The princess regretted it.

Chapter 366: Aunt Zhao feels distressed

Chapter 366: Aunt Zhao is distressed

Zhang Hengrui couldn't wipe his horse; in a split second, it was gone. If it weren't for the marks on the tree trunk from the bridle, and the scattered grass around it, where the horse had gnawed it here and there, he would have seriously doubted he'd remembered the wrong place.

He suppressed his anger, his brows knitted into the shape of a "川" character, and quickly looked around for it, but still couldn't find it. He clearly remembered that when he tied the horse, he tied the reins tightly. There was no way the horse could break free and run away unless someone deliberately stole it.

"Who the hell did this?" Zhang Hengrui cursed under his breath, his voice laced with rage. "Let me know I'm not going to kill him." He didn't dare shout, nor did he dare linger. He was worried those playboys might come around and discover him. He gritted his teeth, looked around as he walked, and headed back to the city.

.......

Inside the palace, Jin An sat in her room, holding a hand warmer. The warmth from the hand warmer seeped through her fingertips, making her feel less cold. However, this subtle warmth couldn't dispel the gloom in her heart. Her brows furrowed, and her fingers gently tapped the hand warmer, making a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound. She was waiting for the secret guards watching Princess Jiaoyu to return and respond.

A quarter of an hour ago, Consort Xian Lin Qian arrived at Feiyu Palace and shared a piece of news: Xiangcao, Jiaoyu's companion, had met with a young eunuch who had just returned from shopping outside the palace. The eunuch had secretly handed something to Xiangcao. Xiangcao then hurried back to Jiaoyu Palace, only to stray into Wuqiu Palace, where Concubine Zhang was imprisoned, looking frantic.

Lin Qian's people didn't know what it was, but anything related to Concubine Zhang and her friends was suspicious. Lin Qian was well aware of the power of the Zhang family behind Concubine Zhang and their influence within the palace. Although she didn't know the Zhang family's intentions, she certainly didn't want Concubine Zhang to have any chance of escaping the cold palace. So she told Jin An about it, believing that Princess Jin An, like herself, didn't want the harem to fall into the Zhang family's control again.

After Jin An sent Lin Qian away, he called Ye Yi and ordered, "Go and check whether the secret guards following Jiao Yu know about this." Ye Yi took the order and left, and has not returned yet.

Time was running out. Ever since Jin An learned of the Zhang family's plot, he felt a heavy weight on his heart. Although his grandfather and Zhong Chuzhou were on guard against matters outside the palace, the Zhang family was so powerful and ambitious that no one could guarantee absolute safety.

The palace woman's methods were sinister and ruthless, and she had to be on guard. She had a vague feeling that the information Xiangcao had received was definitely related to the Zhang family's plot. She also felt uneasy, but she couldn't pinpoint the source of this uneasiness.

At that moment, the window was quietly pushed open, letting in a gust of cold wind. A dark figure flashed, and Ye Yi was already standing inside the room. He bowed and said, "Princess, the secret guards didn't see the contents of the note, but Princess Jiaoyu read it and had Xiangcao deliver it to Concubine Zhang. After reading it, Concubine Zhang burned it." His words were concise and clear.

Jin An frowned slightly, pondering in silence, her worry growing even more intense. She wondered what was written on that note? Why were Princess Jiaoyu and Concubine Zhang so cautious as to burn it?

"Princess, do we need to control Xiangcao? We will definitely know the truth as long as we interrogate her." Ye Yi looked at Jin An and asked in a low voice.

"No, that would alert the enemy. Keep watching, especially Concubine Zhang and Princess Jiaoyu. Report any signs of trouble immediately." Jin An replied after some thought. She knew now was not the time to act rashly. Alerting them would likely make them even more cautious, potentially disrupting their father and the others' plans and leading to unforeseen consequences.

"Yes, Princess," Yoruichi replied before retreating.

Jin An sat in a chair, the hand warmer in her hands no longer seeming as warm as before. She closed her eyes and began to sort out a series of events in her mind. Concubine Zhang's recent silence was unusual; she couldn't just accept her fate. And how many Zhang family informants like Xiangcao and the young eunuch were there in the palace? What did Princess Jiaoyu's recent absence from her search for the Second Prince mean? Was the Second Prince involved...?

"Princess, have some tea. Don't worry too much. You must take good care of yourself." Nanny Zhao walked in with tea, her eyes full of concern. Lately, she had watched her princess gradually lose weight, and after finally gaining some weight, she lost it again.

Jin An opened her eyes and slowly reached out to take the teacup. Her fingers touched the warm wall of the cup, and a warmth spread through her fingertips. She took a sip, and the warm tea flowed down her throat, carrying a faint tea fragrance, making her feel a little relieved, and her tense nerves relaxed a little.

There were things Zhao Ma didn't know, and she couldn't tell them. She didn't want them to know either, and she wanted to do her best to protect them.

"Madam Zhao, I'm fine, don't worry." Jin An said softly, suppressing the worries in his heart, and raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a smile, trying to reassure Madam Zhao.

Nanny Zhao looked at Jin'an and sighed slightly, her eyes full of heartache. She looked at the princess who seemed a little tired but had to comfort her in return, as if she saw the little baby crying for food in the cradle many years ago, who now had to face countless conspiracies and calculations in the palace alone.

"Princess, I know you have something on your mind. But I don't have any great abilities, and I can't help you solve your problems. But Your Majesty asked me to come to you because you hoped I could take good care of you. If you collapse from exhaustion, I will not be able to face Your Majesty even after I die." Her voice trembled slightly, with the vicissitudes of life and deep concern for Jin'an.

Jin An's heart warmed. He reached out and took Aunt Zhao's hand, squeezing it gently. "Aunt Zhao, don't worry, I will take good care of myself. There are some things I don't want you to get involved in, for fear of putting you in danger. Just stay with me and watch me get through this."

Madam Zhao gently grasped Jin'an's hands, rough yet warm, conveying boundless strength. "Princess, I've lived to this age and have seen it all. I may not know as much about the affairs of the palace as you do, but I know how serious they are. I'm not afraid of danger, but I'm afraid you'll exhaust yourself carrying it all alone. If anything happens to you, my life will be over."

Jin An looked at Madam Zhao, gently took her arm, and leaned on her shoulder, as if she had returned to the reliance she had in childhood. "Madam, I know. I will act cautiously and not put myself in danger. Please don't worry about me anymore, or I'll be heartbroken." She acted coquettishly, her tone full of intimacy.

Madam Zhao patted Jin'an's hand gently, a doting smile on her face, a smile full of love for Jin'an. "Okay, okay, I'm not worried anymore. I'm relieved that the princess is safe and sound."

The peace and warmth inside the house kept the cold of deep winter out.