The princess regretted it.

Chapter 263 Jiaoyu apologizes (2)

Jin An naturally understood Jiaoyu's intention, but he had to say that Jiaoyu's "knife" was inserted just right, accurately piercing the softest and most vulnerable corner of her heart.

Jin An felt as if an invisible hand were gripping her heart, and pain surged like a tidal wave, threatening to drown her. Her mind involuntarily flashed back to her mother's gentle and kind face. In those days, in that magnificent palace, her mother had always handled harem affairs with such grace and composure, caring for her with loving care, teaching her with earnest guidance, and showering her with endless maternal love and warmth. But now, her mother had passed away, yet she was being so maliciously exploited and desecrated. How could she not feel heartache and anger?

Her hands trembled slightly in her sleeves as she tried her best to suppress the emotions that were about to burst out. She would never let Jiaoyu see her lose her composure as she wished.

She reached out and slowly moved the Guanyin and the box towards her. Her expression was calm as she said calmly, "Sister, I've already said I won't blame you. Father has already forgiven you, which means you've realized your mistake. I believe you won't do such a stupid thing again."

Having said that, she cast her gaze at Jiaoyu, with a hint of deep meaning in her eyes, and continued: "Now that you have sent this Guanyin with good intentions, I think you also understand the kindness of my mother. The queen mother often said: Love your son and teach him the right way. I think sister also understands the meaning of this sentence, right?" Jin'an's seemingly calm words actually contained hidden meanings. He was reminding Jiaoyu to understand right from wrong and follow the right path, and he was also hinting to her not to act recklessly anymore, otherwise she would suffer the consequences.

Jiaoyu's lips twitched unconsciously after hearing Jin'an's words. She understood the deeper meaning behind Jin'an's words, and a wave of resentment and unwillingness suddenly surged in her heart. She was clearly the eldest princess, a noble and honorable person, but just because her mother was not the queen, she was inferior to Jin'an in every way and had to be suppressed by her in every matter.

Even his own mother, who had merely scolded Jin An, was punished so severely by his father. In this palace, status seemed to have become an insurmountable chasm, separating his mother and himself from the supreme honor.

She thought, filled with jealousy, that Jin'an was only able to lecture her like this because of his status as the Queen's son, even using the dead Queen's words to mock her and her mother. If she could one day, she would definitely change this situation and make Jin'an feel the pain of being trampled underfoot.

She suppressed the surging hatred in her heart, forced a stiff and unnatural smile, and said quietly: "My sister is right, we can all see how good mother is. But, alas! No one would have thought that mother was so good, but she would leave so early, and my prince, he died so young..." As she spoke, she put on a sad face, slowly picked up the handkerchief and gently wiped away the tears that did not exist at all.

Hiding behind the brocade handkerchief, she secretly surveyed Jin An, thinking to herself, "Your mother was kind, but unfortunately she didn't live long! Even your biological brother died. You're an orphan, what are you so proud of?"

The deep meaning in these words was unbearable for Jin An, and even Madam Zhao, who had served by his side for many years and had seen the ups and downs of the palace, could not bear to listen. She looked at Jin An with concern, only to see him sitting there stiffly, unaware that his hands, hidden in his sleeves, were tightly gripping the chair handles, his knuckles white from the effort, as if he was trying hard to suppress his inner anger and sadness.

Zhao Ma was filled with resentment towards Princess Jiaoyu. The Queen's death, the Crown Prince's untimely death, each of these events had been like sharp blades, leaving deep scars on Jin'an's once tender heart. And now, Jiaoyu was stabbing her with such malicious intent, truly vicious.

She couldn't help but say, "It's truly remarkable that Princess Jiaoyu can remember the Empress's painstaking efforts. The Empress is the mother of a nation, naturally virtuous and caring. Her guidance and care for the princesses during her lifetime were all sincere and without bias."

Therefore, when the Empress was in charge of the harem, it was peaceful and harmonious, and the concubines lived in harmony. There was never any such intrigue or chaos. The Empress treated every concubine and child like family, caring for them with all her heart and doing her utmost to provide for them. Everyone respected and loved the Empress from the bottom of their hearts.

"His Royal Highness, from a young age, displayed extraordinary intelligence and kindness, caring deeply for his country and possessing lofty ambitions. He was the undisputed hope of our dynasty's future, bearing the earnest hopes of His Majesty and His Majesty, as well as the aspirations of the people of the land. Yet, he has suffered such a tragic fate, passing away at such an early age. This truly pains the entire Imperial Palace, and indeed the entire world. After all these years, His Majesty has certainly not forgotten the virtuous character of our Empress and the remarkable character of the Crown Prince."

After saying this, she stopped talking and stood respectfully aside. Jin An was moved and grateful after hearing what Zhao Ma said. She glanced sideways, and her eyes were filled with warmth, a feeling of being protected and cherished.

After hearing what Zhao Ma said, Jiaoyu's face turned ashen in an instant, and the kind mask that she had been barely maintaining was completely shattered. She felt that Zhao Ma was clearly making a veiled accusation, implying that her mother was unworthy of the position. After all, ever since her mother took charge of some affairs in the harem, there had been constant disputes, intrigues and a foul atmosphere in the harem, so she was not named queen; she said that her brother was mediocre, had no outstanding talents, and was not outstanding enough, so he was not valued by her father and was not named the crown prince!

She looked at Madam Zhao with a sinister look, a chill emanating from her eyes. She said coldly, "Sister, don't be like me, you have such a poor judgment of people! Madam Zhao is your wet nurse, yet she is so reckless as to discuss palace affairs. This is a crime of great disrespect. If you still care about our sisterly relationship, you should discipline the people around you and stop her from talking nonsense like this and ruining your reputation. If the emperor hears about this, I'm afraid you, too, will be implicated."

As Jiaoyu spoke, she stared at Zhao Ma with a resentful look, as if she wanted to eat her alive. Although her words were directed at Jin An, the threat in them was obvious.

Jin An's expression, which had been slightly moved, turned cold in an instant. A cold light flashed in her eyes, like the starlight in the cold night, sharp and cold.

She gently raised her hand, signaling to Madam Zhao not to worry. Her movements were graceful and calm, yet carried an undeniable dignity. Slowly rising, Jin An walked lightly, her figure graceful yet exuding a powerful aura, as she walked straight towards Jiao Yu.