The princess regretted it.

In the Wuqiu Palace, a hush fell. The attendant Aunt Qiuwen had sent to escort someone returned and stood in the doorway, whispering to her about the situation. Qiuwen listened intently, her gaze etched with worry as she gazed at Concubine Zhang, seated in a soft chair. She sat leaning back in the chair, one hand resting on her forehead, her eyes tightly closed, her brows furrowed like a knot. She remained silent for a long time, as if lost in deep thought.

Qiu Wen tiptoed in and came behind Concubine Zhang. She slowly reached out her hand and gently pressed the Concubine's head. She lowered her voice very low and whispered, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. I have sent someone to send Yu Ruyi back to the Zhao Mansion with Miss Zhao. I have also explained to Minister Zhao in detail the reason for Princess Jin'an's punishment of Miss Zhao today. Minister Zhao understands your helplessness and will certainly not bear any resentment."

Concubine Zhang exhaled heavily, her eyes still closed, and spoke slowly, "Today's banquet was truly disastrous. A perfect banquet was ruined by Jin'an. How despicable! She's a nemesis. It's such a pity for Zhao Wan'er. She's both beautiful and talented. If this could have been accomplished, Old Man Zhao would have been a great help to Ji'er. If it weren't for that idiot from the Cheng family!" At this point, Concubine Zhang's breathing suddenly increased, her eyes fluttering open in anger. Her emotions suddenly soared, and with a wave of her hand, she violently knocked the teacup on the table to the ground. The crisp sound of shattering was particularly piercing in the silent palace, and her voice unconsciously rose a few degrees: "Idiot, how dare you mention the relationship between me and Mudan in front of Jin'an? You're so foolish! You've ruined my plans."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please don't get angry." Qiu Wen hurried forward to calm Concubine Zhang down, softly saying, "Don't worry, I've sent word to Cheng Shaoqing that Miss Cheng will be sent back home soon. Your Majesty, please don't see such an unlucky person again, lest it ruin your mood."

"She deserves it!" Concubine Zhang asked indignantly. "Does Cheng Shaoqing have any complaints?"

"Your Majesty, don't worry. Cheng Shaoqing knows that this is Princess Jin'an's intention and has nothing to do with Your Majesty. After all, Jin'an is the legitimate daughter of the Empress, and Your Majesty is powerless."

Concubine Zhang took a deep breath, slowly closed her eyes, and gently patted Qiuwen's hand, as if trying to calm herself. "I was originally optimistic about Lin Qian, but she became speechless after meeting Jin An. She can't even handle this. She's just a beautiful woman. What a waste!"

Qiu Wen looked at the Imperial Concubine and whispered, "Your Majesty, there are still many good ladies in the boudoir. Let's take our time to choose. Please don't use your own health to make trouble. Princess Jiaoyu and the Second Prince still need your concern!"

Hearing this, Concubine Zhang raised her hand to signal Qiu Wen not to continue. She looked outside and said, "Alright, let's discuss this later. Let's have someone come in and clean up first. Jiaoyu will be here soon. There are some things that we should not let her know. Is her favorite Fuling cake ready?"

"Your Majesty, the kitchen has already prepared everything. We've also prepared the Second Prince's favorite jujube paste pastry," Qiu Wen replied respectfully, motioning to the nearby maids to come in and clean up the broken porcelain pieces on the floor. The maids tiptoed in, carefully swept up the debris, and then quietly left the room.

Concubine Zhang opened her eyes slightly, a genuine smile playing on her lips. Her gaze softened as she spoke slowly, "You said these two children, born just a few minutes apart, have such different tastes. Jiaoyu has always loved this Poria cocos cake; its soft, glutinous texture and delicate fragrance always delight her. Ji'er, on the other hand, has a special liking for this Jujube Pastry; every time she eats it, she's so satisfied."

As she spoke, a clear voice rang out from the doorway, "Mother!" A charming young woman in a pale pink satin skirt trotted toward them. Her features were picturesque, and her smile radiant, like a flower in bloom on a spring day. It was none other than the beloved daughter Concubine Zhang had just mentioned—Princess Jiaoyu. Princess Jiaoyu, a year older than Princess Jin'an, possessed a sweet and charming face, like a delicate flower in bloom on a spring day.

Princess Jiaoyu came to Concubine Zhang, took her arm affectionately, and said coquettishly, "Mother, I missed you so much." Concubine Zhang looked at her daughter dotingly and gently tapped her nose. "You, child, know how to make mother happy."

At this time, the Second Prince, Changsun Yunji, also strode in. He was dressed in a blue brocade robe and a black belt inlaid with sapphires. He looked dignified, with a heroic air between his brows. His eyes were very clear. Seeing his mother and sister, a smile appeared on his face. "Mother, sister."

Concubine Zhang looked at the two children, her heart filled with joy. "Come and try some of these, they are your favorite pastries," she called out to them.

Princess Jiaoyu couldn't wait to pick up a piece of Poria cocos cake, took a bite, and squinted her eyes in satisfaction, "Mother's Poria cocos cake is still the best." The second prince picked up a piece of jujube paste cake and started eating it in big mouthfuls.

Seeing the children enjoying their meal, Concubine Zhang felt relieved and her smile grew even brighter. She whispered, "You two, eat slowly. There's plenty to eat." Changsun Jiaoyu and Changsun Yunji glanced at each other and nodded.

"Mother, was there a servant who was not careful enough to make you unhappy just now?" Changsun Jiaoyu asked casually. Concubine Zhang paused slightly, realizing that she had seen the broken teacup. Then she smiled and said, "It's nothing, just eat in peace. Mother just accidentally dropped it."

Seeing this, Changsun Yunji smiled brightly and said, "Sister, you're overthinking it. Anyone who dares to make Mother unhappy is incredibly bold."

Seeing this, Changsun Jiaoyu didn't say much, but just smiled sweetly, lowered her head and ate the cake in her hand. The time spent together by the mother and her two children seemed very warm.

After finishing their tea, Changsun Jiaoyu stood up and bowed to Concubine Zhang with her brother. She walked out of the palace with light steps, her sweet face instantly covered with a layer of frost.

Returning to her quarters, Changsun Jiaoyu immediately dismissed her attendants, leaving only her most trusted maidservant. Sitting upright on the couch, her eyes sharp as a sword, she spoke coldly, "Something must have happened at today's flower viewing banquet to upset Mother. Mother won't talk about it, but I can't ignore it. There must be something fishy going on; someone must have been blind and offended Mother. Go and investigate what exactly happened at today's banquet."

The maid quickly agreed and quickly withdrew to arrange for an investigation. Changsun Jiaoyu narrowed her eyes slightly, her fingers tapping the armrest lightly. A sinister glint in her eyes belied her delicate features. She pondered to herself: In this deep palace, any slightest disturbance could harbor a grave crisis. She must remain vigilant, meticulously planning for both her own and her mother's status. In this respect, she and her mother, Concubine Zhang, were truly identical. She had been ingrained with this knowledge from a young age. If she didn't, in this treacherous palace, she could be trampled upon at any moment, her fate irreversible.

There were many people at the banquet today, so naturally the matter was easy to investigate. Soon, the maid returned in a hurry and reported the findings to Changsun Jiaoyu in a low voice. As Changsun Jiaoyu listened, her face became increasingly gloomy, as if water could drip out, and the malice in her heart kept surging like a surging tide. She gritted her teeth tightly, thinking bitterly in her heart: A bunch of bitches! And you----Changsun Jinan! How dare you embarrass my mother so much and make her lose face. Humph, then wait to pay a heavy price. As her eyes moved, a cruel idea quietly arose, and a sinister smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, and that smile made people shudder. Seeing this, the maid next to her couldn't help but feel terrified, knowing that someone else was about to face a disaster.

Because of today's banquet, many people tossed and turned, unable to sleep. However, the person in Feiyu Hall was an exception.