The princess regretted it.

Chapter 56 Return to the Palace

Jin An sat in the carriage heading back to the palace, tears still welling up in her eyes. The image of their farewell was still playing in her mind.

Old Madam Xue held her hand, her eyes filled with reluctance and love. Her voice trembled slightly as she said, "Jin'an, you must take good care of yourself in the palace. If anything happens, send someone to tell Grandmother." Jin'an fought back tears and nodded gently, saying, "Don't worry, Grandmother. Jin'an will take good care of himself."

Zhong Wenqing also gently reminded him, "Jin'an, there are many people and things going on in the palace. You must be more careful in everything." Jin'an looked at his aunt's concerned eyes and felt warm in his heart. "Aunt, Jin'an will remember this."

Mu Zixuan was a little depressed and muttered, "Jin'an, remember to tell your cousin if you have anything to say. Come and see us when you have time." Jin'an smiled tearfully and bowed to Mu Zixuan, "Okay, cousin, don't worry, I will definitely come again."

Ziyun's eyes were red with emotion. She waited quietly by the side, watching Princess Jin'an say goodbye to her family. Her heart was filled with emotion. How wonderful! The princess could finally return to her maternal home without worries.

As the carriage slowly moved forward, Jin An collected her thoughts and gently wiped away the remaining tears from her eyes with a handkerchief. She knew she had to be strong and face the conspiracies and challenges. She couldn't let those with ill intentions succeed, and she couldn't let her family down.

Lan Zhu in the carriage looked at Princess Jin An, hesitating several times to speak. Jin An said calmly, "Just ask whatever you want to ask."

Lan Zhu mustered up her courage and said, "Princess, why did you suddenly come to the Prime Minister's Mansion? The Prime Minister's Mansion has ignored the princess for so many years, why did you..."

"How dare you!" Jin An shouted. "Do I need your consent for where this princess should go?"

Lan Zhu was so frightened that she knelt down in the carriage, saying repeatedly: "Princess, please spare me! I have overstepped my bounds!" Ziyun watched this scene but did not help Lan Zhu to plead with Jin An, because she also felt that Lan Zhu had indeed overstepped her bounds and failed to fulfill her duties as a servant.

Jin An looked at her coldly and said, "This won't happen again!" He said nothing more. He wouldn't touch her now; he had to keep her for when necessary. After all, even if Lan Zhu didn't have Lan Zhu, there would still be Dong Zhu and Xi Zhu. Lan Zhu quickly thanked Jin An and then sat aside, not daring to say a word.

The carriage suddenly became quiet, the scenery outside the window receding, and Jin An's heart was filled with determination and courage. She secretly made up her mind to protect herself and her family and fight those ambitious people to the end.

Meanwhile, in another palace in the Imperial Palace, the Third Prince was sitting at his desk, holding an ancient book. Xiao Xizi hurried in and whispered in the Third Prince's ear, "Your Highness, I just received news that Princess Jin'an went to the Prime Minister's Mansion today."

The Third Prince was slightly startled, gently setting down the ancient book in his hands. His brow furrowed slightly, and his fingers tapped lightly on the table. He pondered inwardly: Why would Jin'an suddenly go to the Prime Minister's residence after all these years? Why is there no news from Lanzhu? Has she been exposed? What is Jin'an's purpose in this move? What is the reason for her recent change? If she has established a close relationship with the Prime Minister this time, then Wu Changfeng's deployment must be expedited. If he can capture Jin'an, then the entire Prime Minister's residence will be his to use.

Thinking of this, he retracted his fingers and said to Xiao Xizi, "You arrange for someone to contact Marquis Jin Wu and prepare the carriage. I need to leave the palace. Also, contact Lan Zhu later and ask her about everything that happened in the Prime Minister's residence today."

Xiao Xizi hurriedly bowed and took the order and went out.

.......

Elsewhere, after learning of Jin'an's actions today, Changsun Jiaoyu headed to Wuqiu Palace. She was discussing the matter with Concubine Zhang. Changsun Jiaoyu asked, "Mother, Jin'an left the palace, and you were completely unaware of it?"

Concubine Zhang's face was full of gloom. She said, "I haven't heard anyone report it. I think she must have mentioned it directly to your father when she went to his study yesterday."

"Then didn't the emperor tell mother?"

"No." Concubine Zhang responded with an unhappy look on her face.

"Mother, you said that Jin'an has not had any contact with her maternal family for so many years. Why did she suddenly go to her maternal family today?" Changsun Jiaoyu asked seemingly unintentionally.

Concubine Zhang narrowed her eyes slightly, tapping her fingers lightly on the tabletop as she pondered, "This is truly strange. Jin An has always been cautious and prudent, having avoided the Prime Minister's residence for years. But now, she's suddenly here. There must be a reason. Perhaps she senses some kind of threat within the palace and is seeking support from the Prime Minister's residence. Or perhaps someone is behind this, fanning the flames and hoping to exploit her connections with the Prime Minister's residence to achieve some purpose."

Seeing this, Changsun Jiaoyu called out softly, "Mother?"

Upon hearing this, Imperial Concubine Zhang gently closed her eyes, then a faint smile appeared on her face. She said lightly, "This mother hasn't figured it out for the time being. However, her behavior recently has indeed been different from before. Perhaps someone has given her some advice."

Changsun Jiaoyu lowered her brows and eyes, letting out a soft "Oh," seemingly unfazed. Then, she asked softly, "It's only natural for her to be close to her maternal family. It's just that the Prime Minister is extremely stubborn. If not, Mother would have moved into the Eastern Palace long ago. But I wonder who suggested that?"

Concubine Zhang snorted softly and said quietly, "There are only a few people around. Jiaoyu, do you think Zhangsun Wuwang is sincere to Jin'an?"

After a moment of contemplation, Changsun Jiaoyu said softly, "Mother, I have a brother, so sometimes I feel that feeling is different."

"That's why!" Concubine Zhang raised her head slightly and scoffed. "Jiaoyu, you have to know that in this harem, apart from your mother and your second brother, you shouldn't trust anyone else."

Changsun Jiaoyu nodded slightly and said, "Mother, I understand."

.......

At this time, Jin An's carriage was gradually approaching the palace. The Third Prince's carriage was also ready, and he was about to leave the palace and head to the Jinwu Marquis's mansion.

In every corner of the palace, various forces are ready to make a move.