Having many handsome men means no worries; pampering them all keeps me in good spirits.

Mo Ting bent down, pinched Jiang Qingyan's chin, and pulled it to the left. After confirming that her right cheek was unharmed, he relaxed and said softly, "Don't worry, there's no injury on your face."

After saying that, he took out a jade bottle with a bright green color from his sleeve, opened the lid, picked out a little white paste with his fingertip, rubbed it in his palm, and then placed his large hand directly on Jiang Qingyan's right cheek... It was cool and very comfortable...

A complex emotion flashed in Jiang Qingyan's eyes, but the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, her smile somewhat forced. "I was slapped because of the Regent. How will the Regent compensate me?"

Mo Ting pursed his lips, and the large hand he had been holding on Jiang Qingyan's right cheek froze for a moment. Because of him? It was clearly the Emperor who accused the Empress Dowager of keeping a male favorite, and one who was quite old; how could she possibly like hearing that?

However… the Empress Dowager went to the Chaoyang Palace to find the Emperor to question him about his affair with the Emperor… which led to what happened later, so in the end, it was related to him too…

Mo Ting did not refute, but simply looked at Jiang Qingyan quietly, "I wonder how Your Majesty wishes to make amends?"

Jiang Qingyan smiled, wrapped her arms around Mo Ting's neck, breathed warm air into his ear, and whispered, "Kiss me."

Mo Ting's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected the Emperor to make such a request, and his mind involuntarily drifted back to everything that had happened the previous night, instantly turning his ears red...

Seeing that Mo Ting didn't speak, Jiang Qingyan simply looked up and kissed him, though not as passionately as last night...

She gently kissed Mo Ting's lips, staring intently into his eyes, then revealed a mischievous smile: "So, will the Regent... still come to serve you in bed?"

Mo Ting, still reeling from the kiss, bent over and stared blankly at Jiang Qingyan. "If His Majesty summons me... I dare not disobey..."

Mo Ting's voice was very low, as low as a mosquito's buzz; he didn't even know what he was saying...

Jiang Qingyan was quite satisfied with his answer and continued to tease him, "Alright, then let the Imperial Household Department make you a green plaque."

"..."

Mo Ting didn't answer. If he really accepted the position of Green Head Plaque, he would truly become a member of the Emperor's harem... But if he refused to become a Green Head Plaque, what status would he have when he served the Emperor in bed...?

Wait…serving him in bed? He's actually thinking about serving him in bed in the future? What is he expecting? Mo Ting quickly took a deep breath and slowly exhaled… to calm himself down a bit…

Seeing that Mo Ting's attitude towards her had changed a lot, Jiang Qingyan's suspicions gradually decreased. It should have been a happy thing, but when she thought of the Empress Dowager's deadly appearance, Jiang Qingyan felt a surge of irritation. She was too lazy to tease him, pushed away the large hand on her right cheek, turned her head and continued to pick up the comprehension document and read it carefully.

Although most of the memorials were filled with ministers' flattery and empty talk, there were also occasional trivial matters, just like during the morning court session, which gave her a headache.

But approving memorials is, after all, her job as emperor. If she keeps leaving it to the regent, how can she gain the respect of the people?

Jiang Qingyan pinched the bridge of her nose, silently cheering herself on: Go Jiang Qingyan! Persistence pays off! You're the epitome of a hardworking worker!

Mo Ting's expression changed slightly. He straightened up, his eyes regaining their usual coldness. He took a step back, bowed, and said calmly, "Your Majesty, I have important matters to attend to and must take my leave." With that, he turned and left, leaving Jiang Qingyan alone on the dragon throne.

Jiang Qingyan watched his departing figure, a slight smile playing on her lips. She thought to herself, "This Mo Ting is really interesting, changing his tune every now and then. Now that I know he has no ambition for the throne, I should get to know him better."

I remember back in a bar, a woman who was experienced in love once told me that the more handsome a man is, the easier he is to pursue. As long as you are aggressive, you can easily win him over!

Now it seems... what that older sister said was actually right!

Days passed by like this, one after another. Every day, besides getting up at dawn to attend court, paying respects to the Empress Dowager, and then returning to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to review memorials, he would spend his time choosing places to eat and sleep in the inner palace...

Of course, every day she would still have to choose a concubine to serve her in bed... Although it was just about sleeping under the covers, occasionally a few of the concubines would try their best to seduce her... and then a battle of wits would inevitably follow...

After lunch, Jiang Qingyan sat in the Hall of Mental Cultivation as usual, reviewing memorials. However, the Regent was no longer by her side, and she could now handle some simple political matters on her own.

At that moment, Eunuch Wang's voice came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, General Lu is requesting an audience outside the palace."

Jiang Qingyan pinched the bridge of her nose, calculating the days. Today was already the eighth day of the month, and Lu Nian should be setting off for the Southern Frontier tomorrow...

"Let him in."

Jiang Qingyan closed the folded document, slowly raised her head, and her gaze met that of Lu Nian who had just entered the room. What a handsome face he had! She couldn't help but smile slightly: "General Lu, there's no need for you to bow. Please sit down next to me."

Jiang Qingyan shifted her position slightly to the side, creating a small space on the dragon throne, just enough for one more person to sit, although... it was a bit cramped...

Lu Nian paused, a slight blush creeping up her ears, and her heart inexplicably started beating a little faster…

Although the emperor said that, the proper etiquette between ruler and subject cannot be disregarded, and besides, he really doesn't like men...!

Lu Nian didn't continue following Jiang Qingyan's words. Instead, she casually bowed respectfully, but didn't sit down next to Jiang Qingyan. She calmly said:

"Your Majesty, I will be departing for the southern border tomorrow. I have come to request an imperial edict to mobilize the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Jiang Qingyan slapped her forehead. Oh dear! She had completely forgotten about that. The Embroidered Uniform Guard only ever looked at imperial edicts. How could a general just summon them away like that? But this imperial edict… it could be written… but the imperial seal was with Mo Ting… Without the imperial seal, this imperial edict probably wouldn’t be very effective, right?

Jiang Qingyan's eyes darted around. She couldn't let Lu Nian know that she had been keeping it a secret from the Regent for the time being. She had to think of a way to get the Imperial Seal... After thinking for a moment, she said, "I don't have time to write it now. Come and get the imperial edict from me tonight!"

The reason is a bit far-fetched... but that's all we can say for now. Let's just get by for now...

Seeing Jiang Qingyan's expression, Lu Nian understood that this matter was still being kept from the Regent. However, he didn't expose him. Since the Emperor had asked him to come again at night, he must already have a plan in mind.

"Then I will come again tonight. I will take my leave now!"

Lu Nian cupped his hands in greeting and turned to leave.

"Come back. Did I say you could leave?" Jiang Qingyan frowned slightly, her tone tinged with displeasure. Why is Lu Nian so wooden? He has absolutely no romance.

Lu Nian paused, turned around, and cupped his hands, saying, "I wonder if Your Majesty has any further instructions for this humble subject?"

Jiang Qingyan patted the empty seat next to her and commanded, "Come here and sit next to me."