The princess regretted it.

Chapter 13 Jinan's Suspicion

On this side, the imperial doctors have returned to the palace to report to the emperor. After learning that Lin Qian's injuries were so serious, Changsun Hongze frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said to the imperial doctors: "You must do your best to treat her and don't slack off." The imperial doctors hurriedly accepted the order.

Afterwards, Changsun Hongze instructed the eunuch Fuquan beside him: "Pass on my decree and order the Dali Temple to investigate this matter thoroughly and make sure to find the person who caused it." Eunuch Fuquan responded respectfully and went to convey the decree immediately.

Inside Feiyu Hall, sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices onto the ground. Changsun Jinan sat leisurely by the window, reading a volume of humanities journals intently. Qingli gracefully entered, holding a plate of osmanthus-flavored glutinous rice cakes.

Upon hearing the sound, Jin An gently put down the book in her hand, and her eyes immediately fell on the plate of exquisite steamed cakes. She picked up a piece, put it in her mouth and took a light bite. The soft and glutinous texture and the fragrance of osmanthus instantly spread in her mouth. A satisfied smile appeared on Jin An's face, and she said to Qing Li with a smile: "My Qing Li's cooking skills are becoming more and more exquisite. You have spoiled my taste. I can't live without you." Qing Li's face instantly flushed when she heard Princess Jin An's teasing. She said shyly: "Princess, you are making fun of me again."

At that moment, Hongyu hurried in, her expression serious. She bowed slightly and said, "Princess, I just heard some news about the eldest daughter of the Lin family." Jin'an paused in thought. Miss Lin—Lin Qian, daughter of Minister Lin? She remembered that upon returning from the Imperial Study, the Emperor was about to receive Minister Lin. Could it be that Minister Lin's request to see the Emperor was related to her daughter?

She put down the glutinous rice cake in her hand, her expression became serious, and asked, "What's the matter?"

Hongyu straightened up slightly and recounted everything she had learned about Lin Qian's broken leg. Jin'an listened quietly to Hongyu's report, his slender fingers gently tapping the tabletop, creating a rhythmic sound. Jin'an's mind raced, wondering, "This isn't right. Why does this seem like someone did it on purpose? Who in the capital is so bold? How dare they do such a heinous thing in broad daylight? So cruel, who could have such a motive and the means to do such a thing?"

At this time, Qingli, listening to Hongyu's story, sighed regretfully, "This Miss Lin has such a bad luck. She was fine at the flower viewing banquet yesterday. That dance was indeed beautiful. Her graceful figure was like a fairy descending to earth. I thought it was so beautiful. Alas! What a pity! I didn't expect that she would encounter such a misfortune just one day later."

Flower viewing banquet?! Dance?! These words suddenly woke Princess Jin An from her deep thoughts. A glint flashed in her eyes, and her mind raced, "Could this be?"

She beckoned Hongyu to come forward, and she hurried forward a few steps, bowing her head slightly, respectfully awaiting the princess's instructions. Jin'an lowered his voice and said softly, "Hongyu, go and find out what happened in the imperial concubine's palace after the banquet yesterday. Remember, be cautious and don't let anyone notice." Hongyu saluted and quickly withdrew.

Qingli was a little surprised and asked in confusion: "Princess, do you mean that this matter is related to that person?" Jin'an did not answer immediately, but just smiled lightly, and that smile seemed to contain deep meaning.

Qingli's face was full of disbelief. She really couldn't imagine that the imperial concubine would do such a thing.

Jin An couldn't help but laugh at her expression. He stretched out his slender fingers and gently touched Qingli's forehead. "Silly Qingli, do you still remember what I said at the banquet yesterday?"

Qingli was stunned for a moment, then fell into deep thought. After a moment, she suddenly realized what was going on, and her mouth opened slightly in surprise. But then she became puzzled again: "Princess, just because of these few words, the imperial concubine destroyed Miss Lin's legs? This is too..."

Jin An smiled and said, "Even if it wasn't her, she's definitely involved." He then thought, "Don't forget I have a good sister!" His eyes deepened at this thought. If this was indeed the work of his beautiful sister, then she must have known everything that happened at the banquet. This meant this incident wasn't an isolated one; perhaps there were more hidden conspiracies. To quickly uncover the truth, they had to investigate covertly to avoid alerting the enemy. With this thought, Jin An's expression remained calm, and he quietly told Qing Li to leave.

After Qingli left, Jin'an raised his hand slightly, and in a moment, a dark figure emerged like a ghost. It was Ye Yi, the leader of the secret guards assigned to Jin'an by his father. Jin'an's expression was solemn, and he solemnly instructed, "Ye Yi, arrange for someone to secretly investigate the injury of Minister Lin's daughter outside the palace. Also, keep an eye on the residences of the Minister of Rites, the Junior Secretary of the Supreme Court, and the Minister of Personnel for any unusual activity recently."

Then, Jin An narrowed his eyes slightly, with a hint of solemnity in his tone: "Also, send someone to pay close attention to Princess Jiaoyu's every move, especially who she and the people around her have contact with. Once any abnormal situation is found, be sure to report it immediately. This matter must be done in extreme secrecy, and you must not alert the enemy. Remember!" Upon hearing this, Ye Yi respectfully bowed in response, and then his figure flashed and merged into the darkness without a trace.

Jin An stood up and stared out the window quietly, her thoughts racing. Her good sister had always been scheming. If she was truly behind this, there would surely be follow-up actions. It seemed she had to be even more cautious until the truth was known, not giving them any opportunity to exploit her. It wasn't that she was being conspiratorial, but rather that she had suffered many injustices at the hands of this sister in her previous life.

Hongyu returned soon, and Jinan learned that after the banquet yesterday, Changsun Wuji and Changsun Jiaoyu went to Concubine Zhang's Wuqiu Palace. Changsun Jiaoyu's face was not very good when she left.

Jin An pondered, "It seems this matter is most likely related to them. You know, Concubine Zhang's mother's family is fully capable of planning such a thing, and they will also clean it up afterward." As for why he didn't suspect Changsun Wuji, it was because Jin An knew that her second brother was too well protected, so his mind was simple. He couldn't handle these twists and turns.

Jin An slowly straightened his back, exhaled deeply, his eyes filled with determination and resolve. "Noble Concubine, Jiaoyu, and Changsun Wuwang and Wu Changfeng, just wait and see! I want to see what conspiracy each of you has up your sleeve."