The Cold King Demands Love and Pleasure

Xia Tongsheng frowned. Did Mo Chen want to see her about something? "Did he say what it was about?"

Ji Shuihan leaned close to Xia Tongsheng's ear and whispered, "Mo Chen said it's about your identity."

Xia Tongsheng turned her head to look at Ji Shuihan, her eyes sparkling.

Actually, her identity as the Goddess of Nanye was revealed during the previous investiture ceremony, and it's estimated that the entire Yanxiang community now knows her true identity.

"Did Mo Chen say anything else?"

Ji Shuihan shook his head. "No, he looked very serious, so it's probably quite serious."

Xia Tongsheng surmised that the serious matter, which he hadn't told Ji Shuihan about, must be related to Nanye.

"But how does Mo Chen get into the palace?"

"Your Majesty, may I leave the palace?"

Xia Tongsheng knew that because her identity had been exposed, there were probably many people outside the palace who wanted to assassinate her. In order to protect her safety, the guards of the entire palace had been reinforced several times over by Min Youan.

Xia Tongsheng thought for a moment and decided to take the risk of meeting her. "Shui Han, when I leave the palace for the morning court tomorrow, have Mo Chen wait for me at the corner of the north gate of the palace with a few pieces of jewelry."

"Yes."

Afterwards, Xia Tongsheng chatted with Ji Shuihan about Yanxiang. Ji Shuihan didn't leave the palace until the afternoon.

The next morning, while Min You'an was attending court, Xia Tongsheng changed into a palace maid's outfit, took the token, and left the palace under the pretext of retrieving jewelry from the Prince's residence for the Empress.

Mo Chen waited for Xia Tongsheng at the place they had agreed upon the day before.

"Here she is." Mo Chen waved to Xia Tongsheng as she came out.

Xia Tongsheng looked around and, seeing no one, walked over. "You're in such a hurry to see me, what's the matter?"

"Lord Nanle sent me a message; this is a letter from before."

Mo Chen handed Nan Leci's letter to Xia Tongsheng. Xia Tongsheng opened it and found it contained a detailed account of the crisis facing Nanye. "What's going on? Hasn't Nan Leci always managed Nanye very well?"

"Originally, yes, but recently, because Lord Nanle insisted on attacking Beimin, the economy of the Nanye border region has declined, and many people in the court are dissatisfied. In addition, the goddess who is impersonating you has been appearing in the court as a mute and masked person, so the ministers in the court suspect that the goddess of Nanye is fake."

"Didn't the goddess of Nanye also wear a veil before? Why didn't they say so before?"

Mo Chen sighed, "It's not that everyone wants to kick Lord Nanle while he's down because he made a mistake. Besides, some people didn't dare to mention it even though they had doubts about the Goddess's identity."

Are you telling me all this so I'll go back?

Mo Chen knelt down. "Right now, the entire Nanye can be described as outwardly strong but inwardly weak. Several powerful military officers in the court are preparing to establish their own independent forces. Lord Nanle has already lost control. Please return."

"But I..."

"You can't move an inch here. The court has been advocating for the removal of the empress, and I've heard that the princess of Dongchen is coming to marry her. Is this really the kind of life you want?"

"It's not what I want, but even if I go back to Nanye with you, is life in Nanye really what I want?"

"Lord Nanle doesn't want you to stay in Nanye forever, but hopes that you can go back and resolve the trouble. After that, you can still come back to Beimin."

Can I come back again? Xia Tongsheng was somewhat shaken upon hearing this.

"Mo Chen, let me think about it. Three days later, let Shui Han enter the palace, and I will tell her my decision."

"it is good."

Xia Tongsheng returned with the jewelry, and the guards did not suspect anything.

Xia Tongsheng thought about Mo Chen's words carefully. Nanye was in trouble, and Beimin was so hostile to her. Maybe she should go back and help.

Her mother must have hoped that she could save Nanye.

After returning to the palace, Yingling anxiously looked for her, "Miss, where did you go? I just heard that the Emperor has agreed to the marriage alliance."

"Okay, I agree."

Yingling grabbed her hand, "Miss, aren't you going to stop it?"

"Since you already know about this, he must have personally agreed to the marriage alliance. A king's word is law; how can I stop him?"

Min Youan still couldn't escape the responsibility of an emperor and broke his promise. If one woman could enter the palace, other women could too.

Remembering the Empress Dowager's words, Xia Tongsheng finally decided to return to Nanye.

At least there, she can still see her own meaning.

After the court session, Min You'an observed Xia Tongsheng's expression and said, "Ah Sheng, I agree to the marriage alliance."

"I heard about it."

Min Youan frowned as he looked at her indifferent expression. "Aren't you jealous?"

Why are you jealous?

"Other women will enter the palace later."

“That’s good. At least it’s not boring.” Xia Tongsheng turned around. “Your Majesty, you are busy with state affairs. You go ahead and do your work. I will take Yi Yi to play in the Imperial Garden.”

After saying that, Xia Tongsheng carried Yi Yi away.

Min Youan smiled as he watched her retreating figure. "Cangyi, did you see that? She's jealous. She still cares about me."

Cangyi replied, "Your Majesty, the Empress already cares about you. Do you still need to test her?"

"You do not understand."

Cangyi glanced at Min Youan's expression and asked, "Your Majesty, if I may be so bold as to ask, do you really intend to marry the princess of Dongchen?"

"real."

"But Your Majesty the Empress."

"I only agreed to the marriage alliance; I did not say that I was the one being married!"

"Huh?" Cangyi was completely confused.

"The emperor of Dongchen only needs to marry into the royal family of Beimin. The royal family is not just me."

"Your Majesty, the princes in the palace are still young and not yet of marriageable age. You're not looking for a child bride, are you?"

"Who said that? Isn't there another one? The one in the dungeon!"

Cangyi clapped his hands, "How could this servant have forgotten him? Your Majesty is wise."

Min Youan smiled and said, "Prepare well."

In fact, Min Youan had planned to switch the baby out of the baby from the start. He originally wanted to tell Xia Tongsheng about his plan today, but he didn't expect Xia Tongsheng's attitude to be so cold. He wanted to give her a surprise.

After receiving Xia Tongsheng's consent, Mo Chen arranged to meet with her again to discuss how to leave the palace.

Xia Tongsheng spoke first, "I agree, but I have one request."

"any request?"

"I want to take Yi-Yi with me."

Mo Chen readily agreed, "Alright, Lord Nanle, as long as you can go back."

"What's the plan?"

"One month later, on the night of the Emperor's marriage to Princess Dongchen, around midnight, Lord Nanle will send someone to the palace to meet you while the Emperor and Princess are having their wedding ceremony. This way, Min You'an won't be by your side, making it easier for us to make our move."

"Okay. It's settled then. I don't have much time, so I'll head back first to avoid arousing his suspicion."

"Ah."

Mo Chen watched Xia Tongsheng return to the palace.

After Xia Tongsheng returned to the palace, she knew that she didn't have much time left to spend with Min Youan, so she cherished every moment.