The princess regretted it.

The commotion in the west of the city had no effect on the Duke of Protector's Mansion today. A constant stream of carriages came and went at the gates, the clatter of wheels and the thud of horses' hooves mingling like a lively melody. Officials' families disembarked one after another, adorned with splendid attire and exquisite jewelry. Each one was radiant, their faces meticulously groomed, their brows as black as distant ink, their eyes as clear as autumn water, their lips as rosy as cherries. Such a magnificent scene was truly beautiful.

The reason for all this grandeur was a small chrysanthemum-viewing banquet specially hosted by the Grand Princess. She had recently acquired a pot of black chrysanthemums, which she greatly admired, and so invited the families of officials to come and admire them. Of course, these families wouldn't miss this opportunity. After all, while the Protector of the Country might seem unremarkable, his family was not bad. Each of them brought their own daughters of marriageable age to the banquet, and their attire was dazzling and dazzling.

The servants in charge of reception at the Duke of Huguo's mansion ushered the family members into the palace, where they were greeted by a dazzling display of flowers in the garden. Chrysanthemums of every hue competed for splendor: red like fire, pink like clouds, white like snow, and yellow like gold. Some had delicate, silky petals, as if woven from the finest silk thread; others had full, layered petals, like piled clouds, soft and fluffy. Some were tiny and exquisite, adorable, like works of art meticulously crafted by nature; others were enormous and imposing, like kings among flowers, majestic and solemn.

Today, the Grand Princess wore a deep purple brocade gown and a headdress of pearls and jade. Her usually stern face had become amiable. She sat at the main seat in the garden, smiling and welcoming each guest. The deep purple brocade shimmered slightly in the sunlight, delicately embroidered with patterns, embodying nobility and elegance. Pearls and jade adorned her hair, shimmering brilliantly and adding a touch of splendor.

Today, the wife of the Duke of Huguo, Qin Susu, wore a pale blue, cloud-patterned brocade gown. The fabric was incredibly soft, fluttering gently as she walked, like a wisp of light cloud. The hem of the gown was embroidered with delicate silver thread, creating an exquisite pattern that resembled twinkling stars in the night sky. Her hair was piled high, adorned with a white jade hairpin, its head carved with a blooming lotus, a delicate and elegant expression. Her earrings were a pair of sleek pearls, emitting a soft glow that complemented her gentle demeanor. Her face was beautiful, her eyes revealing a gentleness and intelligence. She stood smiling beside the Grand Princess, welcoming the guests.

The family members entered and greeted the Grand Princess and Qin Susu. The Grand Princess raised her hand slightly, smiling graciously, "No need to be so formal. Today, let's appreciate the chrysanthemums together and share this autumn beauty." Qin Susu also smiled and invited the ladies of each mansion to take their seats. After greeting each other, the ladies took their seats. The maids waiting nearby then served exquisite tea and fruit in an orderly manner.

At that moment, a voice was heard: "Grandma, your flowers are so beautiful!" The clear voice rang out like a silver bell. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Princess Jin'an, dressed in a moon-white palace dress, the hem embroidered with elegant orchid patterns, which shimmered softly in the sunlight. She wore an exquisite pearl crown, the gems gleaming brightly, highlighting her noble beauty. Princess Jin'an walked gracefully with a smile on her face, followed by a group of palace maids and eunuchs, exuding an imposing aura.

When the eldest princess saw Princess Jin'an, a happy smile appeared on her face, and she waved her hand quickly, saying, "Jin'an is here, come here and let the imperial aunt see her." Princess Jin'an walked up to the eldest princess, bowed slightly and said, "I'm glad to see the imperial aunt, and I'm glad to see Aunt Susu." Qin Susu also responded with a smile, "I'm glad to see Princess Jin'an." Everyone stood up and saluted Princess Jin'an, who smiled and motioned for everyone to skip the formalities.

The eldest princess was busy pulling Jin'an to sit beside her, and said with a smile, "Which pot did you take a fancy to, Grandma?" Jin'an smiled slyly and said, "Grandma, since Grandma asked, will you give it to me if it's the one I like?"

The eldest princess couldn't help but laugh heartily, "Hahahaha," and scolded, "You little girl, the imperial aunt won't fall for your tricks. I think you're here just for my pot of black chrysanthemums. Don't even think about it."

Princess Jin'an didn't get angry after hearing what the eldest princess said. Instead, she winked playfully and said, "Grandma, you are so stingy. That pot of black chrysanthemum is so special. Jin'an really likes it very much."

The Grand Princess extended her finger and gently tapped Princess Jin'an's forehead, saying, "My little girl, I can't give you my treasure so easily. The black chrysanthemum is a rare treasure, and I treasure it myself."

Princess Jin'an hugged the eldest princess's arm and said coquettishly, "Grandma, please love Jin'an. Maybe Jin'an will find a better treasure to give to you in the future."

The eldest princess shook her head helplessly and said, "You only know how to make me happy. I really can't give you that black chrysanthemum, but if you like other chrysanthemums, you can pick a few pots."

Princess Jin'an's eyes lit up and she said, "Really? The Imperial Aunt is the best. Then Jin'an must choose carefully."

At this moment, a discordant voice rang out, "Princess Jin'an, are you trying to force me?" Everyone's eyes turned to the person who spoke. Sitting to one side was a woman dressed in gorgeous clothes. She was none other than the wife of the Minister of Revenue, Guo.

The wife of the Minister of Revenue, Guo, was about forty years old. She wore a dress embroidered with a ginger-yellow brocade. The brocade was delicate, and the embroidery on the skirt was intricate and elegant. Her hair was tied high in a dignified bun. A golden hairpin studded with rubies was placed in her bun. A closer look at her face revealed that she must have been extremely beautiful in her youth.

However, perhaps due to her worries about her daughter, she now looked shrouded in a faint cloud of melancholy. Her brows were slightly furrowed, a knot seemingly twisted between them. Her eyes, once bright and moving, now held a sinister brilliance, their corners seemingly drooping slightly from worry. Beneath her high nose, her rosy lips were tightly pursed, their lines drawn tight, adding a touch of harshness to her expression. The moment one laid eyes on her, their attention was completely drawn to this melancholy and harshness, obscuring her otherwise beautiful features.