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

Upon hearing this, Lu Nian and Lin Zhijie, who were sitting below the stage, were both taken aback. The Emperor already had a candidate for Empress? Was it Consort Wen, who had jumped fourteen ranks directly from Beauty?

Others also discussed the matter, with Ning Ruyu being the most speculated candidate for Empress.

Jiang Qingyan coughed lightly, and the audience fell silent instantly. She solemnly announced, "My choice for Empress... is the former Regent, Mo Ting."

The audience erupted in uproar. Although everyone knew about the Emperor and Mo Ting's affair, how could the appointment of an Empress be treated like a child's play?

Lord Zhang hurriedly dissuaded him: "Empress selection is a matter of state. The Emperor's offspring are the foundation of the nation. Even if the Emperor likes Mo Ting very much, he cannot make a man Empress! Please reconsider, Your Majesty!"

The other ministers echoed, "Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Jiang Qingyan sighed and rubbed her forehead. She had known all along that this would be the outcome of those words.

Back then, saving Mo Ting's life only required going against the Empress Dowager, but now, to make Mo Ting Empress, it means going against the entire court...

Lu Nian looked up at Jiang Qingyan, whose face was full of worry, took a deep breath, stepped forward, and suddenly spoke:

"Mo Ting is a man of unparalleled talent. I'm sure you all have witnessed his character and abilities. If he were to become Empress, it would be a great boost to our Great An. Your Majesty's decision is respected."

Upon hearing this, everyone stared wide-eyed at Lu Nian, some even doubting they had misheard and scratching their ears.

Jiang Qingyan frowned. She had thought Lu Nian would be jealous about this, but she didn't expect him to be the first person to speak up for her.

At this moment, Lin Zhijie stepped forward and slowly said, "Your Majesty's decision is also respected by this humble subject."

Seeing that both the civil and military officials agreed, some officials who had originally opposed the move also switched sides.

Minister Ning clenched his fists, displeased. "Your Majesty, if I remember correctly, Mo Ting was imprisoned for embezzlement. This man is of questionable character and absolutely unfit to be Empress!"

Jiang Qingyan narrowed her eyes and snorted coldly: "If you want to find fault, you can always find a reason! Mo Ting has been with me for so long, what good things hasn't he seen? Why would he care about a few measly things? If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten. It's time to order someone to re-examine this case and clear Mo Ting's name."

Lin Zhijie volunteered: "Please entrust this case to me, Your Majesty."

Jiang Qingyan nodded with a light laugh, confirming Lin Zhijie's "workaholic" label.

Lord Ning's old face immediately turned ugly. He originally only wanted to oppose Mo Ting becoming empress, but he did not expect that it would once again involve Mo Ting's embezzlement case.

The crowd below the stage continued to chatter about the matter of establishing an empress, and they consciously divided themselves into two parties: one led by Lu Nian, who supported the matter, and the other led by Lord Ning, who opposed it.

Jiang Qingyan, unwilling to listen to their further argument, said coldly, "Alright, I have already made a decision on this matter. There is no need for further discussion. Court is adjourned."

Jiang Qingyan stood up, flicked her sleeves, and ignoring the ministers' repeated advice, strode out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and headed straight for the Empress Dowager's Palace of Longevity.

After the Empress Dowager's burns healed, she was even more energetic than before, but it was a hardship for her ministers... They had to endure the Empress Dowager's unfulfilled desires and the hideous scars on her body.

Hearing the Empress Dowager's groans from inside the hall, Jiang Qingyan curled her lips into a smile. It seemed that the thing had worked...

Jiang Qingyan suppressed her smile, frowned slightly, and scolded Yinxing, who was guarding the gate, "Mother, aren't you afraid of being laughed at in broad daylight? As a servant, you should advise the Empress Dowager to be more moderate in her sexual affairs!"

Yinxing immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness, "Yes... Your Majesty, please forgive me... This servant will advise the Empress Dowager..."

Jiang Qingyan raised an eyebrow. "Since it's inconvenient for Mother Empress, then I'll head back first. Remember to give my regards to Mother Empress."

After leaving Yongshou Palace, Jiang Qingyan called out to the air, "Ling Feng!"

Ling Feng instantly appeared beside Jiang Qingyan, cupped his hands and said, "Your subordinate greets Your Majesty."

Jiang Qingyan patted his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "You stay here today and record all the men who have come to the Empress Dowager's palace."

Ling Feng nodded, leaped into the air, and landed on the roof of Yongshou Palace.

Meanwhile, inside the Chaoyang Palace, Mo Ting was carefully embroidering with a set of needle and thread and red cloth, a smile on his face.

Suddenly, a man in black burst into the hall. Mo Ting put down his needlework and looked at the newcomer warily, coldly asking, "Who are you?"

The man in black removed his veil, knelt on the ground with a thud, and said in a trembling voice, "Master, it's so good that you're alright... It's me... Yun Ao..."

Mo Ting frowned, muttering, "Yun Ao... that name sounds familiar..."

Yun Ao glanced outside the hall and, seeing that no one was around, quickly stood up, grabbed Mo Ting's arm, and whispered, "Master, I'm here to save you. Let's leave here quickly before the Emperor returns!"

Mo Ting flung Yun Ao's hand away and said in a deep voice, "This is my husband's bedroom. Why should I leave?"

Yun Ao was instantly stunned. Husband? Could the husband that his master was talking about be the Emperor?

With red eyes, Yun Ao said, "Master, you actually accepted the Emperor? Have you finally let go of all the pain you've endured?"

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the hall. Yun Ao pursed his lips and said softly, "Master, please think it over carefully. I will come to find you again tomorrow."

After saying that, he quickly escaped through the back window.

Jiang Qingyan pushed open the palace door and saw Mo Ting standing in the middle of the hall, puzzled. "Mo Ting, what are you doing standing here?"

Mo Ting snapped out of his daze, shook his head, and chuckled, "It's nothing. I was just a little tired from lying down, so I got up to stretch my muscles."

Mo Ting did not tell Jiang Qingyan about Yun Ao. Although he couldn't remember who Yun Ao was, he felt very familiar with him, and Yun Ao's attitude towards him didn't seem like that of a bad person.

He wanted to wait until Yun Ao came again tomorrow to ask about the matter before telling Jiang Qingyan.

Jiang Qingyan gave Mo Ting a light kiss on the lips and said softly, "It is indeed too stuffy in the palace. If you are bored in the future, you can go for a walk in the Imperial Garden. The scenery there is very beautiful."

Mo Ting nodded, then suddenly remembered the needlework still on the bed, and quickly made an excuse, "Husband, I'm hungry..."

Jiang Qingyan chuckled softly, gently flicked his nose with her index finger, and said indulgently, "Okay, I'll go make you something to eat right now."

Upon arriving at the small kitchen, she saw Liang Cheng carefully studying the recipe she had given him, looking very serious.

Jiang Qingyan teased, "Chef Liang, how's your study of the cuisine going?"

Upon hearing this, Liang Cheng quickly turned to look at Jiang Qingyan, scratching his head awkwardly: "Your Majesty... you've arrived..."

Jiang Qingyan smiled and nodded, then casually picked out some ingredients and started cooking.

Liang Cheng pursed his lips and whispered, "Your Majesty is so busy with state affairs, yet you still have time to cook personally?"

Jiang Qingyan raised an eyebrow. "There's nothing I can do. My man only likes the food I cook. You'd better work harder and improve your cooking skills to be just as good as mine, then I'll have an easier time!"

Liang Cheng nodded, his face resolute: "This humble subject will certainly hone his culinary skills diligently, striving to share the burden for His Majesty!"

Jiang Qingyan scoffed: "Then you should try your best!"

After the meal was prepared, Jiang Qingyan personally carried it back to her bedchamber, only to find Mo Ting sitting on the couch, lost in thought, not even noticing her return.

Jiang Qingyan put down the food, walked to the bedside, reached out and touched Mo Ting's forehead. After confirming that he didn't have a fever, she asked with a worried look, "Mo Ting, what's wrong? Are you unhappy?"