Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

imperial study room

Mu Jinchen is reviewing memorials.

Yingfeng entered and said, "Your Highness, Chief Steward Yu requests an audience."

"Why is he here? Let him in."

A moment later, Yu Lian walked in and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Is there something you need to do at the palace today?"

"Your Highness, there is indeed something."

"What's the matter?"

“A few days ago, Miss Zhang came to the palace to see the Prince, but was summoned by the Empress Dowager and even received a reward. After returning to her residence, Miss Zhang acted arrogantly and domineeringly, causing resentment throughout the residence. She also demanded that the kitchen prepare a meal for her every day according to the Princess Consort's diet. This is not the most outrageous thing. She even asked this old servant to decorate Yunluo Courtyard for her according to the layout of Yanxi Palace, and even wanted the same decorations as the Princess Consort. This... this old servant really has no way to make a decision, so I can only come to the palace to ask the Prince for instructions.”

"Why not consult the Princess?"

“This old servant went to see the Princess, but she said that Miss Zhang was someone the Prince brought back, and she couldn’t make the decision. She told this old servant to go to the Prince.”

Mu Jinchen said impatiently, "Who does she think she is? She wants to use the same things and eat the same food as the Princess. Tell her that if she is so clueless again, she doesn't need to stay in the Prince's mansion. Also, have the tutor teach her proper manners. She has learned all the manners but forgotten them."

"Yes," Yu Lian hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

"I have other things to do."

"Your Highness, if this old servant may be so bold as to ask, why did you bring Miss Zhang back, who is so vulgar and unruly, and why do you want to keep her in your mansion? Could it be that she is really your... woman?"

Mu Jinchen's face was gloomy, and he didn't say anything.

"Steward Yu, it's hard to explain in a few words. In short, this was not His Highness's original intention. If he could, he would not have brought her back, let alone kept her in the mansion."

“But we can’t leave without any explanation. Your Highness stays in the palace all day and may not know that there are all sorts of speculations about Miss Zhang, both in the manor and in the capital. Your Highness may not care about these things, but what about the Princess Consort? What does Your Highness expect the Princess Consort to think? Your Highness should at least explain things to the Princess Consort.”

Mu Jinchen understood the reasoning, but he dared not face it, because he knew very well that once Su Qianrou knew the truth, no matter what the reason, there would only be one outcome for them.

“Your Highness, Steward Yu is right. As the saying goes, you can run away from the first day of the month but not the fifteenth. You will have to face it sooner or later. You can’t possibly never see the Princess Consort again.”

"The princess is a reasonable person. If the prince talks to her properly, she will understand."

If it were any other matter, there might be room for discussion, but there was no room for discussion on this matter, and Mu Jinchen knew this very well.

"Alright, all of you, please leave. I want to be alone."

"Yes, I'll take my leave."

"This old servant takes his leave."

Yingfeng and Yulian walked out.

Mu Jinchen felt a headache coming on and had no interest in reading the memorials.

Just then, the Empress Dowager walked in and, seeing his preoccupied appearance, asked, "What's wrong? Has something happened in the court?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Jinchen looked up at her and said coldly, "Why has Mother come?"

"What kind of attitude is this? You've been back for over half a month and haven't even paid your respects to me. I haven't even said anything to you yet, and you're already giving me attitude."

"If the Empress Dowager comes to question us, you may go back now."

"Mu Jinchen, don't forget, I am your mother. Do you still have me in your heart?"

"And what about the Empress Dowager? Does she even care about me, her son? What was she doing when I was missing? Did she conspire with court officials to force me to abdicate and attempt to rule from behind the curtain?"

"I'm doing this for your own good. If I don't act first, it will be too late once that bitch Su Qianrou...

Mu Jinchen got up and walked towards her, saying as he walked, "Mother, stop using the excuse of doing what's best for me to hide your own selfish motives. Also, after Mother did such a disgraceful thing, what right do you have to talk about Rou'er? Do you still remember what you said when Rou'er served you tea? You told her not to do anything outrageous that would disgrace the royal family. But what about you? It's one thing to associate with a eunuch, but you also listened to his instigation and interfered in court affairs, almost making the court unstable."

The Empress Dowager was forced to retreat repeatedly. "I was deceived by him. If I had known that he was planted in the palace by Prince Yu, I would never have..."

"What do you mean by 'not knowing'? Does it mean 'not knowing how to associate with him' or 'not knowing how to listen to his instigation'?"

"I, Your Majesty..."

"Mother should know very well why the Empress Dowager went to Longjue Temple. So, if you want to have an affair again next time, you'd better not let me find out. Otherwise, for the sake of the royal family's reputation, I don't mind putting family members aside for the greater good."

"you……".

"Does Mother have anything else to say? If not, please go back," Mu Jinchen said, turning and walking towards the dragon throne.

The Empress Dowager then remembered the purpose of her visit and, feigning composure, said, "Didn't you bring back a woman? Although her status is somewhat low, she is a good person. Since you like her, then let her be your concubine. I can speak to Su Qianrou for you, as long as you agree."

"Does the Empress Dowager genuinely think she's a good person, or is it because she can annoy Rou'er that she thinks she's a good person?"

A hint of guilt flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes, and she said, "I only agreed because you liked her. Otherwise, given her status, how could she be qualified to be your concubine?"

"When did I ever say I liked her?"

“You don’t like her, yet you bring her back and let her live in the palace.”

"I have said it before, Mother Empress, you don't need to worry about my affairs. You just need to take care of yourself."

"Good intentions are wasted," the Empress Dowager said angrily, turning away.

Mu Jinchen said unhurriedly, "By the way, there is something I would like to ask Mother to convey to the Duke of Su that he is now getting old and should retire. He should enjoy his retirement in his residence and not worry about matters of the court."

The Empress Dowager looked at him angrily, "He is your maternal grandfather, how could you treat him like this?"

“He was first and foremost a subject, and only secondly my maternal grandfather. As a subject, he was disloyal to His Majesty, and as a father, he failed to properly educate his daughter. I have already shown mercy by not revoking his title.” He then added, “Your Majesty should be glad that Li Fangyi and Li Zixuan were not involved. Otherwise, the Duke of Su’s mansion would have declined because of you.”

"Do you have to be so ruthless?"

"Didn't Mother think about this day before she did these things?"

"I admit that I did something wrong before, but it was all for your sake and for Xiao Xuan's sake. Besides, we are all safe and sound now, so why are you still holding onto this?"

"If Your Majesty does not wish for the Duke of Su to retire, that is not impossible. I will give you two choices: First, never step out of Changshou Palace again; second, go to Longjue Temple to pray for Yunyue. The Empress Dowager can accompany you. Your Majesty, please choose."

"Mu Jinchen, don't go too far. I am your mother, I gave birth to you and raised you, and this is how you repay me?"

"The reason I still call you Mother is because you gave birth to me. As for raising me, don't you feel guilty, Mother?"

The Empress Dowager was speechless and unable to refute.

Mu Jinchen didn't want to argue with her anymore, so he called out, "Yingfeng, escort the Empress Dowager back."

Yingfeng then walked in, saying, "Please come in, Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager glanced at Mu Jinchen, then turned and left.

Mu Jinchen lowered his head and continued reviewing the memorials.