The princess regretted it.

In Feiyu Palace, Princess Jin'an got up early and finished her breakfast. Nanny Zhao walked up to her quietly and ordered the palace maids to clear the dishes on the table in an orderly manner.

Princess Jin'an raised her head slightly and asked softly, "Mammy, do you think the Emperor has left the court?"

Madam Zhao bowed slightly, her expression respectful, and said softly, "Princess, it's still early. What are your instructions?"

Princess Jin'an did not immediately answer Nanny Zhao's question. Instead, she frowned slightly and asked thoughtfully, "Where are Lanzhu, Qingli, and the others?"

Madam Zhao bowed hurriedly and replied, "Princess, Ziyun has gone to the Prime Minister's residence to deliver the fresh fruit that the Ministry of Internal Affairs distributed yesterday to the old Prime Minister. Lanzhu may be in the greenhouse."

Princess Jin'an's eyes turned slightly after hearing this, and she said in a low voice, "Mammy, do you know what Lanzhu has been busy with recently?"

The maid was slightly stunned and asked in confusion, "Lanzhu has handled many matters directly with Your Highness, and this is also with Your Highness's permission. Why do you ask this today?"

Jin An laughed at himself and said, "Yeah! I didn't realize I gave Lan Zhu so much power."

Mammy thought for a moment and asked cautiously, "Your Highness, have you noticed anything wrong?"

Jin An pondered for a moment, then beckoned the nanny to lean over and whispered, "Nanny, please keep quiet for now. Please pay more attention and help me keep an eye on who Lan Zhu hangs out with. Also, keep an eye on how many rats there are in this hall."

The nanny respectfully agreed. After all, she was an old woman who had been immersed in the harem for many years and had already understood the key points. She felt particularly sorry for her young mistress. In order to divert His Highness's attention, she deliberately said, "Your Highness, Qingli has noticed that the princess has been a little tired recently and is worried. She went to the imperial kitchen this morning to get some ingredients. She should be making red date and longan soup for the princess in the small kitchen right now. What would you like for lunch? How about making arrangements for Hongyu as well?"

Jin An understood the nanny's intentions, and asked with great interest: "Oh! What ingredients are there? Come with me and take a look!" After saying that, Princess Jin An stood up lightly and prepared to walk towards the small kitchen.

Seeing this, Aunt Zhao hurried over, her face showing anxiety, and she advised: "Princess, you are a precious person, don't go to a greasy place like the kitchen."

Princess Jin'an didn't even turn her head, and replied in a light tone, "No defense." She moved lightly with lotus steps, and her skirt swayed slightly.

Zhao Ma had no choice but to follow the princess closely.

Steam rose from the small kitchen. Qingli, dressed in a light blue maid's uniform, was concentrating on the stove, brewing a nourishing soup for Princess Jin'an. Jin'an walked slowly in. Qingli saw her and quickly put down her work, bowing. "Princess, why are you here in the kitchen? Just tell me what you need."

Jin An's eyes were focused on the food display area. He waved his hand casually and said, "It's okay. You go about your business. I'll just take a look at what ingredients are available. I just want to make some snacks for my father."

Qingli suddenly looked up in shock, her face filled with surprise as she looked at Madam Zhao, only to find that Madam Zhao was also stunned, her eyes filled with disbelief. Madam Zhao was also stunned and at a loss as to how to react. When had her princess actually learned to make snacks? Ever since returning from Hanyun Temple that day, the princess had been different. She spoke and acted more calmly than before, and her attitude towards her had become more intimate.

Princess Jin'an had noticed the flour, eggs, and nectar among the ingredients Qingli had brought back that morning. She tilted her head slightly and said seriously, "I've made up my mind. I'll make lotus cake." Then, she calmly extended her hands to Madam Zhao. Madam Zhao, too stunned to react, didn't react immediately. Princess Jin'an raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "Madam?!" Madam Zhao snapped back to her senses and hurried forward to help Princess Jin'an roll up her sleeves. Still unwilling to give up, she pleaded, "Your Highness, why don't you let Qingli do it?" Qingli nodded in agreement.

Jin An smiled faintly, "Mammy, don't worry. I can make lotus cakes, and I want my father to taste what I made with my own hands."

Yes, in her past life, she had endured so much hardship, wasting countless hours learning to cook, all to please that uncaring person. Now, thinking about it, it was truly worthless. Her father loved her so much, yet he had never tasted the delicious food she had made. Now, let her make up for the regrets of her past life.

Seeing this, Qingli had no choice but to step forward, prepare the necessary ingredients one by one, and place them neatly on the clean table.

Princess Jin'an washed her hands and gently rolled up her sleeves, revealing an arm as white as a lotus root. She slowly poured flour into a large porcelain bowl, then carefully cracked a few eggs, letting the golden liquid flow into the flour. The princess picked up a pair of delicate wooden chopsticks and gently stirred, her movements skillful and graceful. Madam Zhao and Qingli watched in amazement.

Princess Jin'an mixed the flour evenly, added an appropriate amount of water, and began to knead the dough. As she kneaded it, the dough gradually became smooth and elastic.

Princess Jin'an turned around and saw the stunned looks of Nanny and Qingli, and couldn't help but laugh softly. Qingli finally came to her senses, quickly composed herself, and walked over to help the princess, placing the pot on the small stove and pouring in the oil to heat it.

The princess then set the kneaded dough aside to let it rise, then turned to check the oil pan on the small stove. The oil was already smoking hot, and the princess carefully rolled the dough into large sheets and cut them into thin noodles. As the noodles were lowered into the oil, they sizzled and instantly turned golden. This frightened Madam Zhao, who hurried forward and covered the princess with a piece of cloth. Princess Jin'an gently patted Madam Zhao's hand, reassuring her not to worry.

In the small kitchen, with Princess Jin'an calm and composed while Qingli and Aunt Zhao were terrified, the steps of frying the lotus cake, boiling the syrup, putting it into the mold, shaping it, demoulding it, and serving it on a plate were completed step by step.

After everything was finished, Princess Jin'an looked at the lotus cake she had made with satisfaction. She tilted her head slightly to look at Qingli and Aunt Zhao beside her, and asked softly with a hint of pride, "How is it?"

Qingli and Madam Zhao gazed at the plate of hibiscus cake, a riot of golden and creamy white, its surface evenly covered with a thin layer of frosting as fine as snowflakes. Its square shape, distinct layers, and neat edges were all perfectly formed. Their hearts were filled with shock, like surging waves. Their eyes widened as they stared at the plate of hibiscus cake, as if they couldn't believe that this exquisite hibiscus cake was made by the princess herself.

Seeing their expressions of shock, Jin An's heart was suddenly filled with a complex mixture of emotions. Who could have imagined that she, a beloved daughter, would one day create such delicious pastries with her own hands? She thought that those who knew her well would probably be astonished. She slowly calmed down, gently tapped Qingli's forehead with a doting look, and said softly, "Wake up, pack these pastries properly, and follow me to the imperial study. Father should have left court by now."

Qingli woke up as if from a dream and quickly replied, "Yes, Princess." She deftly put the hibiscus cake into an exquisite food box and covered it with a brocade handkerchief embroidered with elegant patterns.

Princess Jin'an washed the remaining flour and traces of pastry-making from her hands with water brought by Nanny Zhao, then gently dried them with a soft silk handkerchief. Afterward, she returned to the inner hall and changed into a simple yet elegant dress. After she was ready, Princess Jin'an called out, "Qingli." Qingli respectfully walked up behind her, carrying a food box containing lotus cakes.

Princess Jin'an led Qingli towards the imperial study slowly and calmly.