Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Fengtian Hall

Su Qianrou and Mu Zexuan appeared together at the morning court session.

When the ministers saw her, they made all sorts of speculations. Most of them thought that she would want to rule from behind the curtain, just like the Empress Dowager.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

"My beloved subjects, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Su Qianrou and Mu Zexuan exchanged a glance. Then, Su Qianrou spoke, "I imagine you are all curious as to why I am here, wondering if I am about to assume the reins of government. Rest assured, I have no such intention. I simply have a few words to say to you all." She paused for a moment before continuing, "I understand your concern that the Prince is missing and his whereabouts are currently unknown. However, I hope that you will all be dutiful and selfless. Regardless of whether the Prince returns or not, His Majesty is here, and your loyalty is to His Majesty. His Majesty's youth is not a reason for you to conceal your own interests... Duke Su, you are the Prince's maternal grandfather and His Majesty's great-grandfather. The Prince has entrusted you with the responsibility of overseeing the country based on his trust in you. I hope you will not betray the Prince's trust."

How could the Duke of Su not understand that this was a warning to him? But he was a veteran of four reigns. If he were to submit to a mere young girl, especially in front of all the civil and military officials, where would his dignity be? So he said, “What the princess says is true. We will certainly do our duty. We hope that the princess will do the same. Fengtian Hall is the place where court officials discuss matters. Yet the princess has come here time and time again. Don’t you think you are overstepping your bounds?”

"I didn't want to come either, but some people are causing trouble... Alright, I know His Majesty and the officials still have state affairs to discuss, so I won't disturb you any longer. After saying this last sentence, I'll leave. I advise you officials to think carefully about whether you can withstand scrutiny before you start thinking about such things." After saying this, Chao Muzexuan curtsied and walked out without looking back.

If it were anyone else, the court officials might not have taken her words to heart, but Su Qianrou was different.

As everyone knows, the royal family has a secret guard and a shadow guard, who have only obeyed the emperor for centuries. The secret guard is used for investigation, while the shadow guard is used to protect the emperor's safety. However, now these secret guards and shadow guards are in Mu Jinchen's hands and obey him. Therefore, if he wants to investigate something, it is not difficult.

As his wife, Su Qianrou wouldn't find it difficult to know.

Mu Zexuan looked at Xiao Li.

Li Zi understood and immediately shouted, "If you have something to report, speak up; if not, leave the court."

The ministers then came to their senses and looked at Mu Zexuan.

"Your subject has a memorial to present."

"speak".

Half an hour later, the morning court session ended, and the court adjourned.

"Long live the Emperor!"

Mu Zexuan walked out.

Song Mingxian looked at Su Jing'an and said, "Lord Su, let's go together."

"it is good".

Then the two left together.

Duke Su watched them walk out, lost in thought.

Li Fangyi and the two adults walked to his side and called out, "Father/Duke."

Duke Su then came to his senses.

"Duke, I heard that the Empress Dowager is ill and needs to rest."

"I have also heard about it. I also heard that yesterday the Regent's Consort led a group of people to Changshou Palace. After they came out, the Empress Dowager fell ill."

"Does Lord Yan suspect that the Regent's Consort did something to the Empress Dowager?" Li Fangyi asked.

"Just in case, I think it would be more prudent for the Duke and Minister Li to go to Changshou Palace to take a look. After all, the Empress Dowager's health is of utmost importance. What do you think, Duke?"

"Lord Yan is right. I will go to Changshou Palace now."

"Then I shall take my leave."

"This humble official takes his leave."

After they left, Li Fangyi asked, "What does Father think about this?"

“The Regent’s wife isn’t that stupid. If she goes to Changshou Palace in such a grand manner, she will be held responsible if anything happens to the Empress Dowager.”

"Then why did the Empress Dowager claim to be ill?"

"Go and see for yourself, you'll find out."

The two of them also went outside.

Qingxin Pavilion

These past few days, Su Qianrou has been lost in thought, unable to muster any interest in anything. Just like now, staring blankly at the chess pieces in front of her, she couldn't help but recall the scene of playing chess with Mu Jinchen, as if it were just yesterday.

Before long, Yingyue came in and said, "Your Highness, Duke Su and Minister Li have gone to Changshou Palace."

“You should go too, just say…” Su Qianrou gestured for her to come closer.

So Yingyue lowered her head and listened closely. Su Qianrou whispered something in her ear, and then she heard her say, "Yes, I'll go right away," and then she went out.

Longevity Palace

The Empress Dowager was so angry yesterday that she didn't sleep all night, so she woke up with a headache today.

Seeing that her complexion was not good, Granny Xu said worriedly, "My lady, why don't we call the imperial physician to take a look?"

The Empress Dowager remained silent, propping her head up with her hands and closing her eyes to rest.

Before Granny Xu could say anything more, Fanghua walked in and said, "The Empress Dowager, the Duke of Su, and the Master request an audience."

The Empress Dowager then opened her eyes and said, "Please."

"Yes".

A short while later, the Duke of Su and Li Fangyi entered and greeted the Empress Dowager.

"There are no outsiders here, Father and Elder Brother, no need for formalities, please sit down."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager Xie."

Duke Su and Li Fangyi sat down to the side.

Then, the Empress Dowager asked, "Why have Father and Elder Brother come? Is there something you need?"

Li Fangyi replied, "We heard that the Empress Dowager is ill, so we came to see her."

"I'm sorry to have worried Father and Elder Brother. I'm fine, I was just upset."

"I wonder who is so bold."

Duke Su then asked, "What has happened?"

The Empress Dowager naturally wouldn't tell the truth, but only said, "It's all because of that slut Su Qianrou. I don't know what went wrong with her. Yesterday, she actually came to my house and made a scene. When Chen'er comes back, I will definitely make him divorce his wife."

“This morning at court, the Regent’s wife went to Fengtian Hall,” Li Fangyi said.

"What was she doing at Fengtian Hall?"

“Give me a warning,” said the Duke of Su.

The Empress Dowager didn't quite understand.

So Li Fangyi recounted what Su Qianrou had said at the morning court session.

After hearing this, the Empress Dowager was so angry that her head was buzzing. But that wasn't the end of it. Yingyue's voice rang out from outside the door, "Empress Dowager, the Princess Consort asked me to remind you to think twice before you act. Otherwise, you will not only lose face for yourself and the royal family, but also implicate the Duke of Su's mansion. That's all I have to say. Farewell." She left without waiting for the Empress Dowager's reply, her arrival and departure were truly hurried.

Inside the room, the Empress Dowager's face turned green with anger, and her dissatisfaction with Su Qianrou reached its peak. However, she was afraid that Su Qianrou would expose the matter, so she could only endure it for now and find an opportunity to take revenge later.

The Duke of Su and Li Fangyi were completely bewildered, their faces full of confusion.

The Duke of Su asked, "What is the Regent's wife's intention? What matter has involved the Duke of Su's mansion?"

"She was threatening me. If I were to take over the court, she would take action against the Duke of Su's mansion."

"Ha, she's overestimating herself."

Li Fangyi asked, puzzled, "Then what is the meaning of making the Empress Dowager and the royal family lose face?"

"Who knows what she's thinking?" the Empress Dowager casually brushed it off.

Li Fangyi felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Not long after, Duke Su and Li Fangyi left Changshou Palace.