The princess regretted it.

Chapter 390 It’s almost done

Flowers were in full bloom, and when Jin'an returned to Feiyu Palace, his cloak, shoes, and socks were soaked with snow. Nanny Zhao, who had been waiting at the palace gate, saw Jin'an and Ziyun return and hurried forward to brush the snow off Jin'an, muttering, "Princess, you must be freezing!"

Jin'an and Ziyun stamped their snow-slicked embroidered shoes, their breath turning into wisps of white mist in the cold air. She blew on her reddened fingertips, her eyes curved into a smile as she said, "Don't worry, Ma'am. I've been sweating a little after all this fast walking."

Before she finished her words, Madam Zhao had already lifted the thick cotton curtain, and the warm smell of sandalwood mixed with the smell of charcoal fire hit her face.

"Be careful not to sweat and catch a cold! Hurry and go inside!" Nanny Zhao rubbed her hands anxiously and turned to shout to the outside: "Quickly bring in the hot water!" She helped Jin'an to the inner hall and said, "Ziyun, you're soaked too. Go downstairs and change into dry clothes first. Be careful not to catch a cold!"

Ziyun was even wetter than Jinan. After hearing what Zhao Ma said, she bowed, the velvet flowers on her temples still stained with snow, and hurriedly retreated after answering.

The flickering candlelight in the hall cast a warm glow on the jade table. Jin'an stepped into the room. Nanny Zhao turned and called out to the outer room, "Bring the hot water." Then she followed him in, took off Jin'an's cloak, and set it aside. Then she went into the inner room to prepare clean shoes and clothes for Jin'an to wear later.

Jin An had just sat down when Hong Yu walked in with a cup of hot tea. Jin An took it and blew on it gently. The steam lingered, turning her cold-white cheeks a faint red. She took a sip, the rich warmth sliding down her throat and into her stomach, and she sighed with satisfaction.

Hongyu took small steps and walked behind Jin'an. Her fingertips touched the gilded hairpin with pearls on Jin'an's temples. "Princess, you will be taking a bath soon. Let me remove your makeup and hair first."

Jin An nodded slightly, "Yeah! It's too cold today."

"Who says it isn't?" Hongyu responded, her fingertips deftly weaving through her long black hair, removing the hairpins, rings, and pearls one by one. Inside the sandalwood dressing box, gold and silver jewelry clattered against each other, making a subtle sound. "Princess, this morning, several people in the palace fell and were injured. Gancao almost fell when he came back from fetching charcoal this morning."

"Licorice? Is she okay?" Jin An asked softly.

"I heard he had some scrapes and a sprained ankle. But the charcoal in his arms didn't spill at all." Hongyu gently untied Jin'an's bun, and his long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall. "Maybe he was worried about Concubine Chun waiting for charcoal in the palace, so he was so anxious."

After Jin An heard this, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. "Injured? Concubine Chun has always been by her side, so if she gets hurt, Concubine Chun will be somewhat uncomfortable." At this point, Jin An paused and said, "Calculating the date, Concubine Chun is about to give birth, right?"

"Yes, I heard that the imperial physician has been coming to Lanxin Palace very frequently these days. But..." Nanny Zhao came out from the inner room and heard Jin'an's question. She replied, "Now that it's snowing heavily, I'm afraid they will have to endure more hardships."

Jin An thought about it and realized that it was indeed unbearable. Even they felt overwhelmed by such weather, let alone someone about to give birth. "But, my father will definitely make good arrangements." Jin An thought about the importance his father attached to Concubine Chun's pregnancy and felt that his father would definitely make good arrangements.

"Hongyu, I'll go to the storehouse and get some of the best wound medicine and blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing plasters." Jin An ordered slowly.

"Princess, do you want to...?" Hongyu paused and asked softly.

"Noble Lady Chun is about to give birth, so it would be better for her to have someone she trusts by her side." Jin An explained softly to Hong Yu.

Hongyu nodded in understanding: "I'll prepare it right away." Then she bowed and walked out.

"Princess, the hot water is ready." At this time, Zhao Ma, who had already placed the clothes to be changed in the bathroom, came out after testing the water temperature to remind Jin An.

Jin An slowly rose and entered the bathroom. A charcoal brazier burned brightly in the corner. Three basins of white charcoal, encased in a cloisonné enamel stove, steamed the gilded tub. He searched for the moon-white undergarment that Madam Zhao had prepared draped over a carved screen. Behind the screen lay the tub, its water brimming with fresh rose petals.

After Aunt Zhao helped her take off her clothes, Jin An bent down and stretched out his hand. As soon as it touched the water, a warm touch spread up along his palm.

Jin An gently stepped into the tub, her porcelain-white skin immersing in the rosy water. The remaining pearls and jade in her hair shone in the mist, gleaming in tiny glints. She slowly sank into the water, letting it rise above her shoulders before she let out a long sigh, letting go of the day's chill and worry.

"Princess, don't worry too much about Concubine Chun." Nanny Zhao scooped up the hot water from the wooden ladle and slowly poured it over Jin'an's hair. The water trickled down her smooth, black hair. "Your Majesty's attitude is clear, and Concubine Cen is not foolish. She's become more and more adept at handling matters during her time in charge of the harem. She'll take care of Concubine Chun's affairs."

As Madam Zhao poured hot soup over Jin'an, she murmured softly, "I think the princess should worry more about her marriage right now."

"Ma~Ma." When Jin An heard her mention marriage again, she held her hot cheeks with both hands and said shyly, "The Ministry of Rites will take care of my marriage, so I don't have to worry about it." Thinking about those complicated embroidery patterns some time ago and the annoying needlework, she really didn't want to pick up the needle!

"Princess..." Nanny Zhao was about to speak, her tone a little helpless.

Seeing that Madam Zhao was still trying to persuade him, Jin An was immediately disturbed and interrupted: "Madam, do you think Concubine Chun is pregnant with a little brother?"

The wooden ladle in Zhao Ma's hand was suspended in mid-air. A trace of astonishment flashed across her kind face, and her thoughts were instantly diverted.

She squinted her eyes, looked at the steaming water vapor and recalled: "This... I dare not say for sure. But look at Concubine Chun's pregnant appearance, her waist is tight, and her belly is pointed and drooping forward. It really looks like she is going to have a little prince." As the voice fell, the hot water in the ladle slowly poured onto Jin'an's fair and delicate shoulders, and the fair skin gradually turned pink.

"Well, actually, I also hope she can give birth to a younger brother." Jin An nodded, his fingers gently touching the rose petals on the water. "That way, Father will have a new branch under his knees, and Father will have more choices. And the harem will have a new structure."

Jin An suddenly curled his lips and smiled, "I wonder if this younger brother will be more like father or more like Concubine Chun." Jin An's words were full of anticipation for this upcoming younger brother.

But not everyone is as excited about this little life as Jinan.