Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Yanxi Palace

Su Qianrou sat under the shade of a tree, brewing tea by a stove, feeling quite content.

A short while later, Yang Shanshan walked in. "Cousin, you really know how to enjoy yourself," she said, placing the gifts she brought on the table.

"You're here, why did you bring a gift?"

"You can't come to the New Year empty-handed; you have to bring something."

Su Qianrou chuckled, "Sit down," and then poured her a cup of tea.

Yang Shanshan sat down next to her and ate and drank as she pleased, without any hesitation.

"Didn't you say you were busy on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year and could only come on the sixth? I was thinking that we could have barbecue together tomorrow when you come."

"I couldn't help but come to tell you as soon as possible."

"What did you say?" Su Qianrou asked, looking at her curiously.

"I'm getting married."

"To marry, with whom, perhaps Crown Prince Yeong?"

"Otherwise, who else could it be but him?"

"You kept refusing before, why did you suddenly change your mind?"

"It's all because he cheated."

"How to say it."

"Didn't he get injured before the Lunar New Year, and then..."

Fuyun Palace

Mu Jinchen was handling official business in his study when Mu Xinchen walked in with a big smile and called out, "Fifth Brother, I've come to wish you a Happy New Year."

Mu Jinchen glanced at him and said, "You came empty-handed."

"No way! I brought two bottles of the finest Zhuangyuanhong wine, and I've already had someone warm them up. Tonight, we'll drink until we drop!"

"You have good news to share."

"As expected, I couldn't hide it from Fifth Brother. I'm getting married."

"Miss Yang agreed."

"It's not just an agreement. Just now, my father and mother personally went to the Yang family to propose marriage, and General Yang and Madam Yang have already agreed. So, I will be getting married soon."

"Miss Yang was unwilling to agree before, but you've gotten her to agree in just a few days. That's great."

"This is all thanks to my mother. If it weren't for her, Shanshan wouldn't have agreed so quickly."

"What is her relationship with the Princess of England?"

"I was injured a while ago, and then my mother..."

******

Because it was nearing the end of the year, there were many cases to handle. As a result, Mu Xinchen spent his days either interrogating or arresting criminals, leaving early and returning late. He was so busy that he didn't even have time to eat, let alone go to see Yang Shanshan. Therefore, the two had not seen each other for half a month.

It wasn't until the 28th of the year that Mu Xinchen finally had some free time, so he thought about going to find Yang Shanshan. Unexpectedly, he encountered an important fugitive on the way, so he chased after him without thinking.

The man was a desperate criminal, so he was ruthless. It took Mu Xinchen a lot of effort to capture him, and he even suffered some minor injuries in the process.

However, he instructed his servants to exaggerate, saying that he was seriously injured and was currently unconscious.

Upon learning the news, Yang Shanshan immediately rushed to the Prince's Mansion.

When she saw Mu Xinchen lying motionless on the bed with his eyes closed, she was extremely anxious and panicked, so much so that she blurted out, "Mu Xinchen, wake up! Didn't you say you wanted to marry me? If you wake up, I'll say yes."

"Really?" Mu Xinchen opened his eyes instantly and said with delight.

"Mu Xinchen, how dare you lie to me!" Yang Shanshan angrily slapped his chest, hitting his wound squarely.

Mu Xinchen gasped in pain, "It hurts."

"You're still pretending."

"I wasn't faking it."

"I can attest that he wasn't faking it; he did indeed have a chest injury."

Yang Shanshan then noticed the presence of the Princess Consort, and hurriedly stood up, bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Highness. I was rude. Please forgive me."

"It's alright."

Although the Princess Consort seemed kind and approachable, Yang Shanshan was still a little reserved. Then, thinking about her own behavior just now, she felt even more embarrassed and said, "Since the Crown Prince is alright, I will take my leave now. Farewell."

No rush.

"I wonder if there is anything else, Your Highness?" Yang Shanshan asked timidly.

"Please ask Miss Yang to go back and inform General Yang and Madam Yang that I will send someone to propose marriage tomorrow."

"Propose marriage?" Yang Shanshan's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Ok".

"this……".

“Miss Yang is unwilling. Just now, Miss Yang said that she would agree to marry my son as long as he woke up. Now that he has woken up, does Miss Yang want to go back on her word?”

"No, I was just... Wang Bing said he was seriously ill, and I was so anxious that I..."

“So, Miss Yang is trying to deny it,” Princess Ying said, looking at her with a serious expression.

Yang Shanshan felt a little timid, so she looked at Mu Xinchen, hoping he would help her out of the predicament. However, he turned his head away and pretended not to see her, which made her very angry. But because the Princess Consort of Ying was there, she could only endure it and said, "No."

"In that case, Miss Yang, please go back and inform General Yang and Madam Yang that the Prince and I will personally come to propose marriage tomorrow."

Yang Shanshan hurriedly said, "It's almost the New Year, and the Princess must have a lot to deal with. How about we reschedule?"

"Tomorrow is indeed a bit rushed, so it would be better to postpone it to another day."

Upon hearing "Mother Consort," Mu Xinchen was no longer calm. He couldn't wait to finalize the marriage, as delays could lead to unforeseen complications.

Princess Ying ignored him and said, "How about this, we'll find a time during the New Year to propose marriage. Miss Yang, please inform General Yang and Madam Yang in advance so they can be prepared."

Now that things had come to this, Yang Shanshan could only reply, "Okay, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now. Goodbye."

"Miss Yang, please take care."

Yang Shanshan turned and left, appearing calm on the surface, but actually panicking inside, and her pace quickened involuntarily.

Mu Xinchen sat up and asked, puzzled, "Mother, Shanshan finally agreed. Why don't you strike while the iron is hot? What if she changes her mind in a couple of days?"

“We lied to her first, then pressured her. She might not say anything, but she'll definitely be unhappy. If we pressure her too much, she'll inevitably harbor resentment, which will definitely affect your relationship. So, you still need to find a way to make her willingly marry you.”

"Then what should I do?" Mu Xinchen asked innocently.

The Princess looked at him helplessly, thinking, "How did I give birth to such a stupid son? I'm sure he wasn't switched. Maybe I should find some time to check." Then she said irritably, "Were you beaten stupid or did someone damage your brain? Of course you should apologize when you do something wrong. Do I need to teach you that?"

"Oh".

“Let me tell you, you better be sincere in admitting your mistake. If Shanshan doesn’t forgive you, don’t come back. Other young men your age have not only not gotten married, but they also have children. You, on the other hand, are still all alone. If you can’t get married this year, you are no longer a member of our Prince Ying’s Mansion. I’ll be ashamed of you.”

"Don't worry, Mother, I will definitely get married this year. I will go to find Shanshan tomorrow."

The Princess of England said nothing more and walked out.

******