The princess regretted it.

Chapter 291 Concubine Cen Receives a Note

Jin An's heart tightened when he saw his father's anger. He quickly took two steps forward and gently advised, "Father, please calm down. The most urgent task right now is to quickly find evidence and bring the mastermind to justice. Don't let your anger weaken your health. I am willing to assist Commander Zuo Quan in investigating this case and restore peace to the harem."

The emperor looked at Jinan deeply, the anger in his eyes subsided a little, and he nodded slightly and said, "It's rare that you have such filial piety, but you don't have to worry about the investigation. Don't let the dirty things in the harem pollute your ears. Just be safe and prepare well for you and Chuzhou. Your father will make arrangements for this matter. But things may not be peaceful recently, so you must pay attention to safety when traveling." The emperor's tone was full of concern and advice. After all, Jinan was his beloved daughter, and he didn't want to see her in danger.

Jin An listened to her father's words. She had already suspected he was plotting something, and now that she heard his words, that feeling was even more pronounced. Now that her uncle and his family had returned safely, the rewards they had received were incredibly high-profile. Zhang Chengde's reaction at the celebration banquet had made Jin An suspicious. Furthermore, the fact that he had just assigned the Imperial Guards to investigate while deliberately avoiding Zhang Hengrui, coupled with the emperor's recent covert suppression of the Zhang family, made her secretly suspect that her father was planning to take action against the Zhang family.

Thinking of this, Jin An realized that this matter was likely related to the politics of the previous dynasty, and it was not something she could interfere in. So Jin An knelt and bowed respectfully, saying loudly, "Your son understands. Your son and everyone in Feiyu Palace will cooperate with the Imperial Guard's investigation."

Meanwhile, Concubine Cen, having just returned to her palace, sat alone on her bed, gazing out the window with a melancholy gaze. Moonlight, like water, cast a shadow over her haggard features, illuminating her inner worry and uneasiness. Her fingers unconsciously stroked the brocade quilt covering her, the Emperor's cold words echoing in her mind. She wondered: Concubine Zhang must have thoroughly angered the Emperor this time. But after her downfall, what would become of the harem? And how would she cope?

Suddenly, a light sound of footsteps was heard. Concubine Cen turned her head alertly and saw Cui Liu, the palace maid who had accompanied her back, hurried into the room with a panicked look on her face and seemed to be holding something in her hand.

"Your Majesty," Cui Liu lowered her voice and said hurriedly, "I just picked this up at the palace gate. It looks like someone left it there on purpose." As she spoke, she handed the note in her hand to Concubine Cen.

Concubine Cen took the note, unfolded it, and her face turned pale. On the note were written a few words in blood: "Do you want Mingyue to live?"

Concubine Cen's hands began to tremble unconsciously. She looked around, as if countless pairs of eyes were watching her from the darkness, and a chill ran down her spine. "Who... who sent this?" Concubine Cen asked in a trembling voice.

Cui Liu shook her head in fear and replied, "I don't know. When I found it, there was only this piece of paper, and no one was around."

Concubine Cen took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She knew she was caught in the middle of a massive vortex, and a single misstep would lead to her utter destruction. She clutched the note tightly, her gaze growing determined as she thought to herself: No matter who's behind this, or what their intentions are, I won't just sit there and wait for death...

Elsewhere in the palace, Princess Jiaoyu sat leisurely on a couch, fiddling with a jade hairpin, a smug smile playing on her lips. "Hmph, even if I can't get rid of Concubine Chun this time, I'll at least make that bitch Concubine Cen pay for it. They're all trying to leapfrog my mother to the throne! Hmph! Then damn them all!" she muttered softly, her eyes etched with sinister calculation.

Little did she know that because of her plan, a storm against her mother and the Zhang family was quietly brewing, and was about to sweep in with thunderous force, completely shattering all her conspiracies and tricks.

Concubine Chun slowly came to mind after more than half an hour. As soon as she regained consciousness, the haze of fear in her eyes had not yet faded, and she asked anxiously: "Your Majesty, my child... How is the child?" Her voice trembled violently, like a lone goose shivering in the cold wind, full of panic and anxiety, and her emotions fluctuated accordingly.

The Emperor, who had been guarding the bedside without moving, immediately leaned forward upon seeing this, clasping Concubine Chun's hand with both hands. His gaze was firm yet gentle, as if endowing her with boundless strength. He whispered soothingly, "Don't worry, my dear. The child is fine. Everything is over. The Imperial Physician told you not to get excited any more!" His tone, steady yet unwavering, shone with undeniable conviction, as if to dispel all fear and worry. As he spoke, he gently patted the back of Concubine Chun's hand, his gentle words flowing out like a gurgling stream, a meticulous and thoughtful tribute to her well-being.

Under the emperor's gentle soothing voice, Concubine Chun's tense emotions seemed to have found an outlet and slowly calmed down. However, her eyes were still filled with tears, which silently slid down her cheeks like pearls with broken strings, which made people feel pity for her.

Concubine Chun appeared peaceful and calm, like a tranquil lake, unperturbed. Yet, faced with such a life-or-death situation, how could anyone easily shake off the lingering fear? Meeting the Emperor now, she felt as if a lonely boat had found a safe haven, a solid support for her and her unborn child. In this moment of survival, tears welled up uncontrollably, her delicate demeanor etched in her heart, a scene that moved hearts.

Seeing this scene, and seeing that her father had no intention of leaving, Jin An tactfully stepped forward to comfort Concubine Chun before bowing and leaving.

In Feiyu Hall, Ye Yi, who had been sent back by Jin An to wash and rest, was already packed. Thinking of himself, thinking about what he had discovered at the fire scene, he wanted to inform Jin An as soon as possible, so he went straight to Jin An's room and found a corner to wait quietly, hoping that Jin An would return soon.

After Jin'an and his group returned and were about to push the door open, Han Shuang's expression suddenly froze. As a prominent member of the Dark Guards, she possessed a keen sense of surrounding auras. Sensing the presence of someone else in the princess's room, she swiftly stepped forward, completely shielding Jin'an from view. One hand rested on the hilt of the soft sword at her waist, the other slowly reached toward the door, cautiously preparing to push it open.

Jin An was startled by Han Shuang's sudden action, and her alertness surged. She and Zi Yu exchanged a glance, and in perfect unison, they both took a few steps back. Zi Yu, on the other hand, became even more cautious, keeping a vigilant eye on her surroundings, guarding Jin An.