Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Su Qianrou wandered around, and memories involuntarily surfaced before her eyes. Even after five years, she had not forgotten them in the slightest.

Then, upon entering the house, the furnishings were exactly the same as they had been five years ago, except that many things were missing.

After looking around, Su Qianrou walked to the couch and sat down. She saw an unfinished game of chess on the table, so she picked up a chess piece, wanting to continue, but found that the chess pieces on the board were messy and there was no need to play them at all.

Just then, Mu Jinchen walked in and saw her playing chess. He said, "If you want to play chess, I can start another game with you."

"Your chess skills are... " Su Qianrou said with a hint of disdain.

Mu Jinchen chuckled and walked to her side, "I didn't put this in."

"If it's not you, then who is it? Could it be that someone else lives here?"

"How could that be? No one but you could live here. I just come to check on things occasionally."

"If that's the case, then who played this game?"

"Not a single brick, tile, blade of grass, or tree here has been moved; it remains exactly as it was when you left."

"So, this was my move?" Su Qianrou couldn't believe that she had made such a terrible move.

Mu Jinchen nodded.

Su Qianrou thought back for a moment before finally remembering that Zhang Taohong had come to see her that day, which had greatly annoyed her. The subsequent miscarriage had only added to her distress.

She played this game of chess while waiting for Mu Jinchen to return, but at that time her mind was not on it at all, so she didn't pay attention to it.

"Want to play a game?" Mu Jinchen asked.

"No, we've seen it all, it's time to go back... Oh, right, where's Xiaoxiao?"

"Swinging on a swing outside."

Su Qianrou got up and went out.

Mu Jinchen didn't say anything, he just silently followed behind her.

When Su Xiaoxiao saw them come out, she happily waved to them and called out, "Mother, Father, come quickly."

Su Qianrou was worried that the swing had been in disrepair for a long time and might be dangerous, so she said, "This swing has not been used for a long time and may not be sturdy. You should get off quickly."

"Rou'er, don't worry, I've already had it reinforced, there's no danger."

Su Qianrou was relieved and walked over.

"Mother, let's go together," Su Xiaoxiao pulled her to sit on the swing, then called out to Mu Jinchen, "Father, push us."

"it is good".

Mu Jinchen walked behind them and gently nudged them.

"Daddy, higher, higher!" Su Xiaoxiao exclaimed excitedly.

"Then Xiaoxiao, you'd better hold on tight," Mu Jinchen said, and gave her a strong push.

Su Xiaoxiao was overjoyed.

Su Qianrou was a little scared and shouted, "Slow down, slow down!"

Mu Jinchen looked at the mother and daughter with a doting expression.

When Granny Qi came in with the pastries, she saw this scene and her eyes welled up with tears. Overjoyed, she burst into tears.

Fengtian Hall

Mu Zexuan looked at the ministers below and said, "Do any of you ministers have anything else to report? If not, then let's adjourn the court."

The ministers were about to kneel down when they saw Mu Jinchen stand up, which made them curious.

For the past two years, unless Mu Zexuan asked him a question, he would just sit there quietly and listen, rarely speaking up.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."

"Please speak, Imperial Uncle."

"Your Majesty is diligent in governing the country, benevolent and respectful to the virtuous, good at recognizing and appointing people, and personally devoted to government affairs. I believe that Your Majesty has the ability to rule personally. Therefore, I request Your Majesty to rule personally."

Mu Jinchen had not discussed this matter with the ministers beforehand, so the ministers were at a loss, unsure whether to agree or disagree, and thus looked at each other in bewilderment.

Mu Xinchen then stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is now fifteen years old, and it is perfectly reasonable for you to assume personal rule. We urge Your Majesty to assume personal rule."

Seeing this, Song Rui, Li Zixuan, and others also stepped forward.

"Please, Your Majesty, assume personal rule."

Others echoed, "We urge Your Majesty to assume personal rule."

Mu Zexuan said, "This matter is not urgent. I still have many shortcomings and need my Imperial Uncle to give me some pointers."

"Your Majesty is well-read and learned, possesses great talent and is capable of handling affairs independently. Moreover, you have many ministers to assist you. I believe that Your Majesty will surely become a wise and benevolent ruler."

"What Your Highness says is very true."

"Ruling the country is no small matter and is of great importance. It requires careful consideration, so we will discuss it later. Court adjourned." After saying this, he got up and left. When he passed Mu Jinchen, he added, "I would like to ask my uncle to accompany me to the Imperial Study."

"Yes".

imperial study room

Mu Zexuan sat before the dragon desk, saying nothing.

Mu Jinchen stood in front of him, remaining silent.

Neither of their masters spoke, and Yingfeng and Xiao Li dared not utter a word, only trying to minimize their presence and silently stand by.

After a long while, Mu Zexuan finally spoke, "Does Imperial Uncle really think I am suitable to be an emperor?"

"Why does Your Majesty say such a thing?"

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't know how to say them. He asked, "Why is my royal uncle in such a hurry for me to assume personal rule?"

"When Your Majesty ascended the throne, didn't I say that I would step down from the court and return power to Your Majesty when Your Majesty turned fifteen?"

"I am truly at ease entrusting Yunyue to my care, Imperial Uncle."

"Your Majesty is not an incompetent person, so I have nothing to worry about."

"Doesn't the Imperial Uncle feel regret?"

"Power is certainly important, but for me, there are some people who are more important than power."

"The Imperial Uncle is referring to the Imperial Aunt."

"Yes, I have wronged her a lot in the past, and now I only want to make it up to her."

"I understand. Imperial Uncle, you may return now. I will carefully consider the matter of assuming personal rule."

"Your subject takes his leave."

Mu Zexuan watched him walk out, his eyes filled with complex emotions, lost in thought.

Su Fu

Su Qianrou is reviewing the expense ledgers of the orphanage and Shengming Academy.

Today, the number of orphans in the orphanage has tripled, and the number of students at Shengming Academy has grown from just over twenty to more than three hundred, resulting in ever-increasing expenses.

What she needs to do is ensure quality while reducing unnecessary expenses, otherwise she will eventually be unable to make ends meet.

"What are you busy with, Aunt?" Mu Zexuan walked in.

Su Qianrou looked at him, paused for a moment, and said uncertainly, "Xiao Xuan."

"I hope you are well, my dear aunt."

Su Qianrou immediately stood up and bowed, "This humble woman greets Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

Mu Zexuan stepped forward to help her up, "Aunt, what are you doing? Get up quickly."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Aunt, please just call me Xiao Xuan as before."

Seeing that he didn't seem to be being polite, Su Qianrou playfully called out, "Xiao Xuan."

Mu Zexuan smiled knowingly.

"Sit down," Su Qianrou gestured for him to sit down.

Chunzhu thoughtfully poured a cup of tea for each of them, then stepped aside to wait.

Mu Zexuan didn't see Su Xiaoxiao, so he asked, "Where's Little Sister? I don't see her."

"She went to the Regent's Palace and isn't here. Do you want to see her? I'll have someone call her back."

"No need, it's not a big deal, we'll meet again someday."

"I'll bring her to the palace for you to see in a couple of days."

"it is good".