The princess regretted it.

Chapter 402: Jiaoyu Reappears

"Go on! What is your relationship with Xiaoxiang? The princess asks you, and you dare to pretend to be deaf and dumb?" Eunuch Fuquan's shrill voice, mixed with the howling of wind and snow, echoed in the courtyard in front of the main hall of Lanxin Palace.

Xiao Xing crouched even lower, her body trembling violently, her forehead pressed against the cold bluestone. "Princess, please understand. I truly know nothing."

Eunuch Fuquan narrowed his narrow eyes and glanced coldly at Xiaoxing on the ground. Then he winked at the disciple beside him, and the young eunuch was about to step forward.

"Replying to Eunuch Fu," the green-clad maid who had replied earlier saw Eunuch Fuquan's glare grow fiercer, and guessed he was planning to torture Xiao Xing. Remembering how much work she usually did for him, she suspected she was frightened by the scene, and she couldn't bear to see her suffer. She gritted her teeth, stepped forward, and knelt beside Xiao Xing, pleading, "Xiao Xing is the most timid person. She must be frightened by the scene."

Then he turned to Xiao Xing and said, "Xiao Xing, just tell me what you know. The princess and eunuch Fu will investigate the truth and will not wrong you."

Xiao Xing just shrank her shoulders and didn't respond to her at all, as if she didn't hear anything. She continued to kneel there without saying a word, only the pendant of the silver hairpin on her temples trembled slightly.

"She won't tell me, so you tell me?" Jin An spoke slowly, his voice low but filled with authority that brooked no refusal. "You two live in the same house, so you must know about her connection with Xiaoxiang."

Seeing Xiao Xing remain silent, the green-clad maid began to feel regretful. She had been too reckless. There was something strange about Xiao Xing's behavior. Could it be that there was something hidden between her and Xiao Xiang? She was afraid that her rash intervention would bring her into trouble.

She didn't dare to hide anything and quickly replied, "Princess, I only know that Xiao Xing and Xiao Xiang are from the same hometown and entered the palace at the same time. They are closer than the other sisters. However, they each have their own errands during the day, and except for a few words when they return to their rooms to rest at night, they don't spend much time together."

Having said this, she paused, then added, "As for whether they have any private relationship, I don't know."

After hearing the words of the green-clad palace maid, Xiao Xing lowered her head slightly and tilted it towards the person beside her. Her eyes, lowered for no one to see, flashed with hatred and venom, like the tongue of a snake tempered with ice.

Jin An sat there quietly, his eyes never leaving Xiao Xing. Her slightest movement naturally didn't escape his gaze. He understood. This woman must know something, but she seemed a tough nut to crack, and the outcome wasn't certain to come soon. "Eunuch Fu," Jin An said softly.

Eunuch Fuquan quickly turned to face Jinan and bowed, "Princess."

"Take her away for a thorough interrogation." Jin An looked at Xiao Xing, his tone calm but weighted. "Now that our father has a son, and Concubine Chun needs to rest, don't disturb our father and Concubine Chun's peace and quiet until these matters are clarified. However, this matter needs to be investigated as soon as possible, and an explanation must be given to Concubine Chun and my fourth brother."

"Yes," Eunuch Fuquan quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, Princess." He then turned and raised his hand to the guards behind him. Immediately, two of them bowed and hurried forward. One of them lifted Xiao Xing's arm and dragged her out. "Princess, I'm innocent! I know nothing!" Xiao Xing's shrill cry cut through the wind and snow.

Jin An couldn't help but frown. Suddenly, Han Shuang beside her moved. With the speed of a swallow, she landed beside Xiao Xing. She pulled a white handkerchief from her waist, rolled it up, and shoved it into Xiao Xing's mouth. Then, with a flick of her wrist, she landed back at Jin An's side. Xiao Xing stared in despair, muffled "mumbles" uttered, and she allowed the guards to drag her out of the courtyard.

Everyone kneeling in the courtyard, including the palace maid in green, was frightened by this sudden action and their hearts shrank and their bodies shook involuntarily.

Jin An took in everyone's reactions. She raised her arm slightly, and Han Shuang quickly reached out to support her. Jin An slowly stood up and said coldly to everyone in the courtyard, "Until this matter is clarified, you all stay in your rooms. If anyone remembers anything, then..." Before she could finish her words, several people suddenly appeared and interrupted her.

"Hey, what's going on?" A voice that was a little hoarse but soft sounded.

Jin An looked in the direction of the voice. The person before her felt familiar yet a little strange—it was Jiaoyu, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. She saw Princess Jiaoyu standing in the corridor, draped in a fox fur cloak, with a maid behind her holding several exquisite brocade boxes. Jiaoyu had lost a lot of weight. Her once plump cheeks were now sunken, making her cheekbones more prominent. Her already narrow eyebrows and eyes had a harsh look. Even with thick makeup, she couldn't hide the haggard look under her eyes.

The Lanxin Palace attendants were now kneeling in the courtyard. Seeing Princess Jiaoyu, the guards at the gate made no attempt to stop her. Thus, Princess Jiaoyu and her companions suddenly appeared before everyone. The moment Jiaoyu appeared, Jin An's heart stirred. He had previously suspected her of being involved in Concubine Chun's attack, and her appearance at this very moment only heightened his suspicions.

"Sister, what are you doing? Didn't Empress Chun give birth to a younger brother for us? This is a happy event that hasn't happened in the palace for many years. Are you unhappy, sister?" Before Jin'an could say anything, Princess Jiaoyu walked towards Jin'an while talking to herself.

Jin'an was somewhat surprised by Princess Jiaoyu's sudden appearance, and of course understood the meaning of her words; however, she did not make any explanation, but smiled faintly and said softly: "Sister, you look listless, but are you feeling unwell? Why did you come here in such a windy and snowy day?" There was appropriate concern in her tone.

Jiaoyu's powdered face froze for a moment, then returned to normal. She raised her hand to tuck the strands of hair around her ear. "Father, after all these years, has had another son. This is such great news, how could I, as a daughter, not come and congratulate you?" Jiaoyu walked up to Jin'an, exchanged greetings with him, and replied in a hoarse voice. Her gaze swept across the people kneeling in the courtyard, then returned to Jin'an. "But, sister, I don't understand your fuss! What's your plan?"

"Sister, you're joking," Jin An said calmly, "I'm just worried that someone might have ulterior motives, so I'm just trying to warn them first. After all, Concubine Chun's pregnancy was so difficult, I'm sure you've heard a lot about it, right?"

"So it is my younger sister who is in charge of the affairs of the harem now! It's also because my body is getting worse and worse. I haven't been out for a long time, and I didn't know that the palace is in such a state now." Jiaoyu forced a smile, but her eyes were deep and unfathomable.