Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Su Qianrou took two steps, then suddenly turned around and saw Aunt Xu walking up to Su Jing'an with a fawning look on her face. So she said, "By the way, Aunt Xu, would you please go out and kneel for an hour?"

"What does the Third Miss mean by this?"

“What do you think, Aunt Xu? You disrespected the mistress of the house, shouldn’t you be punished? Now that my mother is ill, it’s not too much for me, as her daughter, to take the punishment on her behalf.”

"Master," Aunt Xu said to Su Jing'an in a coquettish tone.

Su Qianrou really couldn't stand her. She was almost forty years old and still acted so pretentiously. "Father, we have been back for quite some time now, but Aunt Xu has never once gone to Siyi Courtyard to pay her respects. And now that my mother is sick, she has not gone to take care of her either. Father, do you think she should be punished?"

"Yes, he should be punished."

"Then I'll make her kneel outside for an hour, that would be too much."

"That's not an exaggeration. Also, you should be confined for another month after the New Year."

"Master," Aunt Xu looked at him in disbelief.

The old lady said with dissatisfaction, "An'er, what are you doing? It's just that she didn't go to pay her respects. It's not a big deal. Why make such a fuss? Besides, Yin'er didn't go because she was supposed to pay her respects to me. If you punish her, aren't you slapping me in the face? Moreover, don't forget, she has served me for more than ten years. She is much more filial than your wife. I'm telling you right now, with me here, no one can punish her... Yin'er, come to my side."

Aunt Xu then put on a sad expression, walked to her side, and called out in a wronged tone, "Mother."

The old lady gently patted her hand, "Don't pat, I'm here."

"Ok".

“Mother, nothing can be accomplished without rules,” Su Jing’an said helplessly.

“In this rainforest garden, I am the rule.”

"Grandfather, do you know what Grandmother said?"

"Shut up, you unfilial daughter! No matter what, Yin'er is your elder. How could you treat her like this? In my opinion, you are the one who should be kneeling down."

"I used to think my grandmother was a reasonable person, but now I realize that I overestimated her."

"How dare you! Get out and kneel down. You are not to get up without my order."

"Fine, I'll kneel. I hope Grandmother won't regret it," she said, and walked out without looking back.

"Rou'er, no!"

"Why are you calling her? Since she wants to kneel, then let her kneel. It will teach her about respect and hierarchy."

“Mother, what are you doing? Do you really want everyone to know before you're satisfied? You deliberately tormented Rong'er, making her sick, but she endured it all for your sake and for my reputation. Now, for the sake of a concubine, you want Rou'er to kneel outside. Are you afraid that everyone won't know what you've done? Or are you dissatisfied with my position as Minister of Revenue and want me to resign? If so, you can just tell your son directly, and I will go to His Majesty and the Regent tomorrow to resign.”

"It's not as serious as you make it out to be."

"Nowadays, so many people are eyeing my son's position. If he makes a slight mistake, he could go to jail at best, and at worst... he might lose his life."

"Is what you're saying true?"

"I didn't tell you before because I was afraid you would worry."

The old lady then became nervous, her face full of worry.

Su Jing'an said to the servant beside him, "Let Miss go back first."

"Yes".

After Su Qianrou came out of the house, she walked very slowly, taking her time to reach the door.

Chunzhu asked, "Miss, are you really going to kneel?"

"I'm not stupid, Miss. I'd freeze to death kneeling here in this cold weather."

"Then why did you say that?"

Su Qianrou smiled slightly and remained silent.

Just then, a servant quickly came out and said, "Miss, the master wants you to go back first."

"Okay, I understand," he said, then looked at Chunzhu and said, "Let's go."

Chunzhu looked bewildered and followed behind her in a daze.

Before long, the two returned to Chaoxi Courtyard. As soon as they entered the courtyard, Juxia hurried over and whispered, "Miss, Dongmei is here."

"Dongmei," Su Qianrou couldn't remember who it was for a moment, so she asked, "Who is she?"

"The young lady's maid."

Su Qianrou then remembered, "What is she here for?"

"She wouldn't say, she only said she wanted to see you."

So, Su Qianrou went inside.

When Qiulan saw her come in, she called out, "Miss."

Upon hearing this, Dongmei looked at her and was momentarily stunned, but she quickly recovered and stood up unhurriedly, bowing and saying, "Greetings, Third Miss."

"No need for formalities. May I ask what brings Miss Dongmei here?"

"Reporting to the Third Miss, the master invites you to the manor for a chat."

"I wonder what business the Consort has with me?"

"This servant does not know."

"Please wait a moment, Miss Dongmei, while I change my clothes."

"Please hurry, Miss, don't keep your master waiting."

"Alright, Qiulan, take good care of Miss Dongmei."

"Yes, miss."

Then, Su Qianrou went into the inner room.

Chunzhu, who was helping her change her clothes, couldn't help but ask, "Miss, tell me, what does the eldest young lady want with you?"

"I don't know," Su Qianrou actually had some guesses, but she didn't say it. If she could, she wouldn't want to go, but unfortunately she didn't have the right to refuse.

At this moment, Juxia walked in and said, "Miss, Aunt Xu has been forced to kneel by the master."

"How long to kneel."

"Two hours."

"Okay, I understand. You can go out now."

"Yes".

Afterwards, Su Qianrou arrived at the Min Prince's residence. Since the Min Princess was ill, there was no need to go to her to pay her respects. Therefore, Dongmei led her directly to Su Ziyao's courtyard.

"I have met Your Highness, the Concubine."

When Su Ziyao saw her, she was also stunned for a moment. She had always known that her younger sister was beautiful, but she never expected that after not seeing her for several years, she would be so stunningly beautiful that it made her a little jealous. "Third sister is becoming more and more beautiful."

"Your Majesty is truly exceptional in beauty and grace."

Even though she knew it was just a polite remark, Su Ziyao was still pleased. "Third sister, please sit down and talk. There's no need to be so polite."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Su Qianrou said before sitting down.

"Is my third sister settling in well now that she's back?"

"fine".

"Is everything alright at home?"

"fine".

"The New Year is approaching, and I have prepared some gifts for my family. I would like to ask my third sister to help me take them back later."

"it is good".

Then, the two fell silent, somewhat embarrassed.

Su Ziyao found her too boring and didn't want to talk to her anymore. Besides, her pride wouldn't allow her to keep trying to make conversation when she was being ignored. So, she wanted her to go back.

Unexpectedly, Mu Jingfeng walked in.

Su Qianrou and Su Ziyao both stood up and bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"No need for formalities... Miss Su, we meet again."

Upon hearing this, Su Ziyao was taken aback, somewhat surprised and suspicious. Her gaze fell on the two of them, and she asked, "Does Your Highness know Third Sister?"

"I've met you," Mu Jingfeng said, looking at Su Qianrou.

Su Qianrou kept her head down and didn't say anything.

"Sit down, don't stand," Mu Jingfeng said, and sat down first.

Su Ziyao walked over and sat down next to him, then said, "Third sister, please sit down too."

"I will not disturb Your Highness and Your Highness any longer. I will take my leave now."

"It seems that Miss Su San really does not like me."

"Your Highness misunderstands. My mother has recently fallen ill, and I must return to take care of her. Please forgive me."

"Is that so? Since Madam Su is ill, then... Qin Chuan, prepare some tonics for Miss Su to take back."

"No need, I have everything at home. Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."

"This is a token of my appreciation, Miss Su, you need not refuse."

Su Ziyao watched them from the side, her suspicions growing stronger. At the same time, jealousy flared up, causing her expression to become somewhat unnatural. However, she tried her best to suppress it and said insincerely, "Third sister, you don't need to be so polite. We are all family."

Seeing that she couldn't refuse, Su Qianrou had no choice but to accept the gifts, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness, thank you, Your Highness," and then left the palace with a large pile of gifts.

After she left, Mu Jingfeng also made an excuse to leave, which made Su Ziyao even more dissatisfied, so she immediately ordered someone to investigate.