The princess regretted it.

In the side room of Feiyu Palace, the atmosphere was dull and oppressive. Lanzhu's face was as pale as paper, bloodless, her eyes hollow and lifeless, and she lay quietly on the bed with a look of despair. Her body seemed to have lost all strength, sinking limply into the bed. Ziyun brought her back, helped her change her wet clothes, gave her medicine, and told her to rest. She didn't say a word the entire time, and now she couldn't fall asleep.

Lan Zhu's mind replayed the events of the day, from being rescued from the water after being knocked unconscious to the Emperor's arranged marriage. Every scene weighed heavily on her heart like a heavy stone, making it almost impossible to breathe. She couldn't understand why things had turned out this way. She had meticulously planned to plot against Princess Jin'an, but in the end, she had become the one being plotted against. She was filled with confusion and helplessness, completely unsure how to face this sudden turn of fate.

Lan Zhu tilted her head slightly, gazing out the window at the deep night, a wave of endless sadness welling up in her heart. She knew that from now on, she would never again have the chance to serve the Third Prince, Changsun Wuwang. The bright future she had once envisioned was shattered at that moment. From Princess Jin'an's attitude and her arrangements with her, she knew she had no idea of her future. If it hadn't been for that person, would she have succeeded? At this thought, a hidden resentment welled up in her heart, spreading like a vine. She hated the man who had knocked her unconscious. If it hadn't been for that person, how could she have found herself in such a desperate situation?

In the main hall, Princess Jin'an sat at her dressing table, Hongyu helping her remove her makeup and hair as she prepared for a bath. Nanny Zhao was making the bed. Hongyu hadn't been to the front hall today, and she had no idea what had happened. She only knew that the princess had returned alone midway and asked Nanny Zhao to change her clothes. Then, Nanny Zhao brought General Mu's wife to Feiyu Hall, and they all went to the front hall together. Later, she saw Ziyu returning, supporting a disheveled Lanzhu, and she had many questions in her mind. She stole a few glances at Princess Jin'an.

Jin An watched Hongyu's movements in the bronze mirror, chuckled, and said, "I know what you're asking. I'll have Madam Zhao tell Ziyu and Qingli to come over later. I have something I want to discuss with you." Hongyu obediently lowered her head and continued to remove the princess's makeup and hair, but her curiosity grew. She couldn't help but wonder what had happened today to cause the usually calm princess to behave so unusually. And why was Lanzhu in such a state of disarray? What secrets lay behind all this?

.......

At the palace gate, brightly lit, Prime Minister Mu's family and the Protectorate's family were saying goodbye to each other beside their carriages. The old Protectorate, his eyes narrowed slightly, his expression solemn, as he whispered to Prime Minister Mu, "Father-in-law, I believe you are aware of what happened today, right?" His voice was low, but it carried an undeniable certainty.

Prime Minister Mu exhaled heavily, looked at the crowd at the palace gate, and said helplessly: "I can't hide anything from you. It's a long story, I will come to your house another day to tell you in detail."

The old Duke nodded gently, "That's great!"

The old Duke's wife, beside them, was also whispering to the Prime Minister's wife. Worry filled her face as she tightly grasped the Prime Minister's wife, Mrs. Xue's hand. "Today's events are probably not that simple. You must rise to your feet. Go and protect Zi Tong's only child. Don't dwell on the past any longer."

Mrs. Xue, the Prime Minister's wife, had tears in her eyes and her lips trembled slightly, "Old sister, I understand! Don't worry!"

After the two families finished their conversation, they prepared to board their respective carriages and return home. Mu Zixuan suddenly came up to Zhong Chuzhou like a cheerful little bird, his adorable puppy eyes gleaming with excitement, and he said expectantly, "Cousin, I want to go with you."

Before Zhong Chuzhou could respond, Mrs. Mu, Zhong Wenqing, swooped forward with astonishing speed. She reached out and grabbed Mu Zixuan's ear, a hint of anger on her face. "What are you doing, you naughty boy? Behave yourself and get in the car."

Mu Zixuan cried out in pain and begged for mercy: "Mom, be gentle, it hurts! I just want to talk to my cousin."

Zhong Wenqing glared at him and said unhappily, "What are you talking about? Go home and tell me what you want to say. Hurry and get in the carriage."

Mu Zixuan bent over and said aggrievedly, "Mom, this is outside. Please give me some face."

Qin Susu and Duke Protector Zhong Jing couldn't help but chuckle. Qin Susu smiled and said, "Okay, Wenqing, let Zixuan go. Zixuan, it's too late tonight. Let your cousin come and pick you up from the mansion another day." Her voice was as gentle and kind as ever, making people feel like they were bathed in spring breeze.

Zhong Wenqing also let go of Mu Zixuan's ear and shook his head and said, "Sister-in-law, look at this child. He only grows up all day long without any brains. He still doesn't know what to do."

Qin Susu smiled and said, "Boys should be tough. When he gets married, he'll know what to do."

Mu Zixuan pouted and said coquettishly, "Aunt! My cousin hasn't gotten married yet." There was a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice, as if he was protesting Qin Susu's statement.

Zhong Chuzhou raised his eyebrows upon hearing this, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing a smile. He winked at Mu Zixuan and said, "I'll meet you another day. You can go back with your aunt first."

Mu Zixuan could only hang his head and reluctantly follow his mother into the carriage. He looked back at Zhong Chuzhou from time to time with an unhappy face.

The carriage started slowly and gradually disappeared into the night, while the lights at the palace gate were still bright.

When Wu Anshuo, Marquis of Jinwu, and his family emerged, they saw the Prime Minister's and the Duke of Protector's residences at the palace gates, their eyes blazing with fury. When their own carriage arrived, the family silently boarded. The atmosphere inside the carriage was heavy and oppressive, as if the air itself had frozen.

Wu Anshuo's face was as gloomy as the sky before a storm. His brows furrowed, his eyes narrowed slightly, a gaze filled with calculation and anger. He sat upright, his hands clasped tightly together, his knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure. "I'm afraid today's events aren't that simple. Feng'er, return to my study and recount to me everything that happened in the palace today." His voice was low and solemn, each word carrying a weight.

Wu Changfeng's face was filled with resentment. He clenched his teeth, his cheeks puffed slightly, and his eyes revealed resentment and anger. His hands were clenched tightly into fists, veins bulging, as if he was about to explode at any moment. "Yes! Father!"

Mrs. Fan's face was also filled with worry. Her brows knitted slightly, her eyes filled with anxiety. She sighed softly, her hands twisting the handkerchief nervously. There were so many things she couldn't figure out. She wanted to ask her husband what to do? She wanted to ask her son what was going on. But seeing her husband's gloomy face and her son's angry expression, she could only bear it.

The family sat in the carriage in silence, the atmosphere oppressive and suffocating. The carriage drove through the night, the wheels rolling, heading towards home.