Before I could refuse, Huo Liang suddenly lifted me up.

“I apologize for offending, Your Majesty.”

Oh heavens, why do I feel so tiny in his arms?

I quickly covered my face. “Beloved minister, remember to take the back path. Don’t let anyone see us.”

—

The power of the Regent was immense, drawing envy from the old officials. Some of them even came to my sleeping quarters late at night, trying to corner me while Huo Liang wasn’t around.

It gave me terrible headaches.

Eventually, I came up with a plan.

I asked the Regent to eat and sleep with me, that way those officials wouldn’t have the chance to exploit my weakness.

I’m such a genius!

I went to the Regent’s residence personally. Seeing how humble his living conditions were, I made up my mind.

“Does Your Majesty truly want me to move into the Hall of Mental Cultivation?”

“Even though your Regent’s mansion is nice, it’s too deserted. Over time, you’ve become more withdrawn, and that’s not good.”

Seeing that he remained silent, I sensed an opportunity and continued, “By living with me, you’ll have someone to talk to regularly, and you’ll naturally become more cheerful. That’s something I’d like to see.”

“If this is Your Majesty’s wish, then I will obey.”

“Wonderful!”

That very night, I had his belongings packed and sent to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

He moved in immediately.

A group of old ministers gathered outside, demanding an audience.

I looked pitifully at the Regent. “Beloved minister, when you weren’t here, this is how I got by every day.”

“You’ve been wronged, Your Majesty.”

The Regent must have genuinely felt bad for me, as he went out in just his sleeping robe.

After some noise outside, it became quiet again.

The Regent turned his dark eyes toward me. “No one will bother Your Majesty anymore.”

I joyfully hugged him and said from the bottom of my heart, “The Regent is so kind to me.”

He stood taller than me, his face stern, his back straight, with an air of authority I couldn’t quite describe.

Especially those dark phoenix eyes, deep and cold.

I couldn’t help but shiver.

Damn.

How could I find the Regent…dangerous?

That night was anything but peaceful.

The Regent left with the palace maids to bathe.

Just then, an official came to report that Minister Gu sought an audience late at night.

Minister Gu was my tutor, strict but always acting in my best interest.

I quickly threw on my robes and went outside, finding him kneeling before the hall.

“Your Majesty, I deserve death for disturbing you at this hour, but I bring evidence that the Regent harbors disloyalty toward you.”

I frowned and accepted the letter he presented.

The letter revealed that the Regent had been secretly amassing troops to form his own army.

“The Regent has long been plotting against you. He has betrayed Your Majesty’s trust. Please summon the court immediately to deal with the Regent’s treasonous intentions.”

The Regent wants my throne?

There’s actually such a good thing?

I suddenly burst out laughing. “Why not? If the Regent wants the empire, he can have it. After all, he’s the one managing state affairs while I sit on the throne.”

Minister Gu sighed deeply. “But what if the Regent doesn’t want the throne? Will Your Majesty still give him everything?”

I patted my chest. “Whatever the Regent wants, I’ll give it to him, as long as he doesn’t leave me.”

Minister Gu looked horrified. “Your Majesty, you—you—you actually have feelings for him!”

I was confused. “What feelings? Minister Gu, you’d better go. I’m going back to bed with the Regent.”

With tears in his eyes, Minister Gu left.

—

The next morning in court, Minister Gu requested to retire.

I was reluctant, and secretly wiped my tears with the Regent’s sleeve.

The Regent, brave and wise, analyzed the border situation with great precision.

Though some conservatives tried to stir trouble in court, the Regent skillfully handled their objections.

Standing behind him, I suddenly recalled something the palace maids had recently mentioned about the Regent.

His every move radiates a kingly aura. No wonder he’s the dream man of every young lady in the capital.

As he finished speaking, Huo Liang turned around, raising his brow slightly. “Your Majesty, what do you think of what I said?”

I didn’t hold back my praise. “Brilliant!”

“Your Majesty, you shouldn’t be so partial to the Regent. His power is now overwhelming, and it may become a problem.”

“Huo Liang, tell me, will you ever leave me?”

The Regent bowed. “I will serve Your Majesty all my life.”

I was overjoyed. “With a minister like you, what more could I ask for?”

—

After that, there were repeated proposals to find a wife for the Regent.

“Your Majesty, how can the Regent serve the country if he doesn’t have a family? How can he manage the empire without managing a household? I believe the eldest daughter of the Minister of Personnel would be a suitable match for him.”

Finding a good marriage for the Regent was indeed reasonable.

He couldn’t spend all his time with me, constantly surrounded by men—it would surely break the hearts of many young ladies.

But the Regent is so handsome, his bride must be equally beautiful, intelligent, and well-bred.

I tugged on the Regent’s sleeve and whispered, “Beloved minister, what do you think?”

“Your Majesty, I do not wish to.”

There was a layer of sadness in his eyes.

I could tell he was upset with me.

Then he calmly continued, “Your Majesty, if I take a wife, I won’t be able to stay by your side as much.”

A wife means less time for me?

You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

But I believe the Regent would always put the affairs of the state first.

“Then let’s wait. I still need you by my side.”

“If Your Majesty could attend court on your own and overcome your social anxiety, the Regent could have more time to handle his personal affairs.”

Before I could respond, the Regent sternly scolded the minister: “Chancellor Zhang, what is your motive for pushing His Majesty like this?”

“It’s not baseless, Regent. There are wild rumors about you and His Majesty circulating among the people.”

“Rumors? What rumors?”

“Well…”

The Regent coughed twice. “Since that’s the case, I will take Chancellor Zhang’s suggestion into consideration.”

I bit my lip, silently making a decision.

---

Translators note: Hello, This is Lhaozi from wattpad, from now on you can see my translation in Shanghai Fantasy. Hoping for your full support. Thankyou.