Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Fengtian Hall

"Attend court!" With the eunuch's call, the ministers entered the main hall in an orderly fashion.

A short while later, Mu Zexuan emerged from the side, accompanied by the Empress Dowager.

The ministers couldn't help but show surprise and confusion, wondering why the Empress Dowager was here. However, they didn't have time to think about it and immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty, greetings, Empress Dowager."

No need for formalities.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The ministers rose and saw the Empress Dowager sitting in the seat that Mu Jinchen had previously occupied. They were even more puzzled and looked at each other in bewilderment.

Finally, Su Guogong asked, "I wonder what brings the Empress Dowager here today?"

"Now that Chen'er is fighting the enemy on the front lines, he probably can't attend to matters of state. His Majesty is also young and probably unable to handle state affairs. Therefore, I have come to listen to the government."

Upon hearing this, the ministers began to discuss it amongst themselves.

Su Jing'an stepped forward and said, "Although His Majesty is young, he has been studying the ways of a ruler for many years, and with our assistance, he will certainly not make any mistakes. I beg the Empress Dowager not to interfere in the affairs of the court."

Song Mingxian also said: "Since ancient times, women in the inner palace have not been allowed to interfere in politics. I hope that the Empress Dowager will step aside."

"Please excuse the Empress Dowager."

"Please excuse the Empress Dowager."

"There is no one in the court to take charge of the overall situation. My actions are for the sake of His Majesty and Yunyue. What do you mean by this?" The Empress Dowager did not expect them to be so disrespectful to her, so she said coldly.

"Before the Regent left, he ordered the Duke of Su, Minister Su, and I to jointly oversee the country. Therefore, the three of us will handle the important affairs of the court, and the Empress Dowager need not worry about them."

"There are always things you cannot decide, but I can make the decision."

"If there are matters that cannot be decided, we can send them to the Regent as quickly as possible for His Highness to make a decision."

"If it's something extremely urgent, we can't wait for him."

"His Highness said that if it is a matter that cannot be delayed, we can ask the Regent's Consort for advice."

Hearing that Su Qianrou should make the decision, the Empress Dowager became even more furious. "I am the current Empress Dowager, His Majesty's own grandmother. If I cannot make the decision, what right does an outsider like her have to make it?"

“The Empress Dowager is mistaken. The Regent’s wife is the Regent’s lawfully wedded wife, and she is included in the royal family’s genealogy. She is not an outsider,” Su Jing’an said.

“You’re her father, so you’ll definitely speak up for her,” he thought, then added, “Could it be that your Su family is plotting a rebellion?”

"I have always been diligent and conscientious, and have never had any intention of rebelling. Even if you are the Empress Dowager, you cannot arbitrarily frame me."

"As everyone knows, Fifth Sister-in-law has never interfered in court affairs during this period. On the contrary, the Empress Dowager suddenly came today and even claimed that she wanted to take charge of the government. I wonder what her intention is."

"What do you mean by that, Your Highness? Are you saying that I have rebellious intentions?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not presume to ask. I simply do not know why the Empress Dowager has come today, and thus I wish to clarify the matter."

"As I have said, the court needs someone to take charge, but Chen'er is not here and His Majesty is still young. Therefore, I will temporarily take charge of the affairs of the court."

“Grandmother, I can make the decision.”

"Your Majesty, the affairs of state are not as simple as you think. I'm afraid you don't have the ability to handle them."

"If I am unable to do so, I still have the ministers. Why should I trouble my grandmother?"

"Your Majesty, I am doing this for your own good," the Empress Dowager said with a stern face.

If it were any other matter, Mu Zexuan might have been able to comply with her, but the power of the court was of utmost importance, and he could not hand it over to her, because he knew that once he relinquished power, it would be difficult to regain it in the future.

"Grandmother, I know you mean well, but I am already ten years old and can handle this. If I can't, there are still the Duke of Su, Minister Song, Minister Su, and other ministers. They are all pillars of the court. With them around, there will be no problem. Grandmother, you can rest assured."

“Your Majesty, I will certainly do my utmost to support you,” said Song Mingxian.

Su Jing'an also said, "Your Majesty, I will certainly do my utmost to support you."

"Your Majesty, we will certainly do our utmost to support you."

"Good, what a fine example of unity between ruler and subject! Your Majesty has truly grown up," the Empress Dowager said, then turned and left without looking back.

"Farewell to the Imperial Grandmother"

"Respectfully seeing off the Empress Dowager."

Longevity Palace

After returning from the Fengtian Hall, the Empress Dowager sat on the couch with a gloomy face and without saying a word, frightening the servants so much that they dared not approach.

Finally, it was Granny Xu who stepped forward and asked, "Would the master like some tea?"

The Empress Dowager, having nowhere to vent her pent-up anger, picked up the teacup that had been handed to her and smashed it on the ground, shards scattering everywhere.

Xu Mama had anticipated this, so she didn't react much.

However, the palace maids inside were terrified and hurriedly knelt down to beg for mercy, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

"Get out of here, all of you."

The palace maids dared not linger and immediately got up and left.

Xu Mama comforted her, "Please calm down, my lady, don't upset yourself."

"Now I am losing my authority more and more. It's one thing for Chen'er not to listen to me, but now even Xuan'er is not listening to me. He has even joined forces with the ministers to oppose me. What a fine grandson I raised."

"Perhaps His Majesty does not want His Highness to be too overworked."

"Hmph, he doesn't trust me, and neither does that ingrate Chen'er. I am his mother, yet he doesn't trust me and would rather let an outsider interfere in politics. I think he's bewitched. No, I absolutely cannot let that villain Su Qianrou control the government. Go, summon the Duke of Su."

"Your Majesty, the Regent's Consort has not interfered in court affairs."

"It will be too late if she gets involved," the Empress Dowager urged when she saw that she was still standing there in a daze. "Hurry up and go."

"Yes".

Before Xu Mama could leave, Fanghua came to report, "The Empress Dowager and the Duke of Su request an audience."

"Please come quickly."

A short while later, the Duke of Su entered and greeted the Empress Dowager.

"Father, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down."

Duke Su didn't stand on ceremony and sat down to the side.

"My daughter was just about to ask Granny Xu to call you when you arrived. What a coincidence!"

"This old minister has come to ask the Empress Dowager a question."

"I wonder what Father wants to ask."

Why did you suddenly decide to assume the reins of government?

"Of course it's for the Duke of Su's mansion. Father knows that Chen'er has been suppressing the Li family all these years, and now is a perfect opportunity. If daughter can attend court and participate in government affairs, she can help the Li family expand its power and become the number one family in Yunyue."

Duke Su scrutinized her, unsure whether what she said was true or false.

"Why is Father looking at his daughter like that?"

"What the Empress Dowager said is true."

A hint of guilt flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes as she said, "Of course, all these years, haven't all my plans been for the sake of the Duke of Su's mansion?"

Duke Su did not speak.

"Father doesn't believe his daughter."

"Why didn't you consult with the old minister beforehand, but instead went there rashly?"

"My daughter made this decision on a whim, so she hasn't had time to discuss it with her father yet."

Duke Su clearly did not believe her explanation.

"Does Father not approve of his daughter ruling from behind the curtain?" the Empress Dowager asked.

"Even if the old minister agrees, others will not."

"This is why your daughter wanted to come to you, Father. Please do your best to persuade her."

"The vast majority of people in the court now are the prince's men, and they would never agree to this."

"Father, try it first. If it doesn't work, we'll think of another way."

Duke Su did not agree immediately, but said, "This old minister will go back and discuss it with your elder brother and the others. This old minister will take his leave first." After saying that, he left.

The Empress Dowager originally thought that the Duke of Su would definitely help her, but unexpectedly... Then, thinking of something, a trace of anger welled up in her heart, but she did not show it.