"By order of the Empress Dowager, I have led all civil and military officials to respectfully welcome the Emperor."

Upon approaching, Dou Wu, in his capacity as Grand General, led the officials in bowing to Liu Hong.

"Gentlemen, no need for formalities!"

Although Liu Hong was young, his voice was indeed clear and powerful, which made the loyal officials among them very happy. The emperor's good health was a sign of the country's prosperity.

"I am deeply grateful to the General and the Grand Tutor for coming to greet me personally!"

Then the officials stood up. Liu Hong smiled and nodded to Dou Wu, Chen Fan and others, while only glancing at Wang Fu and others on the other side.

"This is the proper etiquette for a subject; Your Majesty should not do this. Please, Your Majesty, enter the palace!"

Although Dou Wu was overjoyed, he still bowed respectfully to Liu Hong.

"Alright!!"

Liu Hong smiled, turned his head to look at the eunuch on the side, and nodded slightly.

The eunuchs who felt the emperor's gaze were somewhat relieved, because the emperor's gaze was not cold or distant towards them.

The Han Dynasty governed the country with filial piety in mind, so the first thing Liu Hong did upon entering the palace was to pay homage to the Empress Dowager in order to demonstrate the emperor's benevolence and filial piety.

At the same time, Liu Hong also understood that if he wanted to do something, the Empress Dowager's attitude was still very important.

Inside Chang Le Palace, Empress Dowager Dou, dressed in magnificent robes, sat in the main hall, awaiting the emperor's homage.

Soon Liu Hong and his entourage arrived at Chang Le Palace. According to the rules, Liu Hong was required to address her as his mother.

During the worship, Liu Hong displayed utmost respect and kinship, behaving like a son paying respects to his mother, while also showing a hint of helplessness.

"Your son greets his mother!"

Seeing the unease on Liu Hong's face and hearing him call out "Mother" repeatedly, Dou Miao, who had been in the palace for many years but had no children, felt a strange emotion in her heart.

A child who entered the palace alone, far from her mother, and now without a husband, both of them are equally lonely and helpless. In this vast palace, they will have to rely on each other for survival from now on.

This poor child, if only he were really my son.

Thinking of all this, Dou Miao couldn't help but be slightly stunned. Looking at Liu Hong's youthful face, her gaze couldn't help but show more affection and tenderness.

"Empress Dowager?"

Seeing his daughter staring blankly at the kneeling emperor, and not even letting Liu Hong get up, Dou Wu couldn't help but remind her.

"Oh, Your Majesty, please rise."

Dou Miao only came to her senses after hearing Dou Wu's reminder.

"Thank you, Mother!"

Liu Hong stood up respectfully, keeping his head down and remaining in place.

"Come here!!"

At this moment, Dou Miao couldn't help but feel a surge of maternal love, and she pulled Liu Hong's hand to sit down beside her.

They then had a casual conversation about everyday matters, their words filled with affection and tenderness, making them appear to outsiders like a real mother and son.

This caused a slight surprise among the onlookers.

Subsequently, Liu Hong was temporarily arranged to live in the temporary palace of the Southern Palace. Only after the late emperor was buried and he officially ascended the throne could Liu Hong move to Deyang Palace.

The arrival of a new emperor was a major event, and the palace was bustling with activity. By the time everything was settled, the lanterns were already lit.

Inside the palace, all the palace maids and eunuchs who had accompanied Liu Hong had been replaced. Fortunately, none of his guards dared to move and remained loyal to him.

Liu Hong looked kindly at the eunuch standing to the side.

"May I have your name?"

"Your Majesty, this servant is Zhang Rang. I have been assigned here to serve Your Majesty's daily needs."

Thinking of the rumors circulating in the palace about the new emperor, Zhang Rang lowered his head in awe.

"Oh? So you're one of Wang Fu's men?"

Liu Hong looked at Zhang Rang with a half-smile.

Zhang Rang was taken aback. Having been in the palace for many years, Zhang Rang was certainly not a fool. He understood the meaning of the emperor's words in an instant.

"Your Majesty, we servants owe our lives and fortunes entirely to Your Majesty. We have only one master, and that is Your Majesty. Your Majesty is our heaven."

"You, my servant, are quite the smooth talker."

Zhang Rang lowered his head and said respectfully, "Every word I have said comes from the bottom of my heart!"

Liu Hong lowered his gaze to Zhang Rang, his smile unwavering: "Very well, then I shall ask you, who am I?"

Zhang Rang immediately lowered his head and said loudly, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, the master of this world!"

"And who are you?"

Zhang Rang hurriedly replied, "This servant is Your Majesty's most loyal servant, and everything I have belongs to Your Majesty."

"So, you mean I can do whatever I want with you?"

Liu Hong smiled calmly. Although his tone was gentle, to Zhang Rang it was like a sharp sword hanging over his head, ready to fall at any moment.

Zhang Rang felt a slight chill in his heart, and then suddenly realized that the status of the eunuchs all came from the emperor. They were the emperor's servants, and the emperor didn't even need a reason to kill them.

Overwhelmed by the fear of life and death, Zhang Rang immediately prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Your Majesty, this servant will only be loyal to Your Majesty and would never dare to have any disloyal thoughts."

"Rise. I am not interested in your past, nor do I care about your thoughts, but you must always remember what you said today!"

"I understand, I understand," Zhang Rang replied repeatedly, as if granted a pardon, not even bothering to wipe the blood seeping from his forehead.

"Hmm, Wang Fu sent you here for a reason. You may report my words and actions as you see fit."

"This servant understands!!"

Zhang Rang's mind raced, and he quickly bowed his head in agreement.

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