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

Mo Ting continued to review memorials with his head down, ignoring the Empress Dowager. If the Empress Dowager hadn't summoned the Emperor away last time, he would have already successfully won the Emperor's favor! Why would he have been in a cold war with the Emperor for so long…

The Empress Dowager frowned, about to get angry, but was interrupted by Jiang Qingyan, "Mother, please calm down. The affairs of the court have been very busy lately, and I have not been able to handle them all, so I asked the Regent for help. The Regent is just too serious. Mother, you are beautiful and kind-hearted, so please don't hold it against him!"

A question mark slowly appeared in Mo Ting's mind. Did the Emperor really say those words? When did she become so close to the Empress Dowager? He was speechless for a moment and continued to review the memorials.

The Empress Dowager's anger subsided upon hearing this. It was rare for the Emperor to be so obedient, so she decided not to stoop to Mo Ting's level. In any case, she would get rid of him sooner or later anyway.

"I heard that the former princess of the Southern Frontier will be formally conferred the title of Zhaoyi, a third-rank official, with the title of Shun. I wonder what the Emperor plans to do in the future?" The Empress Dowager put down her teacup and stared at Jiang Qingyan.

Jiang Qingyan quickly refilled the Empress Dowager's teacup and sat on the other side of the couch, explaining, "Mother, don't worry. I just wanted to appease the people of the Southern Frontier. But I also appointed Ning Ruyu as Consort Wen, which puts her in a better position."

The Empress Dowager nodded and then asked, "What are the Emperor's thoughts on Consort Wen? Why was she the one chosen to receive the title?"

Mo Ting paused, his hand holding the pen still, waiting intently for Jiang Qingyan's answer, which was also what he wanted to ask.

Jiang Qingyan picked up an orange from the table, peeled it casually, handed it to the Empress Dowager, and said with a light laugh, "Has Mother forgotten my identity? What thoughts could I possibly have? It's just that Consort Ning is very obedient."

Hearing this answer, Mo Ting smiled with satisfaction, and her mood improved greatly. It turned out that the emperor did not dote on her because he loved her, but because she was easy to control.

The Empress Dowager took the orange, her slightly furrowed brows relaxed a little, and her tone became much calmer. "If that's the case, then I already know what to do. But the Emperor must be careful, after all, Gulimi and you have a deep-seated hatred for each other, and she will definitely make some moves when she enters the palace this time."

Jiang Qingyan patted the Empress Dowager's hand and comforted her, "Mother, there's no need to worry. I know what I'm doing."

Hearing Jiang Qingyan's words, the Empress Dowager was no longer worried. She rose to leave, but then glanced at Mo Ting indifferently and said coldly:

"Since the Regent is so interested in politics, then he should stay away from the inner palace." With that, he strode away from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Respectfully seeing off the Empress Dowager." Jiang Qingyan bowed politely to the Empress Dowager's retreating figure.

We managed to get through it, thankfully the old woman didn't lose her temper today!

Seeing that the Empress Dowager's figure had disappeared, Jiang Qingyan quickly turned around to look at Mo Ting. Seeing that his expression had not changed, she felt relieved and then walked to his side and took his arm.

"Mo Ting, don't bother with that old woman. You still have to come to the harem. I miss you." Jiang Qingyan said with a smile, looking at Mo Ting's face.

Mo Ting's lips curled up slightly, revealing a doting smile. "Your subject obeys the decree."

He reached out and gently stroked Jiang Qingyan's cheek. "Your Majesty, rest assured, I know what to do."

A hint of cunning flashed in Jiang Qingyan's eyes. "That's good. But... tonight I'm going to choose you, so you absolutely have to come."

Mo Ting's ears turned slightly red, and his heart started beating a little faster. But then he suddenly remembered something, quickly removed his hand from Jiang Qingyan's face, and his tone returned to its icy coldness.

"His Majesty said the same thing yesterday, but I have not received a summons from Eunuch Wang."

Jiang Qingyan looked embarrassed and stammered, "Ah... this... that... it's because you said you didn't want to, and I didn't want to force you, so..."

Mo Ting turned his face away and snorted coldly, "Hmph, what about the day before yesterday?"

The day before yesterday? Jiang Qingyan was completely confused. The day before yesterday, she was in the inn, unable to sleep and thinking about him! Although… she was worried that he would find out she had left the palace…

Before Jiang Qingyan could react, Mo Ting strode away from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, leaving behind a sheet of Xuan paper covered in densely packed small characters…

Jiang Qingyan picked up the Xuan paper, completely bewildered. "Seven?"

Why did Mo Ting write so many "sevens"? Seven stars shining brightly? Seven voices talking at once? A chaotic mess? Seven wolves? Could it be… the Seven Fairies?

Before she knew it, it was time to choose a nameplate again. Jiang Qingyan glanced at the tray full of green nameplates and then directly instructed Eunuch Wang, "Go to the Regent's Palace and convey my decree that I summon the Regent to my bedchamber tonight."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I'll go right away." Eunuch Wang was exasperated. Wasn't the Emperor and the Regent in a cold war? How come they made up after just approving a memorial together?

Meanwhile, at the Regent's Palace, Mo Ting had prepared bathwater early and paced anxiously in the room. Finally, he heard the sound he had been waiting for.

"Your Majesty, heed the decree: Tonight, His Majesty summons you to the palace to serve him in bed." The eunuch announced this and then turned to leave. Since it was merely a verbal order, there was no need for the Regent to kowtow and accept it.

Mo Ting's heart skipped a beat, and a smile appeared on his face. He quickly took off his clothes and stepped into the bathtub.

The bathwater was still fragrant with rose petals…

Thinking of the longing he had felt during this time, Mo Ting breathed a slight sigh of relief. He had finally waited for this day again, and he hoped that there would be no other unexpected events to disrupt his good time with the Emperor.

Inside the Chaoyang Palace, Jiang Qingyan had already taken a bath and changed into a comfortable bright red undergarment. Her long, black hair was casually draped over her waist, making her look exceptionally alluring.

She planned to reveal her true identity to Mo Ting today, and then give herself to him completely. After all this time, she was certain that Mo Ting was sincere towards her, and that even knowing her true identity, he wouldn't harm her.

Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice came from behind, "Your Majesty, I've missed you..."

Jiang Qingyan turned around abruptly—it was Lu Nian! He had actually sneaked into the palace and even went to her bedchamber!

Jiang Qingyan was very surprised and quickly ran over to hug him, her voice full of excitement, "Lu Nian, why are you here? I missed you too!"

Looking at Jiang Qingyan's face, Lu Nian noticed something different about her today; she seemed even more stunningly beautiful, like a woman...

He then wrapped his arms around Jiang Qingyan's waist, lowered his head, and kissed her lips, sucking gently, his tongue probing deeply and aggressively...

Their tongues intertwined for a long time before reluctantly separating. Jiang Qingyan looked up into Lu Nian's eyes and asked softly, "Lu Nian, is your injury fully healed?"

Lu Nian nodded, then gently kissed Jiang Qingyan's forehead. Suddenly, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes. He murmured, "His Majesty said he would make a green plaque for me after returning to the palace, but I have waited for a long time and it has not arrived. So I have come to ask His Majesty for it in person..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qingyan's lips curled into a mischievous smile, and she teased, "Oh? Our Jade-Faced Yama General Lu is in a hurry to serve you in bed?"

Lu Nian blushed slightly. He did not deny it. "Yes, Your Majesty, I am anxious. I also want to enter the palace to serve Your Majesty openly and legitimately, just like the Regent."

Jiang Qingyan nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly froze... Wait! The Regent? Judging by the time, Mo Ting should be arriving soon, right? She had just managed to appease him; she couldn't let him discover Lu Nian!