The princess regretted it.

Chapter 302 Jin An tells the emperor the information

Seeing Cui Liu kneeling and trembling with fear, begging for mercy, Concubine Cen's eyes flashed with pity and self-blame. She knew that her deep worry and depression over Mingyue's disappearance had inadvertently spread this negative aura throughout the palace, causing the palace people to panic, act with trepidation, and lose their usual order and discipline.

"Get up." Concubine Cen's voice softened, carrying a hint of soothing meaning. She raised her hand to signal Cui Liu to stand. "Don't be too frightened. I know how frightened you are. The fire in the Imperial Garden last night already caused panic among the people, and Mingyue disappeared without a trace. These sudden incidents would make it difficult for anyone to remain calm."

When Cui Liu heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She seemed to have not expected the Majesty to comfort her so kindly. She hurriedly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeves. When she stood up, her body was still a little unsteady. She replied tremblingly, "Thank you for your compassion, Majesty. I know I was wrong. I will serve you wholeheartedly in the future and will never be so flustered again."

Concubine Cen nodded and said softly, "Come with me!" Then she stretched out her hand to Cuiliu, who immediately stepped forward and gently lifted her arm.

With Cui Liu's support, Concubine Cen stepped out of the doorway, stood in the corridor, and said to the people in the yard, "Come out."

Everyone in the yard trembled, jostling and shoving each other as they emerged, standing in the courtyard. No one dared to speak. They stood there in silence.

Concubine Cen scanned the crowd in the courtyard, seeing faces filled with fear. She secretly resolved to pull herself together and regain the dignity and responsibility of the head of a palace. Clearing her throat, she raised her voice and said, "Palace servants, listen up! While last night was fraught with danger, we have now safely overcome it. I assure you that I will investigate the truth and recover Mingyue. From now on, each of you will perform your duties and not act like a frightened bird, bringing shame upon our palace. Anyone who slacks off or violates palace rules will be punished!" Her words were powerful and resonated throughout the palace.

Upon hearing this, the palace maids all knelt on the ground and responded in unison: "We will follow the Empress's orders!" Although their voices were still a little trembling, they were more confident than before.

Seeing this, Concubine Cen felt a little relieved. She knew that it would take time to completely dispel the haze that shrouded the palace, but as long as she could keep her mind steady and set an example, life in the palace would slowly return to normal.

At this moment, she was increasingly anxious to get to the bottom of the arsonist and Mingyue's whereabouts. This was not only for her own sake, but also for the peace of her entire palace...

Jin'an's companions had already arrived at the Imperial Study. The Emperor, consumed by the myriad concerns of court and harem, was now seated alone behind the Dragon Table, his eyes closed as if resting, when, in reality, his mind was a turbulent sea, turbulent and complex. Firstly, he had been exhausted from staying awake all night in Lanxin Palace to protect Concubine Chun. Furthermore, Zuo Quan's disappointing report before court that morning—still no clue as to the arsonist, seemingly a stone sinking into the ocean—had intensified his unease, like a lingering, dark cloud. Secondly, the situation at court was turbulent and volatile. Today, the Zhang family's cronies had defied the will of the world by openly proposing the appointment of a crown prince. This proposal was like a bombshell, instantly sending shockwaves through the court. Though it was promptly and forcefully refuted by Prime Minister Mu, the Grand Tutor, and a host of other loyal figures, the aftermath still reverberated deeply within the Emperor. He knew that once such a sensitive matter, one that affected the very foundation of the nation, was raised, the subsequent infighting and court disputes would be impossible to stop unless a convincing outcome was delivered.

Jin An asked Han Shuang and Zi Yun to wait outside while he entered the imperial study alone. Once inside, he saw his father, seated on the dragon-shaped table, resting his hand on his forehead, his eyes closed, as if resting and recuperating. However, his slightly furrowed brow and haggard features betrayed his inner worries. Seeing Jin An enter, Eunuch Fu Quan hurriedly stepped forward, bowing respectfully. Jin An turned to Eunuch Fu Quan and whispered, "Eunuch Fu Quan, please ask the others to leave as well."

Eunuch Fuquan bent his waist, turned his head to look at the emperor who still hadn't opened his eyes, then bowed and slowly retreated. At the same time, he gently waved to the other eunuchs in the hall. The eunuchs understood and filed out. In the blink of an eye, only Jin'an and the emperor were left in the imperial study.

Jin An walked lightly to the emperor's side, her steps so light that it seemed as if she was afraid to disturb her father's rare moment of rest. Before she even got close, the emperor seemed to sense something, his eyes suddenly opening, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, as if he could see through everything, and he turned his head to look at her quickly.

Seeing that his father had regained consciousness, Jin An immediately knelt and bowed, gracefully saluting the Emperor, and called out in a clear voice, "Your son greets your father."

When the emperor saw that it was Jin An, his originally tense face relaxed a little, he sat up straight, his eyes instantly became gentle and loving, he looked at her and said softly: "You are here, get up!"

Jin An stood up straight as she was told, without waiting for the emperor to ask any questions. She knew that time was pressing, and any delay would increase the chances that the arsonist would get away with it, so she spoke first: "Father, I have received some information that may be related to last night's fire." Her eyes were firm and eager.

"What information? Tell me!" The emperor leaned forward slightly, his eyes full of concentration and expectation.

Jin'an had previously sent word to Fuquan that a suspicious individual had been shot at Ye Yi. He had immediately ordered the Imperial Guards to conduct a thorough investigation, but to date, nothing had been found. This filled him with anxiety, secretly speculating whether the individual had been secretly expelled from the palace, vanishing from sight, or perhaps murdered, wiping out all leads. Now, if Jin'an could bring more useful information and uncover this "invisible bomb" lurking in the harem, it would truly be a solution to their urgent needs.

"Your Majesty, someone discovered in the Imperial Garden that a few days ago, a suspicious maid was lingering around Concubine Chun's courtyard. And this maid..." Jin An paused slightly, sorted out the many clues he had previously obtained from Concubine Chun and Concubine Cen, and told the emperor one by one in an orderly manner. From Gan Cao's witness that the maid was wearing green clothes and precious pearl earrings, deliberately avoiding the sight of others, to Xing'er's mention of the few words she heard behind the low wall, to Mingyue's witnessing the maid beside the Second Prince having a secret conversation with the Third Prince's people, and the maid often wearing gilded crabapple hairpins, emerald bracelets, large pearl earrings and other luxurious accessories, many details were not missed.