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

Jiang Qingyan suddenly looked up towards the outside of the hall, her eyes filled with anticipation, but that anticipation instantly turned into disappointment. It turned out that Yi Luo and Lu Nian had returned...

Yi Luo, panting heavily, said, "Husband, we've searched everywhere we could, but we haven't found Mo Ting."

Jiang Qingyan nodded, gesturing for them to sit down, and sighed softly, "He must have been taken out of the palace by Yun Ao."

Lu Nian frowned and said, "Yun Ao? Is that Mo Ting's personal bodyguard? He's still alive..."

Jiang Qingyan asked in confusion, "Why do you say that?"

Lu Nian shook his head. "I don't know the specifics, but I heard that when the Regent's Mansion was raided that day, Yun Ao took a blow for Mo Ting and died on the spot. Afterwards, he was thrown into a mass grave by the soldiers."

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Qingyan said, "If that's the case, Yun Ao must hate me to the core... He was probably worried that Mo Ting would get hurt again, so he risked his life to sneak into the palace and take him away..."

Lu Nian gently patted Jiang Qingyan's hand, comforting him, "Husband, don't worry. If Mo Ting really was taken away by Yun Ao, at least we'll know he's safe now."

Jiang Qingyan nodded. "Yes, I hope he's safe and sound. I just wonder, if Yun Ao tells him about what happened in the past, will he still be willing to come back..."

Yi Luo pursed her lips and frowned, saying, "If he doesn't want to come back, so be it! My husband still has us. That Mo Ting is too petty and jealous. This time he even went missing... We are much more obedient than him!"

Hearing this, Jiang Qingyan chuckled, "Alright, you all need to go back and prepare. Once the Ministry of Rites decides on an auspicious date, we'll start planning our wedding."

Lu Nian and Yi Luo smiled slightly, their hearts pounding. On their wedding day, they would truly become the Emperor's men...

After the two left, Jiang Qingyan got up and walked to the bedside, feeling a pang of sadness... The image of her laughing and playing with Mo Ting on the bed seemed to be right before her eyes...

It's true that she used Mo Ting before, and it's also true that she indirectly harmed him. If Mo Ting is unwilling to forgive her, then she can understand...

Within three days, the Ministry of Rites had set the auspicious date and specific procedures for the wedding.

After the morning court session, Lin Zhijie brought a memorial to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to request an audience.

Jiang Qingyan took the memorial and glanced at it briefly. The Emperor and Empress's wedding was set for the first day of next month, while the weddings of Lu Nian and Yi Luo would each be postponed by one month.

Jiang Qingyan chuckled lightly: "Each person gets a honeymoon period. Minister Lin has set the dates very reasonably."

Lin Zhijie asked in confusion, "What is a honeymoon?"

Jiang Qingyan narrowed her eyes, staring at Lin Zhijie, who was tall but actually quite slender, below the stage. She patted the seat next to her and said softly, "Come here and sit next to me."

Upon hearing these familiar words, Lin Zhijie stared at the spot beside Jiang Qingyan for a moment, but unlike last time when he was nervous and reserved, he walked straight up the steps and sat down next to Jiang Qingyan.

He knew that if he continued to restrain himself and adhere to propriety, he didn't know when he would be able to become the emperor's person...

Seeing Lin Zhijie so obedient, Jiang Qingyan was somewhat surprised. She pinched Lin Zhijie's chin, turned his face to face her, and carefully examined his features.

Lin Zhijie's heart pounded wildly. He pursed his thin lips and let Jiang Qingyan scrutinize him.

After a long while, Jiang Qingyan slowly spoke: "Minister Lin, you've lost so much weight... Was it because the imperial kitchen was lazy when I left the palace and the food they prepared wasn't to my liking?"

Lin Zhijie gently shook her head, "No...no..."

Jiang Qingyan curled her lips and directly took Lin Zhijie's lips into her mouth, gently sucking on them, and then slowly probing her tongue inside.

Lin Zhijie was stunned for a moment, then gently closed his eyes and softly responded to Jiang Qingyan's kiss.

Sensing Lin Zhijie's reaction, Jiang Qingyan felt a surge of satisfaction. His lips were cool, like a gentle spring breeze, making for a very pleasant kiss.

After a long while, the two reluctantly parted their lips and tongues.

Jiang Qingyan rested her head on Lin Zhijie's shoulder, closed her eyes, and whispered, "Lin Zhijie, you need to eat more. You're too thin. I'm afraid your back will break on our wedding night..."

Upon hearing this, a blush slowly crept onto Lin Zhijie's face. "The...the bridal chamber...the Emperor means..."

Jiang Qingyan raised her head, looked at Lin Zhijie, and chuckled: "I'll marry you when you gain another twenty pounds."

Lin Zhijie's eyes lit up instantly. He stared intently into Jiang Qingyan's eyes, and only after confirming that she wasn't teasing him could he help but curl his lips into a smile, "Your humble servant will definitely increase his appetite from now on!"

Jiang Qingyan kissed Lin Zhijie's lips and said softly, "If you don't like the food outside, you can come to Chaoyang Palace to dine with me in the future."

Lin Zhijie pursed his lips, his heart filled with mixed emotions...

These past few days have been filled with preparations for the Emperor's wedding to someone else, and my spirits have plummeted to rock bottom... But after hearing the Emperor's words today, I feel like I've soared to the heavens...

Jiang Qingyan looked at the dazed Lin Zhijie beside her, and couldn't help but kiss him a few more times. She then whispered in his ear, "My dear Lin... I'm quite fierce, you know..."

Lin Zhijie felt a surge of heat from the sudden breath of hot air on his ear, and coupled with the provocative words, he was already losing control...

He quickly stood up, his voice tinged with panic, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty... This humble subject must return to attend to official business... I shall take my leave now..."

Seeing Lin Zhijie's state, Jiang Qingyan knew he must be holding back a lot, so she nodded with a mischievous smile, "Go ahead."

Lin Zhijie, who had "escaped" from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, leaned against a large tree, panting heavily. The Emperor was so good at teasing him; he'd better eat more and get himself strong…

Since Mo Ting disappeared, Jiang Qingyan has spent her days either attending court or confining herself to the Yangxin Hall to handle government affairs.

At night, Lu Nian and Yi Luo would take turns serving each other in bed, though it was just kissing. After all, the wedding was coming up soon, so there was no rush.

Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager indulged in debauchery day and night, exempting Jiang Qingyan from paying her respects, and life was relatively peaceful.

On the eve of the Emperor and Empress's wedding, Lu Nian was supposed to be the one to serve the Emperor, but he was late in arriving.

Jiang Qingyan sat in the chair, staring at the two bright red wedding dresses embroidered with dragons and phoenixes in gold thread hanging on the clothes rack, her heart filled with complicated emotions.

Just then, Liang Cheng brought over a late-night snack. Seeing Jiang Qingyan so lost in thought, he sighed softly, "Your Majesty... if Young Master Mo Ting doesn't return by tomorrow morning, then your wedding..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qingyan glanced at Liang Cheng, whose face was full of worry, and forced a smile, pretending to be indifferent, saying, "It's alright. Even if he doesn't come back, the wedding will still proceed as planned. The Empress's position was originally prepared by me for Mo Ting. If he doesn't want to sit in this position, then I will leave it vacant."

Liang Cheng pursed his lips, wanting to offer some further advice, but could only let out a sigh.

If he were the one loved so deeply by the Emperor, he would rather die than leave him…

Suddenly, a familiar sound of footsteps came from outside the door…