Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Five years later

Liangzhou

It was the Lantern Festival again. Su Qianrou walked down the bustling street with a faint smile on her face, looking quite pleased with herself.

"Mommy, those lanterns are so beautiful!" Four-year-old Su Xiaoxiao exclaimed, pointing to the lanterns beside her.

"If you like one, then go and pick one."

Su Xiaoxiao immediately let go of her hand and ran to choose a lantern.

Su Qianrou looked at her with a doting expression.

Finally, Su Xiaoxiao chose a rabbit-shaped lantern. "Mommy, I want this one."

Su Qianrou looked at Chunzhu.

Chunzhu understood and immediately took out her money.

At this moment, Su Xiaoxiao noticed many Kongming lanterns floating in the sky and exclaimed excitedly, "Mommy, look, there are so many lanterns in the sky!"

Su Qianrou looked in the direction she was pointing and explained, "Those are Kongming lanterns."

"Kongming lanterns, what are they used for?" Su Xiaoxiao asked curiously.

"Make a wish, pray for blessings."

"Mother, let's go make a wish too."

Su Qianrou assumed she just wanted to join in the fun and replied, "Okay."

Seeing that she had agreed, Su Xiaoxiao couldn't wait to pull her forward.

The two then went to a stall selling Kongming lanterns.

The stall owner was very excited when he saw them, exclaiming, "Mrs. Su, Miss Su!"

"Could you please help us get two Kongming lanterns, sir?" Su Qianrou said.

"Please wait a moment, Madam... Madam, please take these," the old man said, picking out two of the best lanterns from a pile of Kongming lanterns for them.

Su Qianrou took it and then called out, "Chunzhu."

Chunzhu immediately stepped forward to give the money.

"No need, these are for the madam and young lady."

"You don't earn money easily, so we can't just take it for free. We appreciate your kindness, please keep it safe."

"Thank you, Madam."

At the same time, Mu Jinchen walked to the riverbank.

The stall owner selling Kongming lanterns recognized him and said familiarly, "Young master, you've come a little late this year."

Something came up and I was delayed.

Seeing that he was still alone, the stall owner said regretfully, "Young master, you still haven't found your wife?"

"Ok".

"Young master, do not be discouraged. You are a kind and benevolent man, and Heaven will surely help you find a wife."

"Thank you for your kind words."

"Same as always, one Kongming lantern."

"Ok".

The stall owner then handed him a Kongming lantern, saying, "Young master, please take this."

"Thank you," Mu Jinchen said, taking the paper and then walking aside to write. He finished quickly, wishing the recipient peace, joy, health, and good fortune.

As he watched the Kongming lantern slowly rise, Mu Jinchen was filled with longing. Rou'er, it's been five years. How have you been?

Liangzhou

Su Qianrou finished writing and then looked at Su Xiaoxiao's. When she saw what Su Xiaoxiao had written, she was very surprised: "This is a small wish."

"yes".

Su Qianrou asked, puzzled, "Why did you make this wish?"

"Because Xiaoxiao hopes her mother is happy every day."

"Mother is not unhappy."

“Mother is lying. I saw it all. Mother has gotten up in the middle of the night several times and stared out the window in a daze.”

Su Qianrou was surprised that she had seen it. "Mother just has some trouble sleeping, not that she is unhappy."

"Mother, you don't need to lie to me, I can feel it."

Su Qianrou patted her head and said, "I'm sorry for making Xiaoxiao worry."

"If Mommy is unhappy in the future, she can talk to Xiaoxiao. Xiaoxiao will know how to cheer Mommy up."

Su Qianrou was touched by her words, her nose tingling, and she replied, "Okay, thank you, Xiaoxiao."

"What wish did Mother make?"

Su Qianrou handed her her Kongming lantern to look at.

Su Xiaoxiao scratched her head and said, "Wind...rain..., the country...people are safe."

Su Qianrou chuckled, "Good weather and abundant harvests mean a prosperous and peaceful country. Good weather and abundant harvests mean a bumper harvest, and a prosperous and peaceful country means that the country is stable and the people can live and work in peace and contentment."

Su Xiaoxiao seemed to understand, but not quite.

"Alright, let's put the Kongming lantern up there."

The two let go of each other, and the Kongming lantern rose into the air.

Su Xiaoxiao was overjoyed.

Su Qianrou stared blankly at the departing Kongming lantern, perhaps lost in thought.

imperial study room

Mu Zexuan has grown from a naive child into a mature young boy, with an imposing presence and extraordinary appearance.

At this moment, he was sitting at his desk, intently reviewing memorials.

Mu Jinchen walked in, "Your Majesty."

"Your arrival is just in time, Imperial Uncle. I was just looking for you. Imperial Uncle, take a look at this," Mu Zexuan excitedly handed him the memorial in his hand.

However, Mu Jinchen did not accept it, and said: "I have come today to discuss something with Your Majesty. Now that Your Majesty is capable of handling state affairs, there is no need for me to worry about it. Therefore, I wish to return the power of state affairs to Your Majesty, and I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission."

"This matter is not urgent, Imperial Uncle, please take a look at this memorial first."

Mu Jinchen still didn't answer.

Mu Zexuan stood up, walked to him, and handed it to him, saying, "Uncle, you should take a look."

Mu Jinchen looked at him with some confusion and doubt.

Mu Zexuan gestured for him to open it and take a look.

Mu Jinchen then took it, opened it, and after reading it, said: "He is spouting nonsense and talking nonsense. Everyone knows the situation in Liangzhou, yet he says it is prosperous and thriving. It is clear that he is good at flattery and is not worthy of being trusted."

“I have already had someone investigate, and what he said is true.”

Mu Jinchen was somewhat surprised.

"This prefect of Liangzhou is a good friend of Grand Tutor Song. He is now over sixty years old and submitted a memorial before the new year saying that he wanted to retire and return to his hometown. I asked him to recommend someone. Can you guess who he recommended?"

"Who is it?"

"Liu Chengyun".

"You mean, Liu Chengyun is in Liangzhou."

Mu Zexuan nodded and said, "Liangzhou was indeed barren and the people were poor in the past, but if my aunt were there, it would be possible to change this situation. I specifically had someone investigate, and the taxes Liangzhou has paid in recent years have indeed increased year by year, and even multiplied."

Unable to contain his excitement, Mu Jinchen immediately said, "Prepare the horses," and then couldn't wait to head to Liangzhou.

Mu Zexuan grabbed him, "Uncle, why don't we send the secret guards to investigate first?"

Mu Jinchen had a premonition that Su Qianrou was in Liangzhou, so he said, "No need, I will go myself."

Mu Zexuan had no choice but to be more direct, "Uncle, five years have passed now, and Aunt may have already remarried. If that's the case, what do you plan to do?"

Over the years, he has traveled to various places in search of Su Qianrou, but each time he has been disappointed. Mu Zexuan has seen all of this and naturally hopes that he can get what he wants, but he is also afraid that things will not go as planned.

Mu Jinchen was stunned. It wasn't that he hadn't thought about this question, but whenever the thought arose, he would immediately suppress it, so he had never thought about it in detail. After a moment of silence, he said, "If she is happy, I will not disturb her."

Since he had already said that, Mu Zexuan couldn't stop him anymore.

Mu Jinchen strode out.

Mu Zexuan watched him leave, hoping that his uncle would get his wish. He was both worried and expectant, because he also missed Su Qianrou very much and hoped that he could find her and bring her back.