The princess regretted it.

At the Duke of Huguo's mansion, after the group returned, the old Duke straightened his back slightly, his eyes scanning Zhong Chuzhou and the Duke of Huguo in turn, then he said solemnly, "You, and you, follow me." The Duke of Huguo, his face full of confusion, softly called out, "Father?" The old Duke simply glanced at him calmly and said nothing more. He turned and walked towards the study with steady steps. Seeing this, the Duke of Huguo, although he had many questions in his mind, did not dare to ask any more questions and hurriedly followed.

The Grand Princess raised her hand slightly, pointed at Zhong Chuzhou, and said in a gentle yet serious tone, "You! Go quickly! Don't keep your grandfather waiting." Zhong Chuzhou looked at his grandmother, a warm smile on his face, like the spring sunshine, dispelling the slightly tense atmosphere. He nodded slightly and said, "Grandson, I understand." Then, he turned and followed him to the old Duke's study.

The old Duke sat upright in the armchair behind his desk, his expression serious, his eyes fixed on Zhong Chuzhou who had just walked in. After Zhong Chuzhou stood still, the old Duke asked directly, "Does what happened in the palace tonight have anything to do with you?" His voice was low and powerful, as if carrying an unquestionable majesty.

Zhong Jing was surprised, his eyes flickering between Zhong Chuzhou and the old Duke. He was filled with confusion. "Father, why do you ask this?"

Zhong Chuzhou's usual playful expression vanished, replaced by a solemn and serious expression. He slowly lifted the hem of his robe, knelt on his knees, his back straight, and placed his hands respectfully before him. With the utmost respect, he replied, "Grandfather, I took the initiative." This action caused the Duke of Protectorate's eyes to widen, his face filled with shock and surprise.

The old Duke said nothing, merely staring at him intently. His gaze seemed to penetrate the heart, imbuing him with an invisible pressure. The room instantly fell silent, as if even the air had frozen. After a moment, the old Duke continued, "Tell me! Why? When did it start?" His voice was deep and commanding, each word carrying a weight. The old Duke's eyes were fixed on Zhong Chuzhou, awaiting his response.

Zhong Chuzhou was silent for a long moment before he slowly spoke, "Grandfather, Father, what I'm about to say may seem absurd to you, but please listen to me before you make your decision." He paused, looking at his grandfather and father with sorrowful eyes. Then, he continued, "Grandfather, it seems like I've had a previous life..."

Upon hearing this, both the Old Duke and the Protector of the Country, Zhong Jing, were shocked and looked at Zhong Chuzhou in disbelief. However, looking at Zhong Chuzhou's sorrowful yet determined eyes, they had to believe that what he said might not be false.

The night was as dark as ink, and a deep silence enveloped the entire capital. The wind blew quietly, and the leaves rustled, as if telling endless secrets.

At the Jinwu Marquis's mansion, Wu Anshuo had just returned when a mysterious guest arrived. The housekeeper hurriedly arrived to announce the arrival, and Wu Anshuo was startled for a moment before a thought struck him. He quickly instructed the housekeeper to invite the guest to the study. He then summoned Wu Changfeng to join him.

In the study, the lights were dim and the atmosphere was solemn. The visitor, clad in a black cape and slightly thin, hurried into the study, following the butler. Wu Anshuo invited the visitor to the seat of honor, then sat down with Wu Changfeng to one side. The visitor then asked Wu Changfeng to recount the events of the night in the palace.

Wu Changfeng cleared his throat and began to recount his experiences in the palace tonight. As he spoke, the atmosphere in the study grew increasingly tense, and Wu Anshuo and his guests' expressions grew increasingly serious. Their brows furrowed, their eyes growing more cautious.

The mysterious guest was none other than Mr. Qiao, Zhangsun Wuwang's aide, who listened quietly to Wu Changfeng's story. His face was solemn, as if shrouded in a dark cloud. His serious expression, combined with the wisps of beard, betrayed a deep shrewdness. His eyes narrowed slightly, a deep glint gleaming in those narrow pupils, making it difficult to fathom his thoughts. His fingers constantly stroked his sleeve, the subtle movement hinting at his inner thoughts and calculations.

After a while, he slowly said: "I will relay all that Prince Wu said today to Your Highness. In addition, Your Highness meant that what happened today was most likely done by Prince Zhong, but we need to find out whether it was done by the Duke of Huguo's Mansion or Prince Zhong alone. It is not ruled out that the Prime Minister's Mansion is also involved. In addition, Your Highness will find a way to find out whether Princess Jin'an knows about it. Prince Wu will temporarily put aside his previous plan for Princess Jin'an. The first priority now is to prepare to welcome Lan Zhu into the family, and she must not be underestimated. I don't need to explain the reasons in detail, right?" After that, he looked at Wu Changfeng steadily.

Wu Changfeng looked up at Wu Anshuo. Wu Anshuo only exchanged glances, and Wu Changfeng knew there was no turning back. He could only suppress his emotions, nodding slightly, and saying, "Don't worry, sir. I understand. I will handle Lanzhu's matter appropriately."

Mr. Qiao nodded slightly, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. He reminded them again, "Your Highness asked me to tell the Marquis and the Crown Prince that this matter is of grave importance and must not be taken lightly. Although Lanzhu is only a maid, she holds a special place in Princess Jin'an's heart. If she can be used effectively, she will surely contribute to Your Highness's cause." His tone was serious, conveying Lanzhu's importance.

Wu Anshuo pondered for a moment and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. We understand and will certainly make good arrangements."

Mr. Qiao stood up and adjusted his cloak. Wu Anshuo and his son followed suit. Mr. Qiao bowed and said, "Very well, then I will return to report to His Highness. Lord Marquis, Prince, I bid you farewell." With that, he turned and walked out of the study, his black cloak fluttering slightly in the night breeze. His figure gradually melted into the night.

In the study, Wu Anshuo and Wu Changfeng fell silent. After a while, Wu Anshuo said gravely, "Feng'er, go back and rest first. I'll talk to your mother about bringing Lanzhu in, and have her make the arrangements. You must understand the importance of this matter. As for Qianyi, have your mother talk to her first, and then try to appease her."

Wu Changfeng bowed his head slightly, his expression solemn. "Don't worry, father. I understand the importance of this matter. As for Qianyi, I will do my best to comfort her." His voice was steady, yet a hint of helplessness lingered. Wu Changfeng knew that personal feelings were of little importance when it came to the family's interests. Although he felt some reluctance about welcoming Lanzhu into his family, he understood that it was a necessary choice under the current circumstances. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He stood up, bowed, and returned to his own courtyard.

Wu Anshuo sat quietly in his chair, eyes closed, yet his mind raced with thoughts. Recalling the events of the night still left him with a lingering sense of dread. He knew full well that the Marquisate was in dire straits. Resting on its laurels was not a long-term solution; a breakthrough was urgently needed. With the court stable and no major fighting on the border, finding a path forward would be no easy task. His decision to support the Third Prince had been a carefully considered one.

The glory and status of the Marquisate, passed down through generations, now face numerous challenges. He must carefully plan a viable path for the family's future. Choosing the Third Prince is undoubtedly a gamble fraught with risk, but in this ever-changing court, it seems only this can bring new hope and opportunity to the Marquisate.

He sighed softly and opened his eyes, a look of fatigue and helplessness in them. But he also knew that he had no way out. For the glory and future of the Marquisate, he must move forward resolutely. He stood up, straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, and slowly walked out of the study.

.......