At Chang Le Palace, Lady Dong, who lived in the South Palace, was also waiting there early. Together with Dou Miao, she directed a group of palace maids to prepare breakfast for Liu Hong.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

At Lü Qiang's shout, Dou Miao and Madam Dong smiled and returned to their seats.

Soon, Liu Hong strode in and bowed to the two men.

"Your son greets his mother, Mother!"

"My son, no need for formalities, come and sit down!"

"Thank you, Mother!"

Liu Hong nodded and then sat down between the two mothers.

"Come on, Hong'er, today your mother and I have prepared your favorite side dishes!"

As they were talking, Madam Dong picked up a bowl and chopsticks and handed them to Liu Hong.

"Mmm, it smells delicious! Thank you for your trouble, Mother and Empress!"

Liu Hong took the bowl and chopsticks, looked at the six dishes on the table, smelled the aroma of the food, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

Having two loving mothers, Liu Hong felt happy at that moment.

Madam Dong looked at Liu Hong with a loving expression: "Alright, eat quickly, it'll get cold!"

"Ouch!"

Liu Hong readily agreed, then picked up his bowl and chopsticks and began to eat large mouthfuls.

Mmm, delicious!

"Hmm~, this one is not bad either!"

As Liu Hong chewed with his mouth full, he praised the food in front of him.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you!"

Seeing Liu Hong eating voraciously without any regard for his imperial image, Dou Miao found it both amusing and delightful.

"Hmm~, Mother, you don't know, my appetite is especially good today!"

While smiling and responding to Dou Miao, Liu Hong kept talking.

"That's good. If you're in a good mood, your mother and I will be in a good mood too!"

Dou Miao smiled, and Madam Dong, who was standing beside her, also smiled and nodded.

Before long, Liu Hong ate every last grain of rice from a large bowl, and also ate most of the six dishes.

"I'm full!!"

Liu Hong put down his chopsticks, feeling a comfortable sensation in his stomach, and a look of enjoyment appeared on his face.

Dou Miao turned her head and glanced at Xiao Hong, who was standing beside her.

Xiao Hong understood and quickly directed a group of palace maids to come and tidy up.

After all the palace maids had left, Dou Miao looked at Liu Hong and said with a smile:

"Hong'er, it's almost time. Your mother will accompany you to court today!"

Liu Hong quickly replied, "No need, Mother, I can go by myself!"

"Huh? You're going by yourself?"

Dou Miao looked at Liu Hong with a surprised expression.

"Yes, Mother!"

Liu Hong nodded.

"Oh well!"

Seeing Liu Hong's confident expression, Dou Miao smiled and nodded.

"I'll take my leave now!"

After bowing to Dou Miao and Madam Dong, Liu Hong walked outside.

"Heh~, Hong'er has really grown up!"

Watching Liu Hong's departing figure, Dou Miao smiled and looked at Madam Dong beside her.

"Yes, fledglings must fly on their own; they can't always hide behind the Empress Dowager, can they?"

Madam Dong smiled slightly.

"That being said, there are some things we still need to lend a hand with!"

Dou Miao nodded, then looked at Xiao Hong who had come in.

"Xiao Hong!"

"What are your orders, Empress Dowager?"

Dou Miao thought for a moment: "I summon the wives of Yuan, Xun, Yang, Cao, Song, Yin, Fan and other families to the palace. I want to talk to them!"

"promise!"

Xiao Hong obeyed and then quickly walked outside.

Chongzheng Hall.

Officials gathered in front of the palace, and even many scholars with nominal positions, as well as some relatives and in-laws, were present.

At a glance, the line of officials stretched from the front of the hall all the way down the steps. The number of people at this small court assembly today was even greater than at the large court assemblies of the past.

Chen Fan, standing at the head of the officials' ranks, remained calm and composed.

Li Ying, Hu Guang, Yuan Feng, and others behind him remained silent, and even Cao Song, who was usually loud and boisterous, stood there quietly.

Upon closer inspection, the ranks of officials had now been roughly divided into several different camps.

One faction was led by officials such as Chen Fan, Li Ying, Hu Guang, and Cao Song, also known as the imperial faction.

The second group consisted of a younger faction led by Tian Feng, Zhou Yi, and Ju Shou, who also belonged to the Emperor's faction.

The third group consisted of relatives and in-laws, including Liu Shu, Liu Yu, Liu Biao, and Dou Wu.

The fourth group is the aristocratic faction led by Yuan Feng and Xun Shuang, but this faction has now subtly split into two opposing factions.

The last one is the Qingliu faction, which has been suppressed by various factions and has little presence.

Although these factions intersect with each other, most of them originally belonged to the scholar class, but their interests and demands have become completely different, which is why different factions have emerged.

Everyone stared solemnly at the tightly closed palace gates and the dozens of Imperial Guards standing on either side.

Yes, at today's court assembly, Liu Hong replaced the Tiger Guards who were on duty in front of the palace with the Feathered Forest Guards.

Before long, the palace doors opened wide, and a junior eunuch walked out.

"The time has come; all officials, enter the hall!"

With a loud shout from the eunuch, a group of officials stepped over the large threshold and entered the hall.

After everyone had entered the hall and finished fighting, even the newly renovated hall felt somewhat crowded.

"His Majesty is holding court; all officials, please remain silent!!"

With a loud shout, all the officials looked in the direction of the palace and saw Liu Hong, dressed in imperial robes, walking slowly out of the inner palace surrounded by a group of eunuchs.

To the officials' surprise, the Empress Dowager did not attend court today.

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