Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Then, the group arrived at the lakeside, where numerous boats and scattered river lanterns floated on the water.

Mu Xinchen boarded the ship first, followed by Su Haoyu, then Mu Jinchen, and Su Qianrou walked last.

Just as Su Haoyu was about to help Su Qianrou up, he was shocked to see his sister, the unapproachable Regent Dynasty, reach out her hand.

Su Qianrou was also taken aback for a moment, and couldn't help but look at him. Seeing that he was calm and composed, she didn't think much of it and assumed that it was just a polite gesture. So, she casually put her hand on his arm and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Mu Jinchen didn't say anything, and pulled her onto the boat.

Mu Xinchen was already dumbfounded, staring at Mu Jinchen in disbelief, thinking, "Is this still the Fifth Brother I know? He actually took the initiative to lead a girl onto the boat. Has the sun risen in the west?"

Afterwards, the group went inside the boat and sat down, where the table was laden with fine wine and delicacies.

Meanwhile, the boat slowly sailed towards the center of the lake.

"What night is this? It's New Year's Eve again. On this beautiful festival, it's a rare occasion to meet you. Miss Su, Mr. Su, I raise a toast to you both. I wish Miss Su will find her ideal husband next year, and as for Mr. Su, I wish you great success in the future."

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness," Su Haoyu said, then picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp, only to choke and cough twice.

Su Qianrou gently patted his back, "If you can't drink, then don't drink. Why are you being so stubborn?"

"Isn't this a happy occasion?"

"How is Young Master Su?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, I am fine."

"That's good... Oh, by the way, Miss Su, here you go," he said, handing her a booklet.

Su Qianrou took it and asked, "What is this?"

"His Majesty instructed me to give this to you."

This made Su Qianrou curious. "Can I open it?"

"nature".

So, Su Qianrou casually opened it, and when she saw the contents, she was a little puzzled, "This is...".

“These are all the finest young men in the capital. Whether in terms of family background or appearance, they are all worthy of Miss Su San.”

"Why did Your Majesty give me this?"

"I heard that Miss Su is currently choosing a husband. His Majesty is worried that Miss Su might marry the wrong person and waste her life. Therefore, he asked me to compile a list for Miss Su to choose from. I wonder if Miss Su has found anyone she likes?"

Su Qianrou closed the roster and put it aside, saying, "Since it was compiled by the young master, he must know them very well. Why don't you tell me about them?"

Mu Xinchen immediately became interested and said excitedly, "No problem, let me tell you, the third young master of the Duke of Su's mansion, Li Zixuan, is eighteen years old. He is highly talented and virtuous, and is a man of great talent. At a young age, he is already the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Song Rui, the son of the Minister of Personnel, is a learned man with excellent character and academic performance. He is also handsome and was once the third-ranked scholar. There is also Bai Qinming, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, who is handsome and talented..."

He got more and more excited as he talked, completely unaware of Mu Jinchen standing beside him, who was radiating coldness and had a very gloomy face. Finally, he couldn't help but say, "Didn't we say we came to release river lanterns?"

"There's no rush, we can put it in later," Mu Xinchen said casually.

Mu Jinchen didn't want to hear any more about those young masters, so he got up and left.

"The Regent is... angry," Su Haoyu said with some concern.

"It's okay, he's just like that, don't worry about him," he said, and then continued talking to Su Qianrou.

Su Qianrou had no interest in listening to him. Seeing Mu Jinchen leave, she stood up as well. "Your Highness has said so much, you must be hungry. Your Highness should eat something first. Xiaoyu, you stay here with Your Highness. I'm going out for some fresh air."

"Okay," Su Haoyu replied.

Then, Su Qianrou went out.

After coming out, I saw Mu Jinchen standing at the bow of the boat. For some reason, I felt that his back looked a little lonely, so I went over and asked, "What is Your Highness thinking about?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Jinchen turned to look at her and asked, "Why are you out here too?"

"It's too stuffy inside, I came out for some fresh air."

Suddenly, the boat rocked, and Su Qianrou lost her balance and almost fell. Fortunately, Mu Jinchen reacted quickly and caught her in time.

"Are you alright?"

"fine".

"Sit down and talk."

"it is good".

Mu Jinchen first helped her sit down, and then sat down next to her. The two sat side by side on the bow of the boat, quietly watching the boats drifting in the distance and the river lanterns floating on the waves.

After a while, Mu Jinchen asked, "Xinchen just said so much, is there anyone you like?"

"There is no such thing as whether you like someone or not, only whether you are suitable or not."

"Is there a suitable one?"

"I don't know, we've never spent time together."

"Last time you said you wanted to be with one person for life."

"Well, it's just a thought."

Why?

"Your Highness is well-informed; have you ever seen a man who has only one wife and no concubines?"

"Have".

"Who is it?" Su Qianrou was surprised that there really was someone, so she looked at him curiously.

"Xiao Yan".

"That's because the prince consort can't take concubines, okay? If he could, he'd probably have a whole harem by now," she said, then asked, "Has Your Highness ever heard this saying?"

"What".

"Men's words are deceitful. At first, they swear that you are the only one in their life, but in a few years, they throw their vows to the back of their minds and take concubines one after another. In the end, all the vows they made were just a pipe dream."

"If that were the case, what would you do?"

"Those who abandon me should not be kept. Since he has already given up on our relationship, why should I linger? If I can leave, then I will leave. If I cannot, then I will settle down in a corner and live my own life."

"You're quite optimistic."

"What else can you do? Why force yourself into becoming a resentful woman, making yourself unpleasant and giving others no peace of mind?"

"If everyone could be as open-minded as you are, that would be wonderful."

"Life is short, only a few decades. Enjoy each day as it comes."

Mu Jinchen looked at her without saying a word.

Su Qianrou looked at the ships ahead, lost in thought.

Suddenly, Su Haoyu's voice came from behind, "Sister."

Mu Jinchen then looked away.

Su Haoyu sat down next to Su Qianrou and said, "Sister, let's release river lanterns."

"it is good".

Mu Xinchen then walked over and sat down next to Mu Jinchen.

Su Haoyu handed Su Qianrou a river lantern, "Sister, this is for you."

Su Qianrou took it.

Su Haoyu asked, "Sis, have you decided what you want to wish for?"

"I have no wishes."

"That won't do. You need to think of something."

“Miss Su, how about I think of one for you, and you can agree to it, hoping to marry a good husband next year.”

"The Crown Prince really wants me to get married."

"No, it's not that. I'm just curious and want to see who Miss Su will marry in the end."

"I'm quite curious too."

"What are you curious about?"

"I'm curious who the Crown Prince will marry in the end. If I remember correctly, the Crown Prince will be eighteen after tonight. I wonder who is so lucky to marry him."

"Um, well, I'm not in a hurry. Fifth Brother will be twenty-four next year, and he's not in a hurry, so why should I be? Right, Fifth Brother?"

Mu Jinchen ignored him.

Su Qianrou didn't say anything more.

"Sister, let me help you release the river lantern."

"it is good".

As Su Qianrou watched the river lanterns slowly drift away, her thoughts drifted away as well.

Mu Jinchen also looked at her river lantern, but it was unclear what he was thinking.

It wasn't until fireworks were set off on the shore that their thoughts were brought back to reality.

"Sis, look, fireworks!"

Colorful fireworks bloomed in the night sky, like beautiful flower petals, a truly breathtaking sight.

This also means that a brand new year has officially begun.

Looking at the dazzling fireworks before her, Su Qianrou suddenly said, "Your Highness, Happy New Year."

Mu Jinchen paused for a moment, then said, "Happy New Year."

No one expected that their first blessing of the year would be given to each other.