The princess regretted it.

Chapter 17 Jinan Questions the Truth About the Bandits

Changsun Wuwang pretended to be mysterious and said, "Well, guess?"

Jin An touched his nose and pretended to be innocent. "Don't keep me in suspense, Third Brother. Tell me now!"

Changsun Wuwang smiled complacently and said, "Third brother wiped out all those bandits, which really avenged you. But this time it was thanks to the help of Prince Wu. After he learned that I was going to investigate those bandits, he volunteered to assist me. With his identification of the bandits, we were able to wipe them all out." As Changsun Wuwang spoke, he observed Jin'an's reaction.

"Oh? Did they really kill them all? No one was left alive? Where are the bodies now?" Jin An asked in surprise.

"They have committed countless evil deeds, and their misdeeds are too numerous to list. Their testimony is no longer necessary, and there's no point in sparing their lives. Let's kill them and burn down their stronghold to prevent them from causing further harm to the world." Changsun Wuwang spoke with a righteous air, as if he were a hero ridding the people of a threat.

Jin An sneered in his heart. It was truly unbelievable that no trace was left behind! Those so-called bandits must have transformed themselves and returned to their original identities.

Changsun Wuwang looked at the silent Jin'an and asked tentatively, "Jin'an, aren't you happy?" The concern in his words was exposed by the calculation in his eyes.

Jin An pretended not to notice his probing gesture and said with regret, "I'm not unhappy. I just thought that if I left him alive, maybe I could find the person behind my murder." Jin An deliberately revealed a hint of disappointment. His voice became deeper, as if expressing his dissatisfaction.

Zhang Sun Wuwang was speechless for a moment, and said awkwardly, "Third Brother interrogated them when he captured them. It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision on their part, there was no conspiracy behind it. Jin An, you're being too suspicious!"

Jin An narrowed his eyes slightly, turned his head to look at Changsun Wuwang and said, "Third brother, is there really no one behind this? But I think this is too much of a coincidence." Jin An stroked his chin lightly with his fingers, pretending to be in deep thought.

Changsun Wuwang frowned and said, "Jin'an, don't let your imagination run wild. These bandits have committed many evil things, and we just happened to run into them this time." Changsun Wuwang felt a little uneasy about what Jin'an said. He was worried that Jin'an would delve into it further, so his tone became a little impatient.

Jin An curled his lips slightly and said reluctantly, "Brother, why are you so anxious? I just asked. I hope it's as you say. But what's going on with Prince Wu? Why is he so enthusiastic? Are you on good terms with him?"

Changsun Wuwang's eyes flickered and he said, "Prince Wu is an upright man. When he heard that some bandits were doing evil, it was natural for him to help. Besides, he and I have met several times, so we have some friendship." There was a hint of unnaturalness and guilt in Changsun Wuwang's eyes.

Jin An raised a faint smile and said, "Really? That's a coincidence. The bandits just robbed me, and Prince Wu happened to show up to help eliminate them..."

"Jin'an," Changsun Wuwang's expression changed slightly, and he quickly interrupted, "Don't be suspicious without reason. Prince Wu is a chivalrous man, and this time he's truly helping out out of kindness."

Jin An smiled faintly and said, "I also hope that I am overthinking it. It's just that this matter is too coincidental, which makes people suspicious." There was a hint of doubt and helplessness in Jin An's eyes, and his voice became deliberately low.

Changsun Wuwang felt anxious and silent for a moment, then said, "Jin'an, since the bandits have been eliminated, you should stop worrying about it. Don't think too much. I'll accompany you out for a trip some other day to relax." Changsun Wuwang was afraid that Jin'an would continue to dwell on this matter, so he continued, "Third brother will go back first. I have to report the relevant matters to father." After that, he stood up and left.

Seeing the Third Prince walk away, Madam Zhao looked at Princess Jin'an hesitantly, wanting to say something but stopping herself. Jin'an smiled and said, "Madam, please say whatever you want to say." Madam Zhao came closer and said with a troubled look on her face, "Your Highness, there are some things I'm not sure I should say."

Jin An nodded slightly: "Just say it."

Nanny Zhao carefully considered her words and whispered, "Although everyone thinks the Third Prince loves His Highness the Princess the most, and His Highness has always had a very close relationship with the Third Prince, this old servant still feels uneasy."

Jin'an's heart ached, and tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at Madam Zhao with a bitter look. Seeing this, Madam Zhao thought she had said something wrong and hurried to kneel down to apologize. Jin'an reached out and supported her. "Madam, you are absolutely right. In fact, he doesn't really care about me. He just wants to use me to get what he wants." Jin'an's voice was soft, but it was filled with a heavy sense of powerlessness.

Zhao Ma Ma was distressed. "Your Highness, don't be sad. You have His Majesty's true love, which is the greatest blessing. His Majesty's favor for you is obvious to all. No matter what others do, His Majesty will always protect you. You just need to be at ease and be your princess. We will be more vigilant against those with ulterior motives. Don't let them disturb your peace of mind."

Jin An raised his head slightly, hiding the moisture in his eyes, and said quietly, "Mammy! It's a pity that some people won't let me rest in peace. Their methods are endless, one after another! If you follow me, you will inevitably be implicated."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao knelt down and said firmly, "Your Highness, I have lived in the imperial palace for decades and have seen many of the harem's tactics. I swear to follow Your Highness until death. I have watched you grow up. As long as Your Highness does not despise my age and think I am a burden, that will be all. I swear to protect your safety, even at the cost of my life."

The wetness that Jin An had finally managed to hide once again filled her eyes. She leaned forward, using both hands to help Madam Zhao stand up. A wave of warmth surged through her heart, and her voice trembled slightly. "Madam, I feel much more at ease with you around. But my surroundings aren't very clean either, so I need your help."

Madam Zhao instantly understood Princess Jin'an's intentions, and her heart ached even more for the young mistress. She spoke in a soothing tone, "Your Highness, I understand. Don't worry, I'll take care of all this. I'll do my best to clean up all the dirty things."

Jin An nodded. "Well, Madam, I asked you to keep an eye on Lan Zhu's movements. Is there anything unusual?"

Nanny Zhao followed Jin'an's plan without question, but she couldn't help but feel a little confused by Jin'an's previous trust in Lan Zhu and his sudden decision. When Jin'an asked, she couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, I'm also a little confused. Why did you make this decision so suddenly? Did you find anything wrong with Lan Zhu?"

A chill slowly gathered in Jin'an's eyes, and he couldn't help but laugh softly at himself. Seeing this, Aunt Zhao seemed to have guessed something, and her heart suddenly tightened.

Jin An raised his eyes slightly, looked out the window with a cold gaze, and said slowly: "Mammy, I also hope that I am wrong."

Aunt Zhao was shocked. "Your Highness, could it be that Lan Zhu..."

Jin An sighed softly, "Mammy, people's hearts are unpredictable. However, I don't have any solid evidence yet, so I need to investigate further." Jin An turned to look at Mammy and continued, "Mammy, continue to secretly monitor her movements. Don't let her find out, so as not to alert the enemy!"

Madam Zhao replied solemnly, "I understand, Your Highness, don't worry."

The autumn wind is blowing gently and the weather is getting cooler!