Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Longevity Palace

Su Qianrou bowed and said, "Greetings, Mother Empress."

The Empress Dowager put down her teacup and said calmly, "I heard you were assassinated again."

"Yes".

"It is known who did this."

"Bai Xing Ge" (Hundred Stars Pavilion).

"It's Baixing Pavilion again. How long has it been? They still haven't eradicated it. I don't know how Chen'er is handling things. He's getting more and more useless."

Su Qianrou was very dissatisfied with her words, "What Mother said is not true. The Hundred Stars Pavilion has been established for thirty years and is deeply rooted. It cannot be eradicated overnight."

"Ha, now you're taking his side."

"My daughter-in-law was just telling the truth."

"I see you are doing well. Since you are alright, you should go back. Not just anyone can live in the palace."

"Please forgive me, Mother. I cannot do as you say. His Majesty is worried about me and has asked me to stay in the palace temporarily. If I were to return now, it would damage His Majesty's dignity. Even worse, it might spread rumors that you do not like me. Therefore, even for your sake, I cannot return."

Although it's true that they don't get along, they still have to pretend to be on the surface.

"You really are quick-witted."

"I am only stating the facts. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me."

Knowing she couldn't win the argument, the Empress Dowager said irritably, "Alright, since His Majesty allowed you to stay, then stay. However, the palace rules are strict. If you violate them, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Yes, if Mother has nothing else to say, I will take my leave."

The Empress Dowager remained silent.

So, Su Qianrou took Chunzhu and went out.

On the way, Chunzhu couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, in my opinion, the Empress Dowager doesn't seem to care about you; she seems more like she's looking for trouble. She says she's worried about you, but she hasn't said a single word of concern."

"Silly girl, saying you care is just an excuse, and you actually believe it?"

"The Princess Consort is so good, I don't know why the Empress Dowager doesn't like her. She always has to lecture her," Chunzhu said sullenly.

What else could it be? Because she's disobedient. Of course, even if she were obedient, even if she were completely compliant, she might not necessarily be liked. There aren't many mothers-in-law in this world who like their daughters-in-law. It seems to have been like this since ancient times. I don't know why. And someone like her mother should be a minority.

Afterwards, Su Qianrou returned to Qingxin Pavilion and saw Chang Le and the others waiting for her.

When Yang Shanshan saw her return, she immediately went up to her and looked her up and down. Seeing that she was alright, she was relieved. "Cousin, you scared me to death! How many times has this happened?"

“That’s right, I think you should stay home from now on,” Chang Le said.

"I'm fine, why are you all here?"

"We heard you were in trouble and rushed over immediately. We initially went to the Prince's residence, but the guards said you had been taken to the palace by His Majesty. That's why we came to the palace. Luckily, we met the princess, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to get in."

"Since you're here, why don't you stay and have a meal with us?"

"No, Mother is still waiting for news at the manor. She originally wanted to come in person, but she wasn't feeling well, so she didn't come," Liu Xinyue said.

"Mother is sick, and it's very serious," Su Qianrou couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

"It's nothing serious, I'm just tired."

Su Qianrou was relieved. "In that case, I won't keep you any longer. Please take good care of Mother."

"Sister, you're too kind. It's all I should do."

Then, Su Qianrou looked at Yang Shanshan and Li Nanyi. Before she could speak, Li Nanyi said, "We won't stay for the meal either. My mother is still waiting at the mansion."

“Yes, Mother heard you were attacked again and she was very worried,” Li Nanyi chimed in.

"I've made my aunt worry again."

"You can stay in the palace during this time. I will come to the palace to keep you company whenever I have free time. You don't need to leave the palace," Chang Le said.

"Don't do anything rash, you're almost due, you should just stay home and rest," Su Qianrou said, looking at her big belly with concern.

"I'm fine, I still have a month until I give birth."

"That still needs to be noted."

Just then, Qiulan came to report, "Your Highness, Prince Consort Xiao has arrived, saying he has come to take the princess back to the mansion."

Su Qianrou chuckled and teased, "The person who's here to pick you up has arrived, so I won't keep you any longer. Hurry up and go, don't keep our Prince Consort waiting."

Chang Le looked a little embarrassed. "Then I'll head back now."

"Go ahead".

"Cousin, we're leaving now."

"Ok".

Then the group went outside.

Su Qianrou watched them leave, and only turned back into the house when they were out of sight.

The next day, Su Qianrou sat by the pond feeding the fish, having nothing to do.

Before long, Chunzhu came over and said, "Your Highness, the Madam has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Su Qianrou looked up and exclaimed with delight, "Mother, what brings you here? Please have a seat."

"I heard you were attacked again. I was worried, so I came to check on you."

“Didn’t Xinyue already see it yesterday?”

"I'm just afraid you'll keep it from me, so I'll only feel at ease if I see it with my own eyes."

"Now you can rest assured."

"Ok".

"I heard you were sick. How are you feeling? Qiulan is here, let her take your pulse."

"I'm fine, I was just tired that day, but I'm all better now."

Su Qianrou understood and couldn't help but smile.

A blush crept across Lin Rong's face.

Then, Su Qianrou asked, "What does Aunt Liu's father intend to do?"

"You didn't know you spent so much time with him in the study that day."

"I didn't ask."

Lin Rong said calmly, "He has already passed away from illness."

"He's really dead."

"Ok".

"When did this happen?"

"yesterday".

"That's good. Without her causing trouble, the manor will be at peace."

Lin Rong said dismissively, "I'm afraid things won't be peaceful for long."

Su Qianrou looked at her, puzzled.

"If the Marquis's mansion finds out, they will definitely send someone to your father. Just you wait and see."

Su Qianrou had almost forgotten about the Anping Marquis's family. "Do you have any plans?"

"What plans can I have? It mainly depends on your father. If he doesn't agree, no matter how much your grandfather pressures him, it won't work. Similarly, if he agrees, nothing I say will make a difference. So, I don't plan to get involved."

"I don't think Dad will agree."

"It's hard to say, it depends on what he thinks."

Su Qianrou couldn't help but ask, "Mother, all these years, haven't you ever thought about why Father chose you back then?"

"Because your father didn't want to be controlled by your grandparents, and I just happened to be there."

“I heard my father say that you first met by the river, and you even gave him a piece of plum blossom cake.”

“Your father also told you about this.”

"Well, once I made plum blossom cakes and took them to him. I asked him if he preferred mine or yours. Guess who he chose?"

"Your father loves you so much, he must have chosen you."

“No, Father chose you. I asked him why, and then he told me about what happened between you two by the river.”

"I didn't expect him to still remember."

"Actually, your father has always had feelings for you, but you don't know it. Of course, I'm not telling you this to make you accept him, but I think you should know, and perhaps you two can have a good talk."

Lin Rong remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.

Su Qianrou didn't say anything more.