Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Meanwhile, at the entrance to the Imperial Study, the ministers, despite the excruciating pain in their knees from kneeling, refused to give up and remained kneeling on the ground, unwilling to get up.

When the Empress Dowager arrived, she saw that the Duke of Su was so old and still kneeling there. She was worried that his health could not withstand it, so she went over to him.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager."

"Gentlemen, please rise. Don't ruin your health by kneeling."

"I implore the Empress Dowager to persuade the Regent to agree to the marriage alliance," the Duke of Ming said loudly.

Others also said, "Please ask the Empress Dowager to persuade the Regent to agree to the marriage alliance."

"I have come here for this matter. Please rise, gentlemen, and I will go in now."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager Xie."

"Guards, escort these gentlemen back."

The ministers then rose shakily.

The Empress Dowager then turned and went into the Imperial Study.

Inside the hall, Mu Jinchen focused intently on processing the memorials, completely unaffected by the people outside.

When the Empress Dowager entered, she saw his indifferent expression and became furious. She said angrily, "The person kneeling outside is your maternal grandfather, and you don't care at all?"

"It wasn't me who made him kneel."

"You... I ask you, why do you disagree with the marriage alliance?"

"It's all for the sake of Yunyue's reputation."

"Look at you, have you lost your mind? This is such a good opportunity to take back two cities without losing a single soldier, and you're letting such an opportunity slip by. Are you crazy or stupid?"

Mu Jinchen ignored her, keeping his head down the whole time and not glancing at the Empress Dowager.

"I am speaking to you."

"If Mother has nothing else to say, please go back. I will make a decision on this matter."

"Give me a straight answer: do you agree to the marriage alliance or not?"

"I said, it's absolutely impossible."

"Tell me honestly, do you have an affair with that Su Qianrou? I heard that you went to the villa outside the city with her. Did something happen between you two?"

"What does Mother think will happen between us?" Mu Jinchen asked, looking at her.

"No matter what happened between you, she must marry into the Western Regions."

Mu Jinchen chuckled lightly and said calmly, "Mother is really the same as always, she hasn't changed at all."

The Empress Dowager's expression visibly stiffened for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

Then, Mu Jinchen said, "I still have state affairs to attend to, Your Majesty, please return."

"Since you know that I am your mother, you should listen to me."

Mu Jinchen did not respond, pretending not to hear.

The Empress Dowager was furious at his behavior, but there was nothing she could do, so she could only turn away and leave.

Youlan Courtyard

In the evening, after taking a bath, Su Qianrou did not sit on the tatami mat to read storybooks as usual, but stared blankly at the tea in her cup.

At this moment, Mu Jinchen walked in.

Upon seeing him, Chunzhu hurriedly bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Su Qianrou did not hear her words, so she did not react.

Mu Jinchen sat down beside her. "What are you thinking about?"

Su Qianrou then came to her senses and looked at him, "Why are you here?"

What do you think?

"For the sake of a marriage alliance."

"Ok".

"Even you can't do anything about it?" Su Qianrou couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Mu Jinchen picked up the teacup unhurriedly and said casually, "Who says I have no way?" After saying that, he took a sip.

Su Qianrou's eyes lit up, and she stared intently at him. "You have a way? What way?"

Mu Jinchen put down his teacup and said calmly, "Marry me."

"What kind of time is this to make jokes like this?"

“I never joke. Now, most of the officials in the court advocate marriage. I can stop them for a while, but not forever. They kneel at the door of the Imperial Study. I can turn a blind eye to them, but if they incite the people, then even if I am unwilling, I will have to agree.” He continued, “If the sweet potatoes you planted were ripe now and the yield were amazing enough, there might still be a chance. Unfortunately, you have to wait another two months. So, for now, the only way for you to survive this ordeal is to marry me.”

Su Qianrou fell into deep thought. He was the Regent, and if she married him, she would be the Regent's Consort. Even though they were not yet married, once the imperial decree was issued, it was a done deal and could not be changed. Therefore, even if the officials were extremely unwilling, they had no choice but to accept it. After all, it was impossible to send the Regent's Consort to a political marriage.

"Marrying me will be no different from what you are now, just a change of location. I will not stop you from doing anything, and you can still do as you please. Not only that, I will also be your support and help you avoid all troubles. If you meet someone you like in the future and want to divorce, that is your choice."

Su Qianrou looked at him in surprise, "Why do you want to marry me?"

"I'm going to get married sooner or later anyway, so I might as well find someone I like."

That's it.

"How about we get married? It will save you a lot of trouble, and I won't have to face my mother's urging to get married anymore. It's a win-win situation."

Su Qianrou didn't speak, her head down, seemingly lost in thought.

Mu Jinchen looked at her and said, "Even if you are spared this time and do not have to go to a political marriage, you will not have peace as long as you are not married. In that case, why not marry me? At least I can protect you, can't I?"

Su Qianrou looked up at him and replied, "Okay."

"You agreed."

"Just like you said, if I have to get married, I might as well marry someone I like. At least I won't feel bad. Besides, with your looks, Your Highness is pleasing to the eye. It seems like I won't lose out if I marry you." With a solution in mind, Su Qianrou was in the mood to joke.

"So, you've taken a liking to my looks? Shouldn't I feel honored to have caught your eye?"

"Everyone loves beauty. The prince has taken a liking to me, isn't it because I'm beautiful?"

“You’re quite narcissistic,” he said, then added, “Tomorrow, I will issue the decree.”

"Well, from now on, we will be husband and wife. Although we have no feelings for each other, we are still going to live together. I hope Your Highness will be honest with me. I don't want to live in suspicion every day. Such a life is too tiring."

"I have also thought so. From now on, we can discuss everything. There is no need to hide anything. We can live however we feel comfortable with."

"Okay, then I wish us a pleasant cooperation."

"A pleasure to work with."

"Since we have reached an agreement, I will take my leave now. You should get some rest, as the imperial decree will arrive at the Su family early tomorrow morning."

"Alright, Your Highness, please take care."

Then, Mu Jinchen got up and left.

"Miss, are you really going to marry the Regent?" Chunzhu asked.

"If you don't marry the Regent, you'll have to marry someone from the Western Regions. What's your choice?"

"Then let's choose the Regent. Although the Regent seems a bit cold, he is quite good to Miss. Miss has been rude to him many times, but he has not held it against her. Moreover, Miss is more relaxed in front of the Regent and often speaks her mind. I think Miss treats the Regent differently."

"What difference could there be? I treat everyone the same way."

"That's not true at all. Miss doesn't treat Prince Liu like that. She's always very polite and proper with him, but she's much more casual with the Regent."

After she said that, Su Qianrou realized that she had indeed been a bit too casual in front of Mu Jinchen. She hadn't even noticed it if she hadn't been told. However, she didn't think much of it and just assumed that it was because the two of them were quite familiar with each other.