Changfeng lay in bed, bruised and swollen. He fought the pain, trying to soothe the weeping wives of Marquis Jin Wu, Lady Fan and Liu Qianyi, with a gentle voice. His words tugged at the wound on his face, causing it to turn even paler. The court physician was busy examining and tending to Wu Changfeng's wounds. Lady Fan and Liu Qianyi stood by the bed, tears streaming down their cheeks.

This was the scene Wu Anshu saw when he stepped into his son's room.

When Fan saw Wu Anshuo, she rushed forward and cried, "Master, you have to take care of Changfeng. Look how hurt he is."

Looking at Wu Changfeng's now bruised face, Fan felt a mixture of pain and hatred. She felt pain that her son had been beaten like this for no reason; she also hated the man who had done it. Wu Anshuo scowled, saying nothing. He simply patted Fan's back and sat down on a nearby chair.

After the court physician finished applying the medicine to Wu Changfeng, he came over to report to the Marquis, "My Lord, the Crown Prince is fine internally. He has only suffered external injuries, with the facial wound being the more serious. I have already treated the wound. The Crown Prince should eat a lighter diet these days and avoid getting the wound wet. Apply this ointment twice a day."

Wu Anshuo, his face sullen, listened to the court physician's words, then nodded gently and waved his hand. The physician packed up his medicine box and bowed before leaving. After the physician left, Wu Anshuo said gravely to Fan and Liu Qianyi, "Madam, take Qianyi back first. I have something to say to Changfeng." His words carried no room for refusal.

Mrs. Fan didn't say much. She could tell her master had a dark face when he returned from court. Something must have happened at court. Now that her son had suddenly encountered an accident, she was afraid the two events were related. This was not something she could intervene in. She could only wipe her tears, pat the back of Wu Changfeng's hand, and leave with Liu Qianyi. Mrs. Fan was filled with worry. Thinking about her son's misfortune, she didn't know when he would recover. And the master was so serious. What big thing had happened?

Wu Anshuo dismissed the servants in the room, sat on the stool beside Wu Changfeng's bed with a sullen face, and asked in a deep voice, "Changfeng, did you see clearly who beat you?"

Wu Changfeng struggled to sit up, but the pain in his body ripped apart, and he couldn't help but gasp. Wu Anshuo reached out and pressed his shoulder, "Just lie down and talk."

Wu Changfeng replied, "Yes, father. I was walking in a side alley at the time, and there was no one around. Someone suddenly attacked me from behind, and I was caught off guard, so they put a black bag over my head and hit me. So I didn't see who attacked me." Wu Changfeng's words were full of regret, and he secretly hated himself for being so careless and letting someone sneak up on him. Then he seemed to think of something and looked at Wu Anshuo, "Father, you were at court this morning..."

Wu Anshuo's face turned even darker, and he said angrily, "Originally, everything was going as the Third Prince predicted. If that old man Mu Yang hadn't interfered, the imperial edict of His Majesty's reward should have reached our Jinwuhou Mansion." Wu Anshuo was filled with rage. This Prime Minister Mu always ruined their plans.

Wu Changfeng muttered to himself, "Prime Minister Mu? Father, what did he do?"

"Hmph! That old fox! He's so capable! He raised a few doubts on the spot, and His Majesty sent the case back to the Dali Temple for a thorough investigation. He also questioned your actions, which led to His Majesty's suspicions and change of heart." Wu Anshuo's indignant voice rang out heavily. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

Wu Changfeng became anxious when he heard this, "Suspicious points? The Dali Temple will thoroughly investigate us... Will we?" Wu Changfeng was worried. If he was found out, it would be troublesome.

"Why are you so impatient? The Third Prince will take care of this. We've already done our bit, so of course he'll handle the rest. He'll be better than us." Wu Anshuo reprimanded Wu Changfeng. Wu Anshuo felt his son wasn't calm enough, panicking over such a small matter.

Wu Changfeng quickly responded: "It was my son who was impatient, and my father is right." Wu Changfeng was secretly annoyed in his heart, thinking that he was indeed too impatient.

Wu Anshuo stood up and comforted his son: "You should take good care of your injuries first. The people who attacked you are most likely related to the Minister of the Imperial Household and several others. I will contact His Highness." Just as he was about to leave, he turned around and said to Wu Changfeng: "You and Qianyi should be careful about the distance between you and don't spread rumors that will affect the plan! Do you understand what is more important?" Wu Anshuo looked at his son seriously. There must be no mistakes in this matter.

"Yes, Father! I understand. I'll find a chance to explain the reason to my cousin. I'm sure she'll understand." Wu Changfeng said hesitantly. He felt a little uneasy, not knowing if his cousin would understand him.

"If she can understand, that's great. If she can't, then let her go back to where she came from. Don't let these mundane matters hold you back. Do you understand?" Wu Anshuo said coldly. He didn't want his children's personal affairs to affect the important matter.

Wu Changfeng's eyes couldn't help but flash. He hurriedly said, "Yes, father!"

"Well! Then you should have a good rest first." Wu Anshuo said, then turned and left.

Wu Changfeng lay in bed, lost in thought. His father's words had been cold, but he figured his cousin would understand for his own future. All he needed was the right opportunity. His hesitation now lay in how the court proceedings would unfold, and what he could do to avoid disrupting his plans. Worry and confusion filled his heart.

......