Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

"There's no need for Third Aunt to worry about that," Su Qianrou said as she walked in unhurriedly. Then, she went to the old lady, bowed, and said, "Greetings to Grandmother, may Grandmother be blessed with good health and longevity."

"Ha, so you still knew to come."

"It is customary to pay respects to one's grandmother, so Qianrou will naturally come."

"Since you know this, why did you arrive so late? Do you not respect me as your grandmother?"

"My granddaughter wouldn't dare."

The old lady snorted coldly and said nothing.

"Qianrou, it's not that your aunt is criticizing you, but you know that paying respects is a proper etiquette, yet you still arrive so late. That's wrong of you, and it's no wonder your grandmother is so angry."

"Is it late? If I remember correctly, the time for paying respects is Mao Shi (5-7 AM), and there's still a quarter of an hour to go. I'm actually early," Su Qianrou said innocently.

Lin Xiaoran was speechless after being rebuked, and angrily turned her head away, refusing to look at her again.

Seeing this, Su Huaizhu said slowly, "Third sister is right, but as juniors, how can we keep our elders waiting? Don't you think so?"

"Yes, what my second sister said is right."

"Why is Third Sister so late, making Grandmother wait for so long? Did you do it on purpose?" After saying that, Su Jiarui realized she had said the wrong thing, and then lowered her head, looking like she didn't mean it.

Su Qianrou looked at her. She was wearing a pink bikini dress, petite and cute, giving people a sense of innocence, but in reality... Su Qianrou chuckled and said, "Fifth sister is still as straightforward as ever."

"Third sister, that's not what I meant, don't misunderstand," Su Jiarui looked at her with a wronged expression. Anyone who didn't know better would think that Su Qianrou had bullied her.

Su Qianrou did not speak.

So Su Jiarui looked at the old lady and hurriedly explained, "Grandmother, Rui'er believes that Third Sister did not do it on purpose. She may have just returned and is not used to it yet, so she got up late and came so late. Please don't hold it against Third Sister, forgive her this time."

Thinking about her future life, Su Qianrou couldn't help but feel tired and sighed inwardly.

"Mother, Rou'er is not feeling well, which is why I am late. Please forgive me and don't hold it against her."

"Oh, she's not feeling well. I think she's perfectly fine."

Lin Rong looked at Su Qianrou, signaling her to back down.

Helpless, Su Qianrou could only bow down and say, "It was my fault, please forgive me, Grandmother."

"Is this how you admit your mistake?" The old lady clearly meant for her to kneel down.

Su Qianrou understood, but she was unwilling, so she did not kneel.

Therefore, the old lady did not speak, but just looked at her.

After a brief standoff, Lin Rong couldn't help but call out, "Rou'er."

Su Qianrou could ignore what others said, but she couldn't ignore what Lin Rong said, so she knelt down and said, "It was my fault, please forgive me, Grandmother."

The old lady was finally satisfied. "Considering you just got back, I'll let it go this time. Just don't do it again next time."

"Yes, thank you, Grandmother."

Chunzhu quickly helped her up.

Afterwards, upon leaving Fuxi Courtyard, Song Shiyu supported Lin Rong as they walked ahead, while Su Qianrou silently followed behind them without uttering a word.

After walking for a while, Lin Rong couldn't help but stop and turn around to look at her.

Su Qianrou was lost in thought and didn't notice, almost bumping into him. Luckily, Chunzhu caught her in time. She then came to her senses and asked, "Why isn't Mother leaving? Aren't we supposed to go to Yulin Garden to pay our respects?"

Lin Rong said earnestly, "Rou'er, the capital is different from Yangzhou. Here, if you are not careful, people will find fault with you and gossip about you. Therefore, we must be careful in our actions and not act rashly. Also, the interpersonal relationships in the capital are complicated and we don't know much about them. Therefore, we have to rely on your grandmother and aunt for many things. Do you understand?"

"Mother, I know."

How could Lin Rong not feel sorry for her? If she could, she would also hope that her daughter could live a carefree and unrestrained life, but that's easier said than done.

“Mother, my sister isn’t willful. She knows her limits, so don’t worry,” Song Shiyu said.

Lin Rong glanced at Su Qianrou, said nothing more, and continued walking forward.

Su Qianrou was well aware of her thoughts; otherwise, she wouldn't have bowed her head and admitted her mistake at Fuxi Courtyard, but instead argued with them to the end.

Regent's House

Mu Jinchen returned from the palace and was about to go inside when he noticed a magnificent carriage parked at the gate of his residence. It looked somewhat familiar, and then he realized what it was.

Yingfeng then said, "Your Highness, isn't this the Empress Dowager's phoenix carriage?"

Mu Jinchen didn't say anything and stepped inside.

Shadow Wind followed immediately.

Inside the main hall, the Empress Dowager had already drunk several cups of tea and couldn't help but ask, "Has your prince not returned yet?"

Yu Lian, the head steward of the Prince's residence, respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, the Prince is probably still in the palace dealing with memorials. May I send someone to invite him?"

"No need, I will wait."

"Yes," Yu Lian originally wanted to send someone to inform them, but the Empress Dowager wouldn't give him the chance.

A moment later, the sound of a guard bowing came from outside the door, "Greetings, Regent."

Immediately afterwards, Mu Jinchen walked in, and the servants knelt down and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Regent."

Mu Jinchen ignored him and went straight to the Empress Dowager, cupping his hands and saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty. May I ask what brings Your Majesty here in person?"

"I have sent people to invite you many times, but you always say you are busy and have no time. So I have no choice but to come to you in person."

Mu Jinchen remained silent.

Then the Empress Dowager said, "Today your aunt came to the palace to see me, saying that she wanted to find a good family for Nanyi. I thought about it and felt that you two were quite suitable. What do you think?"

"Your subject has no plans to get married at the moment."

"You're already twenty-three and still have no plans to get married. When are you going to get married? Do you want to wait until you're seventy or eighty and can't walk anymore before you start thinking about it? Look at all the young masters your age, which one isn't married? Not to mention married, they all have several children. Look at yourself, you're still all alone. Besides guards and servants, you don't even have a maid in the mansion, let alone a concubine. Do you think that's reasonable?"

Mu Jinchen disagreed.

Although the Empress Dowager was already used to his cold and aloof personality, she still often felt helpless. "I have selected two palace maids for you. Take them in and keep them by your side to serve you."

The Empress Dowager's meaning was crystal clear. Just when Yingfeng thought he wouldn't accept it, Mu Jinchen replied, "Okay."

Yingfeng was greatly shocked, his eyes widened, and he stared at him in disbelief.