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

"Your Majesty, the people in the city have reacted very well to your recapture of the southern border, praising your wisdom repeatedly!" Grand Censor Zhang cupped his hands, his face beaming.

"Yes, Your Majesty's might is being praised everywhere in restaurants and teahouses when I returned to my residence yesterday!" Governor Xu of Shangzhou quickly echoed.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qingyan proudly raised her head, her face full of pride.

At this moment, a slightly overweight middle-aged man in his forties strode in, knelt down respectfully, and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant, Xuan Ce of the Imperial Observatory, greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

The Imperial Observatory? Jiang Qingyan narrowed her eyes, carefully examining the people below the stage. Was this the old scoundrel who talked nonsense and spread alarmist rumors every day? His presence here today was definitely not for anything good!

Seeing that Jiang Qingyan didn't react, Eunuch Wang quickly coughed lightly at her, signaling her to let Xuan Ce get up first.

Jiang Qingyan rolled her eyes at Eunuch Wang and said coldly, "Rise. May I ask what brings Minister Xuan here today?"

Xuan Ce stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Majesty, last night I observed the celestial phenomena and saw the Purple Star move slightly. This is an auspicious sign! It indicates that Your Majesty will rule the world for thousands of years!"

Jiang Qingyan was somewhat surprised that this old rascal had brought good news today, so she softened her tone slightly, "Oh? I remember you once predicted that I needed to have a child in the harem this year."

Xuan Ce shook his head and quickly explained, "Your Majesty, the celestial phenomena have changed. If from this moment on, all power returns to Your Majesty's hands, this situation can be resolved!"

Jiang Qingyan asked with great interest, "Is this really true?"

"This is utter nonsense!" Before Xuan Ce could answer, Mo Ting's cold voice suddenly rang out, and all the ministers present held their breath.

Jiang Qingyan's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly turned to look at Mo Ting. Why was he reacting so strongly? Could it be that he had already tasted the power and was unwilling to let go?

"Could it be that the Regent has been holding power for too long and has come to regard himself as the ruler of the world?" Imperial Censor Zhang Zhongyi looked at Mo Ting on the platform with neither arrogance nor servility and said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Mo Ting glanced at him sideways and said in a deep voice, "I eat the king's food, bear the king's worries, and do my duty to the king. I have a clear conscience."

“What a fine statement of having a clear conscience! In that case, the Regent shall relinquish his position and return power to His Majesty!” Zhang Zhongyi’s gaze was fixed on Mo Ting.

"His Majesty is young and not yet familiar with many political affairs. I will need to guide him further. When the time is right, I will take my leave," Mo Ting said calmly.

Zhang Zhongyi did not back down at all and continued, "The late emperor was able to handle state affairs on his own at the age of sixteen. The current emperor is already eighteen years old and has the merit of recovering the southern border. He is no less capable than the late emperor. I believe that Your Majesty is already capable of handling state affairs on your own."

Seeing that the situation was in his favor, Xuan Ce quickly added, "Your Majesty, if we cannot regain power now, then we can only follow the celestial signs from four months ago... Now there are only eight months left. If there is still no pregnancy in the harem, then..."

Jiang Qingyan watched Mo Ting's retreating figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions. What was he thinking? Did he value power more than her, Jiang Qingyan,?

"Since the Imperial Observatory has said so, then Your Majesty should be sensible and remove your court robes to leave!"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned around repeatedly. It was the Empress Dowager! The Empress Dowager had actually come to the Hall of Supreme Harmony...

Upon seeing that the person who arrived was the Empress Dowager, Jiang Qingyan frowned. Could it be that this old woman was going to battle Mo Ting in the court? Was she going to seize power with just her words?

Mo Ting's expression changed slightly, then a bitter smile appeared on his lips. He turned to look at Jiang Qingyan and said in a deep voice, "Is this also His Majesty's will?"

Faced with Mo Ting's direct questioning, Jiang Qingyan was taken aback for a moment, then said with a slight smile, "Actually, I've grown up. I can handle many things on my own now. If there's anything I don't understand in the future, I can always ask you for advice, right?"

Mo Ting stared at Jiang Qingyan's eyes for a long time, then sneered, "Heh, very well, since it is His Majesty's will, then I will take my leave."

After saying this, he took off the crown that symbolized power from his head and threw it on the ground. His long, black hair then fell to his waist, making him look particularly lonely.

Mo Ting turned around expressionlessly, his eyes slightly red, and strode away from the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

At this moment, Jiang Qingyan stared at Mo Ting's departing figure, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart. However, the matter was already settled, and besides, the return of power was only a matter of time. It was better to end it quickly than to suffer for a long time... She would go to his residence after court and comfort him.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Empress Dowager Rui left the Hall of Supreme Harmony with satisfaction.

After finally enduring the court session, Jiang Qingyan felt as if every second was an eternity. She was about to change out of her court robes and leave the palace to find Mo Ting when she suddenly remembered that she needed to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. So, she suppressed her inner turmoil and went to Yongshou Palace first.

"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects." Jiang Qingyan entered the palace with a forced smile on her face.

The Empress Dowager glanced at her, gesturing for her to come and sit down, and said with a smile, "Today's events went very smoothly. From now on, all the power in the court will be in the hands of the Emperor. The Emperor should be aware of this."

Jiang Qingyan nodded, "I will certainly work even harder in the future and make more achievements for Da'an!"

The Empress Dowager sneered: "Ha, political achievements? With your abilities? I never dared to hope for that. I only ask that the Emperor's identity not be discovered so that I can enjoy my old age in peace."

Jiang Qingyan was speechless. This old woman was like a toad crawling on her feet—it didn't bite, but it disgusted her.

"By the way, Zhang Zhongyi has done a great service today. Tonight, you may summon his daughter to serve you in bed," the Empress Dowager said casually.

No, is this old woman crazy? She knows she's a woman, yet she still makes her summon that beauty to sleep with her?

Of course, the Empress Dowager knew the original owner's methods of summoning concubines to the bedchamber. Even if she was dressed perfectly, she could not reveal any flaws. The concubines just thought she was a pervert with strange fetishes.

Thinking she needed to find Mo Ting as soon as possible, Jiang Qingyan gave a perfunctory reply and made an excuse to leave.

"Old Wang, prepare some casual clothes for me. I need to go to the Regent's Palace," Jiang Qingyan whispered to the eunuch beside her.

"Yes, Your Majesty, do you also want something high-end, classy, ​​understated yet luxurious with substance?" Eunuch Wang fawned.

Jiang Qingyan smiled and gave him a thumbs up. She was getting more and more satisfied with the old man!

Soon, the palace maids carried a royal blue robe to Chaoyang Palace and carefully dressed Jiang Qingyan in it.

Jiang Qingyan nodded in satisfaction at herself in the mirror. "Old Wang, your taste has been getting better and better lately. You deserve a reward! Just name what you want, and I'll grant it to you!"

Eunuch Wang, bowing slightly, smiled so much that his eyes narrowed into slits when he heard Jiang Qingyan's praise. "Oh, Your Majesty, you flatter me. This servant doesn't want anything, I just want to follow behind Your Majesty and serve you!"

Jiang Qingyan turned around, raised an eyebrow, and looked at Eunuch Wang, asking doubtfully, "Really, you don't want anything?"

Eunuch Wang nodded and said with a smile, "As long as His Majesty uses this servant, it is the greatest favor to this servant!"

Seeing Wang Gonggong's serious expression, Jiang Qingyan felt a warmth in her heart. Wang Gonggong was probably the only person here who had been loyal to her from beginning to end.