Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

After leaving the Longevity Palace, Mu Jinchen did not go to the Imperial Study, but returned to the Prince's Mansion.

Then he went to a pavilion and drank tea alone.

The pavilion sits by the pond, where fish swim freely and carefree, a sight that inspires envy. On the other side of the pond, there is an artificial hill with a babbling brook flowing from it, continuously merging into the pond. The blooming plum blossoms nearby are even more eye-catching.

Looking at it, Mu Jinchen couldn't help but think of the plum blossom cakes that Su Qianrou made. They were sweet but not greasy and very delicious. So he said, "Have someone send some plum blossom cakes over."

“Plum blossom cake, Your Highness, don’t you usually dislike these kinds of things?” Yingfeng said.

Mu Jinchen merely glanced at him indifferently and remained silent.

"I'll have someone send it over right away," Yingfeng said, and then went to make the arrangements.

As it turned out, Chang Le arrived before the plum blossom cakes did, and she was still wearing the same rose-red dress she had worn in the palace. It was obvious that she had come directly to the Regent's Palace after leaving the palace.

"Brother, what brings you to this tea-drinking spot today?"

"Why are you here instead of returning to the princess's residence?"

"Of course I have something to ask you," he said, walking over and sitting down.

"What could possibly happen to you?" Mu Jinchen said dismissively.

Chang Le asked with a playful expression, "You gave Qian Rou her title, didn't you?"

Mu Jinchen did not answer, which may have been his tacit agreement.

Then, Chang Le said, "Ping Le, Ping Le, peace and joy, Your Majesty, do you know about your little schemes...?" Her words were full of teasing.

Mu Jinchen remained silent and unresponsive, as if what he said had nothing to do with him.

"Brother, I'm not trying to be mean, but you really need to change your personality. Who would want to marry you? You're so cold and boring."

"My affairs are none of your concern."

"Do you think I enjoy worrying about this? It's because you're such a worry. Qianrou is beautiful and talented. Now that she's a princess, countless men want to marry her. If you continue to be indifferent, she'll be snatched away by someone else. Then you'll regret it."

Mu Jinchen remained silent.

At this moment, Yingfeng walked over with plum blossom cakes. He was somewhat surprised to see Chang Le there as well, and then bowed and said, "Greetings, Princess Chang Le."

"What did you take?"

"Your Highness, plum blossom cake."

"As expected of Shadow Guard, you are becoming more and more reliable in handling matters. Perfect timing, I'm hungry," she said, taking the plum blossom cake from his hand.

"No, Princess Chang Le, this is what the Prince wants."

"My elder brother knew I was coming, so he prepared this especially for me."

You're overthinking it.

"Then who is it prepared for?"

"This king."

"Don't you dislike eating these?"

"You have a problem with that?"

"No," Chang Le said, placing the pastries in front of him.

Mu Jinchen glanced at it; it wasn't quite what he remembered. But he still picked up a piece, took a bite, and unconsciously frowned. Then he put it down and didn't eat any more.

Chang Le and Ying Feng looked at each other simultaneously, both with puzzled expressions, wondering what was going on.

Yingfeng couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, aren't you going to eat?"

"Ok".

"Then we'll have to get you something else."

"no need".

Chang Le moved closer to Ying Feng and whispered, "Don't you think your prince is acting strange today?"

"Yes, and not just today, things have been strange lately."

"How so?" Chang Le asked curiously.

"that is……".

Neither of them noticed that they were now standing very close together, almost touching.

"Chang Le," Xiao Yan's voice came just as Ying Feng was about to say something.

Upon hearing this, Chang Le turned to look at him and saw him standing not far away, looking at her with a gloomy expression. She didn't know what was going on and asked innocently, "Why are you here?"

Xiao Yan didn't answer. He strode over, pulled her away from Ying Feng, and hugged her. Finally, he glared at Ying Feng.

Yingfeng then realized what was happening, and felt like crying. He thought to himself, "Oh no, my husband is such a jealous man, I'm doomed."

Chang Le was still completely bewildered, not knowing what was going on.

"Your Highness, I'll take Chang Le back with me now."

"Ok".

Then, Xiao Yan was about to leave with Chang Le in his arms.

Chang Le was still unwilling and stood still, saying, "Wait, I haven't finished listening yet." In the end, she was pulled away by Xiao Yan.

Yingfeng cried out helplessly, "Your Highness."

Mu Jinchen said coldly, "Serves you right."

"That was the princess who came over, not your subordinate..."

Mu Jinchen glanced at him.

Yingfeng immediately shut up, thinking to himself, "So many years have passed, and the prince consort is still this jealous."

At this time, he was unaware that his future prince would be even more outstanding than Xiao Yan.

Chaoxiyuan

For several days in a row, Liu Xiang came to visit. Even if there was nothing to talk about, she would still come to sit for a while, or engage in awkward small talk, just like now.

"When I came in just now, I saw a tree in my third cousin's yard, but I don't know what kind of tree it is."

"I don't know either."

"It looks like an osmanthus tree to me, but I don't know if it is."

"Maybe."

"If it's an osmanthus tree, when it blooms in autumn, my third cousin can have people pick the flowers to make osmanthus cake. It's delicious. Has my third cousin ever tried it?"

"Never".

"My third cousin can try it then. It's sweet, soft, and delicious."

"Ok".

Su Qianrou was clearly not in a good mood, but she seemed oblivious and kept talking.

Finally, Su Qianrou couldn't hold back any longer and said, "If Cousin Xiang'er has nothing else to do, please go back first. I have other things to take care of."

"Okay, I'll come again tomorrow."

"No need. It's a rare occasion for my cousin Xiang'er to come to the capital. She should go out and explore more."

"My third cousin doesn't welcome me."

"Of course not, it's just that my cousin Xiang'er has come all this way, there's no need for her to waste her time on me."

"No, I like chatting with my third cousin."

“But cousin Xiang’er can’t be biased, otherwise the other sisters will be sad, don’t you think?”

"Third cousin is right, Xiang'er understands."

Su Qianrou thought that this would make her leave, but to her surprise, she showed no intention of leaving at all, so she asked, "Cousin Xiang'er, is there anything else?"

Liu Xiang looked troubled, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Cousin Xiang'er, please speak freely."

"Um, third cousin, could I borrow your jewelry to wear for a while?"

Su Qianrou was at a loss for words.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Xiang explained, "Third cousin, don't misunderstand. As you know, I came from Lingnan and didn't bring much jewelry with me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been so shameless as to ask you for it. Don't worry, third cousin, I'll definitely return it to you as soon as I'm done using it."

Su Qianrou felt that this scene was familiar. Oh right, Su Wanshan had asked her for it in the same way before.