I just want to live a good life

Su Nuan asked a good question, and Mu Yunting suddenly opened his eyes. The two looked at each other.

Although Princess Jingyang has been staying in the palace since her return, she has been visiting friends and meeting quite a few people these past few days.

It's not easy to find out where she learned about the missing child from the Xia family.

Mu Yunting rubbed his temples and said, "It seems I still have to go to the palace today."

Su Nuan quickly replied, "Then I'll go back and wait for you."

"Alright."

The two agreed that Mu Yunting would have someone send Su Nuan back to her residence first, while he would go to the palace alone.

After entering the palace, she first complained to the Emperor about Princess Jingyang. Then the Emperor summoned Princess Jingyang to the Imperial Study and gave her a severe scolding.

Then the father and son pressed Princess Jingyang to find out where she had learned that the young master of the Xia family had been kidnapped.

Following the clues, the news actually originated from the Prince of Guang'an's residence.

After dismissing Princess Jingyang, the Emperor flew into a rage, slamming his fist on the table and shouting, "Fool! Fool! How did I raise such a fool?"

"Father, please calm down. This matter may not have been deliberately spread by my uncle."

"It wasn't intentional, which only makes him seem incredibly stupid."

"Should we summon the Imperial Uncle for questioning?"

"Why did you call him here? To provoke me? Go yourself and warn him not to do anything stupid again, or I will personally whip him after this is over."

The image of the Prince of Guang'an being beaten flashed through Mu Yunting's mind, and for some reason, he even hoped that the Prince of Guang'an would do something stupid again.

"Also, keep a close eye on your concubine and make sure she doesn't cause any more trouble. I have waited twenty years to finally fulfill the late emperor's last wish. Anyone who causes trouble at this time is a sinner of Nanzhao and I will punish them severely, not even your concubine."

“Father, Qingyan did not cause any trouble. Without her, I would not have been able to discover the schemes of those Nanzhao people. If this matter succeeds, I will ask you for a reward for her.”

The emperor closed his eyes and thought to himself that if he had another outstanding son, this guy would know to restrain himself.

He suppressed his anger and asked, "What do you want to ask for on her behalf?"

"Not ready yet."

"Hmph. You haven't thought it through, but your father-in-law has."

Mu Yunting raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did your father-in-law also ask for a reward for Qingyan?"

The emperor snorted again to indicate his affirmation.

What did he ask for?

"Princess."

Mu Yunting was slightly taken aback.

Seeing this, the Emperor said with amusement, "What, you're still reluctant to give up the position of Empress?"

"It's just a bit of a sigh. Back then, I promised Prime Minister Xun that I would give the position of principal wife to his daughter. I never expected so many things to happen later."

"So you refused to choose a concubine for eight years?"

Mu Yunting's silence was taken as tacit agreement.

The emperor was unaware of his son's deep affection. Recalling the hardships he had endured in choosing a consort for him over the years, he couldn't help but feel resentment towards the deceased Xun family father and daughter. He was also very proud of the marriage he had chosen with the Xia family.

When he agreed to make Xia Lian's daughter the Crown Princess, he was somewhat reluctant, feeling that it was a necessary concession to facilitate a major event. Now it seems that it wasn't entirely to please the Xia family; his son couldn't do without them.

But her son was destined to inherit the throne, so she couldn't have only one woman in her heart; having many children was the real priority.

After thinking for a moment, the Emperor said, "Since I have promised Xia Lian, your choice of Crown Princess cannot be changed. Fortunately, the Xia family has produced two generals in this generation, who will be your help in the future. After this matter is over, I will issue an edict to select a concubine, Xia, to fill her position."

"Father, I do not want any other concubines."

"How can you not have children? It's your responsibility as the Crown Prince to have many children. You should not only choose concubines, but also have several maids. I heard from the Empress that you have a maid who has served you since childhood. Take her in. Have more children, and the Xia family's children will need brothers to help them in the future."

"Your subject will not."

The emperor was slightly taken aback, then asked, "What's wrong?"

Mu Yunting didn't answer, only looked aggrieved.

The Emperor was stunned. After a long while, as if he had suddenly thought of something, he asked sternly, "Where did the child in Xia's belly come from?"

“Father, what are you thinking? The child in Qingyan’s belly is of course my own.”

The Emperor's expression softened slightly, and he continued, "Then what do you mean by 'no'?"

Mu Yunting gritted his teeth, as if making a firm decision, and replied, "Your subject has no way of getting close to other women."

He would never have said this to his father, but if he didn't explain it clearly, his father wouldn't know how important Xia Qingyan was to him, and would continue to try to force women into his life.

"What do you mean?"

The emperor felt as if his intelligence had been lowered today, as he couldn't understand what his son was saying.

“Father, the reason I have refused to marry all these years is not only because of my promise to Prime Minister Xun, but also because I cannot be near women.”

"Male beauty is also not acceptable."

Seeing the Emperor's changing expression, Mu Yunting quickly added.

“It wasn’t until Qingyan appeared that I truly became a man, so she is like a good medicine to me.”

"What kind of bullshit medicine is this? If you can get close to her, you can get close to others. You've been bewitched by the Xia family."

“Father, I have tried, but it doesn’t work. No one but her will do.”

Mu Yunting said this with a sense of helplessness.

The emperor fell silent. He never imagined that his proud son would have such a hidden ailment.

He even wondered if he had made a mistake by establishing a crown prince so early. What would people think of a crown prince who couldn't get close to women?

In the past, everyone thought the Crown Prince was gay, but everyone assumed that His Highness just didn't want to be close to women, not that he couldn't. He would naturally be close to women when it was time to have children.

But now...

Thinking of continuing the family line, the Emperor immediately thought of the child in Xia Qingyan's belly, and his mood instantly lightened. He was no different from before. Before, he was unwilling to get close to women, and now he was unwilling to get close to other women. Wasn't this progress? Perhaps when he got older, he would understand the charm of women and take the initiative to get close to them.

Suddenly, I stopped worrying about it, and all the complicated feelings I had towards Xia Qingyan disappeared.

Being able to "cure" his son's strange illness and even give him a grandson—by all accounts, he's a hero and deserves a reward.

"A new batch of jewelry has arrived in my private treasury. Go and choose a few pieces to reward Lady Xia."

Mu Yunting's lips curled into a slight smile.

"Leave some for me."

The Emperor warned him that if he didn't speak up, the boy would be arrested and punished along with his entire family.