Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Su Jing'an is not good at expressing his feelings, so his actions are often misunderstood. However, it is undeniable that he cares about every child, including Su Wanshan.

Although he often teased Su Haoyu, he would subconsciously buy military books every time he saw them. However, due to his personality, he would feel embarrassed after buying them, so he would give them to Su Qianrou and ask her to pass them on. In the end, he would say, "I got them by chance. If you don't like them, give them to that brat Xiaoyu."

Su Qianrou knew what he was thinking, so she would just smile and accept it each time without exposing him.

Therefore, Su Haoyu always thought that those books were bought for him by Su Qianrou, but he didn't know that Su Jing'an had actually specially collected them.

If he thought about it more, he would realize that although Su Qianrou loved reading, she couldn't understand military books at all. So how could she distinguish between good and bad books? Moreover, she was a young woman who rarely left her home. Where would she collect rare books? Therefore, it was easy to understand that these military books were hard-won.

Su Qianrou looked at the fish in the pond and slowly said, "The Marquis's mansion has always valued literature over martial arts. In their eyes, those who practice martial arts are all brutes, crude and uncouth. Therefore, they consider it a disgrace. Do you know that?"

“I know, Mother once said that.”

"Over the years, although your father has said he doesn't like it, he has never stopped you. He even found you a martial arts teacher."

Su Haoyu was unable to refute, so he remained silent.

Then, Su Qianrou said, "In a few days, we will be returning to the Marquis's residence. If you only know how to fight with swords and spears but do not know how to read and write, do you think Grandfather will like you?"

"I don't need his approval."

“You are still too naive. The Marquis’s mansion is ruled by your grandfather. If you displease him, he will punish you. Even if your father wants to protect you, he cannot. After all, filial piety comes first. So, your father can only try to make amends and hope that in these two weeks, you will learn something and be able to answer your grandfather’s questions so that he will not dislike you.”

Su Haoyu didn't seem to listen to her, as he remained silent.

When Lin Rong woke up from her afternoon nap, she learned that Su Haoyu had been sitting by the pool all afternoon, so she rushed over. When she saw that Su Qianrou was also there, she stopped and did not go over. She just stood not far away and watched quietly.

Qinghui couldn't help but ask, "Madam, shall we go over there?"

"No, let the siblings have a good talk. With Rou'er here, everything will be fine," she said, then looked around for a while before turning and leaving.

Because they didn't come close, no one knew they had ever been there.

After a while, Su Haoyu finally spoke, but his voice was somewhat sullen, "But I don't like reading."

Su Qianrou patted his shoulder, "If you don't like it, then don't read it. It's not like you can't read anyway."

Su Haoyu looked at her in surprise.

Su Qianrou explained, "I'm telling you all this not because I want you to study, but because I don't want you to misunderstand your father." She then added, "The most important thing in life is to be happy. If studying makes you unhappy, then don't study. There's no need to force yourself for others."

"But……".

“I’ll take care of Father. As for Grandfather, even if he dislikes you, he can’t possibly kick you out of the manor, can he?”

"Thank you, sister," Su Haoyu said sincerely.

Su Qianrou smiled, then stood up. "Alright, it's getting late. Let's go back. Come to my place for dinner today; I'll cook myself."

"Really?" Su Haoyu stood up excitedly, unable to hide his smile.

"Really, just consider it a way to comfort your young heart," Su Qianrou said, gently poking his chest.

Su Haoyu smiled sheepishly.

Then, the two walked towards Qifeng Courtyard.

That day, Su Qianrou was busy in the study and didn't rest until late at night.

Chunzhu, standing to the side, yawned repeatedly, feeling drowsy. However, her mistress was unwilling to sleep, so she had no choice but to stay with her. Finally, unable to hold on any longer, she said, "Miss, it's very late. Go to sleep first, and we can do it tomorrow."

Without looking up, Su Qianrou said, "If you're sleepy, go to sleep first. You don't need to stay here with me."

“These days, you’ve been busy tidying up the mansion during the day and dealing with the shops at night. You’ve hardly had any proper rest. If this continues, I’m worried that your body won’t be able to take it.”

"It's alright, there aren't many days left to be busy."

At this point, Chunzhu couldn't help but get excited. "I've never been to the capital before. I've heard that the capital is much more prosperous than Yangzhou. Miss, tell me, what are some good things to eat and fun things to do in the capital?"

Just then, Su Qianrou finished her work, put down her pen, and looked at her. Seeing that she was full of longing for the capital, she felt that she was too naive. She thought to herself that the capital might not be as good as Yangzhou, at least not as comfortable as here. However, she didn't say anything. "What else can you do besides eating, drinking and having fun all day long?"

"Didn't the young lady say that life is short, so we should enjoy it while we can?"

"You didn't remember anything else, but you remembered this sentence, right?"

"Of course not, Miss, I've remembered everything you said."

"Really? Then tell me, what else do you remember?"

"After returning to the capital, you must be careful with your words and actions. Listen and observe more, but do not speak too much. Adhere to the principle of 'I will not offend others unless they offend me, and if they offend me, I will retaliate.'"

"That's right, we don't cause trouble, but we're not afraid of trouble either."

"Yes, I understand."

“Miss, it’s already midnight, you…” Juxia walked in, intending to urge Su Qianrou to go to sleep, but then she saw her stand up, so her words stopped abruptly.

"Okay, I'm going to sleep now. They're all so young, yet they're all so worried," Su Qianrou muttered as she walked out.

Chunzhu and Juxia exchanged a glance, smiled helplessly, and then silently followed behind her.

The next day, Su Qianrou arrived at the restaurant. Xu Linlin saw her and immediately came forward, smiling and asking, "Qianrou, what brings you here?"

"I need to talk to you."

"Then let's go upstairs to talk."

"Ok".

So the two went into the private room.

After sitting down, Su Qianrou took out a thick stack of papers and handed them to Xu Linlin. "This is the orphanage's plan and design drawings, and this is for the dance hall. Although I put Sister Qilian in charge, she may not know much about this. If possible, please help her."

Xu Linlin didn't speak, but looked at her with tears in her eyes, looking like she was about to cry.

"What's wrong with you? If you don't want to, I can..."

"Qianrou".

"Um" .

"Can you please not leave?"

Su Qianrou did not answer, because it was not something she could decide.

Xu Linlin naturally knew this, but she was really reluctant to let her go. "If you go back this time, we don't know when we'll be able to see each other again."

"If I have the chance in the future, I will come back to see you. You can also come to the capital to see me. When that happens, I will take you to eat all the delicacies in the capital."

"Really".

"Ok".

"Then it's settled, no matter where we are or how far apart we are in the future, our friendship will never change."

"it is good".

And in the end, they truly lived up to that promise. Even after several years apart, they still cared for each other and remained each other's most important and closest friends in this life.