Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Two days later, Su Qianrou came to the Imperial Garden to pass the time. When she got tired, she went to a pavilion to rest.

Suddenly, the voices of two palace maids came from inside.

"Have you heard? A woman moved into the Regent's Palace a few days ago. It seems she came from the southwest."

"I've heard about it before. I also heard that she originally came back with the prince, but the prince didn't want her to be too tired, so he asked her to slow down, which is why she was a few days late."

"It seems that the prince is planning to take a concubine. Do you think the princess will agree?"

"What's the use of the princess disagreeing? Now that the prince has already let people move into the palace, can the princess kick them out?"

"That's true. By the way, I heard that the princess doesn't know about this yet."

"No way."

"How dare you spread rumors here!" Chunzhu rebuked angrily.

The two palace maids knelt down in a panic and hurriedly begged for forgiveness, saying, "We know we were wrong, please forgive us, Your Highness."

Su Qianrou stood up, walked up to them, and asked without changing her expression, "You said that a woman has moved into the Regent's Palace, is that true?"

“This servant would not dare to deceive Your Highness, it is indeed true.”

Now Su Qianrou finally understood why Mu Jinchen had stopped her from returning to the Prince's Mansion. She asked, "Chunzhu, are you aware of this matter?"

"This servant does not know," Chunzhu truly did not know.

It seems he's blocked the news. No wonder I haven't received any messages from Juxia and Li An these past few days, Su Qianrou thought to herself. Then she said sternly, "Return to the Prince's Mansion," and strode away.

Chunzhu hurriedly followed.

Seeing that she didn't blame them, the two palace maids breathed a sigh of relief.

imperial study room

Yingfeng rushed in, panicking, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! The Princess... the Princess has returned to the Prince's residence."

"What did you say? Why did she suddenly go back?" Mu Jinchen couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

"The princess was strolling in the imperial garden when she encountered two palace maids. From them, she heard that you had brought back a woman and had even let her stay in the palace."

"Didn't I tell you to keep the news under wraps and not let it reach the palace? What have you been doing? Not only have you allowed the palace maids to talk about it freely, but you've also let the princess hear it."

"It is my fault for failing in my duties. Please punish me, Your Highness."

Mu Jinchen knew he couldn't hide it for long, but he didn't expect it to be exposed so quickly. He hadn't even figured out how to deal with it.

"Go back and keep an eye on things immediately. Report back any news as soon as possible."

"Your Highness, aren't you going back?"

"Go back first. If the princess wants to see me, just say that I am busy with official duties and cannot get away for the time being."

"Yes".

Yanxi Palace

Su Qianrou sat on the couch with a serious expression, while Juxia and Li An knelt on the ground.

"Is it because I haven't been back for too long that you've all forgotten who our master is?"

"This servant dares not."

"I wouldn't dare."

"Knowing but not reporting, do you realize your mistake?"

"This servant knows her mistake and begs Your Highness to punish her."

"I know I was wrong, please punish me, Your Highness."

“I’ll deduct a month’s salary. If this happens again, you won’t have to serve me anymore.”

"Yes".

"Get up".

"Thank you, Princess Consort."

Then, Su Qianrou asked, "Tell me, what exactly happened?"

"Your Highness, five days ago, Guard Ying brought back a woman and let her stay in Yunluo Courtyard. He didn't say anything else. Since the woman's surname is Zhang, the servants in the manor now call her Miss Zhang," Juxia replied.

"Has the Prince returned these past few days?"

"No, the prince has been in the palace since he returned from the southwest and has not come back yet."

"Ang Lee, have you heard any news?"

"Your Highness, I have learned that Your Highness was rescued by the elder brother of that Miss Zhang. For the next two weeks, Your Highness stayed at her house to recuperate and was cared for by her. Later, Your Highness was found and returned to the military camp. She then went to the military camp and was left there by Your Highness. In the end, she was brought back."

Su Qianrou remained silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before saying, "I understand. You may all go now."

"Yes, this servant takes her leave."

"I shall take my leave."

Chunzhu asked, "Your Highness, should I ask Yingfeng for directions? He must know more."

“He won’t tell,” she said, then added, “If the prince returns, let him come to see me.”

"Yes".

In the garden, Zhang Taohong was admiring the flowers. She had never seen so many beautiful flowers before, so she was very curious. Every time she saw a flower, she couldn't help but lean in to take a look and smell it.

Her maid Chunlan looked down on her, seeing her as someone who had never seen the world, and her disdain was very obvious. However, Zhang Taohong did not notice this and kept asking what kind of flower it was.

Chunlan said somewhat impatiently, "Miss, I heard that the Princess Consort has returned. Aren't you going to go and see her?"

"I'm not going. You don't know, our village chief's wife is arrogant all the time because she's the village chief's wife. She beats people up all the time. I don't need to think about it. I can tell that the princess must have a bad temper too. I don't want to get beaten up."

Chunlan really didn't want to talk about her, calling her stupid and clumsy, but since she was now her mistress, she could only advise her: "Miss, let's not even talk about how you are still just a nameless woman. Even if you become a concubine, you will still have to make a living under the Princess's control. Moreover, if you want to enter the Prince's mansion, you must obtain the Princess's consent. Otherwise, even if the Prince allows you to live in the mansion, you will not have a legitimate reason to do so. Therefore, both in terms of courtesy and reason, you should go and pay your respects."

"Do I really have to go?" Zhang Taohong asked, somewhat reluctantly.

"Of course, the princess is the mistress of the mansion. Apart from the prince, she has the highest status. Therefore, you not only cannot offend her, but you also have to please her."

"Why don't we wait for the prince to come back? With the prince with me, the princess will definitely not hit me."

"The prince is still a long way from returning. Besides, if you ask the prince to accompany you, what will the princess think? She'll definitely think you're showing off. Aren't you afraid of her revenge later? The prince can protect you for a while, but can he protect you forever? If the princess wants to deal with you, she'll have plenty of time and opportunities. You can't hide forever. You might as well humble yourself now. Maybe the princess will see that you're humble and polite and won't hold it against you. That way, your life will be easier in the future."

"real".

"We share the same fate now, so why would I lie to you?"

"Then let's go now."

Yanxi Palace.

Su Qianrou was having her meal when Juxia came in and said, "Your Highness, Miss Zhang requests an audience."

Su Qianrou paused, then pretended to be nonchalant and asked, "What is she doing here?"

"They said they came to pay their respects to you."

“She’s not a concubine in the manor, why is she coming to pay her respects to me?” Then he said, “Let her in.”

"Yes".