Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"What did you say? I..."

Shen Lang was stunned, looking at Jiang Mengxuan in disbelief.

Jiang Mengxuan lay on her side, a faint smile always on her face, her other hand occasionally resting on her lower abdomen.

"Ah."

A soft murmur gave Shen Lang an affirmative answer.

"real……"

Shen Lang was so excited that he rushed towards Jiang Mengxuan.

"Be careful."

Unexpectedly, Jiang Mengxuan gave a coquettish cry, raised her leg and pressed her jade toes against Shen Lang's lower abdomen, reminding him with a dreamy expression.

"Don't be in such a hurry. You're about to become a father. Be more mature."

"okay."

Holding the Empress's jade-like feet, Shen Lang slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, gently stroking the soles of her feet, his face filled with excitement.

"How old is the child?"

"The imperial physician said it's been almost a month. Counting the days, it's the day we return."

At this point, Jiang Mengxuan's face was filled with shyness.

She never imagined that she would be so unrestrained and bold that day, taking that step.

Shen Lang gave an awkward smile: "Don't worry, it won't happen again."

Jiang Mengxuan shook her head: "No, I didn't mean to blame you, A Lang. I've heard that pregnant women are often very irritable. I'm afraid that if I were to do something to hurt you, it would break your heart."

Shen Lang gently stroked Jiang Mengxuan's cheek and replied softly, "Don't you know what kind of personality I have?"

Don't think about anything, just stay here and focus on your pregnancy. No one has hurt me yet.

As she spoke, she leaned down to Jiang Mengxuan's belly and listened intently: "I wonder what our child is doing right now."

Jiang Mengxuan was instantly amused by Shen Lang's expression: "It's only been a month, how could you have heard that?"

"I can hear you, this is my child."

As Shen Lang spoke, he gently stroked his belly, making Jiang Mengxuan both laugh and cry.

After a tender moment, Jiang Mengxuan asked Shen Lang to help her sit up and then said, "Ah Lang, I'm pregnant now, and there are some things I need to tell you properly."

Shen Lang: "Xuan'er, you speak, I'm listening."

Jiang Mengxuan: "My first priority is to focus on my pregnancy. I plan to entrust you with handling matters both inside and outside the court."

I will issue a decree later, appointing you as regent. Don't refuse; you wouldn't want your wife to be so busy every day while heavily pregnant, would you?

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang felt helpless.

Although it's her first time becoming a father, most women shouldn't have any problems during the first few months of pregnancy.

Of course, this cannot be said, much less refused.

"Yes, no problem. I will temporarily handle all affairs inside and outside the court for you until you recover after childbirth."

Hearing Shen Lang say this, Jiang Mengxuan felt relieved.

Jiang Mengxuan would not entrust such power to anyone else, not even Jiang Shangxian, but she trusts Shen Lang unconditionally, only fearing that he might not accept it.

"Secondly, Ah Lang, during my pregnancy, you can't go to see other women. If you need anything, you have to tell me, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang's eyes immediately darkened: "Xuan'er, what nonsense are you talking about? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

Jiang Mengxuan: "Of course I believe Ah Lang isn't that kind of person, but I've seen too many situations like this."

Originally a loving couple, their relationship soured after the wife became pregnant and the husband had an affair.

This is true for commoner families and imperial palaces alike. I'm just afraid that Ah Lang might not be able to bear the loneliness... so..."

"Don't worry, this kind of thing won't happen to you or me. Lie down first."

Shen Lang knew Jiang Mengxuan was worried, so he gently comforted her for a few moments before covering her with the blanket.

"You said it yourself, if you don't let me be regent during this period, I'll be too busy to even think about these things."

But Jiang Mengxuan couldn't help but grab his hand: "Alang, I'm just thinking these kinds of things because I care about you so much. If you really can't help it..."

Shen Lang interrupted her, "Don't worry, nothing like that happened. You are the only woman I've ever had in my life. If you won't betray me, I naturally won't betray you either."

If you're having affairs because your wife is pregnant, then it's not true love. You should stay here and focus on your pregnancy. I look forward to seeing a peaceful and prosperous world when our child is born safely.

Meeting the man's determined gaze, Jiang Mengxuan smiled and nodded.

……

The next day, the news that the Empress was pregnant spread instantly throughout the palace and then quickly throughout the capital.

The entire court and the people were filled with joy. The Chu Kingdom had enjoyed favorable weather and abundant harvests in recent years, and now that the Empress was pregnant, all officials and commoners spontaneously went to the City God Temple to worship.

But at the same time, another piece of news, both praised and criticized, was announced to the world.

Shen Lang was appointed as regent. During the Empress's pregnancy, all affairs inside and outside the court were handled by the regent.

Shen Lang taking over the government was something that was expected.

But for the six ministries of the imperial court and the local governments, the days ahead are likely to be very difficult.

Opinions about Emperor Shen Lang have never been unified, regardless of social class or background.

The gentry of Jiangnan hated him to the core, members of the imperial family had been slandering him in private, and the traditional landlord class even denounced him as the greatest traitor of all time.

Even among ordinary people, there are those who criticize Shen Lang for being a gigolo, saying he climbed to his current position by currying favor with the Empress by staining the blood of people from other countries.

As for those Jianghu forces that had already submitted, needless to say, they all only regretted that Shen Lang was lucky, otherwise he would have been torn to pieces long ago.

However, some people believe that Shen Lang is a man of his word and acts in a unique way. He eliminated the chaos in the officialdom and gave the State of Chu a sense of revival.

However, regardless of whether they criticize him or praise him, they all agree on one thing.

That is, looking at the history of the Chu Kingdom, Shen Lang's life experience is absolutely unmatched.

This means that someone who has achieved great merit and overshadows their master is not far from facing the fate of being discarded like a hunting dog after the hunt is over.

At this moment, this key figure at the center of public opinion was holding a meeting in the Xuanzheng Hall.

"Prime Minister Ye, I am only doing this as a last-minute effort. During the period when His Majesty is recuperating, I will need your assistance as much as possible."

"Your Majesty is overthinking this. You represent His Majesty, and it is only natural for this old minister to assist you."

After the two old and young foxes exchanged a smile, Shen Lang asked directly, "The conflict between the Song and Jin dynasties seems unlikely to be resolved amicably."

Now that the war with Northern Yan has ended, the Jin state will inevitably shift its attention back to the south.

Given their character, they would absolutely not remain indifferent to the invasion of the Song army.

Therefore, I would like to hear what Ye Xiang has to say about this, and what Chu should do next.

Ye Mo: "The Regent knows far more about military matters than I do, so I will refrain from offering my own advice."

The situation between the Song and Jin dynasties will surely become clear within two months.

But this time, the State of Song is unlikely to be so lucky.

Shen Lang frowned: "Does Prime Minister Ye mean that once war resumes, the Song Kingdom will surely perish?"

Ye Mo nodded: "Unless my Chu Kingdom intervenes, even if a Great Luo Golden Immortal descends to earth, or even if a Divine Martial Realm expert reappears, it will not be able to change the fate of the Song Kingdom."

Shen Lang: "Then I don't know, Prime Minister Ye, what do you think Chu should do?"

Ye Mo did not answer directly, but smiled faintly: "That's a question for you, Duke Zhenguo, to answer. This old minister cannot speak carelessly."

"Ha ha……"