Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

茶楼

Yang Shanshan looked at the pedestrians on the street and found it very interesting.

Mu Xinchen looked at her.

Then, Yang Shanshan put down her teacup and asked, "Tell me, what did you want to see me about today?"

"I want to go to Jiangnan."

"Why did you suddenly go to Jiangnan?"

"Go investigate the case."

"Oh, then go and come back soon."

"I'm afraid my life will be in danger this time, and I may not be able to come back."

"It's so dangerous, why don't you not go and let someone else go?"

"If no one else can do it, only I can."

"Therefore, you absolutely have to go."

"Ok".

Yang Shanshan lowered her head, seemingly lost in thought. After a while, she asked, "When are you going?"

"I'll be leaving soon."

"So soon?" Yang Shanshan felt a mix of emotions, including worry, reluctance, and fear. She then asked, "When will you be back?"

"I don't know. If all goes well, I can go back in two or three months, but if not, it could take half a year, or I might never be able to go back at all..."

"No, you will definitely come back. When you come back, I'll treat you to dinner, how about that?"

"it is good".

"Your Highness, it's time to go," the attendant reminded him.

"Okay, I'll be there soon."

The servant went out.

Then, Mu Xinchen looked at Yang Shanshan and said, "The reason I asked you out this time is not only to tell you that I am going to Jiangnan, but also to..."

"And for what?"

"Can you promise me something?"

"What's up".

"Before I come back, could you please not marry Bai Qinming?"

Yang Shanshan looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"I know this is ridiculous, but can you wait for me to come back?"

Yang Shanshan didn't know what he meant, so she didn't answer.

"Fine, if you want to marry, then marry," she said, then took out a hairpin and handed it to her, "Here, take this as your wedding gift."

Yang Shanshan took it without really understanding what was going on, and then looked at him.

Mu Xinchen stood up and said, "I should go now. Take care of yourself." Then he turned and left.

The moment he stepped out the door, Yang Shanshan quickly stood up and said, "Mu Xinchen, I'll wait for you to come back."

Mu Xinchen smiled, then walked out without looking back.

With his departure, Yang Shanshan felt as if a piece of her heart was missing, leaving her somewhat lost and dejected.

Regent's House

At this moment, Su Qianrou was lying under the shade of a tree, enjoying a bite of pastry and a sip of tea, feeling quite content.

"Spring brings a hundred flowers, autumn a bright moon, summer a cool breeze, and winter snow. Time flies, and life is short, so we should enjoy it while we can."

"The princess is quite eloquent."

"Just tell me if what I said is right or wrong."

"What the princess says is certainly true."

Su Qianrou raised an eyebrow at Chunzhu, as if to say: You know what's good for you.

Chunzhu smiled helplessly. There was nothing she could do but spoil her master.

Not long after, Yang Shanshan walked over dejectedly, looking like she was in a bad mood.

Su Qianrou then got up from the rocking chair, walked to the stone chair next to her, sat down, and asked, "What's wrong with you? What happened?"

"Cousin, do you have any wine? I'd like to have some."

"Chunzhu, go and fetch two bottles of peach blossom wine."

"Yes".

A short while later, Chunzhu brought over two bottles of peach blossom wine and placed them on the table.

Yang Shanshan didn't use a wine glass and started drinking directly, but she choked and coughed incessantly because she drank too fast.

"Hey, drink slowly. What's wrong with you? What happened?"

"It's all because of that bastard Mu Xinchen. He went to Jiangnan on his own, but he had to tell me, which made me very upset."

"He went to look for you."

"Yeah, and he said some strange things to me."

"What did he say?" Su Qianrou asked curiously.

"He wants me to wait for him? Is he crazy? Why should I wait for him?" The problem is, she'd already agreed. "Am I crazy too?" Yang Shanshan thought to herself. Then, she took another big gulp of wine, finishing it in no time. "Cousin, that's all."

"Go and get some more," Su Qianrou instructed, then gave you her own bottle as well, "You drink this one first."

Yang Shanshan didn't stand on ceremony and picked it up to drink.

"Drink slowly, no one will take it from you."

"Cousin, you have no idea how annoyed I am right now."

"He makes you wait, you don't have to wait, why are you bothered?"

He said that this trip to Jiangnan was extremely dangerous, and that he might lose his life.

So, you're worried about him.

"Although we are enemies, we have known each other for a while. Isn't it normal for me to worry about him?"

"If, I mean if, he doesn't come back, what will you do?"

"They must be sad."

"Is it just sadness?"

Yang Shanshan remained silent, seemingly lost in thought. After a while, she said, "I can't imagine it."

"Is it because you're afraid to think about it? Are you scared?"

“I…” Yang Shanshan was unable to refute, because she was indeed afraid. The thought of him dying made her panic.

"Shanshan, in your heart, is he really just your nemesis?"

"What else could it be?"

"Then I'll have to ask you. You said he always makes you angry, but you don't dislike him at all. Have you ever thought about why?"

Yang Shanshan remained silent, lost in thought.

Su Qianrou didn't say anything more and silently drank her wine.

When Mu Jinchen arrived, Yang Shanshan had already gone back, while Su Qianrou was lying on a rocking chair with her eyes closed, holding a wine bottle.

"Why is she sleeping here... Why didn't you let her go back to sleep?"

Chunzhu felt wronged. She spoke up, but the princess refused. What could she do?

Upon hearing this, Su Qianrou slowly opened her eyes and looked at him, saying languidly with a hint of drunkenness, "You've come."

"If you're sleepy, why don't you go back to sleep?"

"I'm not sleepy, I'm just resting with my eyes closed."

"Then get up and have your meal."

He said "okay," but his body didn't move.

Mu Jinchen looked at her, puzzled.

At this moment, Su Qianrou stretched out her hands to him and said coquettishly, "Carry me back, I don't want to move."

Mu Jinchen had never seen her act coquettishly before, so he found it strange and also somewhat cute. He then bent down to hug her and faintly smelled a hint of alcohol, so he said, "You've been drinking."

"Yes, I drank a little bit," she said, gesturing with her hand.

No wonder, I was wondering why she was acting differently than usual. Then I picked her up.

At the same time, the wine bottle on Su Qianrou's body fell to the ground.

Then, Mu Jinchen carried her into the house.

Su Qianrou, after drinking alcohol, was quite different from usual, becoming unusually clingy. Not only did she need Mu Jinchen to feed her, but she also insisted on sitting on Mu Jinchen's lap on the couch.

Mu Jinchen was delighted with this, as it was a rare opportunity.