The new emperor's first decree upon ascending the throne was to forcibly take his cousin as his

After the two talked for a while, Yinque coughed lightly.

Shen Qinghe was, after all, an outsider, and it was really improper for him to stay in the young lady's room like this.

If they were seen, her daughter's reputation would be ruined.

Shen Qinghe used to come here often when she was a child, and she didn't think much of it before, but now that the girl has come of age, she can no longer do it like before.

This young master Shen is usually a man of principle, but today he was really bold. Climbing the wall is one thing, but how can one just casually enter a young lady's boudoir even if she invites him?

Although Ruan Xianrong didn't care about these things, in this era, fourteen years old was already considered old, and if she were discovered, she would inevitably be lectured.

"It's getting late, if we don't leave soon we'll arouse suspicion."

Shen Qinghe rarely showed the carefree spirit of a young man. "Don't worry, I came with the Second Prince and the Third Prince. The Third Prince is playing chess with Prime Minister Ruan, and the Second Prince was called away by Young Master Ruan."

This kid has gone completely astray and is quite adept at exploiting loopholes.

But what are the Second Prince and the Third Prince doing here?

Perhaps sensing her confusion, Shen Qinghe explained, "His Majesty ordered that the Second Prince and the Third Prince come to visit you. Since the Crown Prince is not in the capital, only the two princes can serve you."

Ruan Xianrong has been recuperating from her injuries these past few days and has not inquired about what's happening outside, nor has she entered the palace. She has also paid no attention to Xie Chengyan's affairs.

"Is the Crown Prince not in the capital?"

"Didn't you know? The hunt wasn't over yet when His Highness the Crown Prince headed to the northern frontier. He left in such a hurry that I heard he didn't even have time to return to the Eastern Palace before setting off directly from the hunting grounds."

Ruan Xianrong was stunned for a moment and remained silent for a long time.

Shen Qinghe thought she was upset because the Crown Prince hadn't said goodbye to her. Just as he was about to comfort her, the person on the bed suddenly slapped her thigh and laughed loudly three times.

She said that no one can be unlucky forever.

Upon hearing this news, the air felt fresh, breathing became easier, and even my sprained ankle didn't hurt as much.

What was previously listless has now completely perked up.

It's truly a blessing from heaven. Last time Xie Chengyan was away from the capital for half a year, and this time things are so urgent, it will probably take at least a year.

Although Shen Qinghe didn't understand what she was happy about, this confirmed his suspicions.

Arong dislikes the Crown Prince.

This guess made him excited. If Arong didn't like the Crown Prince, did that mean he had a chance?

*

Later that evening, the distinguished guests of the Prime Minister's residence left one after another. The Second Prince and the Third Prince walked in front, with Shen Qinghe following behind.

Xie Chengli asked curiously, "What did Second Brother and Zhaolin go about? They were being so secretive."

Xie Chengming was usually a man of few words, and upon hearing this, he did not reply, saying only, "It's nothing."

Xie Chengli pursed his lips, "I knew I wouldn't get any answers. I'll ask Zhaolin another day."

After saying that, he noticed Shen Qinghe following behind him.

"What were you doing just now, Qinghe? I haven't seen you."

Shen Qinghe was suddenly questioned and panicked for a moment, but quickly regained his composure.

"I just wandered around the Prime Minister's residence. I'm not feeling well, so I didn't dare to walk around carelessly, for fear that I might collapse and no one would find me."

That statement was believable. Shen Qinghe had been frail since childhood, and would pant heavily after walking just a few steps. Xie Chengli did not doubt it.

After leaving the Prime Minister's residence, everyone went home.

Shen Qinghe spotted his carriage waiting at the alley entrance from afar and quickly walked over.

Only after getting into the carriage did I realize there were people inside.

"Big brother? What brings you here?"

Shen Qing glanced at him and asked in a calm voice, "Where did you go?"

Shen Qinghe chuckled, "Doesn't my elder brother know? I came to visit Arong today and just came from the Prime Minister's residence."

"I'm asking where you went at the Prime Minister's residence?"

Seeing his elder brother's serious expression, Shen Qinghe stopped smiling, clenched his hands tightly, and his already pale face became even more unsightly. He lowered his head and remained silent.

Shen Qinglian, dressed in black brocade, exuded an aura of oppression due to his years of martial arts training. Although his words were not reproachful, they carried a strong warning.

"What did I tell you before? Have you forgotten?"

Of course I haven't forgotten.

"I'll remind you one more time, Ruan Xianrong is not someone you can covet. You'd better give up that idea as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qinghe turned to his elder brother and asked, "Why?"

"Ruan Xianrong is not suitable for you. You'll understand when you grow up. Your older brother will find you a better one in the future."

Shen Qinghe turned his head away. He didn't want anything better; there was no one better in this world than A Rong.

Furthermore, even his older brother treated him like a child.

Why does everyone treat him like a child? He's really grown up, so why doesn't anyone believe it?

"My brother won't let me get close to Arong, isn't there any other reason?"

Shen Qing's hands clenched tightly under her sleeves, and her breathing became almost imperceptibly disordered.

"What else could it be? I'm doing this for your own good."

Shen Qinghe snorted, "Don't think I don't know. Big brother has never liked Arong. Every time he sees her, he says some nasty things. She's a good girl. Big brother, don't always be so mean to her."

The eldest brother dislikes Arong, and he really can't understand why his eldest brother would dislike Arong, since they all grew up together in Kyoto and have a bond with each other.

Shen Qinglian paused for a moment, pursed her lips, and finally relaxed her hand under her sleeve. After a long while, she finally spoke:

"That's all I have to say. She's not someone you should get close to. If you implicate the Shen family and Qinghe, I won't be able to protect you either."

Hearing his elder brother's voice turn cold, Shen Qinghe felt somewhat disappointed.

He's sickly and doesn't deserve Arong; he understands all that...

The carriages outside the Prime Minister's residence departed one after another. Inside, Prime Minister Ruan, reflecting on the day's events, asked, "What are your thoughts on the Second Prince and the Third Prince's visit today?"

Ruan Zhaolin has a carefree personality, but he is more serious than anyone else when it comes to his sister.

"The Second Prince and the Third Prince came to visit today, which I find rather intriguing."

"How so?"

"Although my sister was injured at the hunting grounds, she is, after all, just the daughter of a subject. Why should Your Highnesses come in person?"

It goes without saying who could command the emperor's son.

"Everyone knows that my sister will become the Crown Princess in the future. The Crown Prince is not in the capital right now, so the two princes' visit at this time is bound to make people think."

Prime Minister Ruan nodded, and couldn't help but look at his son with new respect, as what he said made some sense.

His Majesty doesn't want the Crown Prince to marry Niannian, so he sent his two sons to warn him.

Ruan Xiang looked at his wife, and Sun Shi also sighed, feeling a pang of guilt in her heart.

The last hunt was to find a husband for Niannian. What if the royal family dislikes Niannian's status when their biological daughter returns in the future?

Who knew that on this hunting trip, my daughter would be injured, and His Majesty would not want the Prime Minister's residence to interfere with the Crown Prince's affairs, so why go on the hunt at all? It was just an unnecessary ordeal.

Now that we understand His Majesty's meaning, the marriage of the Ruan family's daughter must be put on the agenda.