The Cold King Demands Love and Pleasure

Seeing that the Imperial Observatory was still hesitant, Min Zhifu intensified his efforts, "I have already invited them to my territory as guests. As for whether they go home, that is up to your decision."

"Second Prince, is what you say true or false?"

"If you don't believe me, you can send someone home to find out right now."

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau official went out anxiously and sent his servants, who were waiting at the door, home to inquire about the situation. Sure enough, his son and grandson had already been kidnapped.

Upon learning the news, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau asked Min Zhifu, "If I do as you say, will you release them?"

Min Zhifu patted the Imperial Observatory's shoulder, "Don't put it so harshly, what do you mean by 'release them'? It means 'send them home'!"

"Okay, I'll do it." It was just a lie; as long as her son and grandson were safe, that was all that mattered.

"Then I'll trouble you to make a trip to Father's palace!"

Min Zhifu smiled sinisterly and gave the Imperial Observatory a push.

The Imperial Observatory official turned his head, his body trembling as he glanced at Min Zhifu, then abruptly flicked his sleeves and headed towards the emperor's bedroom.

"Remember, your son's and grandson's names depend on your performance!"

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau rushed to the Emperor's bedchamber late at night, only to find him running in a panic. "Sir, His Majesty has already retired for the night."

"Your Majesty, I have something important to report."

"But......."

Just as they were hesitating over the matter, the emperor's voice came from inside the room, "Let him in."

"Yes!"

Cha Mian opened the door for the Imperial Observatory. "Sir, please come in!"

Upon entering, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau official knelt on the ground without saying a word. "Your Majesty, this old minister observed the celestial phenomena last night and discovered that the sun star was obscured by the light of the Wenxiu star."

"What do you mean?"

"It means that the Sun Star represents Your Majesty, the Wenxiu Star represents the Prince, and Prince An has been afflicting you recently, indicating that he intends to become the Crown Prince!"

The Imperial Observatory official was trembling with fear that the emperor would discover his lie, but at this moment, the emperor thought that he was trembling because Prince An was about to take over the Eastern Palace.

"How is that possible? If An'er were to harm me, how could I be safe and sound by now?"

"Your Majesty, have you often felt weak and listless lately? Or perhaps you have some other health issues?" The Imperial Astronomical Bureau chief bowed his head, not daring to look at the Emperor's face. "If so, you must pay close attention. This is Prince An trying to restrain you, but since he lives outside the palace, his restraint is less effective. This old minister has observed that the celestial phenomenon of the Wenxiu star has been growing stronger recently, while the celestial star representing you, the Sun, has been gradually weakening..."

Without even listening, the emperor guessed what would happen next regarding the Imperial Observatory.

"Anything else?"

"This is all the information we have about celestial phenomena recently."

"Is there any way to resolve this?"

There is no way to resolve this.

The emperor sighed and waved his hand at the Imperial Observatory, "You may leave."

"Yes!"

The emperor, half-reclining on his couch, asked, "Cha Mian, do you think the Imperial Observatory's words are credible?"

Cha Mian, being such a shrewd person, naturally dared not offer his honest opinion on such a momentous matter. "Whether you believe it or not is up to Your Majesty..."

"Have you even learned to be wary of me now?"

"Your Majesty, this old servant only feels that matters concerning celestial phenomena are ultimately up to you to handle!"

"I don't believe An'er will bring me bad luck!" The emperor looked at the roof. "An'er is my lucky star. With him around, I have much less to worry about!"

"Yes, Prince An is a filial son; he would never do anything outrageous."

Such a significant matter naturally required careful handling. "Your Majesty, since the celestial phenomena indicate that Prince An and you have some issues recently... perhaps it would be best not to allow Prince An to enter the palace for the Mid-Autumn Festival?"

"No, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a day for family reunion. All the princes will come, but An'er will not. What will An'er think then?"

"It was my oversight."

The emperor sighed, "Fine, you're just worried about my safety. Let's go to sleep!"

The emperor didn't take such matters to heart. How many people have ever been able to accurately predict celestial phenomena throughout history?

After finishing his speech, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau official left the palace and returned home. However, his son and grandson were still not at home, and Min Zhifu still did not release them.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, Min Youan took Xia Tongsheng to the palace to attend a banquet. It had been four months since Xia Tongsheng last visited the palace for her birthday.

After entering the palace this time, Xia Tongsheng felt sorry for Min Yanyue being alone in the palace, so she first took the prince to Jing'an Palace to see the young prince, and then brought him to the banquet hall.

"Sister-in-law, did you bring the young prince with you to the palace?"

Xia Tongsheng's face darkened. "Do I need the Second Prince to interfere when I bring my own son into the palace?"

Min Zhifu's expression was also somewhat strange. "Of course not. It's just that everyone knows about what happened to the young master last time. Now you're suddenly playing the role of a virtuous wife and loving mother. Isn't it a bit too late?"

"Whether she is a true virtuous wife and loving mother or just pretending, it is up to the prince to judge, and I'm afraid it's none of my business, Your Majesty." Xia Tongsheng told Yingling to take the two children and leave first. "I don't even care if people say I'm jealous, and I don't care if people say I'm harsh on the Crown Prince."

Min Youan pulled Xia Tongsheng behind him, saying, "If you have nothing better to do, Second Brother, you can discipline your woman more. You don't need to tell Asheng how to behave and conduct herself here."

The couple were of one mind, and Min Zhifu knew he wouldn't get any advantage from them, so he turned and left.

"Second brother, why did you leave so suddenly?"

"I have something to say!" Min Zhifu spat coldly, thinking to himself, "Let's see if you can still be so arrogant later."

The four took their seats, and Min Yanyue led Yi Yi to play around Xia Tongsheng, waiting for the emperor to begin the performance.

Min Youan glanced at the night sky and wondered why his father, the emperor, hadn't arrived yet. He should have been seated long ago.

In fact, the emperor was still resting in his palace because he was not feeling well.

Cha Mian thought of what the Imperial Observatory had said a few days ago and was a little worried. "Your Majesty, Prince An has come to the palace today."

"It's perfectly normal for An'er to go to the palace during the Mid-Autumn Festival!"

"But......"

The emperor's expression hardened. "The Imperial Observatory's words are not to be mentioned again. I do not believe them!"

"Yes!"

Cha Mian felt very sorry for the emperor's weak appearance. In his memory, the emperor rarely looked so pale. However, since the emperor said not to talk about it, he could only keep his worries to himself.

Upon arriving at the banquet, everyone knelt on the ground to respectfully welcome the emperor.

The empress rose and naturally helped the emperor ascend the throne.

After the emperor announced that the emperor had risen, he declared the banquet to begin.

The singers and dancers came up with the palace maids and eunuchs who were in charge of serving meals.

Seeing the emperor engrossed in the song and dance performance, the empress asked, "Your Majesty, what do you think of tonight's performance?"

"Wonderful!"

"This was specially arranged by Rongfan for you," the Empress said with a smile, looking at Min Rongfan. "Rongfan said you haven't looked well lately, so he specially arranged a little entertainment to cheer you up!"