Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

The next day, Su Qianrou returned from Shengming Academy and entered the room, only to find Mu Jinchen sitting on the couch drinking tea, which surprised her somewhat.

Mu Jinchen looked at her and said, "You're back."

"Why are you back so early today?" she said, walking up to him.

Mu Jinchen did not answer her question, but instead asked, "You didn't go back to the Su family."

"Why are you asking this all of a sudden? I've only been married for less than half a month. If I go back, I don't know what kind of rumors will spread. So, I plan to go back in a while."

"You're still afraid of this?"

“I’m not afraid, but I’m afraid my dad and mom will overthink it.”

"Pack your things, I'll accompany you back."

"Why?" Su Qianrou looked at him, puzzled.

"This morning, I issued an edict ordering General Yang to lead troops to the Northwest to recapture Lanzhou and Liangzhou."

"How could this happen so suddenly?"

"Yesterday, the secret guards reported that Lanzhou and Liangzhou have suffered from drought for many months, coupled with a lack of water resources, resulting in a complete crop failure. The food supply in the Western Regions was already limited, and three months ago, a locust plague further reduced the food supply. Therefore, many places in the Western Regions are now experiencing famine."

"That's why they abandoned Lanzhou and Liangzhou."

"Ok".

"Then why arrange a marriage alliance?"

"Didn't I tell you?"

"say what".

"The marriage alliance was Qin Zhenzhen's idea. She proposed it to Prince Min. At that time, the Western Regions were asking Prince Min for money. Putting aside the fact that Prince Min didn't have money, even if he did, he wouldn't give it to them. But he was afraid that they would fight to the death, so he adopted Qin Zhenzhen's suggestion to let the Western Regions obtain the dowry through the marriage alliance."

“No wonder, I was wondering where I got such charm that the Western Regions were willing to offer two cities as a dowry. So that’s what they were planning.” Then he asked, “When will the army set off?”

"tomorrow".

"So fast."

"Hundreds of people have already starved to death in Lanzhou and Liangzhou. If it had been any later, there would probably have been nothing but empty cities."

"You're asking me to go back to the Su family because Xiaoyu is going too?"

"Yes, I originally wanted to keep him here, but he refused and even came to me personally for this reason."

"Going to the battlefield and becoming a general has been his childhood dream. Now that the opportunity is right in front of him, how could he possibly give it up?"

So, do you want to go back and take a look?

"Ok".

Su Fu

In the lobby, Lin Rong reluctantly held Su Haoyu's hand and asked, "Is it really necessary to go?"

"Mother, you know this has always been my wish."

"It's not that I don't want you to go, it's just that you're still too young. What I mean is, it's not too late to go in a couple of years."

“Mother, I can skip other battles, but I must go to recapture Lanzhou and Liangzhou,” Su Haoyu said firmly.

Why?

Su Haoyu did not answer.

Su Jing'an and Su Mingxuan knew what he was thinking, so although they were worried, they did not try to dissuade him.

"Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, Xiaoyu," Su Qianrou called out as she entered.

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at her, and when they saw Mu Jinchen behind her, they stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness and Your Highness."

"We're all family, no need for formalities."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Then, Su Jing'an said, "Your Highness, please take a seat."

Mu Jinchen didn't stand on ceremony and went over to sit down.

Su Qianrou then walked up to Su Haoyu.

Su Haoyu called out, "Sister."

"I've thought it through."

"Ok".

Su Qianrou did not stop her, but only instructed, "The battlefield is full of dangers and swords, so you must be careful. Also, remember what I said before, do not be impatient for quick success."

"Sister, I know."

"Good to know. By the way, go to the Liu residence and visit General Liu."

Su Mingxuan chimed in, "It is right to visit him. Young Master Liu gave you their ancestral sword in the hope that you would inherit the mantle of General Liu and General Liu, and be as brave and skilled in battle as they were, protecting the country. Now that you are about to go to the front line, it is only right and proper to visit him."

Upon hearing this, Mu Jinchen paused, but quickly regained his composure and continued drinking his tea as if nothing had happened.

Su Haoyu replied, "Okay."

Inside the carriage, Su Qianrou looked worried and silent.

Seeing this, Mu Jinchen said, "I'm worried about your brother."

"Ok".

"Don't worry, he's not reckless. He'll definitely come back safely. You have to believe him."

“I believe you, but swords and spears have no eyes on the battlefield. If you are not careful, you will lose your life. How can I not worry? Besides, he is so young, only fourteen years old.”

"I went to the battlefield when I was thirteen years old, and I am still alive and well."

Su Qianrou looked at him, and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why did you join the army back then, and why did you go to such a dangerous place as the southwest? Weren't you afraid you wouldn't be able to come back?"

"I didn't think too much at the time, I just wanted to leave, so I went."

"Why did you leave? Among the princes back then, apart from the Crown Prince, who was the late Emperor, you had the most noble status. Yet you gave up wealth and honor to suffer."

Mu Jinchen did not answer.

Seeing that he didn't want to talk about it, Su Qianrou wisely didn't ask any further.

Regent's House

Afterwards, the two returned to the Prince's residence. Su Qianrou went back to Yanxi Palace, while Mu Jinchen went to his study.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, Juxia came over and said, "Your Highness, you're back."

"Ok".

Then, Juxia said, "Your Highness, Miss Liu has arrived."

Su Qianrou was somewhat surprised and asked, "When did she arrive?"

“Fourteen minutes ago”.

Su Qianrou didn't ask any more questions and went inside.

Upon entering the room, I saw Liu Xinyue sitting on the couch, looking preoccupied and lost in thought. So I went over and asked, "Why are you here?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xinyue snapped out of her daze, looked at her, and then stood up and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"What are you doing? Why are you being so distant with me? Please sit down."

"Yes".

After Su Qianrou sat down, Liu Xinyue then sat down as well.

Then, Su Qianrou asked, "Why did you come to see me today? Is there something you need?"

Liu Xinyue hesitated, unsure of what to say.

"What's wrong? Just say it."

“I…I want to…”, then, having made up his mind, he said, “I want to go to the Northwest with the army.”

"You want to go to the front lines?" Su Qianrou looked at her in shock.

"Ok".

Why?

Liu Xinyue lowered her head and did not answer.

Even if she didn't say it, Su Qianrou knew what she was thinking. The Liu family was a family of military generals with outstanding military achievements. They were a family that Yunyue could not underestimate. But now, not only did they have no successors, they also lost their titles. If they wanted to make a comeback and regain their glory in the future, it would be extremely difficult.

"Did General Liu and Young Master Liu agree?"

"no".

"So you came to me because you want me to help you."

"Ok".

"You should know that there has never been a precedent of a woman joining the army in Yunyue."

"I know".

"Knowing it, you still went."

"I...I want to try."

“There are many ways to revitalize the Liu family, and we don’t have to take this path. Besides, it is Young Master Liu’s responsibility, not yours.”

“I did it for my grandfather. He already felt guilty because my second uncle failed to defend Lanzhou and Liangzhou. Now, after learning what my second uncle did, it has become an even bigger worry for him.”

"So, you want to take back these two cities yourself."

"Ok".

"But this is a rugged road, full of difficulties, and you might even lose your life because of it. Aren't you afraid?"

“I’m not afraid,” she said, then added, “Actually, there’s another reason why I did this.”

"What".

“In the past, my grandfather often told me, ‘It’s a pity you’re not a man. Otherwise, you would definitely be able to defend the territory and protect the people, just like the martyrs of the Liu family, and achieve great things in protecting the country.’ I said that women can do it too, but my grandfather didn’t believe me. So, I want to prove to him that women are not inferior to men, and that women can also protect the country.”

"Who says women are all gentle? They have their own pride and can make the world stand firm. I will speak to the Prince about this matter."

"Thank you, Sister Rou."

Su Qianrou did not speak.