Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Qingxin Pavilion

Inside the room, Su Qianrou leaned on Mu Jinchen's shoulder, and Mu Jinchen put his arm around her waist. The two snuggled together, unwilling to be separated for even a moment.

Mu Jinchen held her hand and said, "You've had a hard time these past few days."

"It's good that you're back safe and sound. By the way, about your injury," Su Qianrou suddenly remembered and quickly pulled away from him, looking at him.

Mu Jinchen pulled her into his arms again. "It's alright, you're all better now."

Su Qianrou was relieved and said, "Now that you're back, I can finally have some peace and quiet again."

"I've heard about what happened to Mother. Don't worry, I'll handle it."

"Speaking of which, there is something I don't understand: why do you trust your fourth uncle so much?"

"Do you know that my grandfather originally wanted my fourth uncle to be his successor?"

Su Qianrou was very surprised, "Is that so? But isn't Emperor Mingchong the eldest son of the legitimate wife?"

"My fourth uncle was both a scholar and a warrior, and was more suitable to be emperor than my father. Therefore, my grandfather initially preferred my fourth uncle, not my father."

"Then why did your father become emperor in the end?"

"Because Fourth Uncle chose Fourth Aunt."

"The Princess of England".

"Yes, Fourth Aunt was from a commoner background. Her father was just a schoolteacher. Therefore, the Emperor did not agree to Fourth Uncle marrying Fourth Aunt. Later, Fourth Uncle voluntarily gave up his position as heir in order to marry Fourth Aunt."

"As the eldest son of the legitimate wife, the throne was given to you by someone else. Your father will probably resent your fourth uncle."

"Yes, so when my father was alive, he didn't like my fourth uncle and fourth aunt. My father didn't like me either, and since I was close to my fourth uncle, he never gave me a good look either."

“You’ve been close to your fourth uncle since you were little,” Su Qianrou asked.

"My martial arts skills were taught by my fourth uncle."

"No wonder you trust him so much. But it's not that I'm being petty, but you have to know that people's hearts can change. Your fourth uncle may not have had any intention of rebelling before, but that may not be the case now. You still have to be on guard. After all, your fourth uncle has an army of 100,000 men. If he wanted to rebel, it would be a piece of cake."

Why do you think it's your fourth uncle?

"Because he is the most likely one. Also, you said he voluntarily gave up the throne for his fourth aunt. If he really loved his fourth aunt that much, then why would there be concubines in the mansion, and so many illegitimate children?"

"The concubine was arranged by my fourth aunt."

"Let's not even talk about why Fourth Aunt would take the initiative to find him a concubine. If he really loves Fourth Aunt, why would he accept it? If I were to find you a concubine, would you want her?"

"will not".

"So, he loved, but not completely."

I will think about what you said.

"Think about it, I won't worry about you anymore, it's exhausting," Su Qianrou said, then reached out and hugged him, leaning against him.

Mu Jinchen chuckled, "It's my fault, I've made Madam suffer for me."

"Good to know. Remember to make it up to me in the future."

Mu Jinchen pulled her out of his arms and looked at her, "How would you like me to make it up to you, Madam?"

The two looked into each other's eyes, and gradually, their gazes changed.

Then, Mu Jinchen couldn't help but kiss her.

Su Qianrou reached out and hugged his neck in response.

Outside, Yingfeng and Chunzhu stood guard at the door, like strangers, each standing on one side, neither speaking.

After a while, Yingfeng couldn't hold back any longer and said, "I finally got back, and this is your attitude?"

"What else?"

"You don't have anything to say to me."

"say what".

Yingfeng looked at her with a resentful expression.

Seeing the way he looked at her, as if she had done something heinous, Chunzhu could only say, "Congratulations on your safe return."

"Gone".

"What else?" Chunzhu asked innocently.

Yingfeng was furious, but there was nothing he could do about it. "You're really something, I was just asking for no reason," he said, and stormed off. But still feeling unsatisfied, he turned back and said, "One day you'll drive me crazy," before striding out of the courtyard.

Chunzhu didn't understand what he was angry about, so she looked at him with a puzzled expression, thinking he was acting strangely.

Because Mu Jinchen had many political affairs to attend to, Su Qianrou stayed with him in the palace for the next few days and did not return to the Prince's residence.

At this moment, she was lying in a rocking chair, leisurely reading a storybook.

Yingyue entered and said, "Master, the secret guards have reported that the King of England's army has not left the northeast region."

"Understood. Tell the guards not to keep watch anymore."

"Yes".

Then, Su Qianrou asked, "What time is it now?"

“Your Highness, it’s a little past Shen Shi (3-5 PM),” Chunzhu replied.

Upon hearing this, Su Qianrou put down the storybook in her hand, stood up and said, "Let's go to the Imperial Study," and then walked out.

Chunzhu and Yingyue hurriedly followed.

imperial study room

Mu Jinchen and the other officials were inside discussing state affairs.

Xu Tao was guarding the door. When he saw Su Qianrou approaching from afar, he hurriedly went up to her and said cheerfully, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Is the prince inside?"

"Yes, Your Highness and the other officials are inside discussing state affairs."

"Then I'll wait here for a while."

"This old servant will have someone bring a chair so that the Princess may sit and wait."

"No need, I'll just stand."

"If Your Highness needs anything, please just call this old servant."

"it is good".

Su Qianrou stood at the door for a while, and soon after, the officials came out, including Su Jing'an.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"No need for such formalities, gentlemen."

"Your Highness is here to see the Prince, isn't she? We won't disturb you any longer, so we'll take our leave now," said Song Mingxian.

"Farewell," the others also said.

Su Jing'an stayed behind and said earnestly, "Rou'er, if you no longer wish to stay in the palace or the Prince's residence, come home. The door to your home will always be open for you."

Su Qianrou felt a little strange, but didn't think much of it. "I understand. If I ever miss home, I will go back."

“You…” Su Jing’an wanted to say more words of comfort, but Mu Jinchen’s voice came from inside the house, interrupting him.

"Rou'er, why aren't you coming in yet?"

"Dad, I'll go in first. Be careful on your way back."

"it is good".

Then, Su Qianrou went inside.

Su Jing'an looked at her retreating figure with heartache, but Su Qianrou was unaware of it.

Inside the hall, Mu Jinchen saw her enter and carefully observed her reaction before asking, "What were you talking about with your father-in-law? Why didn't you come in for so long?"

"What, are you afraid we'll talk bad about you?" she said, walking up to his side.

Seeing that she was still in the mood to joke, Mu Jinchen felt relieved. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, letting her sit on his lap, and asked, "So, what did your father-in-law say to you?"

"It's strange, but my father told me that if I didn't want to stay in the palace or the prince's residence anymore, I should go home."

Mu Jinchen's heart skipped a beat. "Perhaps your father-in-law misses you."

"I guess so. It seems I'll have to go back and stay for a few days."

"No rush, there's plenty of time later."

"I've been living in the palace for a while now, it's time to go back to the Prince's residence, I can't stay in the palace forever."

"I'll go back to your place with you once I'm done with my work."

"Once you're done with your work, won't I have to live in the palace forever? You're always so busy, you never seem to have a moment's rest."

"Isn't it good to live in the palace?"

"What's so good about being like a caged bird?"

Mu Jinchen knew she liked freedom, so he changed the subject, saying, "Alright, let's not talk about this. Perfect timing, I have a question for you."

"What".

"Why do you think I was rescued instead of falling into a swamp?"

"You're not stupid, you knew it was a swamp and you still ran there."

"What if I accidentally fall in?"

“There’s no chance of anything going on,” Su Qianrou said without hesitation.

If he had fallen into the swamp, it would mean he was gone, which she couldn't accept, so she could only believe that he had been rescued by someone.

Mu Jinchen understood her thoughts perfectly. He hugged her tenderly and promised, "I won't make you worry again next time."

Su Qianrou didn't say anything, but simply reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly.