Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

On the street, Zhang Taohong looked left and right, curious about everything. She had only been to the county town once in her life. At that time, she thought the county town was very prosperous, with so many delicious foods and all kinds of trinkets. But now, she felt that the county town was just trash, not even as good as a speck of dust in the imperial city.

Just as she was walking happily, someone bumped into her, instantly ruining her good mood. She couldn't help but curse, "Don't you have eyes?"

"Excuse me, miss," the person who bumped into her was Liu Xiang. Given her personality, she didn't seem like the type to apologize. What was even more surprising was that she then said, "Miss, to express my apology, I'd like to invite you to the teahouse up ahead for a cup of tea, how about that?"

Upon hearing that she was treating, Zhang Taohong agreed without hesitation, "Okay."

Liu Xiang thought she would have to say more, but she didn't expect her to agree so quickly, and she didn't react for a moment.

"Didn't you say you'd invite me for tea? Let's go."

"Oh, this way please."

Then the two of them went into the teahouse together.

Regent's House

Chunzhu came out of the kitchen, preparing to return to Yanxi Palace, when she accidentally saw Yingfeng and immediately called out, "Yingfeng."

Upon hearing this, Yingfeng looked at her, then took off running.

Chunzhu hurriedly chased after her, but soon she was out of breath and could no longer run. So she shouted, "If you run again, you'll never see me again!"

Yingfeng stopped, but did not turn around.

Chunzhu walked up behind him and said, "Why are you running? You're quite fast."

Yingfeng turned to look at her guiltily, "I suddenly remembered that there is something very important I haven't done."

"Really? Do you need my help?"

"No need, I can manage on my own."

Chunzhu was too lazy to waste any more words with him and asked directly, "What does it mean that Your Highness has been avoiding the Princess Consort? It's been more than half a month, and he hasn't given a single explanation. Could it be that Miss Zhang is really his woman?"

"It's not that Your Highness doesn't want to explain, but rather that... it can't be explained, you know that?"

"I don't know. All I know is that during the half month that the prince was missing, the princess was so worried that she couldn't sleep every day. Even when she did fall asleep, she would be awakened by nightmares. Also, she was afraid to call the imperial physician when she was sick, for fear that the court officials would think too much and that the Empress Dowager would use this as an excuse to make trouble. So even if she was in great pain, she could only endure it herself. She was clearly very worried about the prince, but she had to pretend to be very strong. She wanted to go to the prince, but she couldn't leave. Therefore, she was torn between the two and suffered in her heart. Do you know all this? Does the prince know? None of you know."

Yingfeng was rendered speechless by the rebuttal.

"I thought that once the prince returned, the princess would finally be free from suffering. But look what happened! He brought back a woman and didn't even offer an explanation. I used to think the prince was a good person, but I was blind. And you are no better either."

"No, you can insult the prince, but why did you insult me ​​too? I did something to offend you."

"You've been by the prince's side for so long, you can't be doing any better."

"You're generalizing and condemning everyone. Besides, the prince didn't do it on purpose, and he didn't want it to happen, but now that things have come to this, there's nothing he can do."

"I won't listen to your explanation. You should let the Prince explain to the Princess," Chunzhu said, and strode away.

Yingfeng watched her departing figure and sighed helplessly.

Yanxi Palace

Su Qianrou was reading a book, but she didn't turn the page for a long time, clearly lost in thought.

Chunzhu said, "Your Highness, I just questioned Yingfeng, and he said that it's not that Your Highness doesn't want to explain, but that he can't explain. I wonder if there's something he can't say."

Su Qianrou said nonchalantly, "Regardless of whether there are unspeakable difficulties, I just want an answer right now."

"If the prince doesn't return, the princess can go to the palace to ask him."

“If he is trying to avoid me, do you think I can find him if I go to the palace?”

"We can't keep dragging this out; it has to be resolved sooner or later."

“Yes, it will have to be resolved sooner or later,” Su Qianrou said meaningfully.

At this moment, Juxia walked in and said, "Your Highness, Miss Zhang requests an audience."

"What is she doing here again? How dare she show her face?" Chunzhu said unhappily.

Su Qianrou then asked, "Did you say anything?"

"They said they came to apologize to you."

"I think she's like a weasel paying respects to a chicken; she's up to no good."

"Let her in."

"Yes".

A moment later, Zhang Taohong led Chunlan in and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

The posture of bowing is much better than before, it seems that the teachings of the instructor are effective.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Miss Zhang?"

"I was very offensive last time, please forgive me, Your Highness, and don't hold it against me."

"It's all over."

"The princess is truly magnanimous."

Su Qianrou didn't know why her attitude had suddenly changed, nor did she want to know, and she didn't want to see her, so she said coldly, "I accept your apology. If there's nothing else, go back."

"I have one more thing to say."

"What's the matter?"

“I have been in the manor for some time now, but I still have no official title or status. Do you think it’s time to give me one?”

"If you want a proper title, you should go to the prince."

"Isn't His Highness always in the palace? I can't get in."

"Then let's wait for him to come back."

"I've been waiting for more than half a month already. I don't care if you keep waiting. Today you have to give me a title. I don't want to stay in the palace without a title forever."

Su Qianrou said with a dark face, "I told you, if you want a title, go find the prince. I can't give it to you."

"You are a princess, why can't you give it to me? Or is it that you don't want to give it to me?"

"How dare you!" Chunzhu shouted angrily.

"I think you're the one being presumptuous," he said, stepping forward and slapping her. "I'll teach you to interrupt."

"How dare you hit me!" Chunzhu covered her face and glared at her angrily.

“You’re nothing but a lowly servant girl. What’s wrong with me hitting you? I can hit you whenever I want. This is just to teach you a lesson. If there’s a next time, I…”

Su Qianrou didn't want things to get too ugly, but now she couldn't take it anymore, so she stood up and slapped her back. "My Yanxi Palace is not for you to run wild with. My people are not for you to discipline. Get out."

“You…” Zhang Taohong was so frightened by her imposing manner that she even forgot the pain and stared at her blankly.

Chunlan was completely dumbfounded because Zhang Taohong and Liu Xiang had sent her away while they were plotting, so she was unaware of what was going on and remained bewildered throughout the entire ordeal.

"Shadow Moon".

Yingyue understood and immediately stepped forward, saying, "Miss Zhang, please leave."

"I can't leave, you haven't given me a proper status yet."

Su Qianrou sat down on the couch and said, "Yingyue, send her to the palace and take her to see the Regent. It's perfect timing. I also want to know what kind of title our Regent will give her."

"Yes... Miss Zhang, please."

“I…” Zhang Taohong was at a loss for words.

Yingyue and Juxia carried her out directly.

"What are you doing? Let me go!"

Only after she left did Su Qianrou feel a sense of peace and quiet, but she had a headache and couldn't help but rub her temples.

Chunzhu asked with concern, "Your Highness, are you alright? But you have a headache again. I'll go and call Qiulan right away."

"I'm fine, but how's your face? Does it hurt?"

“This servant doesn’t feel any pain.”

"It's all red and you still say it doesn't hurt? Go get an ice pack and then go find Qiulan to get some medicine."

"I'm really fine, I'll be alright in a couple of days."

"If this isn't treated promptly, it could lead to disfigurement. Do you want to be disfigured?"

"It can't be that bad."

"Would I lie to you? Go now."

“But you…”

Just then, Juxia came in again. "Your Highness, Miss Zhang doesn't want to leave and is making a scene outside the palace."

“Tell her that if she keeps making trouble, she can’t blame me for kicking her out of the house.”

"Yes".