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

"Then I shall bestow upon her the title of Zhaoyi and the honorific name Shun," Jiang Qingyan added. "Shun means that she shall be obedient to me and submit to me with utmost deference!"

The ministers were speechless. The emperor either didn't bestow titles properly, or he did bestow one as a third-rank Zhaoyi, with a title!

Thinking of his daughter, who had only been in the palace for four months and was still just an eighth-rank beauty, Lord Ning sighed inwardly… If Consort Shun was truly as beautiful as rumored, his daughter would likely have no future…

Jiang Qingyan saw through Old Man Ning's thoughts at a glance, a slight smile playing on her lips, and continued speaking to the court officials:

"Furthermore, I have another matter to announce. Consort Ning Ruyu is very much to my liking, so I will make an exception and promote her to the rank of Consort, bestowing upon her the title of Wen." Of course, no explanation is needed; Wen means gentle and kind to others, and Wen is very gentle to her!

A sudden uproar erupted from the audience…

"Ning Ruyu is just a mere eighth-rank beauty. She has only been in the palace for four months, has no achievements, and has not given birth. How could she leap fourteen ranks and be directly promoted to the second-rank concubine? This is really against the rules!" Grand Master Song muttered in dissatisfaction.

Lord Ning, who was still stunned by this sudden surprise, immediately tightened his lips upon hearing these words and said coldly:

“My daughter has been proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting since childhood, and is also well-versed in the virtues and teachings of women. What is wrong with making her a concubine?”

Lord Song cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said humbly to Lord Ning, "Lord Ning, please calm your anger. I didn't mean to say that Consort Ning was bad; I just feel that such a rapid promotion of fourteen ranks is truly unprecedented..."

Lord Ning glanced at him and snorted coldly, "Hmph, if His Majesty were bestowing titles upon your daughter today, would you still say such things?"

Lord Song was momentarily speechless... He was indeed being a bit like a sour grapes...

"Alright, I'm just informing you, not discussing this with you. Enough with the nonsense!" Jiang Qingyan sat on the dragon throne, listening impatiently to the ministers' endless debate. Suddenly remembering something, she added:

"By the way, General Lu once submitted a memorial saying that he had rescued a female physician by chance in the southern border. She was also very pretty. He said he would bring her into the palace tomorrow to be my personal lady-in-waiting."

He then glanced at the eunuch beside him and said, "Old Wang, immediately issue an imperial decree to inform the six palaces that the investiture ceremony will be held tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Mo Ting's expression grew even more somber... General Lu had submitted a memorial? How come he didn't know? Could it be that Lu Nian bypassed him and handed the memorial directly to the Emperor?

However… I thought the Emperor's favorite was Xia Meier, who had sex with him seven times in one night, but I never expected it to be Ning Ruyu, the one who stole his night with him last time… What a Ning Ruyu, seemingly unassuming and gentle, but I never expected her to be so cunning…

Mo Ting felt a surge of irritation. Ignoring the expectant gazes of the ministers, he stood silently in the hall.

Even after the court session ended, Mo Ting didn't glance at Jiang Qingyan once. He strode down the steps and was about to leave when Jiang Qingyan quickly called out to him, "Mo Ting, wait, I have something to say to you..."

Mo Ting paused, but did not turn around or respond.

Jiang Qingyan quickly got up and ran over, grabbing Mo Ting's hand and pleading, "I know I was wrong, can you please not be angry with me anymore? Let's end our cold war! I miss you so much..."

Mo Ting snorted coldly and forcefully shook off Jiang Qingyan's hand. "Your Majesty is the sovereign, while I am but a mere subject. How dare I ask Your Majesty to condescend to such a high position?"

Jiang Qingyan looked embarrassed, but quickly smiled again. "Mo Ting, please don't be angry anymore. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have ignored your feelings. I'll take better care of you from now on, okay?"

Mo Ting was slightly tempted, but still kept a straight face and said, "No need! Let's save the Emperor's concern for the women in the harem."

Jiang Qingyan was speechless. How could this man be even more petty than a woman? Helpless, she had no choice but to change the subject, "I haven't reviewed memorials for a long time, so I'm a bit rusty. Please come with me to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to review the memorials."

Mo Ting then nodded and said, "Okay."

After so many awkward days, Mo Ting actually missed Jiang Qingyan a lot, so he decided to give her a way out.

Seeing this, Jiang Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief, took Mo Ting's hand and smiled, "Then let's go have breakfast first?"

Mo Ting nodded, and the two left hand in hand, temporarily calming down a minor disturbance.

Upon arriving at Chaoyang Palace, Eunuch Wang had already ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare a sumptuous breakfast. Jiang Qingyan had a hearty appetite, immediately grabbing a steamed bun and stuffing it into her mouth, then picking up another and handing it to Mo Ting.

Mo Ting paused for a moment, then took the steamed bun from Jiang Qingyan's hand, staring blankly at her. How long has His Majesty been hungry? Why is he wolfing it down so greedily?

Little did he know that Jiang Qingyan was in a great mood because he was by her side, which was why she had such a big appetite.

After having breakfast, the two arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Looking at the familiar dragon throne, the familiar documents on the table, and the familiar man beside her, Jiang Qingyan was instantly filled with emotion. This feeling was so reassuring!

He then casually picked up a folded document, opened it, and carefully reviewed it, his eyes occasionally glancing in Mo Ting's direction.

Feeling Jiang Qingyan's gaze, Mo Ting coughed lightly, embarrassed, and a smile appeared on his lips. How could he not miss this kind of life?

"Oh no! I forgot to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager again!" Jiang Qingyan slapped her forehead, dumbfounded.

Last time she forgot to pay her respects, the Empress Dowager stormed into the Chaoyang Palace and even slapped her... although it was because she had spoken rudely first...

"The Emperor is working very hard today." As soon as you speak of the devil, Empress Dowager Rui, swaying her slightly plump body, slowly walked into the main hall with the help of Yin Xing.

Eunuch Wang was dozing off and hadn't even realized what was happening when he saw the Empress Dowager's back as she entered the hall... He quickly followed her in, saying, "Your Majesty, this servant deserves to die! I didn't even notice the Empress Dowager had entered and failed to announce her arrival. Please forgive me!"

Jiang Qingyan waved her hand, signaling him to leave first. Even if he reported it, he could only report half of it, and he couldn't stop this old woman anyway!

"Look at my brain! I was so focused on handling state affairs that I forgot to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. I really deserve to be punished." Jiang Qingyan got up from the dragon throne with an embarrassed smile, walked to the Empress Dowager's side, took her other arm, and helped her sit down on the small couch. He then poured her a cup of tea.

In fact, Jiang Qingyan had already figured it out. A small act of impatience could ruin a big plan. Since this old woman could act on her whim, she must have considerable influence in the court, and it was not to be underestimated...

Now that he knew there was no benefit in going against the Empress Dowager, he might as well keep a low profile for now, and after figuring out the Empress Dowager's faction, slowly dismantle them one by one...

The Empress Dowager picked up her teacup, took a sip, and then fixed her gaze on Mo Ting, who was still sitting to the side, head down, reviewing memorials. She said with displeasure, "This Regent is even more serious than the Emperor. I've been here for so long and haven't even paid my respects."