The princess regretted it.

Chapter 228: Fuquan's Good News

Jin An was so preoccupied with trying to manage his tangled thoughts and flustered mood that he didn't notice anything unusual about Han Shuang beside him. Han Shuang's face was bright and cheerful, the corners of her mouth unconsciously raised, her eyes filled with unconcealable joy.

It turned out that after Jin An followed Mu Xiang to the old lady's courtyard, Han Shuang had been keeping a watchful eye while waiting outside. She had intentionally positioned herself closer to the house, carefully listening to the conversation coming from inside. Although she couldn't hear everything, she had a general idea of what was going on. Knowing that her princess was likely to marry Young Master Zhong Chuzhou, Han Shuang's mind was filled with excitement. This was a great event; perhaps she would soon have a young master.

Looking at Han Shuang's eyes, darting back and forth, sparkling with longing, I'm sure her thoughts have already drifted far away, and she's already thinking about learning a new skill—childcare. She's probably thinking happily that after the princess and Young Master Zhong get married, they might have a baby soon. Then she'll have to help the princess raise the child, so she needs to learn this childcare skill beforehand.

Ziyun, on the other hand, lacked Han Shuang's profound internal energy. While waiting outside the courtyard, she hadn't been able to hear what was being discussed inside. She was simply filled with curiosity. Her princess had been acting strangely today. Her face had been red since she left the study, and she had become even more restless when she arrived at the old lady's courtyard. And now, as she left, she was in a hurry, as if something was chasing her. Ziyun was plagued by suspicion, but she couldn't bring herself to ask directly. She would only occasionally steal glances at Jin'an.

When the group returned to the palace, Jin An ignored Madam Zhao and went straight back to the inner hall, saying that she was tired and wanted to rest, and asked them not to disturb her.

Seeing this, Nanny Zhao couldn't help but look worried and hurriedly grabbed Ziyun and Hanshuang, asking anxiously, "What happened? Our princess doesn't look right. She's not like this usually."

Ziyun thought about it carefully, and nothing had happened. Besides, she didn't know what the master and the others were discussing, and she couldn't say anything. So she could only answer, "Mammy, the princess just went to the Mu Mansion. Nothing special happened. Maybe she's tired from the bumpy carriage ride back and forth."

Han Shuang nodded seriously, thinking to herself, "I know about this, but I can't tell anyone. After all, the princess's marriage hasn't been finalized yet. If it gets out, it'll cause unnecessary trouble. The master's affairs can't be publicized without permission. She's a trained secret guard."

Jin An's heart hadn't yet settled down when, in the afternoon, Eunuch Fuquan hurriedly arrived at Feiyu Palace, summoning her to the Health Preservation Palace. Seeing Fuquan's delighted expression, Jin An was puzzled. "Eunuch Fu, what's the matter with the Emperor asking me to go to the Health Preservation Palace?" Jin An quietly asked Fuquan.

Eunuch Fuquan smiled mysteriously and said in a deliberately drawn-out tone, "The princess is very happy! You will know when you go there."

"Great joy? What great joy?" Jin An was a little confused. Then her eyes widened, as if she had thought of something. No way! So soon? Didn't we say we were going to the Protectorate Palace tomorrow? Besides this, what else could be great joy right now?

She quietly and tentatively asked Fuquan: "Eunuch Fu, who else is in the Health Hall?"

Eunuch Fu still had a smiling face. "Princess, don't panic. This is a good thing. His Majesty said you'll know when you go there."

After hearing this, Jin An felt unwell. She felt her head was buzzing. She had a vague feeling that this might be the incident.

Jin An did not ask any more questions, but took a deep breath, straightened his clothes slightly, and walked lightly with lotus steps, following Eunuch Fuquan slowly towards the Health Hall.

When they arrived outside the Yangsheng Palace, Eunuch Fuquan smiled and gently pushed open the door. Then he bowed sideways very respectfully and made an elegant gesture of invitation.

Seeing this, Jin An took a deep breath, lifted her gorgeous skirt slightly, and slowly stepped into the Health Hall with graceful steps. Once inside, in the bright light, Jin An saw not only her amiable father, but also the dignified and kindly Grand Princess and the smiling Duke and Duchess of the Protectorate. As if by appointment, all of them wore beaming smiles, their gazes fixed on her in unison, their eyes brimming with joy, as if concealing some great joy.

Jin An's heart, which had been hanging in the air, suddenly dropped to the ground. She felt a surge of panic in her heart, but she had to pretend to be calm.

She tried to make her steps steady and graceful, and first knelt respectfully in the direction of her father, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Father. May you be well and safe."

Afterwards, she saluted in turn to the Grand Princess and the Duke of Protectorate. "Jin'an greets the Imperial Aunt, may the Imperial Aunt live a long and healthy life." Then, turning to the Duke of Protectorate and his wife, "Greetings to Uncle Jing, and Auntie." With each salute, she tried her best to maintain a dignified demeanor, but she couldn't conceal the nervousness and uneasiness she felt within.

After the ceremony, the emperor stood up, smiled warmly, waved at her gently, and said, "Come, come here to your father." His voice was full of love and doting.

Jin An walked slowly forward, her lotus steps light and gentle, until she reached her father's side, stopping only then. She tilted her head slightly upward, trying to maintain a calm and composed smile, but her quivering eyelashes and the slight rise and fall of her chest betrayed the turmoil within her. She stood quietly by, her hands unconsciously clasped together, her slender fingers twisting gently, as if this could ease the tension and anxiety within her.

The emperor looked at her gently, a smile on his lips, and slowly said, "Jin'an, I called you here today because I have something extremely important to tell you."

Jin An took a deep breath, trying to suppress her heartbeat, which was obviously much faster than usual. She lowered her head slightly and said in a soft voice, "Father, what's going on?"

The emperor raised his eyes slightly, glancing at the smiling Grand Princess and the solemn yet somewhat joyful Duke and Duchess of the State sitting beside him. He then turned his head and his gaze fell on Jin An again. He spoke slowly and gently, "Today, your great-aunt is proposing marriage to you on behalf of Zhong Chuzhou. What are your thoughts?"