The Cold King Demands Love and Pleasure

Xia Tongsheng stood up and looked up at the emperor standing on the high place. He was about 50 years old and did not wear a court crown inlaid with jade as she had imagined. Instead, he was simply wearing a yellow casual dress.

Although it wasn't a grand affair, his innate domineering aura was still undeniable. Looking at him, she felt a sudden pity; as the saying goes, the higher you climb, the colder it gets.

After everyone was seated, the ruler of the world spoke again, "Today's banquet is mainly to celebrate our victory, so my dear ministers, please don't be so reserved."

"Your Majesty, we obey!" came another deafening voice.

The Emperor looked at the crowd below the stage, then turned his gaze slightly towards Min You'an. "An'er, you deserve the most credit for this victory. Your father will bestow upon you ten thousand taels of gold!"

Min Yoo-an's emergence from the banquet caused a stir among the women present, demonstrating his popularity.

He knelt before the hall, his icy face remaining completely expressionless, and simply said in a chilling tone, "Thank you, Father Emperor!"

"No need, no need!" He said lightly, and it was clear that the Emperor was very happy today.

Min Youan stood up, turned around and glanced at everyone. Xia Tongsheng also took the opportunity to see his face clearly. What a face he had! Having lived two lives, this was the first time she had ever seen such a perfect face.

His brows exuded an undeniable air of nobility and arrogance, while his black, glass-like eyes radiated a chilling aura. His strong features spoke volumes of his masculine solemnity.

The chilling aura emanating from his entire being was a kingly demeanor that could only be forged through countless life-and-death experiences.

Xia Tongsheng snapped out of her daze and heard the Emperor's deep voice say, "Xiuyong, this victory is all thanks to your brilliant plan. Otherwise, who knows when this war would have ended! I bestow upon the Xia family a thousand taels of gold and a hundred acres of fertile land!"

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!" Xia Xiuyong immediately knelt down and bowed in gratitude.

Hearing the emperor say this, Xia Tongsheng was not surprised at all. Although she was the one who came up with the plan, how could a patriarchal country give credit to a little girl?

Anyway, all the credit and the money belong to the Xia family, that's enough!

The emperor glanced at his ministers and asked, "Is the Xia family's daughter here?"

"Your subject is here!" Xia Tongsheng knelt on the spot.

"Come forward!" the emperor called out, summoning her. This luck... if she used it to buy a lottery ticket, hehe...

Xia Xiuyong pinched her and warned her not to talk nonsense.

Xia Tongsheng got up from where she was, walked to the front of the stage, knelt down, and lowered her head! She was as obedient as a little lamb!

"how old are you?"

"Your Majesty, I am 17 years old this year."

"17, you're not young anymore, why aren't you married yet?"

Xia Tongsheng silently suppressed her resentment. How old was she? She had just been told she was old by Yingling, and now she was being told she was old by a man in his fifties.

If we're talking about age, she can't compare to him!

Although he was unhappy, he was, after all, the emperor, and still obediently replied, "Your Majesty, I am waiting for my beloved."

The Emperor smiled, "You're a clever and quick-witted girl; you've won my heart!"

Upon hearing this, the audience fell silent. Was the emperor making a public declaration?

Xia Xiuyong was the most nervous. He knew that the Lin family's annulment of the engagement was also at the Emperor's behest. Could it be that the Emperor had really taken a liking to his daughter?

Only Xia Tongsheng knew that what truly won his heart was not her as a person, but her schemes.

A sly glint flashed in the emperor's eyes as he spoke softly, "Crown Prince or Prince An, which one do you consider your true love?"

The old emperor has dug a huge pit for her! She should have pretended to be mute!

Xia Tongsheng started sweating profusely. Wasn't this clearly an attempt to offend someone? This old emperor really knew how to create difficult situations. Of course, she wasn't the only one sweating; her father was also sweating profusely. He was sitting in the audience, gripping his thigh tightly, afraid she might say the wrong thing.

Xia Tongsheng bit her lip. “Your Majesty, you are making me the enemy of all the women in the world. The Crown Prince and Prince An are the heartthrobs of all the women in the world. I know that I am of lowly status and I am afraid that I cannot enjoy such an honor. Moreover, filial piety is the most important virtue. I have just returned to my father’s side and want to serve him for a few more years.”

Xia Tongsheng thought to herself, "I praised both of his sons on the one hand, and on the other hand, I mentioned that I wanted to stay with my father and fulfill my filial duty. I hope this answer won't offend anyone."

Consort Jing smiled and said, "Your Majesty, how is this child supposed to answer if you ask such a question?"

The emperor, being so astute, naturally sensed Xia Tongsheng's displeasure and readily accepted the excuse offered by Consort Jing, saying, "My beloved consort is right!"

The Empress did not want to be outshone by Consort Jing's righteousness at this moment, so she immediately showed her own virtue and gentleness, saying, "Miss Xia, please go back and sit down."

"Yes!" Xia Tongsheng kowtowed and returned to her seat.

Xia Xiuyong looked at his daughter meaningfully, wanting to say a lot, but it was inconvenient to say too much in this situation.

Xia Tongsheng simply smiled and gestured for her father to relax.

During the meal, she felt a pair of sharp eyes staring intently at her. When she looked up, she saw the Fifth Prince looking at her.

You think it's a tender, affectionate gaze? You're sorely mistaken!

The sinister aura in his eyes was enough to make Xia Tongsheng want to be slowly tortured to death!

However, given his long-term exposure to socialism and his subsequent life living in the mountains after his rebirth, he was not very familiar with feudal society and therefore did not feel any fear.

It's just glaring at me, it's not like I'll lose a piece of flesh!

You thought Xia Tongsheng would lower her head and pretend not to see like other girls? You're so wrong again!

Could Xia Tongsheng really be such an obedient person? She picked up a glass of wine, toasted the Fifth Prince, then stared intently into his eyes and drank it all in one gulp!

She even smiled at him at the end.

A naked provocation!

His eyes were as dark as a dry well, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in them, but it vanished in an instant!

He was still upset about being rejected. Although he didn't like her, it wasn't her place to say no!

He had originally intended to give her a silent warning with his piercing gaze, but clearly he had targeted the wrong person.

His dark pupils suddenly brightened, and his murderous aura intensified. "Xia Tongsheng, I will remember you!"

Clearly, being remembered by Prince An is not a good thing, because based on past experience, those who are remembered by him either die or are seriously injured...

The song and dance performance began, and the noise made Xia Tongsheng a little impatient. Having lived in the mountains for a long time, she was used to quiet and couldn't stand such a lively scene.

After the banquet, the emperor asked Xia Xiuyong to stay behind alone. Xia Tongsheng followed Lin Jiuyang out to wait for General Xia, but unexpectedly ran into Min Youan. Lin Jiuyang immediately bowed and greeted, "Greetings, Prince An!"

Seeing Tong Sheng standing there in a daze, he immediately tugged at her sleeve. She reacted and, imitating Lin Jiuyang, cupped her hands in a gesture of respect, saying, "Greetings, Prince An."

Min Youan narrowed his eyes and gave her a meaningful look, which sent a chill down her spine.

She couldn't help but despise herself. After all, she had dared to glare back at him at the banquet, but why did she cower in front of him? Was this what they called "a guilty conscience"?