Taking a little baby with them, Meng Xi and Crown Prince Yun traveled while having fun, prolonging a three-month trip by almost another three months. On the way, the couple felt more and more devoted to each other. But happy time always passed quickly. Six months in their eyes were just like a moment.

As a family girl, Meng Xi began to feel homesick even though she had her lover to accompany her all the time. She missed her home, her mom, but more importantly, her dad Master Meng who loved her the most! She even missed the phoenix tree in her backyard. After all, this was the first time she had left home for so long.

In fact, if it wasn’t for Meng Xi’s homesickness, Crown Prince Yun wouldn’t have gone back so early. His plan was to make Meng Xi pregnant, so when they went back, their parents could do nothing but accept their marriage. In this way, they didn’t have to face that much of an obstacle. But since Meng Xi was not prepared for it, he wouldn’t force her.

If they stayed outside, their happiness might last. Crown Prince Yun knew that he had to go back to the royal palace sooner or later. So, after Meng Xi insisted, the group embarked on the way back. They had no idea that this time, their life would be changed permanently.

No one expected how much it would change in only half a year, but when things happened, people had to accept it no matter what.

Returning to Huaiyang City, they found the whole place had been different. Once a bustling and lively capital, it now seemed lifeless. The residents were still crowded on the streets, but their were no longer happy and relaxed. They were on tenterhooks. As if under an overcast sky, the street just reflected what the royal palace was like.

The gate of Huaiyang City was unusually guarded. The number of guards had increased inexplicably while rows of soldiers were constantly patrolling. There were very few people entering and exiting the city gate. It was not that the others didn’t want to go through, but most of them had been stopped at either side of the city gate. And even those allowed to pass the gate couldn’t avoid all that checking and inquiring. Waiting in a long line, people found everything was so unusual.

When Crown Prince Yun, Meng Xi, and their men arrived at the city gate, that was what they saw. Blocked outside the gate, they were also asked to wait in line.

Meng Xi held Crown Prince Yun’s big hand tightly. Such a strange situation had made everyone worried and confused. In a hurry, Crown Prince Yun took out the gold medal that represented his identity. No matter how uneasy they felt, they had to quickly enter the city to find out what had happened.

Seeing that Crown Prince was back, the gatekeeper did not immediately let them in. Instead, he asked them to wait aside and sent a soldier to report it. No one cared about Crown Prince Yun’s group or arranged seats for them, even when the soldiers had seen Crown Prince Yun and his men frowning.

Failing to hold back his anger, Crown Prince Yun complained to the leading officer, “As the Crown Prince, I can’t even go back to the capital, can I?” This was the first time he was treated in such a careless way.

“Your Highness, I’m sorry you have to wait, but I’m only doing my job.” Not even lifting his head, the officer continued checking the papers of the others. Working in front of such a long line, they were too busy to eat lunch, let alone take care of Crown Prince Yun!

“I need to see my father.”

“Your Highness, don’t worry. This is exactly what His Majesty ordered.”

“How could my father not allow me to go back to the city.”

“That’s why we’ve already sent someone to ask.”

Crown Prince Yun had no idea that if it weren’t for Master Meng, the moment he revealed his identity, he would be killed instead of just given the runaround.

“How dare you stop His Highness from getting in!”

“Aren’t you afraid of being punished by His Majesty?”

“This is the Crown Prince, not a commoner.”

“When we get in, we’ll make you pay.”

The guards around Crown Prince Yun couldn’t help scolding the soldiers, irritated by their attitude. These gatekeepers might seem polite, but there was no respect in the words they just said...

But no matter how uncomfortable Crown Prince Yun and the others felt, no one took them seriously. Even worse, because of their constant complaints, the officer at the gate didn’t even bother to deal with them. Other soldiers were also minding their own business. Crown Prince Yun and his men still had to wait. After all, without going back to his palace, he couldn’t know what had happened.

Time passed by. Due to their bad mood, half an hour felt as long as a lifetime. Finally, just as Crown Prince Yun was pushed to his limit, a group of people came to take him back into the city. Fortunately, these men seemed a lot more respectful.

The official who took the lead was especially so. Actually, he was more respectful to Meng Xi than to Crown Prince Yun. “Miss Meng, tell me if you want anything. I’ll try my best to meet your need,” said he. People who didn’t know who she was must think that Meng Xi was the future ruler of the Kingdom of Yun.

As a smart young man, Crown Prince Yun was aware of that. But he was too kind to say anything against it. Besides, Meng Xi was the love of his life. He’d like to see her respected by others. All he wanted then was to meet up with his parents and figure everything out.

However, the group was obviously not taking them to the palace. Quickly realizing something was wrong, Crown Prince Yun, Meng Xi, and their men wanted to leave. But unexpectedly, the group attacked them and separated the young couple from their guards. Only to Meng Xi, the soldiers apologized before attacking, “Sorry, Miss Meng.” Someone hit at Meng Xi’s acupoints, freezing her on the spot. Although Crown Prince Yun’s guards were martial artists, they were outnumbered by those who were equally good at fighting. Soon, all of them were caught. Crown Prince Yun and Meng Xi were brought to the mansion of the Mengs.

Although the Mengs was the richest family in Huaiyang City, their mansion didn’t look extraordinarily big. The only thing noticeable now was the soldiers and officers going in and out through its gate. Right now, they were crowded outside a small room of the mansion.

On the front seat in the room sat Master Meng, who was waiting for the arrival of the two youngsters. Soon enough, his daughter Meng Xi and Crown Prince Yun were taken in by the group he sent to pick them up.

As soon as Meng Xi arrived, they hit her acupoints again to release her. Seeing Master Meng, she rushed up into his arms. Scared by what just happened, she was thrilled to see her father, a person she could finally rely on.

Not able to meet his daughter for almost half a year, Master Meng was excited. Hugging Meng Xi into his arms, he couldn’t stop complaining secretly that she was too spoiled. But as long as her daughter was happy, Master Meng would try his best to protect her and let her lead a free life.

“Dad, I miss you so much.”

“Xier, do you still remember you have a home?”

“Of course I remember. I’m so happy to see you, daddy.”

“Xier, I thought you’ve abandoned your old father for that brat,” said Master Meng, glancing at Crown Prince Yun, who was kind of embarrassed to stay beside them.

“Daddy, stop. Look, I’m back to see you!”

“Well, don’t rush to leave again this time,” said Master Meng, touching her head affectionately. After checking her daughter up and making sure that she still looked healthy, Master Meng finally felt relieved and walked towards Crown Prince Yun.

Crown Prince Yun quickly bowed to Master Meng and greeted him respectfully, “Nice to see you, father-in-law.”

Master Meng waved his hand, “Your Highness, I can’t be your father-in-law.”

“Daddy, we’re serious about our relationship. I want to be with him for my life,” hearing Master Meng’s words, Meng Xi said hurriedly.

“Xier, don’t worry, I know it. Now stay there. Let me talk to Crown Prince Yun for a second.” In Master Meng’s heart, he always put his daughter over anything else.

“Alright.” Meng Xi randomly found a seat and sat down. Ever since she was a child, her father was the person she trusted the most and loved her the most. He cared about her even more than her mom did.

After seeing his baby girl settled, Master Meng turned back and said to Crown Prince Yun, “Your Highness, do you really want to be with Xier?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Now, everything depends on your decision.”

“Father-in-law...” As Master Meng looked at him seriously, Crown Prince Yun changed the way to address him, “Master Meng, what happened?”

“Yeah, daddy, what’s going on?” Meng Xi also wanted to know the truth. Everything seemed so strange this time they came back.

Master Meng still looked at Crown Prince Yun. Thinking for a while, he said, “I shouldn’t tell you this, but because Xier likes you, I have to intervene. It would be so much better if you stayed with Xier outside for another two or three years.”

“What happened? Please tell me.” From Master Meng’s words, Crown Prince Yun noticed something wrong.

“Your father has sent killers to take your life as long as you return to the city. He doesn’t want anyone to know that you are back, let alone let you in.”

“What? That’s impossible. Wh-why would my father want to kill me?”

“I secretly intercepted this royal decree and sent people to bring you here.”

“I don’t believe it. My father won’t treat me this way. Why would he? I am his son!”

Crown Prince Yun was obviously freaking out. Knowing how his daughter liked him, Master Meng didn’t know how to tell Crown Prince Yun his real identity. He just continued, “His Majesty has been imprisoned by the Noble Consort and the Prime Minister. I don’t know what’s going on with him. The current situation is complicated. People in the palace cannot get out, nor can our men get in.”

“I’m going to see them and ask them in person.”

“Your Highness! Don’t you understand? Now the Prime Minister and the Noble Consort are waiting for you to go back, so they can let you take your father’s place. So in case that happens, His Majesty prefers to kill you than to let you return.”

“Why did things become like this? When I left, everything was just fine. Why?”

“Stay here. I promise you that as long as you stay away from the throne, for the sake of Xier, I will keep you safe no matter what.”

Master Meng glanced at Crown Prince Yun, who was kind of stunned. He didn’t know how to comfort the young man. Overnight, his parents became enemies, and he was used by them to bargain with each other. It would be hard for anyone to digest the news!

Master Meng sighed and left the room, letting the young couple think about their next step. When he left, he still told the guards outside to take care of them. However, if he knew the consequences of his kindness, he would have killed Crown Prince Yun right now, regardless of how heartbroken Meng Xi would be.