Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

After leaving Fengtian Hall, Su Qianrou planned to go to Changshou Palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. Unexpectedly, halfway there, the Empress Dowager sent someone to invite her.

"I have met the Regent's wife."

"Why is Aunt Fanghua here?"

"When the Empress Dowager heard that the Princess Consort had entered the palace, she sent this old servant to invite her."

It seems the Empress Dowager already knows what happened in Fengtian Hall and wants to settle accounts with her. "I was just about to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. Aunt Fanghua, please."

"Please, Your Highness."

Su Qianrou did not hesitate and walked over.

Then, upon arriving at the Longevity Palace, the Empress Dowager's expression was quite grim.

"Your daughter-in-law greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be blessed with ten thousand years of happiness and peace."

"Kneel down," the Empress Dowager commanded sternly.

Su Qianrou, unusually, did not resist and obediently knelt down.

"What kind of place is Fengtian Hall? Is it a place where a woman like you can go? But you went and even caused a scene at the morning court. Who gave you the audacity to spout nonsense in the court? Is this how the Su family taught you? You have no respect for the law. I really don't know how Chen'er could have chosen someone like you as his princess. You have no sense of propriety and are rude and unruly," the Empress Dowager scolded.

"My daughter-in-law acted impulsively, please forgive me, Mother."

"What a moment of impulsiveness! As the Regent's Consort, it's one thing to fail to set a good example, but to dare to openly interfere in court affairs. If she is not strictly disciplined, who knows what outrageous things she might do in the future. Today, I will punish you by making you kneel in the courtyard for two hours, so that you can remember this lesson and reflect on your actions."

"My lord, is this inappropriate? If the prince finds out, he might be displeased."

"Hmph, I haven't even said anything to him yet. As the regent, he allows his wife to run wild. I think he's just blinded by lust," the Empress Dowager said, getting angrier as she spoke. Therefore, she disliked Su Qianrou even more and said irritably, "What are you still doing here? Go out and kneel down."

"Yes," Su Qianrou got up, walked out, and then knelt down in the courtyard.

Chunzhu looked worried and said anxiously, "Your Highness, you are not in good health. How can you bear to kneel for two hours? Why don't you apologize to the Empress Dowager?"

No need.

“Your Highness, now is not the time to be stubborn.”

"I must accept this punishment."

"Why? You made a great contribution, but instead of being rewarded, you are being punished. What kind of logic is this? Besides, it was Miss Liu herself who suggested going to the battlefield. You were just helping her. Why should you be punished?"

"I'll explain it to you when we get back."

"Then this servant will accompany you," she said, and was about to kneel down.

"No, I'll need you to help me back later."

"Then this servant will shield you from the sun."

Su Qianrou did not refuse.

imperial study room

Mu Jinchen is reviewing memorials.

Xu Tao rushed in and said, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! The Princess Consort has been punished by the Empress Dowager and is currently kneeling in the courtyard of Changshou Palace."

"What did you say?" she said, getting up quickly and striding out.

Yingfeng then followed him out.

Mu Jinchen arrived at Changshou Palace as quickly as possible. As soon as he entered, he saw Su Qianrou kneeling on the ground. He felt heartbroken and walked over to her. "Are you stupid? I told you to kneel, so kneel. Get up now."

Su Qianrou didn't move, but simply asked, "Why are you here?"

"If I hadn't come, how long did you plan to kneel here?"

"My mother made me kneel for two hours."

"I've never seen you so obedient on ordinary days."

Su Qianrou did not speak.

Seeing her like this, Mu Jinchen was inexplicably angry. "Get up now."

Just then, Su Qianrou didn't want to kneel down anymore. Her knees were in unbearable pain, and she was dizzy and about to give up. So she signaled to Chunzhu to help her up, but her legs were numb and her knees were still aching, so she couldn't stand up at all.

Seeing this, Mu Jinchen picked her up in his arms without saying a word.

Su Qianrou was startled and instinctively hugged his neck. "What are you doing? Put me down. I can walk by myself."

"I don't want my legs anymore."

Su Qianrou then stopped saying anything.

Just then, the Empress Dowager came out and saw Mu Jinchen holding Su Qianrou. She said with displeasure, "Nonsense! What kind of behavior is this, hugging and cuddling in public? Put her down right now!"

"What's wrong with me embracing my own queen?"

"You're getting more and more outrageous these days."

"I have been presumptuous for quite some time now, and Mother has always known that."

"It was one thing for you to be unruly in the past, but now that you are the Regent, your every move is related to Yunyue's future. Yet you listen to a woman's manipulation and let her run wild in the court. Do you even know what you are doing?"

"I know what I'm doing. If Mother has nothing else to say, I'll take the Princess back for treatment first," he said, then turned and left without looking back.

The Empress Dowager was furious. "Look at this! Look at this! If this continues, Yun Yue will probably have to change her surname to Su in the future!"

"Your Highness is too kind. The Prince always acts with discretion and would not allow such a thing to happen."

The Empress Dowager was stubborn and did not listen to her. She ordered, "Go and select a few people and send them to the Regent's Palace."

"My lord, I'm afraid the prince won't take it."

"Then give it to Su Qianrou and let her make the arrangements."

Although Granny Xu did not agree with her actions, she did not say anything due to her status and replied, "Yes."

Mu Jinchen took Su Qianrou to a palace and invited the imperial physician to treat her.

Su Qianrou sat on the bed, and the imperial physician took her pulse. He then said, "Your Highness is fine, just a little heatstroke. She will be fine after a short rest. As for the injury on your leg, I will prescribe some medicine and apply it for a few days. Also, try to move around as little as possible these next few days."

"Thank you for your trouble."

"Your Highness is too kind. It is all my duty."

"You can go down now," Mu Jinchen said.

"Yes, I'll take my leave."

Then, Mu Jinchen looked at Su Qianrou but didn't say anything.

Su Qianrou felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by him and said, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You were so eloquent in the main hall just now, leaving all the officials speechless. How come you've become mute in the Longevity Palace? You kneel just because I tell you to? Are you stupid?"

"I was thinking it was better to avoid trouble. Think about it, the ministers are already dissatisfied with me for interfering in court affairs. If I were to contradict the Empress Dowager, they would surely think I was disloyal and unfilial, and they would definitely impeach me. That's why I went along with the Empress Dowager's wishes, so that the ministers could calm down."

"Do you think I can't protect you?"

“That’s not what I meant. I just think…”

Just then, Mu Zexuan walked in. "Aunt, I heard that Grandmother made you kneel as punishment. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Your Majesty need not worry."

"Are you really alright? Should we call the imperial physician to take a look?"

"The imperial physician has already examined her, and she is truly fine."

"That's good then," she said, then added, "It's almost time for dinner. Would you like to stay for the meal, Aunt?"

"it is good".

Mu Zexuan was overjoyed and asked, "What does Your Majesty like to eat? I'll have the Imperial Kitchen prepare it."

"I'm fine with anything."

"Then I will make the arrangements."

"it is good".

After lunch, Su Qianrou returned to the Prince's residence, and Mu Jinchen personally escorted her back.