Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Qiulan followed behind her and, seeing her moving away from the crowd, couldn't help but ask, "Miss, where are we going?"

"Find a quiet place to wait for a while."

"But we are not familiar with this place. What if we offend someone important?"

"Besides His Majesty, there are only the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager in this palace. There are no concubines, so there is no need to worry."

Qiulan then stopped saying anything.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, Su Qianrou was quite tired, but she hadn't seen a single pavilion. She couldn't help but complain, "This huge palace doesn't even have a single pavilion to rest in."

"Miss, we seem to have gone quite far. Perhaps we should turn back?"

At this moment, Su Qianrou noticed the words "Plum Garden" engraved on the stone tablet in front of her, and said, "There must be a pavilion inside, let's go in and sit for a while."

"Miss, let's go back. We don't know if we can enter the plum garden. If we can't, we might get into trouble if we're discovered."

Su Qianrou thought about it and agreed. According to the plot of the TV series, a plum grove like this might have been built by an emperor to please his concubines. It might not be safe to enter. So she said, "Never mind, let's go back." After saying that, she turned and left.

Unexpectedly, a man walked out of the plum garden. If you looked closely, you would notice that his clothes were somewhat disheveled.

Su Qianrou wanted to pretend she hadn't seen him, but the man had already noticed her and called out to her, "Who are you and why are you here?"

Helpless, Su Qianrou had no choice but to turn around and look at him.

Upon seeing her appearance, Mu Jingfeng was immediately captivated and a greedy look appeared in his eyes.

"How dare you not bow before my prince!"

Su Qianrou was surprised to find that he was a prince, so she hurriedly bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"No need," he said, then asked, "Who are you, and why are you here?"

"Your Highness, I came to attend the flower viewing banquet, but I got lost and accidentally wandered here. Please forgive me."

"You're here for the flower viewing party."

"Yes".

"Which household are you from?"

"Your Highness, I am from the Marquis of Anping's residence."

“The Marquis of Anping’s residence, you are the younger sister of Consort Su.”

Su Qianrou then learned that he was Prince Min, and replied, "Yes."

"Then why have I never seen you before?"

"Your Highness, I grew up in Yangzhou and only recently returned, so Your Highness has never seen me before."

"You are the daughter of Su Jing'an, the prefect of Yangzhou."

"Yes".

No wonder.

A servant standing nearby reminded him, "Your Highness, it's getting late, we should go."

Mu Jingfeng didn't say anything more, but before leaving, he glanced at Su Qianrou, then walked past her and left the place.

Meanwhile, on the tower, Mu Jinchen watched their every move.

"Your Highness, those below seem to be Prince Min and Miss Su."

Mu Jinchen's eyes weren't blind, so of course he could see it.

"Your Highness, may I investigate when Miss Su and Prince Min met?"

"No need, go and investigate why Prince Min came out of the plum garden."

"Yes," Yingfeng said, and then turned to leave.

"Wait a moment, let her come up here while you're at it. Also, go and call Chang Le over."

"Yes".

Su Qianrou was about to leave when she was stopped before she had taken two steps. "Miss Su, please wait."

Upon hearing this, Su Qianrou turned around and looked in the direction of the voice. She was somewhat surprised when she saw that it was Ying Feng.

"Miss Su, my master invites you."

"Your prince?" Su Qianrou was quite surprised. Only then did she realize that this Mu was not the same as that Mu. After thinking about it, she understood everything. She thought to herself, "No wonder he was able to come to my door so quickly."

"Miss Su, please."

"Please lead the way."

"Miss Su, please come with me."

Then, upon arriving at the foot of the tower, Yingfeng said, "Miss Su, the Prince is waiting for you on the top floor. I have other matters to attend to, so I will not accompany you up."

Looking at the towering tower that seemed to reach into the clouds, Su Qianrou felt her legs go weak before she even stepped onto it. So she asked, "Um, I'd like to ask, how tall is this tower?"

"It is nine stories high, so it is also called the Nine-Story Pagoda."

"Ninth floor... Um, what does your lord want with me? If not, let's talk another time. I have to go to the flower viewing banquet."

"I don't know either. Miss Su, why don't you go up and ask her yourself?"

Looking at the towering building, Su Qianrou couldn't help but complain: "Why climb so high for no reason? What's the point?"

"Miss Su, please."

Helpless, Su Qianrou had no choice but to go up. In the end, it took her a full quarter of an hour to reach the top floor.

After coming up, I leaned against the wall, panting heavily and exhausted. When I saw a chair, I went over and sat down without thinking. Then I rubbed my legs, feeling like they were about to give out.

Hearing the noise, Mu Jinchen came in from outside. Seeing her like this, he kindly poured her a cup of tea and said, "Have some tea to calm down."

"Thank you," Su Qianrou said without ceremony, taking the drink and downing it in one gulp.

"Do you want more?"

"want".

So, Mu Jinchen poured her another glass.

After drinking two cups, Su Qianrou finally felt better and recovered.

"Miss Su's chess skills are quite good, but her physical condition is not so good. She got so tired after just nine floors."

Su Qianrou then looked at him, and remembering his identity, she stood up abruptly. "This humble woman greets the Regent. I have been very offensive, please forgive me, Regent."

Mu Jinchen was not surprised that she had guessed his identity. "No need for formalities, please sit down."

"Thank you, Regent Prince."

Su Qianrou did not sit down, but stood quietly to the side.

"Aren't your legs sore?"

It tasted sour, but she didn't dare sit down.

"Sit down, there's no need to be so formal."

"Yes," Su Qianrou replied. Her principle was that she could never mistreat herself, so she sat down.

"You know Prince Min."

"I don't know him/her."

"Then why did you chat for so long?"

“He asked me a question, and I couldn’t just turn around and leave without answering. How could I, a powerless and insignificant woman, dare to do that?”

"Miss," Qiu Lan tugged at Su Qianrou's sleeve, reminding her to watch her tone of voice.

Su Qianrou then realized that she had been presumptuous, so she quickly stood up and apologized, "This humble woman was impolite for a moment, and I hope the Regent will forgive her."

"It's alright, please sit down."

"This humble woman should remain standing."

Mu Jinchen did not force him.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Su Qianrou was about to speak and leave when she heard him say, "Go out and take a look." After he finished speaking, she saw him stand up and walk outside.

Helpless, Su Qianrou had no choice but to follow.

Then, the two stood in the corridor, looking at the scenery in the distance.

Mu Jinchen asked, "How do you feel?"

"The higher you climb, the colder it gets."

Even so, it doesn't stop them from wanting to climb higher.

Su Qianrou understood what he meant and remained silent.

Mu Jinchen then said, "The higher you stand, the greater your power, but... the greater your responsibility is also. However, most people only see the power."

"Power is a double-edged sword. Unless one has a firm will, one will be blinded by power and forget the responsibilities associated with it, leading one astray and eventually sinking into a quagmire from which one cannot extricate oneself or turn back. In the end, without exception, one can only suffer a miserable defeat."

"You've thought things through quite clearly."

"It's not wrong for people to strive for higher positions; the mistake lies in not staying true to one's original aspirations."

Mu Jinchen remained silent, staring ahead, lost in thought.

Su Qianrou didn't say anything more and began to admire the scenery below.