The princess regretted it.

The Dali Temple's official document brought the matter to a close, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that this was far more complex than it seemed. Minister Lin had this in mind; he didn't believe a steward could possess such intelligence and tactics. Not to mention the fruitless investigation within his own palace, even the Dali Temple investigation had taken so long to reach its current conclusion. Add to that Zhang Hengrui's visit and the words his wife, Madam Tian, had spoken to his own wife. Looking back, it all seemed a bit deliberate. It seemed as if they were using him to target Princess Jin'an.

He didn't immediately consider why they were targeting Princess Jin'an, but the internal strife within the imperial court was irrelevant. This wasn't his priority; his current concern was how to handle the situation at the Grand Tutor's Mansion. Minister Lin's brow furrowed, his heart filled with worry and anger. He was deeply angered by the Grand Tutor's Mansion's harm to his daughter and their subsequent actions; yet, he was also concerned that despite his numerous grievances and dissatisfactions, he knew full well that the Grand Tutor's Mansion was so powerful that he would find it difficult to contend with it at this point.

Even if he let go of his worries and still attached himself to the Grand Tutor's Mansion, they would certainly be wary of him, and that wouldn't end well. If he stopped following them later on, there was no guarantee of a good outcome either. They would most likely target him, or even attack him.

Minister Lin paced back and forth in his study, weighing the pros and cons, racking his brains, trying to come up with a response. Amidst the internal strife within the imperial court, other officials would mostly choose to play it safe, not taking sides. He was unsure which officials he could trust and which had already been co-opted by the Grand Tutor's Office.

At this time, the voice of the nanny who took care of Lin Qian came from outside the door, "Master, the eldest lady wants to talk to you. I would like you to come over."

Minister Lin opened the door and asked, "What does she want?"

The nanny bowed and said, "Master, the eldest daughter has learned about the Dali Temple's official document. She cried for a while, but has now calmed down. She just said she wanted to discuss something with you."

Minister Lin knew his daughter had suffered a lot recently, but she had grown a lot because of this incident, and her mind had become more mature than before. She must have thought of something. She was inevitably sad when this official document came out, and she had originally planned to visit her later. Now that she sent someone to invite her, she decided to go.

Arriving at Lin Qian's room, Minister Lin glanced around and saw that several compartments in the bedside cabinet were empty again. He wasn't surprised, nor did he ask. Seeing her father arrive, Lin Qian gave a look, and the nanny summoned the servants out and closed the door behind them.

Lin Qian sat down on the bed and said to her father, "Father, what do you think of the document from the Dali Temple?" She was now able to walk with the help of crutches. The wound on her face had healed, though some scars remained. However, with some makeup, they were not noticeable.

Minister Lin walked to the chair in the room and sat down, without answering directly: "Qian'er, are you feeling better today?"

Lin Qian smiled calmly, "Father, I'm fine. You don't need to avoid me. I already know the contents of the document."

Minister Lin sighed softly, "Qian'er, you just need to take good care of your injuries now. Your father will take care of these matters."

"Father, do you really believe what the official document says? Does this really have nothing to do with the Zhang family?" Lin Qian had no intention of backing off, but asked her question directly.

Minister Lin's eyes flickered, but he didn't answer directly.

"Father, you know this is just a scapegoat made up by the Zhang family, right?" Lin Qian looked directly at Lin Song. Lin Song's face froze, and he was about to speak when Lin Qian interrupted him. "Father, the Zhang family sent a lot of gifts earlier, saying they were gifts from Concubine Zhang out of sympathy for my situation. They were actually trying to test you, right?"

Lin Song's expression changed again. Lin Qian didn't give him a chance and continued, "Father, do you really think the Zhang family is a safe place? Even Mother's house arrest this time must have been caused by them, right? Is their behavior really worth risking the Lin family?"

"Shut up!" Lin Song shouted, "How can you talk about these things without permission?"

"Father!" Lin Qian was not frightened by the harsh shouting. Instead, she stared at Lin Song without changing her expression. "You really need to think clearly. The emperor's son is not just for the Zhang family. The emperor is still young, and he will have a son if he wants one. If you are afraid of being isolated and helpless, why not try to get closer to Prime Minister Mu?"

"You, what do you mean?" Lin Song was a little shocked.

"Father, why hasn't Concubine Zhang been crowned as the queen for so many years? Father also knows that it is because of Prime Minister Mu's mansion. But have you ever thought that the emperor is the son of heaven. If he insists on crowning her, can Prime Minister Mu really stop her?" Lin Qian asked slowly in a flat voice.

Lin Song looked at his daughter in front of him, feeling a little bit unbelievable.

"Father, don't be surprised. During this time that your daughter was lying in bed, she slowly thought about many things. Princess Jin'an may not be as domineering and rude as we have heard. Even if she is a little willful, it is because she has the capital to be willful. But at the banquet that day, she may just use me to disgust Concubine Zhang. I did not confront or refute her the whole time. Then she has no reason to hurt me again. Instead, it is Concubine Zhang, no, or it is more likely the Zhang family." Lin Qian was very calm at the moment, as if she was telling someone else's story.

Lin Song heard this and asked at the right moment: "Why do you think so?"

"Father, do you still remember why Concubine Zhang was chosen by the Emperor and later became the most glorious concubine in the six harems?" Lin Qian said, looking at Lin Song. Lin Song nodded slightly, "Of course I remember!"

"When my daughter danced that day, Princess Jin'an praised me for having the demeanor of Concubine Zhang. Perhaps the Zhang family is afraid that I will be the second Concubine Zhang!" Lin Qian said this calmly.

Lin Song suddenly realized that he had always wanted his daughter to be the Crown Princess. If that didn't work out, she could also be the Emperor's Consort. He hadn't thought of this.

Lin Qian looked at her father's reaction and knew that he had understood, so she continued to state her purpose: "Father, I want to enter the palace."

Lin Song didn't understand what she meant for a moment and said anxiously, "What are you doing in the palace? Do you want to file a complaint? The Dali Temple must have issued this document with the approval of His Majesty. This means His Majesty doesn't intend to investigate further. Besides, your leg isn't healed yet, so you can't do anything rash."

Lin Qian looked at Lin Song with her dark eyes, and said word by word: "Father, I want to enter the palace and participate in the selection."

A loud bang rang out in Lin Song's mind. He stared at his daughter, his mouth opening and closing. He finally heard his own voice: "Qian'er, do you know what you are saying?"

"I know! Aren't they afraid I'll become another Concubine Zhang? Why can't I? They only know I'm a great dancer, but they don't know I'm good in other things too! Besides, I can't let all your hard work and cultivation go to waste." She paused, then continued, "What's more, through this incident, I believe I can ask Princess Jin'an to help me."