Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Seeing that he seemed hesitant to speak, Su Qianrou assumed he had something to say, so she looked at Chunzhu and gestured for her to leave first.

Chunzhu understood and withdrew.

Little Li was also a smart man. Having been by Mu Zexuan's side for so many years, he had long since learned to read people's expressions and thus withdrew.

Then, Su Qianrou asked, "Xiao Xuan, is there something you want to say to me?"

Mu Xinchen found it difficult to speak, so he hesitated to open his mouth.

Su Qianrou didn't rush him and waited patiently.

After a long while, he slowly spoke and asked, "Why did you choose to go to Liangzhou, such a harsh and cold place, back then, Aunt?"

"Because the people there need me."

"Don't you find it bitter?"

"It's not that it's hard, it's just that sometimes you feel tired. But when you see people's lives getting better day by day, it's all worth it, no matter how tired you are."

"It is my duty to enable the people to live a prosperous life, but instead my aunt has suffered. This is my incompetence."

"It is your duty, that's true, but you're only a few years old. Besides, Yunyue is so old, how can she take care of everything? You've already done very well, there's no need to belittle yourself."

"If it were the Imperial Uncle, he would definitely have done even better."

"It's normal that your royal uncle is more experienced and considers things more than you. As you grow older and gain more experience, you will naturally consider things more comprehensively and thoroughly. You don't need to compare yourself to him in everything. Just do your best."

Mu Zexuan couldn't help but ask, "Does my royal aunt think I'm suitable to be emperor?"

Su Qianrou was taken aback for a moment, but quickly regained her composure and said, "What is the definition of 'suitable'? Who is born suitable?"

Mu Zexuan remained silent, lost in thought.

Su Qianrou continued, “You asked me whether you are suitable to be an emperor. I don’t know, but I do know that you may not be a wise ruler now, but you are at least a qualified one, because you are not muddleheaded, licentious, violent, cruel, or listen to slander.”

“There is someone whose abilities far surpass yours. Under his leadership, the people can live a prosperous life, and the country can become more prosperous. If it were the Empress, what would the Empress do?”

Su Qianrou knew without a doubt who he was talking about, so she really didn't know how to answer the question. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Know people and use them well, make the best use of their talents. If he is a trustworthy person, then let him give full play to his abilities. If he is not trustworthy, then just send him away."

"But if we want him to give full play to his talents, we must put him in the highest position so that he can unleash his full potential and realize his grand ambitions. Otherwise, he will ultimately be constrained, won't he?"

Su Qianrou looked at him in surprise, "Xiao Xuan, you..."

“Aunt, don’t be surprised. I had this idea five years ago, but at that time, my uncle was only focused on finding you, so I didn’t mention it to him. Now that my uncle has found you, I think it’s time to put this matter on the agenda.”

"He won't agree."

"So, here I am, looking for you."

"You want me to persuade him."

"If there is anyone in this world who can persuade the Imperial Uncle, then it is none other than you."

Su Qianrou remained silent. She knew very well that Mu Jinchen had no interest in the throne, and she did not want to force him to do anything against his will.

Fengtian Hall

Mu Zexuan walked upstairs, with Mu Jinchen following behind him.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Greetings, Regent! Long live the Regent!"

Mu Zexuan didn't call out to him, but instead looked at Xiao Li.

Little Li then produced an imperial edict.

The ministers, not hearing "Rise," couldn't help but look up. Before they could see clearly, they heard "His Majesty has summoned you," and they quickly lowered their heads again.

Mu Jinchen was unaware that an imperial edict was to be read aloud, so he was somewhat surprised, but he quickly realized what was happening and immediately knelt down to listen to the decree.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: When the Great Way prevails, the world is for all, and the virtuous and capable are chosen. However, although I have learned the ways of the ruler since childhood, I am of mediocre talent and have accomplished little. I know that I am not capable enough to be entrusted with important responsibilities. On the other hand, the Regent is outstanding, far-sighted, and decisive, and is capable of undertaking important tasks. Therefore, I abdicate and pass the throne to the Regent, Mu Jinchen. This is hereby proclaimed to the world so that all may know."

As soon as the words were spoken, the hall fell silent, and the ministers were still in shock.

Mu Jinchen never expected it to be an abdication edict. "Your Majesty, please rescind your decree, Your Majesty..."

Mu Zexuan stood up and walked to him, interrupting him, "I know what you want to say, but whether it is for the sake of the country or in terms of ability, you are more suitable than me. Now the country is peaceful and prosperous, the rivers are clear and the seas are calm, the government is efficient and the people are harmonious, and the people live and work in peace. Yunyue is able to have such a prosperous state because of you, so only you can be the emperor, which is a blessing for the country and a blessing for the people."

"Your Majesty can also do it."

“But can the Imperial Uncle take it a step further?”

Mu Jinchen remained silent.

Mu Zexuan looked at the assembled ministers and said, "You may all step down."

"Yes, Your Majesty, we take our leave."

The ministers withdrew.

Mu Zexuan tried to help Mu Jinchen up, but he was very stubborn, as if he would not get up until Mu Zexuan took back his order.

Mu Zexuan had no choice but to say, "Uncle, have you ever thought that perhaps when Father passed the throne to you, besides valuing your abilities, he had already seen that I was not suitable to be an emperor?"

Mu Jinchen really hadn't thought of that.

Mu Zexuan went to help him up again.

This time, Mu Jinchen didn't persist. He stood up and said, "It's not that you're unsuitable, it's just that you're still young."

"Uncle, there's no need to comfort me. When Luzhou was flooded before, you asked me what my ideas were. I was full of confidence and talked a lot, thinking that my ideas were mature and feasible. Little did I know how impractical they were. Also, a year ago, Quzhou suffered from drought. My handling of the situation was not bad, but it was only mediocre. You clearly had a very good solution, but in order not to discourage me or make me suspicious, you didn't say anything and secretly sent people to deal with it. Am I right?"

Mu Jinchen was surprised that he knew about this. "This is all due to your lack of experience. You can learn slowly in the future."

“But I don’t want to study. I’ve been studying day and night for the past eight years and I’m already fed up with it. Several times I’ve wanted to burn the books, but I have to hold back because I think of the high hopes you have for me.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “Uncle, do you know, I often think that if you hadn’t passed the throne to me back then, I wouldn’t be in so much pain.”

Mu Jinchen looked at him in surprise. If he hadn't spoken, he probably would never have known his true thoughts in his entire life.

Now, I can't help but reflect that I seem to have never asked him if he wanted to be the emperor. I just felt that he should be the one to do it, so I gave him the throne, but ignored his wishes.