Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Yanxi Palace

"So what happened next? How did he get your forgiveness?" Su Qianrou asked.

Yang Shanshan said somewhat embarrassedly, "He brought over a washboard, then knelt on it, and I softened for a moment, so..."

Upon hearing this, Su Qianrou felt a sense of déjà vu. Wasn't this the same method they had discussed earlier, where they had casually talked about what to do if they angered the madam? She had suggested giving her a gift, or, if that didn't work, kneeling on a washboard. And what had the young master Ying said back then? That was too much of a blow to a man's dignity; he would never do such a thing, even if he were beaten to death. Yet now he was secretly using it himself, and she couldn't help but laugh.

Fuyun Palace

In the study, Mu Jinchen was very disdainful after learning about his actions. "Didn't you say you would never do such a thing? Now you're doing it with such ease."

"A true man can bend and stretch; what does dignity matter compared to a wife?"

"Useless."

"Fifth Brother, you'd better promise that you won't upset Fifth Sister-in-law in the future, otherwise... you'll inevitably have to resort to this method too."

Mu Jinchen remained silent because he genuinely could not guarantee it.

Soon, the Lantern Festival arrived. Su Qianrou and Mu Jinchen walked on the brightly lit, bustling street.

The street vendors were calling out their wares with great enthusiasm.

"Selling sesame cakes, hot sesame cakes."

"Steamed buns, piping hot steamed buns."

"Candied hawthorn, sweet and sour candied hawthorn, don't miss it when you pass by."

Su Qianrou let go of Mu Jinchen's hand, ran to the stall selling candied hawthorns, and said, "Boss, I want a skewer of candied hawthorns."

"Okay," the shopkeeper said, handing her a string of skewers. "Here you go."

Su Qianrou happily accepted it.

Mu Jinchen walked slowly to her side and said, "If you like, buy a few more skewers to take home and eat slowly."

When the boss saw him, he smiled and said, "Young master and his wife are a perfect match."

"Two more skewers, please."

"OK".

"Shadow Wind," Mu Jinchen called out.

Yingfeng understood, took the two strings of candied hawthorns handed over by the shopkeeper, and then took out a tael of silver and handed it to the shopkeeper, saying, "Keep the change."

"Thank you, young master, thank you, madam," the shopkeeper said happily, quickly accepting the gifts.

Then, Mu Jinchen took Su Qianrou's hand and continued walking forward.

Su Qianrou joked, "Your Highness is quite generous."

Mu Jinchen was rewarded because the boss said they were a good match, but he didn't say it aloud. Instead, he asked, "Do you like candied hawthorns?"

"I wouldn't say I like it, I only eat it occasionally, but Xiaoya and Xiaoxuan should like it... By the way, I can make an extra-long candied hawthorn and add all kinds of fruits. You've never seen anything like it before. Xiaoxuan and Xiaoya will definitely be very happy."

"You're thinking about them even though we're out having fun together? Is my presence in your heart that insignificant?" Mu Jinchen said unhappily.

Su Qianrou looked at him and said, "You really are a jealous person. You're even jealous of your own nephew and niece. Aren't you afraid of getting sour?"

"You are my wife."

"Yes, yes, okay, stop being jealous. Have some candied hawthorn, try it, it's pretty good," she said, holding the candied hawthorn to his mouth.

"I won't eat it."

"Try it, it's really delicious."

Mu Jinchen couldn't refuse, so he took a bite.

"How is it? Is it delicious?"

"acid".

Su Qianrou chuckled, then pointed to a stall in front of her and asked, "Do you know what that place is?"

Mu Jinchen glanced at it and replied, "The place that sells sugar figurines."

"No, that was last year, when I was strolling around with Minister Bai and Yingfeng stopped us."

Mu Jinchen said sourly, "You remember it very well."

"I still remember a few funny stories he told me, they were all quite hilarious, do you want to hear them?" Su Qianrou teased him deliberately.

"Not interested."

"Listen to this, it's really interesting."

"Su Qianrou," Mu Jinchen shouted through gritted teeth.

"I'm here, you can speak."

"You did this on purpose, didn't you?" Mu Jinchen was furious, but he couldn't do anything about it, so he was very frustrated.

Su Qianrou couldn't help but laugh.

Just then, a familiar voice came, "Cousin."

Upon hearing this, Su Qianrou turned around and saw Yang Shanshan walking towards them through the crowd, with Mu Xinchen following behind her.

Soon, Yang Shanshan came over and said happily, "Cousin, Your Highness, what a coincidence, you're out having fun too."

“Yes, we should have arranged to meet up,” Su Qianrou said.

“I made an appointment with Fifth Brother a couple of days ago, but he said he was busy,” Mu Xinchen said, then looked at Mu Jinchen.

Su Qianrou and Yang Shanshan also looked at him, waiting for his explanation.

Mu Jinchen pretended to be clueless and said, "Really? I forgot."

"Fifth Brother, your memory has always been very good. When did it become so bad? You forgot about something that happened two days ago so quickly."

Mu Xinchen may be slow to react, but that doesn't mean Yang Shanshan is slow to react either. She immediately guessed Mu Jinchen's thoughts and looked at Su Qianrou.

Even she could see through it, so how could Su Qianrou not see through his little scheme? Therefore, she looked at him with a mixture of helplessness and amusement.

But Mu Xinchen was oblivious to the situation and asked, "Fifth Sister-in-law, where are you planning to go next?"

"Release Kongming lanterns by the river."

“Perfect timing, we’re going too, let’s go together.”

"What do you mean 'together'? I'm hungry. Let's go get something to eat first. Cousin, Your Highness, you go ahead."

"Didn't we just finish eating?"

"Can't I say I'm hungry again?"

"But……".

"But what but? Hurry up and go... Cousin, Your Highness, we're leaving now."

Then, Mu Xinchen was forcibly dragged away by Yang Shanshan.

Su Qianrou smiled sweetly, then looked at Mu Jinchen and said leisurely, "Let's go too, my husband."

Mu Jinchen froze, staring blankly at her, "What did you call me?"

"If you didn't hear it, then forget it," Su Qianrou said and walked away.

Mu Jinchen grabbed her and said excitedly, "Say it again." You see, he had tried everything to get her to say it before, but she hadn't agreed. Later, he could only get her to say it when he forced her in bed, so it was no wonder he was so excited.

"What are you shouting for?" Su Qianrou asked knowingly.

"Husband".

"It has already been called out."

"Say it again."

"don't want".

"Rou'er, please, call out one more time, just one more time."

Su Qianrou took his arm and said, "Alright, husband, let's go quickly."

Mu Jinchen finally got his wish, and he couldn't stop smiling, looking like a fool.

Su Qianrou knew that he had always wanted her to call him husband, but she was too shy to say it, so she had never done so, except in bed.

Just now, she suddenly wanted to call him that, so she did, and after she did, she realized that it wasn't so hard to say it.

Throughout the journey, Mu Jinchen's lips never fell into a smile, showing how genuinely happy he was.