Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Fuyun Palace

Su Qianrou came to the study to have dinner with Mu Jinchen, but as soon as she reached the door, she saw Mu Xinchen come out from inside.

"Fifth Sister-in-law, come find Fifth Brother."

"Yes, when did you get back?"

"Just got back."

"It's good that you're back. Your injuries have healed."

"Much better."

"That's good."

"Fifth Sister-in-law, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."

"Aren't you going to stay and have a meal with us?"

"No, my mother is still waiting for me at the mansion."

"Indeed, the Princess Consort has been worried about you all this time, and she looks quite haggard. She should go back and check on you soon. I won't keep you any longer."

"Yes, I'll have a meal with Fifth Sister-in-law again next time," she said, and then turned to leave.

Su Qianrou called out to him, "Wait a minute."

Mu Xinchen turned to look at her, "Is there anything else, Fifth Sister-in-law?"

"Try to visit Shanshan sometime. She's been worried about you lately. Go see her and put her mind at ease."

"Okay, I understand. I'll go find her later," Mu Xinchen said, and then walked out.

Su Qianrou then turned and went inside.

Mu Jinchen asked casually, "What are you two talking about that's been going on for so long?"

"We didn't talk much, just exchanged a few pleasantries. Are you done with your work?" Su Qianrou said as she walked to his side.

"Not yet, are you hungry?"

"I'm not hungry. I ate two pieces of pastry before I came."

"Then sit and wait a while," he said, pulling her onto his lap and putting his arm around her waist.

"Are you sure you can concentrate on your work this way?"

"cannot".

"Then why don't you let go of me?" she said, pushing his hands away and trying to get off him, but he only hugged her tighter.

"I'm tired after a hug," he said, then rested his head on her body.

Su Qianrou's heart softened instantly. She stroked his head and said, "If you're tired, then rest for a while."

Mu Jinchen didn't speak, closed his eyes, and quietly leaned against her.

Su Qianrou silently stayed by his side.

Yanxi Palace

After the meal, Su Qianrou returned to Yanxi Palace so as not to disturb Mu Jinchen's continued work.

At this moment, she was reading a book on the pavilion in the back courtyard.

Before long, Juxia came over and said, "Your Highness, the Second Young Master and Miss Liu have arrived."

"sister".

"Sister Rou".

"Why are you here? Please have a seat."

Su Haoyu and Liu Xinyue sat down opposite her.

Then, Su Haoyu replied, "We've come to give you good news."

Su Qianrou smiled and said, "I don't need you to announce the good news. I already knew. Now that I'm a general, I can't be as willful as before."

"I know, and besides, I wasn't being willful."

Su Qianrou looked at him with affection, then looked at Liu Xinyue, "Xinyue, don't be discouraged. Although you are only a captain, it is still a breakthrough. You will definitely have the opportunity to become a general in the future."

"Sister Rou, there's no need to comfort me. I'm not discouraged. I'm already happy that I can stay in the army, let alone that I have an official position, which I never dared to dream of before."

“This is nothing. Everyone in the city is talking about how you might become the first female general in Yunyue’s history. If you do become a general, you will be a legend of Yunyue,” Su Haoyu said.

"It's only a matter of time before Xinyue becomes a general, and she might even have a higher rank than you in the future."

“She’s taller than me, so be it. I’m proud of it. After all, she’ll be my wife someday,” he said, taking Liu Xinyue’s hand in his.

Liu Xinyue blushed and tried to pull her hand away, but he held it tightly.

"What's going on with you guys?"

"We've come here today not only to share good news with you, but also to tell you some other good news: we're together now," he said, raising their clasped hands.

Su Qianrou was overjoyed and excitedly said, "I didn't even know when this happened."

"You're someone who knows about the relationship that was established before you came back."

"Great job, that's well done."

Su Haoyu raised an eyebrow, looking smug.

"However, the score still needs to be settled. Tell me, whose idea was it to pretend to be captured?"

Su Haoyu and Liu Xinyue exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat guilty.

"Xiaoyu, this was your idea, wasn't it?"

"Sister, isn't this the only option we could have? Besides, everything's alright now."

"You should be glad you're alright. If something had happened, you wouldn't have had time to regret it."

"I know I was wrong, and I won't do it again next time."

"If there's a next time, I'll break your legs."

"No, absolutely not, don't worry."

"Sister Rou, don't blame him. This was my idea too."

"You too, it's one thing for you not to stop him from acting recklessly, but to act recklessly with him. It's a good thing you're alright. If something had happened to you, how would I explain it to General Liu and Young Master Liu?"

“At that time, the people of the Western Regions used civilians as a threat to prevent the army from getting close. For every step they took closer, they would kill a civilian. As a result, Liangzhou could not be captured for a long time. The people of Liangzhou had not eaten for several days. If this continued, they would soon starve to death. We had no choice but to resort to this tactic.”

******

Because Liu Xinyue was a woman, it was inconvenient for her to live with the other soldiers, so Yang Wenchang arranged for her to stay in Yang Lin's tent.

However, Yang Lin already had a beloved, and Duan could not live with a woman. So he discussed with Su Haoyu that Su Haoyu should stay in his own tent, while he would live with the soldiers.

That day, Su Haoyu was pondering in his tent how to reclaim Liangzhou without harming the people. He was so engrossed that he didn't notice Liu Xinyue coming in.

Seeing that he was lost in thought, Liu Xinyue didn't disturb him. She walked to her side, took off her coat, and prepared to go to sleep.

Suddenly, Su Haoyu shouted, "I've got it!" and then went over the screen to find her. Unexpectedly, he saw her taking off her clothes. He then turned around and said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to."

Liu Xinyue paused, then quickly put on her clothes and asked, "Is there something you need?"

"I've come up with a way to take back Liangzhou without lifting a finger, but we need someone to work together from the inside."

"What's the solution?" Liu Xinyue looked at him, but seeing that his back was to her, she didn't remind him. She simply walked past him and sat down at the table.

Su Haoyu was taken aback for a moment, then realized what was happening and followed.

"What's your idea?" Liu Xinyue asked.

"Before we set off, my sister gave me all sorts of medicine, including sleeping pills and muscle relaxants. Lately, the people from the Western Regions have been launching sneak attacks. I'll pretend to be captured so I can get into Liangzhou City. Then I'll take advantage of the situation and put the drugs in their food. Once the drugs take effect, I'll fire a signal flare, and then you can come in. That way, we can take back Liangzhou without lifting a finger. What do you think of this plan?"

"No, that's too dangerous."

“But there’s no other way now, is there? We can’t wait until all the people of Liangzhou starve to death before we attack the city,” Su Haoyu said helplessly.