The Cold King Demands Love and Pleasure

Xia Tongsheng sat at the table, holding a hand warmer, and noticed a hint of uncertainty in Ji Shuihan's cold gaze.

She thought it was because she hadn't left her in the room that she was angry or sad. "I told you to leave earlier not because I didn't trust you, but it wasn't appropriate. We're both girls from Yanxiang, and it wouldn't be right to leave you out when everyone else left!"

"How dare this servant blame Your Highness, the Princess!"

"Your Highness?" Her fingers trembled slightly, and she almost dropped the hand warmer. How long had it been since she had heard that title?

If it weren't for the way Ji Shuihan is addressed, she would probably have forgotten that she has a man. But thinking about these days, she has become the toughest of the tough women.

Without time to think, she asked, "You've already guessed my identity?"

"It's not a guess, Her Highness the Princess herself told me!"

Xia Tongsheng moved the thermos closer to her body, her eyes full of amusement. "Oh? When did I tell you that? I didn't know!"

"Just now, when General Lin was speaking to you," she said calmly and analyzed, "everyone in the capital knows that General Lin is aloof by nature and only has a good relationship with Miss Xia from the General's Mansion. General Lin was so intimate with you just now, so you must be Miss Xia!"

"This is just your guess, so why are you so sure?"

"Because of Yingling! Just now, the princess deliberately called out her real name! Normally, the princess would call her 'maid' or not call her anything at all."

These messages were indeed deliberately leaked to her by Xia Tongsheng.

Since she said she was willing to share the same boat with him, he had to test her abilities. Fortunately, she didn't disappoint him.

"Good, bold yet meticulous, just the person I'm looking for!"

“Coincidentally, the princess is also the person I’m looking for!” She raised her head, her gray-green eyes flashing with complex emotions.

It was hope, excitement, fear, and some other emotions she couldn't understand!

"You're looking for me? What do you mean?" There was a strange sense of being manipulated.

"This servant begs Your Highness to avenge me!" She knelt heavily on the ground and kowtowed deeply to Xia Tongsheng.

"revenge?"

“This servant was originally the daughter of Ji Lianzhou, the prefect of Jiangbei. She was the crown prince. In order to seize the gold mines in Jiangbei, she sent someone to frame my father for embezzlement, which led to my father being imprisoned and dying unjustly. After killing my father, the crown prince still refused to let my family go and sent people to slaughter the lives of my family of fifty-seven!”

Although it was very pitiful, Xia Tongsheng had to be cautious. "How do you know it was the Crown Prince who did it?"

Ji Shuihan forcefully pulled off the gold necklace around her neck and opened the pendant. "This is a letter written by the Crown Prince himself. My father gave it to me before he died. The reason I traveled all the way to the capital is to file a complaint with the Emperor."

Xia Tongsheng didn't speak, but opened the letter and read it carefully. After a long while, she put the letter away. "Do you think you can bring down the Crown Prince with just a letter?"

She shook her head and advised, "Appealing to the emperor isn't easy; you could lose your life!"

"Even if it costs me my life, I will fight to get justice for my father!"

Both of their fathers were wrongly accused and died unjustly. However, Xia Tongsheng envied her somewhat, because at least she could seek justice for her father, but what about her?

The emperor framed her father; who can she appeal her grievances to?

The momentary helplessness pierced her heart deeply; the same experience, but different circumstances.

She gritted her teeth and made up her mind, "I'll help you!"

"Your Highness agreed so easily, aren't you afraid..."

“What are you afraid of? Afraid that you will rebel? For you, telling me this is a gamble, and for me, choosing to help you is also a gamble.”

Although she didn't send anyone to investigate the truth of the matter, a voice in her heart told her to believe her.

Perhaps it's because her story is too similar to my own.

"The value of acquaintance lies in understanding, and the value of understanding lies in knowing the heart. Since Your Highness trusts me, I will repay you with all my heart!"

Although she had heard many people refer to themselves as servants, Xia Tongsheng still felt uncomfortable hearing those two words. "No need for 'servant, servant.' I'm no longer a princess; I'm your boss. I'm planning to set up an intelligence agency. Would you like to join?"

"I would gladly die for you!" She kowtowed again to show her loyalty.

Seeing her serious and earnest expression, Xia Tongsheng couldn't help but tease her, "Well, I haven't even started my spy mission yet, and you've already killed me with just one sentence. Impressive!"

"I......"

"Actually, I originally planned to recruit you after the child was born, but Yang Bei's sudden appearance is a constant source of trouble, so I have to make plans early!"

"So, you're planning to make arrangements to deal with Yang Bei ahead of time?"

Xia Tongsheng shook her head. "It's not just Yang Bei; you'll understand later."

"After the New Year, I want to see the intelligence agency established. I'm entrusting you with the preparations for this. Keep an eye on the candidates and then give me a general plan."

"Yes!"

Xia Tongsheng stood up, patted her shoulder, and looked at her with a firm gaze, "Telling you this matter is like entrusting my life and fortune to you. I hope you will not let me down!"

After saying that, Xia Tongsheng called Yingling over and they left together.

Although it was late at night, Jiao Liyuan's mother sat anxiously in the front hall, waiting. When she saw the person who came, she immediately asked, "How is it?"

"The Imperial Guards have arrested him!" the woman replied, panting heavily.

The mother of Jiao Liyuan laughed loudly, "Haha, I knew that bitch would get her comeuppance sooner or later. Sure enough, Young Master Yang is still the best!"

Upon hearing this, the woman realized her mother had misunderstood. Somewhat flustered, she looked at her and explained, "Mom, you've misunderstood. It's not the owner of Yan Lane, but Young Master Yang who has been arrested...!"

"What?" She slammed her hand on the table and stood up abruptly, her palm immediately turning red and swollen. "What kind of backing does this person have that he can get help from the capital's guards?"

"Mother, there's no powerful backing. It just so happened that a high-ranking official was listening to music in their brothel that day. He saw Young Master Yang bullying the people, so he wrote a memorial to the emperor impeaching Vice Minister Yang for letting his son commit violence, and that's why this happened!"

"Hmph, now that bitch is even more smug!"

The woman looked up and saw that her mother was angry. She quickly flattered her and tried to soothe her anger, "Mom, this is actually a good thing. Who is Young Master Yang? The owner of Yan Lane offended him, so he will probably have 'good days' in the future!"

"That's right, Fangfang, you're really smart. If you offend Yang Bei, I don't know how his Yanxiang will be able to continue operating in the capital!"

Seeing that she thought the same way, Fangfang continued to offer her advice, "Isn't now a good time?"