Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

six years later

Chunyue Tower is a wonderful place to enjoy music and dance. Here you can see not only dazzling and exquisite dances, but also captivating and melodious music.

Most importantly, the dancers and musicians here are all handsome men and beautiful women with both talent and looks, which is pleasing to the eye. However, they can only be admired from afar and cannot be touched. Even so, the venue is always packed every day and tickets are hard to come by.

Inside the private box, Su Qianrou could not hide her excitement as she stared intently at the handsome young men playing the zither and flute in the center of the stage.

"Mother, aren't we going to Grandfather's house? Why are we here?" Five-year-old Mu Zherui asked, puzzled.

Without turning her head, Su Qianrou said, "We're going to have dinner. It's still early, so let's wait here for a while."

Mu Xiaoxiao said, "Isn't Mother afraid that Father will find out that you have come here?"

“I have already given instructions that they are not allowed to tell your father,” he said, looking at the two siblings. “Neither of you are allowed to say anything, especially you, Xiao Rui. Don’t tell your father everything. This is a secret between us, do you hear me?”

"But what if Father asks?"

"Then just say that you've been playing with your brother Jinghao and the others at your maternal grandfather's house the whole time, and you haven't gone anywhere else."

"Mother, lying is wrong."

Su Qianrou thought for a moment. Recently, Mu Jinchen had been busy with the imperial examinations, leaving early and returning late every day. Even she hadn't seen him for several days, let alone Mu Zherui. She figured that once he finished his work, the matter would be over. So she said, "Then how about this: if your father asks you, you should answer truthfully. But if he doesn't ask, you can't tell him on your own initiative, okay?"

"it is good".

Seeing that he had agreed, Su Qianrou was finally at ease and continued to enjoy the "beautiful music".

Mu Xiaoxiao also joined in.

"Mother, look at that young master, he's so handsome."

"He looks like a little puppy."

"What is a puppy?" Mu Xiaoxiao asked curiously.

"He's a younger brother who's quite clingy."

"Oh, then what kind of dog is Father Emperor?"

"Your father..." Need I say more? He's definitely a big wolfhound.

Seeing her lost in thought, Mu Xiaoxiao called out, "Mother."

Su Qianrou then came to her senses and replied, "Your father is a big wolfhound."

Why?

"What are the characteristics of a wolf?"

Mu Zherui, who was standing to the side, replied, "Brave and wise."

“That’s right, and he also has strong leadership skills. Isn’t that just like your father?”

Mu Xiaoxiao and Mu Zherui thought it made a lot of sense, so they nodded in agreement.

Su Qianrou secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Phoenix Palace

That night, Su Qianrou returned home with her two children, full of joy. As soon as she entered the house, she saw Mu Jinchen sitting on the couch reading a book, and her smile instantly froze on her face.

Mu Xiaoxiao ran over happily, hugged her father's arm, and said joyfully, "Father."

Mu Zherui also walked over and then bowed respectfully, saying, "Father."

Mu Jinchen looked at Su Qianrou, "You're back."

Su Qianrou felt inexplicably guilty. "Are you done with your work?"

"Ok".

Su Qianrou slowly walked up to him.

"Why are you back so late today? Is something keeping you up?"

Su Qianrou casually made up an excuse, "Xiao Rui and Hao'er had so much fun that they didn't want to leave. I had to coax them for a long time before they agreed to come back, so it's late."

"Mother, I didn't, it was clearly you..."

Su Qianrou was afraid he would say something, so she quickly picked up the tea on the table and handed it to him, "Xiao Rui, didn't you just say you were thirsty? Come on, have some tea."

"Mother, I am not thirsty."

"You're thirsty."

Under her threatening gaze, Mu Zherui had no choice but to drink the tea.

Mu Jinchen was an extremely shrewd man; he could tell that she was hiding something from him. Besides, Mu Zherui was not a playful person; on the contrary, he was a bookworm. He would believe it if she said he was obsessed with books. So, he could only say that the excuse she came up with was really too clumsy. However, he did not expose her, but simply said, "The weather is hot today. You have been outside all day. You must be covered in sweat. Why don't you take a shower first?"

"I'll be there in a bit," she said, then looked at Mu Zherui and said, "Xiao Rui, it's getting late, you should go and rest."

"But I have some academic questions that I would like to ask my father."

"It's not too late to ask again tomorrow."

"Let's do it now, perfect timing. It's been a while since I tested his studies," Mu Jinchen said leisurely, then added, "Go take a shower first, and by the time you come out, I should have finished asking you all the questions."

Su Qianrou was a little worried.

"What's wrong? Is there anything else?"

"No, then I'll go take a shower first," he said, giving Mu Xiaoxiao a wink, signaling her to keep an eye on Mu Zherui and not let him reveal what happened.

Mu Xiaoxiao gave her a reassuring look.

Su Qianrou then went out.

Fifteen minutes later, after she finished showering and returned to the room, she noticed that the atmosphere was a bit strange.

Mu Jinchen had a sullen face and didn't say a word, looking as if he was angry.

Mu Xiaoxiao and Mu Zherui sat to the side, watching him cautiously.

Su Qianrou walked towards them and asked, "What's wrong? Did you fail your homework?" Logically speaking, this shouldn't be the case. Xiao Rui is a smart child. He can basically remember what the teacher says after one explanation. Moreover, he is very studious, and his knowledge reserves have long surpassed those of children his age.

Mu Xiaoxiao pulled Mu Zherui up and said, "Well... Father, Mother, it's getting late. Xiaorui and I will go back first. You should get some rest." Then she leaned close to Su Qianrou's ear and reminded her, "Mother, good luck to you." After saying that, she pulled her silly younger brother and walked out.

Su Qianrou was completely bewildered until Mu Jinchen asked her, "Is the young master of Chunyue Tower handsome?" Only then did she understand what was going on.

After asking the question, Mu Jinchen looked at her quietly.

Su Qianrou had a sudden inspiration and said, "I suddenly remembered that I have something to take care of. I'm going to the study. You go to sleep first, don't wait for me." After saying that, she ran away.

Mu Jinchen quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms, saying, "You haven't answered my question yet."

"What's the problem?" Su Qianrou feigned ignorance.

Mu Jinchen placed his hands on her waist and said, word by word, "You told me you were going home to have dinner with your mother-in-law, but you went to Chunyue Tower to see the musicians instead. Rou'er is really something else."

"You misunderstood, I was just going to inspect the shops."

"Really? But I heard that you stared at those young masters for more than two hours, and even became so engrossed that you forgot to go home for dinner."

Su Qianrou knew without thinking that it must have been Mu Zherui who said it, because he greatly admired Mu Jinchen, so he listened to him without reservation and told him everything he knew.

"How could that be? Am I that kind of person?" Su Qianrou refused to admit it and then tried to pry his hands off and break free from his embrace.

Mu Jinchen directly made her sit on his lap, holding her tightly in his arms, "Then Rou'er, tell me, do you prefer a cute puppy or a fierce wolf?"

Su Qianrou didn't expect Mu Zherui to tell her even this. This leaky son is for anyone who wants him; she doesn't want him anymore, he's too much of a burden on his mother.

"I like you," Su Qianrou said, wrapping her arms around his neck in a flattering manner.

"Oh, how will Rou'er prove it?"

Su Qianrou kissed his thin lips, "Is this okay?"

"not enough".

Su Qianrou had no choice but to kiss him again.

Mu Jinchen reached out and pressed her head down, deepening the kiss.

A moment later, both of them were somewhat confused and infatuated. Mu Jinchen picked her up, walked to the bedside, put her on the bed, and leaned down.

A moment later, Su Qianrou's scolding voice came from inside the room, "Mu Jinchen, you bastard," but her voice was quickly drowned out.