The palace maid looked at Hongchen and said with a smile, "Master Hongchen, please go in and express your gratitude!"

Hongchen shook his head, "The Regent is busy with state affairs, this humble monk will come to express his gratitude another day!"

The palace maid was somewhat disappointed, but she didn't dare to force him. She smiled and led the way for Hongchen, sending someone to escort him to Baoguang Temple.

She dared not offend Hongchen, after all, the Regent had killed the envoy in a fit of rage for him!

The two countries were about to go to war, and a sense of unease crept into her heart.

After a long pause, she sighed, not daring to think any further, and decided to report back to the Regent.

At that time, Linghu Lan had just left court and was having dinner with Jiang Wujiang. Upon hearing the report, he nodded and said:

"It's alright, he can come whenever he wants, and we don't need to force him to come if he doesn't want to."

The palace maid suppressed her surprise. The regent was truly captivated by beauty. The treatment of the Red Dust Monk was no less than that of the late emperor's favorite empress.

"yes!"

The palace maid lowered her head and withdrew.

Jiang Wujiang ate his meal with a dignified expression, and said solemnly, "Does the Regent like Master Hongchen?"

Linghu Lan smiled, "I like it!"

Liking something is a sacred thing; there's no need to hide it.

"Why not have him return to secular life and serve you?"

Linghu Lan: "..."

As expected of someone born into an imperial family, he's already so domineering at such a young age!

Unfortunately, love isn't something you can buy.

“Hongchen likes to cultivate in Baoguang Temple. If he likes me, he will naturally come down the mountain.”

What if he never comes down the mountain?

Linghu Lan: "..."

What else can I do besides seduce him?

#A serious statement from the system: Protecting the physical and mental health of minors is everyone's responsibility. Please drive carefully!#

Linghu Lan thought for a moment and said, "Wait for him!"

Jiang Wujiang fell silent and slowly ate his meal.

After a long pause, she finally couldn't help but ask, "Then you don't like me anymore, Eleventh Imperial Aunt?"

Linghu Lan almost burst out laughing. "Your Majesty, are you vying for favor?"

She pinched Her Majesty the Empress's chubby cheeks.

"I like it!"

"Ah! Don't pinch my cheeks!" Jiang Wujiang said sternly.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Linghu Lan withdrew her hand, her eyes full of smiles.

Jiang Wujiang looked around and whispered, "When no one's around, I'll give you a massage, okay?"

Linghu Lan: "..."

Your Majesty, your willingness to compromise is truly adorable.

...

A side hall in the imperial palace.

Xiao Shan and the others were getting a little impatient.

He had been waiting since morning until almost noon, and in order to maintain proper etiquette, he had not eaten or drunk anything. Now he was almost fainting from hunger!

"Sister, I've been waiting for quite a while. Could you please pass on the message for me again?"

He secretly slipped some silver into the hand of a palace maid.

The palace maid weighed the silver in her hand and smiled, "Young Master Xiao, please wait a moment. This servant will go and report to the Regent immediately."

Just as he stepped outside, a palace maid entered and said, "The Regent requests the presence of Young Master Xiao Shan!"

Xiao Shan heard this in the hall, and his legs went weak. He had finally waited for this moment.

He followed the palace maids through the flowers and willows, finally stopping at the Fuzheng Palace.

As soon as he entered the main hall, he saw Linghu Lan at a glance.

He was immediately stunned by the aura emanating from that person. His heart skipped a beat. This aura was awe-inspiring, carrying the indomitable spirit of "I will go against the tide" and "I will face the world alone". He had never seen such an aura in anyone before.

"Xiaoshan pays respects to the Regent, may the Regent live a thousand years!"

Linghu Lan glanced at him. Xiao Shan was handsome, with a refined and elegant appearance, the demeanor of a graceful young gentleman.

It seems the Xiao family put a lot of effort into him, otherwise he wouldn't have been chosen as Jiang Yun's fiancé.

Jiang Yun used to be a carefree prince, but now he is the regent.

The Xiao family rose to become a powerful and prestigious clan in the Yu Kingdom, but unfortunately, they had one more member, Xiao Ling.