The princess regretted it.

Chapter 118 Who else is in my father’s harem?

Princess Jiaoyu listened to her mother's question without further hesitation and said, "Mother, I understand what you mean. But you must also understand that Jin'an's status is always there. Moreover, my father's favoritism is partly due to the late queen's death, and he feels guilty. But how long can this guilt last? On the other hand, he is hindered by the Prime Minister's Mansion and General Zhenbei far away in the northern border. This is the key."

Concubine Zhang frowned slightly, lost in thought, and slowly said, "You're absolutely right. However, the Prime Minister and his son are by no means easy targets. Remember, there's also their in-laws, the Duke of Huguo. That's the real tough nut to crack."

Princess Jiaoyu's eyes glared, and she said in a deep voice, "Mother, there's nothing in this world that's too hard to chew. The Prime Minister's Mansion and the Duke of Protector's Mansion are incredibly powerful, and while this is their strength, it can also be their weakness."

Concubine Zhang was puzzled when she heard this and asked, "How can this be explained?"

"The Prime Minister is second only to the emperor and has a firm grip on the entire government. General Zhenbei has made outstanding military achievements, and his troops are disciplined. He controls two hundred thousand soldiers in the northern border. At first glance, his advantage is obvious. However, mother, haven't you noticed that the Prime Minister's grandson has made no achievements so far? Everyone in the capital knows that he is playful and has no interest in studying. Even the Prince of the Protectorate has a bad reputation. The Mu and Zhong families must have understood the principle that everything that rises must fall, so they have been keeping a low profile in recent years." Princess Jiaoyu narrated slowly.

"Are you saying that they intentionally prevented their descendants from making progress? Or that their descendants are greedy for enjoying the benefits of their ancestors?" Concubine Zhang asked with a puzzled look on her face.

"Mother, think about it carefully. The Prime Minister and the Duke of Protectorate are both veteran ministers who have served through several dynasties. How could they not know the principle of prosperity followed by decline? And how could their descendants all be playboys? They must have done this on purpose to let their descendants keep a low profile so as not to arouse Your Majesty's suspicion." Princess Jiaoyu analyzed calmly.

Concubine Zhang nodded slightly, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "You're right. Throughout history, how many emperors have tolerated the long-term glory of such powerful ministers and aristocratic families? As long as Your Majesty is wary of them, then once the opportunity arises, Your Majesty will undoubtedly check and control them. They're keeping a low profile now, merely seeking temporary stability. But this also presents our opportunity. If we can skillfully exploit this delicate relationship between them and Your Majesty, perhaps we can advance further within this palace."

Princess Jiaoyu raised the corner of her mouth slightly. "Mother is right. By the time Mother moves into the Central Palace, I will be a legitimate princess. Will Father's favor be any less?"

Concubine Zhang also smiled, as if she was already the queen. "That's right. By then, Jin'an will just be an orphan with no one to rely on. How much trouble can she cause?"

Unsurprisingly, word of the mother and daughter's speculation reached Feiyu Palace and the Imperial Study. Upon hearing this news, Jin An couldn't help but sigh in admiration. Changsun Jiaoyu was truly intelligent, even more so than her mother and brother. It wasn't unfair that he had suffered overtly and covertly over the years; he truly wasn't as quick-witted as she.

Jin An smiled faintly and said, "They've really given me a wake-up call. They're only focused on the plight of my maternal grandparents and the Duke of Huguo's Mansion, but they don't realize that the Zhang family's situation is even worse. Don't they realize that my father is now wary of the Zhang family?"

Ye Yi remained silent, knowing very well that this was not something he could discuss.

Jin An picked up the pen again and wrote two secret letters. He then handed the letters to Ye Yi and instructed, "Send these two letters to Grandfather and Prince Zhong respectively."

Ye Yi took the secret letter, bowed respectfully and retreated, then disappeared without a trace in a flash.

At this time, Madam Zhao came in. There were several newly made clothes on the tray in her hand. "Princess, the palace's Ministry of Internal Affairs just sent some new clothes. I think they are very exquisite. Would you like to take a look?" Madam Zhao said to Jin'an.

Jin An walked up slowly, flipped through the books, and nodded. "All the patterns and colors are my favorites. Ma'am, please put them away."

Zhao Ma Ma replied "Yes" and put the clothes in the closet. Jin An waited for Zhao Ma Ma to finish her work, then called her: "Ma Ma, come here, I have something to ask you."

Aunt Zhao walked over quickly and asked, "Princess, what do you want to know?"

"Madam, do you know who else is in my father's harem?" Jin An looked at Madam Zhao seriously and asked softly.

"Ah?" Aunt Zhao didn't expect her to ask this question. "Princess, why, why do you ask this?"

"I'm just asking casually. You know I never want to pay attention to these things. Apart from Concubine Zhang, the infirm Concubine Cen, and the cowardly Concubine Xian, I have no recollection of the others." Jin An did not reveal his intentions.

The Concubine Cen and Concubine Xian that Jin An mentioned were both elderly in the palace, and both were childless. They were also relatively unknown in the palace. In fact, Concubine Cen had been pregnant before, but she accidentally miscarried around five months, which damaged her body and prevented her from getting pregnant again.

Jin An was now wondering if it was truly an accident, or if there was something else going on. It was just that it had been so long, and it was probably difficult to investigate. It wasn't surprising that Jin An was thinking this way; after all, since Concubine Zhang came to power, the harem seemed to have had no more heirs.

Zhao Ma's mind raced. Who had the princess been gossiping about again? However, she could only ponder this thought in her mind, not showing it on her face. She pondered for a moment, then respectfully replied, "Princess, the harem is not complicated. There are two noble ladies, a maid, and four court ladies."

"So few people? There have been no new people entering the palace in so many years?" Jin An casually added after hearing what Zhao Ma said.

Madam Zhao looked at Jin An, wanting to speak but hesitant. Jin An was indeed curious about her reaction and asked doubtfully, "Madam, just tell me what you want to say. I won't blame you."

Zhao Mama swallowed her saliva and said cautiously, "Princess, don't you remember? When the Empress passed away, you listened to Concubine Zhang and made a scene with His Majesty, so His Majesty didn't fill the harem with concubines."

"Me? How did I upset my father? What did Concubine Zhang say?" Jin An was filled with confusion after hearing what Madam Zhao said. She tried to search her mind for the vague memory, but she couldn't recall the specific circumstances. Jin An stared at Madam Zhao, waiting for her answer.

Nanny Zhao's thoughts were suddenly brought back to the original scene.