Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

On the eve of the Lunar New Year, after having dinner, Su Qianrou and Mu Jinchen snuggled together on the couch.

Looking at the red lanterns hanging outside the window, Su Qianrou couldn't help but sigh, "Time flies so fast, it's almost New Year again."

"It's gone by so fast. Before we knew it, we'd been married for half a year."

"Don't you feel like you're dreaming? Prince Qing has been defeated, Prince Min has fallen, and all the problems that have troubled you for years have been solved at once."

"No, this was expected, but there is one thing that surprised me."

"What".

"you".

"I".

"Yes, you were unexpected. I thought I would never get married, let alone fall in love with anyone, until you entered my world and changed my thoughts and life, just like now. I never imagined it before." He was so happy, so incredibly happy, that it felt almost unreal, and a sense of fear arose within him—fear that one day this life would end, and he would return to his previous dull and monotonous existence. If that happened, he would feel like every day was an eternity.

"So, do you prefer your current life or your previous one?"

"What do you think?" Mu Jinchen stared at her, his eyes somewhat intriguing.

"I think you probably prefer your previous life. After all, it's well known that the Regent was always diligent in serving the people, selfless and devoted to public service, working tirelessly day and night. He truly dedicated himself to Yunyue."

"Have you ever heard the saying, 'The spring night is too short and the sun rises too high, so the emperor no longer holds morning court'?"

"No, our Regent is not that kind of person, right?"

"Then you're mistaken. That's exactly who I am," he said, before kissing her alluring red lips and holding on for a long time.

Just then, Juxia called out from outside the door, "Your Highness, a letter from Madam Gu has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Su Qianrou regained her senses instantly and pushed Mu Jinchen away.

Mu Jinchen looked at her blankly.

Su Qianrou ignored him and instead called out to the door, "Come in."

Juxia then pushed open the door and handed her the letter.

Su Qianrou happily accepted it and then eagerly opened it.

"Who is it that makes you so happy with just a letter?" Mu Jinchen said, a little jealous.

"My best friend, Linlin."

"It's the person who helped you manage your business in Yangzhou."

"Hmm," he said, then asked, "This letter is a few days later than usual. Have you asked why?"

Juxia replied, "Madam Gu also sent many New Year's goods, so the journey was a bit slow, which caused the delay."

"I'm in the capital, the most prosperous place in Yunyue. I can get anything I want. Why would I need her to deliver it to me?" Although she said this, she couldn't hide her happiness on her face.

"Madam Gu also cares about the Princess Consort, just as the Princess Consort thinks of Madam Gu in everything she does. Whenever she sees something good, she thinks of her first and then has someone send it to her."

Su Qianrou did not deny it, and then said, "By the way, I asked Linlin to check on your father and the others' current situation. Take a look." As she spoke, she handed her one of the letters in her hand.

Juxia took it, glanced at it, and felt a mix of emotions.

Luo Ping had hoped his son would pass the imperial examination and rise to prominence, but he failed even to become a scholar. To make matters worse, his son was a gambler who had racked up huge debts. One day, the gambling den came to collect the debt, threatening to break his son's legs if he didn't pay. His eldest son, a coward but also a ruthless man, secretly sold the Luo family house and ran off with all the family's money, disappearing without a trace. Unable to find his son, the gambling den went after Luo Ping, but Luo Ping couldn't even feed himself, let alone pay his debts. So, the gambling den broke his legs and left him on the street to beg, with the money he collected going to the gambling den.

“I originally wanted to stand up for you, but now it seems that your father has gotten his just desserts. As for the mother and son, if you feel resentful, I can send someone to find them.”

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but it's not necessary. The situation is fine as it is. Those who deserved punishment have already received it. As for those two, even if they escape, they won't have an easy life. Let God deal with them."

Su Qianrou was very fortunate that she had not let her past misfortunes cloud her judgment or blind her.

What she didn't know was that Juxia actually harbored hatred, especially towards Luo Ping. If it weren't for him, her mother wouldn't have suffered so much, and she wouldn't have died. So, when they were still in Yangzhou, she once thought of killing him. However, she then remembered what her mother had said on her deathbed and ultimately gave up. Her mother didn't want her to live in hatred, nor did she want her to bear the stigma of patricide. Therefore, she had to force herself to forget the hatred, forget the past, and try her best to suppress the urge to take revenge.

However, it cannot be denied that after learning about Luo Ping's situation, she felt a surge of satisfaction, as if she had finally gotten her revenge.

"Okay, then you can go out now."

"This servant takes her leave."

"Wait, go prepare some tonics and have that person take them back. Linlin is pregnant now and needs to be properly nourished."

"Madam Gu is pregnant."

"Yes, it's been three months."

"That's a wonderful occasion! I'll go and make the preparations right away."

"Prepare more, the best of everything."

Juxia smiled and said, "Just now, the Princess was talking about Madam Gu. Isn't the Princess the same? Although Yangzhou can't compare to the capital, it has all kinds of tonics. Why would the Princess need to send them to Madam Gu from so far away? Besides, the Xu family is the richest family in Yangzhou, and the Gu family is also a well-known wealthy merchant family in Yangzhou. Lord Gu is the magistrate of Yangzhou. Would they mistreat Madam Gu?"

“That’s different. What I’m giving is not just a token of my affection, but more importantly, a statement of my stance. I want the Gu family to know that I’m the one behind Linlin, so that they won’t dare to bully her.”

“Your Highness is absolutely right. I was foolish. I shall take my leave.” With that, Juxia left.

Mu Jinchen couldn't help but ask, "What is the relationship between your friend and Gu Mingxuan?"

"Marital relationship".

"Gu Mingxuan got married. How come I never heard you mention it before?"

"Didn't I tell you? They got married on the same day as us."

"Same day, what a coincidence," Mu Jinchen couldn't help but think.

"What kind of expression is that?"

Mu Jinchen pulled her into his arms, made her sit on his lap, then wrapped his arms around her and said, "It's nothing, I just didn't expect it."

There are many things you haven't thought of.

“Is there anything else I don’t know, madam? Tell me.”

“Your wife is sleepy now and just wants to sleep,” he said, getting off his lap.

"I'll carry you," Mu Jinchen said, picking her up and heading towards the bed.