The princess regretted it.

Chapter 232 Concubine Cen’s Dog is Missing

Jin An noticed Han Shuang's small movements and understood that something was wrong. She stood up at the right time and said to Concubine Chun, "I've been out for a long time. It's time to go back. I'll come to see you another day."

When Concubine Chun stood up, she also stood up. At this time, she quickly replied with a smile: "Since the princess is busy, I will not keep her."

Jin An nodded slightly, and Han Shuang, standing beside him, had already swiftly retrieved the cloak from the shelf and gently put it on Jin An. Afterward, the two of them said goodbye to Concubine Chun and left.

After leaving Concubine Chun's courtyard, Jin An lowered his voice and asked Han Shuang, "What's the matter?"

Han Shuang leaned closer to Jin An and lowered her voice to reply, "Princess, Concubine Cen's dog has disappeared. Someone said they saw the princess encounter the dog in the imperial garden and even said the princess kicked it. Hongyu heard this and hurried back to tell Madam Zhao. Madam Zhao then sent this servant to look for the princess."

"Gone?" Jin An was stunned, her mind filled with confusion. She had clearly instructed someone to return the dog safely, so how could it have disappeared? Her face darkened, and a series of thoughts raced through her mind. Could something have gone wrong with the dog on its way back? Or was someone deliberately interfering, trying to frame her?

She didn't ask any more questions, but left quickly with Han Shuang. The two of them didn't notice that a corner of the green skirt was quietly revealed behind a big tree not far away.

After Jin An and Han Shuang gradually walked away and disappeared from sight, a palace maid in green palace maid's attire slowly emerged from behind the tree. If Jin An saw her at this moment, he would surely realize that this palace maid was a very capable maidservant by the Second Prince's side.

The maid first looked up at Jin An and the other man, who had already walked away, with an elusive look in her eyes. Then, as if she suddenly remembered something, she slowly turned around and cast her gaze towards the courtyard where Concubine Chun lived on the other side. She narrowed her eyes slightly, and a thoughtful glint flashed in her eyes.

After a moment, she seemed to have made up her mind, so she didn't stay any longer, turned around quietly, and left the place quickly with light steps, leaving only the silent garden, as if nothing had happened.

Jin An had just entered Feiyu Hall, and before he could hear any news from Hongyu, a sudden commotion erupted outside. Jin An's eyes flickered, and he calmly glanced at Madam Zhao. Madam Zhao understood and immediately turned to investigate.

Not long after, Nanny Zhao walked in with a gloomy face. She hurried to Jin'an's side, leaned over slightly, and whispered a few words in her ear.

Upon hearing this, Jin An's expression changed drastically, her eyes filled with surprise and suspicion. She subconsciously looked up at Madam Zhao. Then, Jin An took a deep breath, abruptly stood up, and walked straight out of the hall with light steps.

Outside the palace, Eunuch Fuquan stood in the courtyard with an awkward expression. Beside him stood Mingyue, Concubine Cen's personal maid. Mingyue's eyes, upon seeing Jin'an emerge, were filled with undisguised hostility. She stared at Jin'an intently, as if to bore a hole through her. As soon as Eunuch Fuquan saw Jin'an appear, he hurried forward, placing himself in front of Mingyue. He bowed respectfully and said, "Princess, the Emperor invites you."

Jin An raised her chin slightly, a hint of majesty in her expression. She simply nodded slightly and uttered two words lightly: "Where is my father?"

"Princess, the emperor is now with Concubine Cen." Eunuch Fuquan replied in a low voice.

"Let's go!" After saying that, Jin An took the lead and stepped forward. Seeing this, Han Shuang followed closely behind Jin An.

Seeing this, Eunuch Fuquan didn't dare delay any longer. He glanced at Mingyue with a warning in his eyes, then quickly turned and led the way. Mingyue gritted her teeth and turned to follow. The group headed towards the palace where Concubine Cen lived.

When they arrived outside Concubine Cen's palace, they heard a commotion inside. Jin An frowned, then calmly walked in.

As soon as they entered the door and walked around the back wall, they saw a scene of chaos and confusion. The palace maids and nurses came and went in a hurry, their steps anxious, and they were busy shuttling around like ants on a hot pot. When they saw Jin An coming in, they seemed to have no time to pay attention to the formalities. They just glanced at him and hurried back to their work.

At this moment, Mingyue unexpectedly swiftly passed Jin'an, Eunuch Fuquan, and the others, and hurried into the inner hall first. Eunuch Fuquan looked at this situation and shook his head secretly. He was quite dissatisfied with this rude behavior, but it was not a good time to lose his temper.

Jin An pretended not to notice these rude behaviors. At this moment, she also wanted to find out the cause of this incident, so she didn't care about these details for the time being.

Eunuch Fuquan raised his head, a flattering smile plastered on his face, and respectfully led Jin'an into the inner hall. He saw the emperor's eldest grandson, Hongze, sitting gloomily on the chair carved with dragons and phoenixes, his expression revealing a deep sense of displeasure.

The thin gauze curtains had been drawn before the couch where Concubine Cen lay, revealing only a faint outline. An imperial physician, intently examining Concubine Cen's pulse through the curtains, extended his fingers. Mingyue, already standing beside the curtains with a look of sorrow on her face, silently watched the physician's pulse-taking, her eyes slightly red.

Jin An first knelt and bowed politely to his father, his movements graceful and dignified. The emperor, seeing this, simply nodded slightly, his expression still stern, and said calmly, "Get up! Come and sit over here."

"Father, why did you call me here so urgently?" Jin An stood up as he was told, walked slowly to the designated seat and sat down, then he couldn't wait to ask.

The emperor just waved his hand, his expression somewhat gloomy, and said, "We'll talk later."

Soon, the imperial physician, with a solemn expression, slowly emerged from the inner chamber, carrying a medicine box. Upon seeing the Emperor, he knelt respectfully and reported, "Your Majesty, Concubine Cen's health has already been damaged. Her Qi and blood are deficient, and her internal organs are strained. This time, she has suffered a significant shock, causing disordered Qi and blood to flow backwards. Her pulse is weak and intermittent. The situation is truly not optimistic. I will prescribe some medicine and do my best to nurse her back to health. However, she must rest well and not be disturbed again."