Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

The next day, Su Qianrou returned from Shengming Academy and had just sat down when Li An walked in.

"princess".

"What's the matter?"

"The Prince ordered that Prince Min be sent to guard the imperial mausoleum, while his family members were all imprisoned in the mansion and forbidden from leaving for the rest of their lives. In addition, the entire Ming State Duke's family was exiled, and as for General Liu, he was sentenced to be executed in the autumn."

"What about the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion? How did the Prince handle it?"

“His noble title was stripped, and he was reduced to a commoner.”

That's for the best. At least they've saved their lives and won't have to suffer the pain of exile. It's a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

"Oh, and also, His Highness has pardoned General Li Feng's family and granted them a mansion. In addition, His Highness has appointed Young Master Li to serve in the Imperial Guard. Now, Young Master Li is a third-class guard."

Li Jiaping's injustice has been redressed, and his suffering has finally come to an end. "I understand. If there's nothing else, you may leave now."

"Yes".

Just as Li An left, Ju Xia walked in and said, "Your Highness, the First Madam requests an audience."

Su Qianrou knew without a doubt why Lin Xiaoran had come, and said, "Let her in."

"Yes".

A moment later, Lin Xiaoran walked in and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Su Qianrou said calmly, "Why is Aunt here?"

"It has been a long time since I last saw Your Highness, and I have been missing you, so I came to see you. I hope Your Highness has been doing well these days."

"I had no idea that my aunt cared so much about me; it really makes me feel flattered."

Lin Xiaoran gave an awkward smile.

"Please sit down, Auntie."

"Thank you, Princess Consort."

"Chunzhu, look at the tea."

Chunzhu then poured Lin Xiaoran a cup of tea.

Lin Xiaoran picked it up and took a sip, then pondered how to start the conversation.

Su Qianrou was playing with the bracelet that Xu Linlin had given her.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Lin Xiaoran had no choice but to ask, "Has Your Highness heard about Prince Min's matter?"

"nature".

"Just now, His Highness issued an order to imprison all of Prince Min's family members in Prince Min's residence. Is the Princess aware of this?"

"Know".

Then, Lin Xiaoran put on a sad look and said, "The life of confinement is so hard, and your eldest sister has always been pampered. How could she endure such suffering? Now, just thinking about her suffering there makes my heart ache terribly."

"Auntie, don't worry, you'll get used to it."

Lin Xiaoran was shocked to hear her say that, and looked at her in disbelief before realizing what she meant. "Your Highness, she is your sister."

"I didn't say it wasn't."

"Then why don't you help her?"

"How does your aunt want me to help?"

"Go and tell the Regent to let her go."

"Auntie thinks too highly of me; I don't have that ability."

"Then you should find a way to get her out of Prince Min's residence."

"Auntie, are you joking? She is the concubine of Prince Min, not some nobody. Do you think it's possible for me to get her out?"

"This won't work, that won't work, so what do you suggest we do? Are you just going to stand by and watch her suffer in the Prince Min's mansion?"

“I remember that it was my eldest sister who chose Prince Min herself, and she did a lot for it. Since it was her own choice, she should be responsible for her choice.”

"Who knew that Prince Min would end up like this? If we had known, how could Yao'er have fallen for him?"

Su Qianrou chuckled lightly, and couldn't help but think of a sentence: I have never seen such a shameless person. Then she said, "Aunt, please go back. I'm sorry, I can't help you with this matter."

"Are you really going to be this heartless?"

"Spring bamboo, seeing off guests."

"Madam, please."

“Su Qianrou, don’t forget, you are also a member of the Marquis’s household.”

"I had no idea that my queen had become a member of your Marquis's household," Mu Jinchen said as he entered.

Su Qianrou was somewhat surprised to see him, because he was usually still in the palace at this time.

Lin Xiaoran quickly stood up and bowed, "This humble woman greets the Regent."

Upon hearing this, Su Qianrou also bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Mu Jinchen reached out to help her up, saying, "Didn't I tell you, there's no need for such formalities?"

"The proper etiquette must not be disregarded," he then asked, "Why did Your Highness return so early today? Have you finished all your business?"

"I'll come back to have a meal with you."

"Chunzhu, have the kitchen prepare more of the dishes that the prince likes."

"Yes".

Then, Su Qianrou looked at Lin Xiaoran and asked, "Does Aunt have anything else to say?"

"No, this humble woman takes her leave," Lin Xiaoran said hurriedly as she walked out.

Su Qianrou couldn't help but sigh.

"If you don't like it, why do you still want to see me?" he said, walking to the couch and sitting down.

Su Qianrou also went over, saying, "No matter what, we're family, we can't just turn them away."

Mu Jinchen remained silent.

Su Qianrou then said, "You came back so early, it's not just to have dinner with me, is it? Tell me, what is it?"

"Tomorrow you will go to the palace and ask the Empress Dowager to request to leave the palace."

"Why did the Empress Dowager request to leave the palace? Because of the Duke of Ming's mansion."

"no".

"That's because of what?"

"King Min".

"Prince Min," Su Qianrou didn't understand how the Empress Dowager could be associated with Prince Min.

Mu Jinchen explained, "She had an affair with Prince Min."

Su Qianrou stared at him with wide eyes, her face full of disbelief. Then, she remembered the Empress Dowager's hasty departure on the day of the tea ceremony and her subsequent encounter with Prince Min in the garden, and suddenly realized what had happened.

Mu Jinchen then said, "Do you still remember seeing Prince Min outside the Plum Garden that day?"

Su Qianrou naturally remembered that it was her first time entering the palace and the first time she met Prince Min. "Don't tell me that Prince Min and the Empress Dowager were having an affair back then."

“Even earlier, the two had been in contact nine years ago.”

"No, then why did you send Prince Min to guard the imperial tomb? Isn't that just making things difficult for your elder brother? If he knew, he would be so angry that he would jump out of his coffin and beat Prince Min up."

"I didn't expect that."

"Anyone who didn't know better would think you had a grudge against the late emperor."

"I will order that he is not allowed to go to my brother's mausoleum."

That's all we can do now. Then, Su Qianrou asked, "By the way, has Qin Zhenzhen still not been found?"

"no".

"Could she have run away?"

"will not".

"She's quite capable; after so many days, she hasn't been found by the Ministry of Justice."

Mu Jinchen remained silent.

Chunzhu came in and said, "Your Highness, Your Highness, it's time to eat."

So the two went to have a meal.

The next day, at the Regent's Palace, Su Qianrou was about to enter the palace and get into her carriage when she heard someone calling her, "Sister Qianrou." She looked in the direction of the voice and saw Li Peiyi dismounting. She was a little surprised and asked, "Xiao Yi, what brings you here?"

Li Peiyi walked up to him and said, "I've come to tell you that I'm going to Lingnan."

"Lingnan, isn't that a wild and uncivilized place? Why would you go there for no reason?"

"To welcome my grandparents, my mother, and my clansmen."

Su Qianrou then remembered that Li Feng's case had now been overturned and the Li family had been pardoned, so she said, "It is indeed time to bring them back. They have suffered in Lingnan all these years."

"Then I'm leaving."

"Go ahead, leave the Li residence to me, I'll help you with the arrangements."

"it is good".

"Be careful on the road."

"Understood," Li Peiyi said nimbly, mounting his horse and riding away, showing his eagerness.

As Su Qianrou watched his receding figure, she was genuinely happy for him. From now on, he would no longer have to live in anonymity or be separated from his family. How could she not be happy?