Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

On New Year's Eve, after attending a family banquet, Su Qianrou and Mu Jinchen went to the nine-story pagoda and started climbing.

Su Qianrou was exhausted, so she stopped and couldn't help but complain, "If I had known you brought me here, I would have agreed to play chess with Xiaoxuan instead, and I wouldn't have had to suffer like this."

Mu Jinchen supported her and said, "You're already this tired after only reaching the fifth floor. Madam, your stamina needs improvement."

"I don't need to do physical labor, so what do I need such good physical strength for?"

Mu Jinchen leaned close to her ear and said with an ambiguous expression, "Really not? I don't know who it is, but they always seem to faint from exhaustion."

Su Qianrou didn't have his thick skin; her face and ears immediately turned red. "Shameless!"

"Am I wrong? She cried out 'no' twice, and fainted on the third time."

"Mu Jinchen".

"I am here".

"Don't even think about entering my Yanxi Palace tonight. No, for the next month, don't even think about it. Go back to your Fuyun Palace, hmph," he said, and continued climbing.

"Madam, I was wrong."

Su Qianrou ignored him and walked forward without looking back.

Mu Jinchen picked her up from behind.

Su Qianrou was startled and instinctively grabbed his neck, angrily saying, "What are you doing? Do you want to kill me so you can get a new princess?"

"Aren't you tired? Let me carry you upstairs."

"Are you sure you can handle this? Don't drop me if you do."

"You are questioning me."

Su Qianrou immediately shut up and wisely refrained from saying anything more.

Chunzhu, who was following behind them, was also exhausted and out of breath.

Seeing this, Yingfeng reached out to help her.

Chunzhu shook off his hand, "I don't need your help."

"Don't try to be strong. Don't you know how tired you are? Or do you want me to carry you up like a prince carries a princess?"

Chunzhu blushed. "Don't talk nonsense, I didn't."

Yingfeng smiled and then helped her up.

Then, upon reaching the top floor, Mu Jinchen and Su Qianrou stood on the corridor, gazing at the myriad lights of the city in the distance.

"Do you remember that place?" Mu Jinchen asked, pointing to a spot below.

"I remember the place where I first met Prince Min."

“I was standing right here, watching you all chatting happily.”

"I was clearly trying to avoid it at all costs, okay?"

Mu Jinchen smiled slightly.

Su Qianrou looked at him and asked with a smile, "May I ask Your Highness, what were your feelings when you saw it? Were you extremely jealous, which is why you sent Yingfeng down to find me?"

"No, I just wanted to know what your relationship was with Prince Min, and when you met him."

"So it seems you didn't fall in love with me at first sight."

"When I first met you, I just thought you were special. But after spending more time with you, I found that you were not only special, but also had unique ideas."

"And then I was attracted to her."

Mu Jinchen smiled and replied, "Mm."

"So, you're attracted to my talent."

Mu Jinchen chuckled, neither admitting nor denying.

In Su Qianrou's view, this was tacit agreement, and she said, "Then I am much more superficial than you, because..." As she spoke, she touched his face and continued, "I am attracted to your face." After saying that, she couldn't help but laugh.

"It seems I need to take better care of my face, lest you get tired of it one day and go to the Nanfeng Pavilion to find actors again."

"Hmm...it's really hard to say."

Mu Jinchen made her look at him, saying, "What did you say? Say it again," his tone full of warning and threat.

"What did I say? I didn't say anything," Su Qianrou said, feigning ignorance.

Just then, brilliant fireworks rose in the distance, dazzling and breathtaking.

"Look, fireworks!" Su Qianrou exclaimed happily, pointing at the fireworks.

Mu Jinchen looked in the direction she pointed, then turned his gaze back to her and called out, "Rou'er."

"Ok".

"I love you".

Su Qianrou looked at him and, seeing his serious expression, smiled and replied, "Yes, it's my pleasure."

The two gazed deeply into each other's eyes. As the saying goes, when emotions run deep, it's hard to control oneself. Mu Jinchen couldn't help but kiss her, and Su Qianrou responded to him.

Rou'er, thank you, thank you for giving me a home, for letting me feel the warmth of home, and for no longer being alone.

Afterwards, the two parted ways, and Mu Jinchen sincerely asked, "Rou'er, for the rest of my life, would you be willing to walk with me?"

"If you never leave me, I will stay with you through life and death."

Mu Jinchen understood what she meant, pulled her into his arms, and held her tightly.

The following day was the first day of the Lunar New Year. As is customary, a state banquet was held in the palace. Therefore, the Xihua Palace was filled with singing and dancing, clinking glasses, and bustling with activity.

Mu Zexuan said, "Let's go down first."

The songstress then withdrew, and the song stopped.

Then, Mu Zexuan picked up a wine cup, walked to the front, and said, "Today is the Spring Festival. With this first cup of wine, I wish Yunyue prosperity and peace."

"May the country prosper and the people live in peace and tranquility," the crowd raised their glasses in agreement.

"This second cup of wine is for my royal uncle. A lot has happened in the past year. If it weren't for my royal uncle's painstaking planning, I might not be standing here today. So, this second cup of wine is for my royal uncle. Thank you for everything you have done for me and for Yunyue. My royal uncle has worked hard."

"Your Majesty is too kind. To be in a position and to fulfill one's duties is what I should do."

"As for this third cup of wine, I toast to all my beloved ministers. I am grateful for your hard work and dedication. In the new year, I hope that you will continue your efforts, make progress, and create a prosperous era together."

"Together we create a prosperous era," everyone drank their wine in one gulp.

"Please enjoy your meal and drinks, everyone. Don't be shy," Mu Zexuan said, then went back to sit down.

Everyone sat down.

Su Qianrou said, "Now Xiao Xuan is becoming more and more like an emperor."

“He still has a lot to learn,” Mu Jinchen said, placing the abalone from the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup into her bowl.

Su Qianrou picked up her chopsticks and said, "Haste makes waste. Don't keep pushing him."

"He is the emperor."

"Emperors are human too, and humans get tired. Have you ever thought about why most emperors didn't live long?"

Mu Jinchen remained silent, as if deep in thought.

Su Qianrou didn't say anything more and focused on her meal.

The Empress Dowager glanced at them, feeling a tightness in her chest, and quickly looked away to look at the others.

At this moment, the eunuch placed a dish of jade shrimp balls on their table.

Just then, Su Qianrou saw the eldest princess looking at her, so she said, "Take this dish to the eldest princess."

"Yes".

Knowing that she loved shrimp, Mu Jinchen instructed, "Have the imperial kitchen prepare another dish and send it over."

"Yes".

Then, the eunuch took the jade shrimp ball to the eldest princess.

The eldest princess was overjoyed and gave Su Qianrou a grateful look.

Su Qianrou smiled gently.