The Cold King Demands Love and Pleasure

"I summoned you here simply to ask how you are doing at the border, and also because your mother misses you and wants you to see her! Your father is old and doesn't have the energy to devote to intrigues and schemes!"

Min Youan looked at the emperor in disbelief, and seeing the genuine sadness on his aged face, he felt a pang of self-reproach. "It was your son's ignorance!"

He originally thought the emperor would detain him in the palace and then take the opportunity to harm Xia Tongsheng and her son, so he deliberately left Wu Che behind to protect Xia Tongsheng and the others.

He knew his father too well. He would not leave behind anyone or anything that could threaten Bei Min. He could even kill Xia Tongsheng's mother, the woman he loved most, with his own hands. What else was he incapable of doing?

Seeing the expression in Min Youan's eyes, the emperor took a deep breath. "I know what you're worried about, but he is, after all, my grandson. How could I possibly harm him!"

Min Youan knew in his heart that the least valued thing in this palace was blood ties, especially since this child had Nan Ye's blood flowing in his veins.

Truth and falsehood, reality and illusion—who can truly understand this world? Min Youan cannot and dares not gamble with his child and Xia Tongsheng's life; he cannot afford to lose! Therefore, he must make thorough preparations.

Seeing his wary expression, the emperor couldn't bring himself to say anything, even though he had a thousand things to say. "Fine, go back after you've seen your mother. I won't stop you!"

The sun must have risen in the west! My own father is urging me to return to the palace. Does that mean he's tacitly allowing me to see Xia Tongsheng?

A glint of light suddenly appeared in his pupils, and he quickly raised his head. "Father, have you granted me permission to see her?"

"See her? I only said I wouldn't harm her, I never said I would allow you to see her! Otherwise, don't blame me for not tolerating her!"

His newly budding hope was like a bucket of cold water poured over him, chilling him to the bone!

"Your subject obeys the decree!" He bowed, took a few steps back, and turned to leave!

The emperor watched Min Youan's dejected figure and sighed to himself.

"Look, he didn't even tell me he was injured!" From the moment Min You'an stepped into the hall, the emperor clearly noticed that his breathing was heavy, and knew that he was injured.

"Your Majesty, the Prince probably didn't tell you because he didn't want you to worry!"

"No, he hates me!"

Seeing the emperor's worry, Cha Mian comforted him, saying, "Your Majesty need not worry. One day, the prince will understand your good intentions!"

"I hope so!"

Upon hearing the news of Min You'an's return, Min Zhifu hurriedly went to report to the Empress, "Mother, Min You'an has returned!"

"You think I'd tell you? I already knew!" The Empress roared in fury, her eyes filled with a hatred that could tear the earth apart. "I never imagined that he could return unscathed after such a large-scale assassination attempt. It seems that Riel isn't as formidable as you claim!"

Zhuang Lu immediately knelt down and begged for mercy, "Your Majesty, please forgive Rui'er this time. He only escaped unscathed because someone helped him! Otherwise, Rui'er would have killed him long ago."

"Fine, then I'll give her another chance, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"

In contrast to the mother-son battle on one side, there is a scene of deep mother-son affection on the other!

When Min Youan arrived at Jing'an Palace, he saw Consort Jing resting in a rocking chair inside the room. He approached quietly, looked at her closely, and did not say a word.

"Son, you're back!" She closed her eyes, the afternoon sun shining on her face, revealing her calmness and gentleness.

"Your subject did not utter a sound, how did Mother know it was me?"

Min Youan was curious. His mother was not a martial artist, so she shouldn't have been able to recognize his footsteps. In addition, he had traveled a long distance and hadn't had time to change his clothes, and he didn't have the usual scent of ink on him!

“A mother’s heart is connected to her son’s!” In fact, as soon as Min You’an entered the palace, she knew he had returned and that he would definitely come to see her!

Seeing that Consort Jing was about to get up, Min Youan quickly helped her up. Naturally, Consort Jing placed her hand on Min Youan's arm. "You must have suffered a lot outside!"

Min Youan smiled and said, "Your subject is a man!"

"I shouldn't have agreed to your father's request to train you. Wouldn't it have been better if you had just stayed by your mother's side?"

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore!" He ended the topic at the right time, otherwise Consort Jing would definitely start crying soon.

After staying at Jing'an Palace for a short time, Min You'an made an excuse to go back!

Consort Jing naturally knew that her son had been traveling a long and arduous journey, so she let him leave.

However, Min Youan did not leave Jing'an Palace directly after leaving the palace. Instead, he went to a corner of the Imperial Garden, seemingly waiting for someone to appear.

Before long, a young man dressed in black quickly entered where Min You'an was. "Your Highness, I came as soon as I saw the mark you left! But Your Highness will have to wait!"

"nothing!"

Min Youan stood with his hands behind his back. "Help me investigate which of the newly selected ladies-in-waiting in the palace have any connection with the Empress!"

"A concubine?"

"I was assassinated a few days ago. The woman who tried to assassinate me had an orchid tattoo on her body."

"Does Your Highness suspect that the imperial concubines are colluding with the Empress?"

Min Youan nodded, "Also, keep an eye on Mother Consort and make sure she doesn't get close to the Princess Consort!"

"Yes!"

"There's one more thing!" He shook his head after thinking for a moment, deciding to forget about it. That person who called himself Yi Bai was definitely not so easy to investigate!

After giving his instructions, Min Youan returned to the Prince's residence.

Xia Tongsheng touched her belly and played with the baby inside her. Yingling rushed back in a panic, "Miss, Your Highness, Your Highness!"

Hearing that name felt like a heavy blow to her heart. What happened to him? Had something happened to him on the frontier?

She really wanted to ask, but in order to pretend that she didn't care in front of Yingling, she quickly held back. How could she hold back when it was her beloved?

Despite her best efforts to restrain herself, she couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong, Your Highness?"

"He is back!"

"Damn it, why are you panting so much?" Xia Tongsheng breathed a sigh of relief. "So what if I'm back? Why are you making such a fuss?"

"I thought Miss would be happy to see the Prince return, so I rushed to tell you!"

"Heh, what's there for me to be happy about? He's back, so I won't be able to go out as often anymore!" Xia Tongsheng said against her will.

"Miss, stop lying to me! You weren't planning on going out anyway!" I know Xia Tongsheng is at home resting and preparing for childbirth! For the past week, she hasn't left the house at all!

She was terrified that she might accidentally give birth outside the home!

Xia Tongsheng did not respond. His bright eyes dimmed slightly. Logically speaking, he had not heard any good news about the victory on the frontier these days. Why would he come back?

Could something have happened in the capital?

Or perhaps?

Forget it! She shook her head. How could it be because of her? When he locked her up back then, he was so heartless. It couldn't be for her sake!