The Cold King Demands Love and Pleasure

Min Youan saw the tears in the corners of her eyes and clenched his fists tightly. "You'd even use your own daughter for revenge, let alone strangers?"

"Yes, I am a heinous female demon, Your Highness. Congratulations, you have finally acknowledged me." Xia Tongsheng smiled, pretending not to care, and acted as if she didn't care. "In that case, there is no need for us to be together anymore. Let's get a divorce."

"You think you can just leave? I won't allow it. I won't give you the chance to fight against Bei Min."

Xia Tongsheng sat on the stool and smiled indifferently, "Your Highness, you really think too highly of me."

"I have experienced your methods before."

Min Youan turned his back, not daring to look at Xia Tongsheng like this. "Cang Jue, keep a close eye on the Princess Consort. Do not allow her to step out of the East Garden. Pay special attention to the underground area."

"Your Highness, this..."

"Do it!"

After giving his cold instructions, Min You'an strode away from the East Garden.

Yingling had just coaxed Yiyi to sleep when she returned and heard the news that the prince was going to confine Xia Tongsheng to his quarters.

"Miss, what's going on? Why is the Prince suddenly so angry?"

Xia Tongsheng slumped in her chair, looking up at the ceiling. "They all say that love is something you can't hold onto. I thought I was the exception, but I didn't expect that everyone is the same. We are all pitiful people in love."

"Miss, what are you saying? I don't understand."

“I said, the prince doesn’t like me anymore,” Xia Tongsheng announced calmly, as if she were talking about someone else’s business. “I didn’t expect this day to come so soon.”

Xia Tongsheng thought that by preparing herself mentally in advance, she wouldn't be so sad when that day actually came. However, she didn't expect that the sadness would still overwhelm her like a flood, making even breathing so painful.

She no longer had the strength to do anything more.

Cang Jue followed Min You'an back to the study and watched as Min You'an smashed a table to pieces.

"Cang Jue, bring the wine."

"Yes."

Soon, Cang Jue brought the wine. "Go tell Yu Qian'er that General Lin has returned to the manor safely, and then come back to drink with me."

"It's the prince."

After Cang Jue left, Min You'an sat on the ground drinking alone. In fact, when he decided to let Yu Qian'er enter the palace, Min You'an had already sent people to protect Lin Jiuyang in secret. The fact that Lin Jiuyang was captured by the Empress's people was actually Min You'an's plan.

Lin Jiuyang and Min Youan originally planned to gather evidence against the Empress before pretending to fall into the trap, but Xia Tongsheng was worried about Lin Jiuyang's safety and acted ahead of time.

Min Youan wasn't worried that Xia Tongsheng would disrupt his plans, but rather that Xia Tongsheng would get hurt in this battle.

The affairs of the palace, the Taigu King, and the border had already left Min You'an with no time to spare. He didn't have the energy to protect Xia Tongsheng. He didn't want Xia Tongsheng to get hurt, so this was the only way he could come up with. Only by confining Xia Tongsheng in the palace could he ensure that nothing went wrong.

Gao Liang heard Min You'an calling for wine from the study, so she took the wine and went into the room.

"Your Highness, what's wrong with you?"

"Gao Liang, do all women like to meddle in other people's business?"

Gao Liang seemed to see right through her. "Has the Princess meddled in your business again and offended you?"

"Oh, her, she can never stay still."

"But isn't it precisely her warm heart and lively spirit that the prince loves?"

"How did you tell?"

Gao Liang smiled slightly, "A woman's intuition."

"Then tell me, can Ah Sheng sense that my anger this time is because I want to protect her?"

"It's hard to say, those involved are often blinded by their own perspective." Gao Liang personally filled Min You'an's glass with wine.

"How blinded by involvement! Do you have someone you like?"

"I suppose so, but he just doesn't know it."

The two talked a lot and drank a lot of wine. The next day, when Cang Jue returned to the Prince's mansion to find the Prince and Gao Liang, he found that the Prince and Gao Liang were disheveled when they woke up.

"Your Highness, what exactly did you two do?"

Gao Liang remained calm. "We didn't do anything."

"Nothing? Then what is this?"

"You fell asleep after drinking together. Don't you know what kind of person the prince is?"

Gao Liang packed her clothes and was about to leave when Min Youan stopped her.

"We'll just tell everyone that we're married."

"why?"

"Didn't you say last night that a woman's intuition is very accurate? In that case, I will make Ah Sheng completely believe that I have changed my mind."

Cang Jue, who had missed what happened last night, looked completely bewildered. "Your Highness, why did you do this?"

"Silly Cangjue, the prince wants to protect the princess, so we will do as he says."

It wasn't until midday that Xia Tongsheng heard the news that Min Youan and Gao Liang had slept together. At first, Xia Tongsheng didn't believe it, but after hearing every servant in the East Garden say the same thing, Xia Tongsheng completely gave up hope.

Xia Tongsheng hadn't slept a wink last night, her mind replaying everything that had happened since they got together. She wondered if Min Youan had deliberately said those things to provoke her. She had originally planned to be nice to Min Youan and have a chat today, but now it seemed unnecessary.

Min Youan has abandoned the bottom line that both of them held firm, so why should she keep making excuses for Min Youan in her heart?

It only makes it seem even more pale and powerless.

After Min Youan went to court, the court was still in complete chaos.

"Your Highness, you've finally arrived."

Min Youan immediately understood why the civil and military officials were suddenly so enthusiastic towards him. It seemed that the news of the Taigu King's actions had reached the capital. Otherwise, why would these opportunistic ministers be so "enthusiastic" towards him?

Just as he was pondering how to reply to the minister, Cha Mian announced the start of the court session.

The civil and military officials immediately lined up and entered the main hall in order.

The emperor's expression was not good at this moment. "This is a memorial submitted to me by the King of Taigu. He says that the salary I give him is too little and the taxes he demands are too heavy. What do you think, my beloved ministers?"

"Your Majesty is kind and benevolent. The taxes in the Thousand Machine Land are already more than 30% lower than the national taxes. Yet the Ancient King is still not satisfied and wants to start a rebellion."

The emperor shifted his posture. "Judging from your somber expressions, it seems you've all received the news. Tell me, what's your take on it?"

"Your subject petitions that Your Highness raise troops to suppress this rebellion."

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"..."

Dozens of "Your subject seconds" echoed orderly in the hall.

The emperor sighed. "An'er, what do you think?"

"Your subject is willing."

"Good, you truly are my good son."

The emperor greatly admired Min Youan's courage.

A barely perceptible smile appeared on the Prime Minister's lips. As long as Min You'an could be sent away, everything would be much easier.

After the court session, the emperor summoned Min You'an to the imperial study. "An'er, have you thought it through? I just want to help you eliminate this hidden danger."