Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Meanwhile, at the villa, Su Qianrou had just gotten up and was washing up.

Qiulan came in and said, "Miss, Sister Yunmeng has arrived."

"Yunmeng, what is she doing here?"

"I don't know."

"Let her in."

"Yes".

A moment later, Yunmeng walked in and said, "Greetings, Miss."

"Why are you here?"

"Miss, Madam has sent me to fetch you back to the manor."

"But what's wrong?"

"Three days later, the Empress Dowager will hold a flower viewing banquet and invite noble ladies from all families to participate. Miss will be among them. Therefore, Madam asked me to come and fetch Miss back so that we can make preparations."

"Why did the flower-viewing banquet happen so suddenly?"

"I heard that the Empress Dowager wanted to select a consort for the Regent."

"Why should I join in the selection of a concubine for the Regent? Go back and tell my mother that I'm not going."

"this……".

"Miss, we just got back. If we don't go, wouldn't that be inappropriate? People might gossip about us," Chunlan said worriedly.

Qiulan chimed in, "Yes, Miss, we might offend the Empress Dowager."

After thinking for a moment, Su Qianrou decided to go back. She looked at Qiulan and instructed her, "Qiulan, go pick some plum blossoms and make some plum blossom cakes to take back with you later."

"Yes, miss."

Meanwhile, in the study of the East Garden, Yingfeng was reporting this matter to Mu Jinchen.

"Your Highness, a letter has arrived from the palace, saying that the Empress Dowager will be holding a flower-viewing banquet in three days."

Mu Jinchen showed no reaction to this, which showed that he did not take it to heart.

Then, Yingfeng said, "Because the Empress Dowager only invited eligible young ladies from various households, it is now widely rumored in the city that the Empress Dowager did this in order to select a concubine for you."

Mu Jinchen frowned slightly, but said nothing.

"As far as I know, the young lady from the Marquis of Anping's mansion is also among them, so I imagine Miss Su will be going as well," he said, staring intently at Mu Jinchen, afraid of missing even the slightest reaction from him.

Unfortunately, Mu Jinchen showed no reaction, remained indifferent, and kept his head down, concentrating on his official duties.

Undeterred, Yingfeng called out, "Your Highness."

Mu Jinchen finally spoke, but asked, "Has Su Jing'an made any moves recently?"

Upon hearing this, Yingfeng couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. However, after thinking about it, he realized that his reaction was normal. Therefore, he didn't dwell on it and replied, "No, he has only left the manor once in the past two weeks, when he went back to his maternal home with his wife and children. Apart from that, he hasn't left the house at all."

"He has not contacted the Song family."

"No, not only him, but even the eldest daughter-in-law of the Su family has not gone back."

Mu Jinchen remained silent, seemingly lost in thought. After a while, he spoke again, asking, "How is the investigation into His Majesty's assassination attempt progressing?"

"It has been confirmed that he is one of Prince Min's men."

Mu Jinchen was not surprised by this. "Have we found any evidence that he colluded with foreign powers?"

"Not yet, but we found his correspondence with foreign countries in his study. However, the study is heavily guarded, and the secret guards cannot get close, so we haven't obtained it yet."

Mu Jinchen had an idea in mind, but he didn't say it aloud.

At this moment, Mu Zexuan walked in and said happily, "Uncle, let's go find Sister Su to play."

Mu Jinchen did not respond.

"Royal Uncle".

Mu Jinchen still did not respond, as if he had not heard.

"If you won't go, I'll go myself," he said, and then turned to leave.

"return".

Mu Zexuan stopped and turned to look at him.

"Don't forget who you are."

"I haven't forgotten, I just..." Mu Zexuan didn't finish his sentence, his mood becoming somewhat depressed.

Mu Jinchen knew that his age was a time for fun, but he was the ruler of a country, with the responsibility of tens of millions of people on his shoulders. Therefore, he could not tolerate any mistakes from him, let alone his willfulness.

"Pack your things, prepare to return to the palace."

"Royal Uncle," Mu Zexuan clearly didn't want to go back, but he had no choice.

Inside the carriage, Mu Zexuan was sullen and didn't say a word.

Mu Jinchen glanced at him and asked, "So you like her that much?" He didn't need to think to know who this "her" was.

Mu Zexuan did not answer, but his attitude spoke volumes.

"In a few days, you might be able to see her in the palace."

Upon hearing this, Mu Zexuan's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Perhaps," Mu Jinchen said casually.

"Royal Uncle!" Mu Zexuan shouted angrily.

Mu Jinchen casually picked up a book, opened it, and said, "The Empress Dowager is going to hold a flower appreciation banquet and has invited the Marquis of Anping's residence. As for whether she will go, I don't know."

Mu Zexuan said happily, "Sister Su just came back. If she doesn't attend, people will definitely gossip. So, she will definitely go." Then, he added worriedly, "If she knows I am the emperor, I wonder if she will be angry."

No, Mu Jinchen thought, and he was quite certain of it. Although they had only met twice, he just knew, though he couldn't explain why.

Just then, Seventeen's voice rang out from outside, "Master, Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Mu Zexuan eagerly lifted the curtain and asked, "How is it? Did you give the things to Sister Su?"

"Your Majesty, it has already been given; this is her return gift," Seventeen said, handing him a food box.

"What is this?" Mu Zexuan asked curiously as he took it.

"Plum blossom cake, made by Miss Su herself."

"Sister Su made this herself!" Mu Zexuan was overjoyed. He opened the package and a plate of exquisite pastries came into view. They looked delicious and were still steaming hot. He knew without a doubt that they had just been made.

Mu Zexuan picked up a piece, took a bite, and said, "So delicious." Then he put the remaining half into his mouth as well.

Just as she was about to eat her second piece, she suddenly remembered Mu Jinchen, so she handed it to him and asked, "Uncle, would you like to try some? It's really delicious."

Mu Jinchen has never liked sweets and was about to refuse, but his hand was faster than his brain. Before he could even speak, his hand had already reached out. By the time he realized what was happening, it was too late, so he quietly took a bite.

"How is it? Isn't it delicious?"

"good".

"Sister Su is not only beautiful and kind-hearted, but also such a good cook. Whoever marries her in the future will be blessed for generations. Don't you think so, Uncle?"

Mu Jinchen did not answer.

Then, Mu Zexuan said, "Uncle, why don't you marry Sister Su? Look, Sister Su is beautiful, kind, and a good cook. Most importantly, if you marry her, you won't have to face Grandmother's nagging about marriage every day. Isn't that great?"

Mu Jinchen looked at the book in his hand and said indifferently, "This is not something you should worry about."

"I'm just concerned about you. Look at you, you're so old and still all alone. What will you do when you get old?"

Mu Jinchen remained silent, pretending not to hear.

Mu Zexuan sighed helplessly, then picked up a piece of plum blossom cake and ate it, instantly improving his mood.