Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

After a while, Su Qianrou suddenly asked, "By the way, Chunzhu, didn't you just say you had some news to tell me? What is it?"

Chunzhu glanced at Mu Jinchen, hesitating whether to speak or not.

Seeing this, Su Qianrou also glanced at Mu Jinchen and then asked, "Is it something very important?"

"Not really. It's just that Madam is planning to choose a husband for you. I heard that she has already asked Madam Song to help with the selection. I suppose you will be getting married soon."

Su Qianrou picked up a chess piece, placed it on the chessboard, and said, "My birthday hasn't even ended yet, and my mother is already thinking about marrying me off."

"Although there are many men in the capital, there are very few suitable candidates. That's why Madam made plans for you so early. Besides, after today, Miss will be sixteen years old, and it is indeed time to choose a husband."

"Sixteen years old, the age of blossoming youth, yet she's getting married," Su Qianrou chuckled softly.

"Miss is unwilling."

"I'm afraid it's not my turn to refuse."

Seeing that she didn't seem very happy, Chunzhu didn't say anything more.

Mu Jinchen then asked, "Is today your birthday?"

"Hmm," he said, placing a piece on the board.

"Then my arrival is quite timely."

Su Qianrou looked up and couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, what is your purpose in coming here today?"

"Didn't I say we'd play chess?"

"It's that simple."

"Otherwise, how complicated could it be?"

"I really had no ulterior motives."

"What do you think you have that I might covet?"

Chunzhu, Qiulan, and Yingfeng all thought of beauty without prior agreement.

Su Qianrou's first thought was the same. After all, her appearance was unparalleled. However, she was too embarrassed to say it out loud, "If you want to find someone to play chess with, you can ask your friends or relatives. Why come to me? We're not that close yet."

"Theirs are not as good as yours."

Is that a compliment?

Mu Jinchen didn't speak, and Su Qianrou didn't ask any more questions. The two continued to play chess seriously.

Before they knew it, an hour had passed, and midnight was fast approaching, but the two were still engrossed in their game of chess, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

So Chunzhu looked at Yingfeng, signaling him to speak.

Yingfeng shook his head, indicating that he wouldn't say, which made Chunzhu glare at him angrily.

Helpless, Qiulan had no choice but to say, "Miss, it's getting late, it's time to go to bed."

Su Qianrou did not respond, focusing intently on the game, her brows slightly furrowed, her hand holding a chess piece for a long time without making a move.

Seeing this, Mu Jinchen said, "Let's call it a day for today. We can play again next time."

Su Qianrou hadn't decided where to go yet, but since it was getting late, she replied, "Okay."

Then, Mu Jinchen stood up and said, "Then I will go back first."

“Hmm,” Su Qianrou also stood up, then inadvertently noticed the chess pieces on the table and said, “Wait a minute, these chess pieces…”

"Here, consider it your birthday gift," he said, and strode out.

Su Qianrou stared at him blankly.

"Miss Su, farewell," Yingfeng said, and quickly followed after her.

Chunzhu couldn't help but ask, "Miss, what does the Regent mean by this?"

"I don't know either".

Qiulan then asked, "Miss, should we put these chess pieces away?"

Su Qianrou glanced at it and said, "No need, just leave it for now."

"Yes".

"What time is it now?"

“It’s already midnight,” Qiulan replied.

In other words, they played chess for nearly two hours, no wonder they were so tired. Then, Su Qianrou went to sleep.

Because there was no curfew in the imperial city, even though it was already 11:15 AM, the streets were still bustling with people.

Mu Jinchen and Yingfeng walked among the crowd, seemingly in no hurry to go back.

Afterwards, the two went to the bridge and looked out at the starry sky, which was very beautiful.

However, Mu Jinchen felt somewhat lonely, a feeling he had never experienced before.

Yingfeng said, "Your Highness, it's windy here, let's go back."

Mu Jinchen then stepped away and continued walking forward.

Yingfeng followed behind him, holding back all the way, but finally couldn't help asking, "Your Highness, why did you go to play chess with Miss Su tonight?"

Mu Jinchen did not answer, because he himself did not know, and his explanation to himself was that she was good at chess.

Seeing that he did not answer, Yingfeng said again: "Your Highness, did you hear what Miss Su's maid said just now? Madam Su wants to find a husband for Miss Su."

Mu Jinchen naturally heard it, but since it was none of his business, he ignored it.

Then, Yingfeng said with great curiosity, "A woman as beautiful and from such a good family as Miss Su must be coveted by many. I wonder who Miss Su will marry in the end... Your Highness, in your opinion, who do you think Miss Su will marry?"

"I am not a prophet, how would I know?"

"I think Prince Ying is quite good. Although he is somewhat irresponsible, he is of good character and good-looking. He and Miss Su are quite a good match. Most importantly, if Miss Su marries Prince Ying, Your Highness can go to Prince Ying's residence if you want to play chess. I think Prince Ying will not mind. Otherwise, it will be difficult for Your Highness to find someone to play chess in the future."

A strange emotion flashed through Mu Jinchen's mind, but before he could grasp it, it vanished, so he didn't know what it was.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Yingfeng assumed that he also thought the idea was good, so he kept it in mind.

The next day, after paying her respects and returning to her room, Su Qianrou received a message from Su Ziyao inviting her to lunch at Xifenglou.

"Are you sure it was her who sent the message?" Su Qianrou was very suspicious. Although they were sisters, they didn't interact much and had barely even exchanged a few words. Therefore, there was no affection between them. So why would she invite her to dinner for no reason?

Juxia replied, "This servant does not know either, but the person who came said he was the eldest young lady's person."

Chunzhu said, "This is definitely fake. How could the eldest young lady say that she has been back for many days and has not seen you for a long time, and that she misses you very much, so she invited you to have a chat? She misses our young lady? Don't joke around. Just think about it and you'll know it's impossible. Moreover, how could someone like the eldest young lady possibly arrange to meet at a restaurant? If she were to arrange a meeting, it would be at the Prince Min's residence or when she returns to the Marquis's residence."

Therefore, everyone is very skeptical about the authenticity of this news.

Juxia asked, "Miss, are you going to keep your appointment?"

"Go," Su Qianrou said firmly.

“Miss, you can’t go. Something’s not right here. What if something happens?” Chunzhu advised.

"That's a restaurant, people come and go, nothing should happen."

"It's better to be safe than sorry."

"Don't worry, I'll be careful."

Knowing that her decision would not be changed, Chunzhu didn't say anything more, but she had other plans in mind.