Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Pinshixuan

Mu Xinchen and Yang Shanshan are having a meal.

Yang Shanshan ate heartily, but Mu Xinchen was somewhat absent-minded, glancing at her from time to time.

Yang Shanshan didn't notice, and after a while, she asked, "Why did you suddenly invite me to dinner?"

"Do I need a reason to invite you to dinner? See, you came as soon as I called."

"Only a fool wouldn't eat when there's food available."

"Yes, yes, yes."

"Why are you acting so strangely today? It's one thing to invite me to dinner, but you didn't even say anything sarcastic to me when we met. This isn't like you at all. What, did you suddenly have a change of heart and decide to turn over a new leaf and mend your ways?"

"I haven't done anything wrong, why should I change my ways?"

"What did you do to offend me? So you're treating me to dinner here as an apology."

"What could I possibly do to offend you? Don't make wild guesses, nothing's wrong."

"So what are you up to?"

"I just suddenly wanted to invite you to dinner, but that's not possible."

"Sure, of course! You'd better treat me every day, then I'll have food to eat every day."

"Okay," Mu Xinchen blurted out.

Yang Shanshan looked at him in surprise. If it were according to his usual habits, he would definitely reply: "You talk as if you have no food to eat," instead of agreeing without hesitation. So she said, "Are you out of your mind?"

"You're the one who's out of your mind."

Yang Shanshan put down her chopsticks, looked at him, and said, "Speak, what do you want from me?"

"Didn't I say nothing happened?" Mu Xinchen was still being stubborn.

"Tell me quickly, I'm getting anxious if you don't."

After hesitating for a moment, Mu Xinchen couldn't help but ask, "Um... are you really planning to marry Bai Qinming?"

"I do have that plan, but how did you know?"

"You like him."

I don't like it, but I don't hate it either.

"If you don't like him, why did you marry him?"

"You know perfectly well that my mother has been urging me to get married. Rather than marrying one of those idle, good-for-nothing young masters, I'd rather marry Young Master Bai. At least he's young and promising, and he's witty and humorous. We get along well, and I think he's a good match."

“He’s not the only young and promising man in this capital city.”

"But he's the only one I can really talk to."

"We get along well, don't we?" Mu Xinchen said, feeling guilty even as he said it.

"Are you sure we're talking and not arguing? Besides, everyone knows you, Prince Ying, are a notorious playboy in the capital. How dare you call yourself young and promising?"

"I am the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. How can I not be considered young and promising? As for the playboy, that's all nonsense. I, the young master, am chaste and still am..."

"Or what?"

"nothing".

Yang Shanshan didn't ask any further questions and continued eating.

Mu Xinchen looked at her, feeling somewhat helpless and unsure of what to do.

"Eat up, what are you looking at me for... This is delicious, you should try it."

"Oh, okay."

Mu Xinchen then picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

Yanxi Palace

After their meal, Su Qianrou and Mu Jinchen played chess in the room. Neither of them gave an inch, and their fierce battle was quite enjoyable.

Just then, Yingfeng walked in and called out, "Your Highness."

"What's the matter?"

"The person who was sent to Prince Qing's residence is dead."

"How he died".

"Assassinated."

"It seems that the person behind the scenes has indeed planted someone in Prince Qing's mansion," he said, placing a chess piece on the chessboard.

"The prince deliberately sent the person to Prince Qing's mansion to see if the person behind the scenes had planted someone in Prince Qing's mansion."

"Ok".

"So, what are Your Highness's plans next?"

"Have the secret guards thoroughly investigate the Prince Qing's residence."

"Yes," Yingfeng said, and then walked out.

Su Qianrou asked, "Is the person you're talking about Huixiang?"

"Ok".

"She is not one of Prince Qing's people."

"Ok".

"Do you have anyone you suspect?"

"It's nothing more than my brothers and uncles."

"Is there really no family affection in the royal family?"

"Yes, but very few."

"Back then, you went to the military camp not only because of your mother's distrust, but also because of the late emperor. You were afraid that the late emperor would become estranged from you because of that incident. In addition, you were worried that if you stayed in the capital, it would arouse the late emperor's suspicion and jealousy, thus affecting the relationship between you and your brothers. Therefore, you resolutely went to the military camp, right?"

Mu Jinchen nodded, without denying it.

Do you regret it?

"A little, but more than that, I feel guilty."

"How to say it."

"My eldest brother, like you, has seen through my thoughts."

*******

Three years ago, Mu Jinchen was summoned back to the capital, and the first thing he did upon returning to the capital was to go to the palace to meet the emperor.

imperial study room

Mu Beiyuan had been waiting there for a long time.

Before long, Mu Jinchen walked in. "This humble general, Mu Jinchen, greets Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"

Mu Beiyuan casually tossed the memorial out, and it landed right in front of Mu Jinchen. "Say it again."

"This humble general..." Before he could finish speaking, another memorial fell in front of him.

“The end…” As his voice rang out, Mu Beiyuan casually picked up another memorial and prepared to throw it at him.

Seeing this, Xu Tao hurriedly reminded him, "Your Highness, you're finally back! His Majesty has been missing you dearly, his younger brother. He's overjoyed to see you back."

"Happy my ass, I'm not happy at all... cough cough," he coughed out, too angry to contain his rage.

Mu Jinchen looked at him with concern. Seeing his pale face and weak appearance, he felt a pang of heartache and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Mu Beiyuan was finally satisfied, but he was still angry, so he said irritably, "Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"The Prince Xian's residence has made arrangements. Go back and rest. You will begin the morning court session tomorrow, and then come to the Imperial Study to handle memorials."

"Your Majesty, I will return to the southwest in a few days."

"Are you trying to drive me crazy? You've been there for seven years already, and you're still not done," he said, coughing incessantly.

"Your Majesty, please do not be angry and take care of your health," Xu Tao advised.

Mu Jinchen didn't speak, but the worry in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Then, Mu Beiyuan stood up, walked to him, and said, "Everyone else thinks you left because of the Empress Dowager's distrust, but I know you chose to leave because you were afraid that I would suspect you." He paused for a moment, then continued, "I really didn't expect that in your eyes, I would be such a heartless person."

Mu Jinchen remained silent.

Mu Beiyuan walked to his side, looked out the door, and said, "Jinchen, remember this, you are my brother, and always will be." Then, he turned to look at him and said, "Whether in the past, present, or future, I will never doubt you. You are the only and most trusted person in my life."

"Your Majesty."

"Now, my body is at its last gasp, and I fear I will not live much longer. Therefore, I can only entrust Yunyue to you."

You will get better.

"I know my body best."

"Is there really no other way?"

"We've tried everything we could," Mu Beiyuan said, sitting back down. He then added, "You don't need to worry too much; I can hold on for a while longer."

Mu Jinchen was clearly dissatisfied with his words, and frowned, but did not say anything.

******

"The late emperor truly regarded you as a younger brother."

“My brother has always been very good to me, but… if I hadn’t left back then, my brother might have been able to hold on for another year or two.”

"You don't need to blame yourself, the late emperor won't blame you."

"I know".

The two then said nothing more and focused on playing chess.