Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

In the evening, Su Qianrou and the others sat down at the dining table early, ready to have dinner, but Mu Zexuan and the others were late in arriving.

Yang Shanshan waited anxiously, and couldn't help but complain, "What's wrong with Mu Xinchen? He knows it's my cousin's birthday party, but he's not coming."

"The prince consort is the same. I specifically told him this morning to finish his shift early, but he hasn't shown up since."

“Xiaoyu went to the military camp, but he said he would be back at the end of the month. But it’s already the hour of You (5-7 PM). Logically, he should have arrived by now,” Liu Xinyue said, somewhat puzzled.

"Let's not even talk about them, Xiao Xuan, who lives closest, hasn't come yet."

"Is there some kind of surprise prepared for you?" Li Nanyi said.

“Yeah, that’s quite possible,” Yang Shanshan agreed.

"What kind of surprises could those grown men possibly prepare for me?"

"They are unlikely, but my elder brother is."

"That's right, it might have been arranged by the prince."

Hearing them say that, Su Qianrou couldn't help but feel a little expectant.

Suddenly, Xiao Yaxuan excitedly shouted, "They're here! Daddy and the others are here!"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at them simultaneously.

Yang Shanshan couldn't wait to get up, walk to Mu Xinchen's side, grab his arm, and ask, "What surprise did His Highness ask you to prepare?"

Mu Xinchen did not answer.

"I'm asking you a question."

Mu Xinchen remained silent.

At this moment, Su Qianrou and the others also came over.

Seeing their long faces, Chang Le said, "What's with those expressions? Didn't you come here to celebrate Qian Rou's birthday?"

"Exactly, anyone who didn't know better would think you were here for a funeral, you all have such long faces."

Mu Xinchen and the others remained silent, with Mu Zexuan keeping his head down, not daring to look directly at Su Qianrou.

"Has something happened?" Su Qianrou asked.

The group looked at each other, unsure how to begin.

Finally, Xiao Yan spoke up: "Something has happened to Your Highness."

"You said something happened to my brother, the Emperor."

"Ok".

"What's wrong with him?" Su Qianrou asked, seemingly calmly.

"Missing, current whereabouts unknown."

"reason".

"The third prince of Annam attempted to cross the dense forest to encircle and annihilate our army. The prince discovered his purpose and ordered his men to set up an ambush in the forest. Although the enemy was severely wounded, the third prince still managed to escape. Fearing that the tiger would return to the mountain, the prince personally led his men to pursue him. However, he moved too fast and got separated from his men. General Yang sent men to search for three days, but they still could not find him."

"Three days, plus the journey, that's ten days."

"Sister, don't worry too much. Maybe they've already found it, but the report hasn't been delivered yet."

“Yes, Fifth Sister-in-law, let’s wait a little longer. Fifth Brother is such a capable person, how could he be trapped in a small dense forest? He will definitely be fine.”

"Aunt, don't worry, I've already sent people to look for him, and we will definitely find Uncle."

"I know, let's eat first," Su Qianrou said, then walked over and sat down, leaving Yang Shanshan and the others looking at each other in bewilderment.

Chang Le gave them a look, signaling them to go ahead first.

So a group of people went over and sat down.

Su Qianrou picked up her chopsticks and said calmly, "Eat."

The others, unsure how to comfort them, simply ate, but found the food unappetizing.

On the other hand, Su Qianrou seemed to be enjoying her meal, as if she hadn't been affected at all. But the more she acted this way, the more worried everyone became, and they couldn't help but keep looking at her.

"Eat up, why are you all staring at me? Is the food not to your liking? I'll have the imperial kitchen make a few more dishes and send them over... Chunzhu."

"Fifth Sister-in-law, no need, this is fine."

"Yes, we can't even finish this."

"If you don't eat it, I'll think it's not to your liking."

"Let's eat, let's eat now," Mu Xinchen said, giving Yang Shanshan a wink.

Yang Shanshan immediately said, "Eat up, why aren't you eating?" She picked up a piece of meat and put it in her mouth, then picked up another piece for Li Nanyi and said, "Eat up, this was specially prepared by your cousin. No one is allowed to leave until we finish it today."

“Shanshan is right, everyone eat, don’t be shy, this is delicious, you should try it,” Chang Le said.

Everyone then picked up their chopsticks again to eat, but they were all preoccupied with their own thoughts.

In the evening, Su Qianrou sat by the window, gazing blankly at the scenery outside.

After an unknown amount of time, Chunzhu entered and said, "Your Highness."

Su Qianrou snapped out of her reverie and asked expectantly, "Is there any news from the Prince?"

"No, this is a letter sent by the Prince, along with a birthday gift for you," Chunzhu handed her a letter and a box.

Su Qianrou showed a hint of disappointment, then reached out and took the letter, opening it.

Rou'er, I'm sorry I can't be with you for your first birthday after we got married, but I promise you I will be with you for every birthday from now on. By the way, did you see the birthday gift I gave you? It was given to me by my grandmother, and it's the only memento she left me. So, I've worn it all these years. My grandmother said it would keep me safe. Now I'm giving it to you, hoping it will protect you too.

Su Qianrou opened the box and took out the safety amulet inside. "You clearly needed it more than I did, but you gave it to me. Now look what's happened, you're in trouble now."

You said you would spend every birthday of mine with me from now on. You can't break your promise. If you dare to break your promise, I will... I will go to the Nanfeng Pavilion to find actors and I will keep male concubines. Don't blame me then. It's your fault for breaking your promise first. If you don't want me to do this, come back soon and come back safely. Su Qianrou looked at the safety buckle in her hand and didn't come back to her senses for a long time.

The next day, Su Qianrou was still asleep when she suddenly woke up. "Jinchen," she called out, realizing it was just a dream. She breathed a sigh of relief, but was still shaken. She called out, "Chunzhu."

"Yes, Your Highness," Chunzhu said as she quickly entered. "Your Highness, you're awake."

"Is there any news about the prince?"

"not yet".

Su Qianrou was silent for a moment before saying, "Let's wash up," and then got up.

Meanwhile, in a simple house, Mu Jinchen lay on the bed, still fast asleep.

A short while later, he slowly opened his eyes and immediately became alert upon seeing the unfamiliar environment.

At this moment, a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old came in carrying a basin of water. Seeing that he was awake, she exclaimed with delight, "You're finally awake!"

"Where is this?"

“This is my home. You were injured, and my older brother happened to be passing by, so he brought you back.”

Mu Jinchen did not answer, and tried to sit up by supporting himself on the bed.

Seeing this, Zhang Taohong hurriedly went forward to help him.

Mu Jinchen instinctively dodged away and asked, "How long... how long have I been asleep?"

"Three days".

Upon hearing this, Mu Jinchen threw off the covers and got up without saying a word.

Zhang Taohong stopped him, saying, "You can't get up. My father said you're too badly injured and need to stay in bed to recover."

"I'm fine," he said, but he overestimated himself. In the battle with the Third Prince, he survived but was seriously injured. So, he couldn't even stand up, let alone walk.

“I told you you need to stay in bed, but you didn’t believe me,” Zhang Taohong helped him sit up, and then asked, “By the way, what’s your name?”

Mu Jinchen thought for a moment and said, "I don't know."

"I don't know, do you not remember?"

"Ok".

"Do you remember where you were injured?"

"I don't remember."

A hint of joy flashed in Zhang Taohong's eyes. "It's okay, take your time to think about it. Don't rush, you'll remember it later. Um... you rest for a bit, I'll go get your medicine." After saying that, Zhang Taohong quickly walked out.

Mu Jinchen looked around the room and found nothing unusual, but he did not let his guard down.