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

Ruan Xianrong didn't find out about what happened in the front yard until that evening.

She wasn't surprised.

If she were the emperor, she would have been wary of the Ruan family long ago.

The Empress is from the Ruan family, the Prime Minister is from the Ruan family, and the future Crown Princess will also be from the Ruan family.

Her father still had many protégés in the court, all of whom were supporters of the Prime Minister's mansion. It was no wonder that the emperor was uneasy about whether the Xie family's power or the Ruan family's power was truly at stake.

In the book, almost all the male members of the Ruan family died out, and only the elderly, women, and children returned, posing no threat to the court.

In fact, if it were for the good of the Ruan family, their whole family should not have been involved with the royal family. When her father reached the age of retirement, he should have retired and returned to his hometown, so that he could have left behind a virtuous reputation.

But she couldn't persuade her otherwise.

Shake your head, try not to think about those upsetting things, and take it one step at a time.

Granny Kong from the main courtyard gave her a gift list, saying it was a return gift for the Third Prince and Shen Qinglian.

Shen Qinglian was hit by several arrows while trying to save her, and was seriously injured.

Although they don't get along, they should still repay kindness, shouldn't they?

"Add more to the General's mansion, and give him that black iron spear from my courtyard as well."

Granny Kong was taken aback. "That spear was a tribute from a foreign land; there's only one of its kind in the entire Great Zhou. Does the young lady intend to give it to General Shen?"

She didn't originally want that gun, but it ended up in her hands by some twist of fate.

No matter how good something is, if you can't use it, it's no different from scrap metal. It's better to give it to someone who practices martial arts.

"Well, I have no use for it, so I'll send it over."

"Yes, this old servant will go right away."

Since Ruan Xianrong was not fully recovered, Ruan Zhaolin naturally took over the task of delivering gifts.

They first went to the Third Prince's residence, but did not stay for long before heading to the General's Mansion.

As soon as Ruan Zhaolin entered, he saw that it was a hot day, and Shen Qinglian, with bandages wrapped around his body, was practicing martial arts shirtless in the courtyard.

"Young Master Ruan? Is something the matter?"

"General Shen is really hardworking. Even with such serious injuries, he still doesn't forget to practice martial arts."

"It's just a minor injury. You... is something wrong?"

Ruan Zhaolin bowed and said, "You saved my sister last time, and I have come here today to express my gratitude."

"This is a token of my gratitude; I hope Brother Shen will accept it."

"It was nothing, no need to mention it."

Ruan Zhaolin knew he would say that. "Brother Shen, please don't refuse yet. Take a look at this first?"

Shen Qinglian wanted to refuse, but then she saw Ruan Zhaolin directing the servant behind him to open the box he had brought.

Inside the box was a three-section spear made of black iron.

He knew about this item; it had been presented as tribute by a foreign country two years ago, but it had been obtained by Nguyen Thien Dung. At the time, many people were heartbroken and lamented the waste of such a precious item.

Since she took it back, no one has seen it again. Many people have offered high prices to buy it, but she has reportedly refused them all.

"How about it? Still don't want it?" Ruan Zhaolin asked with a smile.

Shen Qinglian was a military officer, so he was naturally stronger than him. When he learned that his sister was going to give the spear away, he felt sorry for a long time.

But there was nothing he could do; he simply couldn't lift it.

It only benefited Shen Qinglian.

"You're giving me this gun?"

Ruan Zhaolin shook his head, "It wasn't me who gave it to you, it was my sister."

"Although she doesn't know how to use it, she treasures expensive things. She specially asked me to bring it today. Although I don't like you because you always bully her, let's keep things separate. I still want to thank you this time."

Shen Qinglian was tempted. He was determined to have this spear, but the Crown Prince won it and it ended up in Ruan Xianrong's hands the next day.

"It's a real waste to have this in her hands."

Ruan Zhaolin: ?

He assembled the spear and immediately demonstrated a set of spear techniques.

He smiled, even though his wounds were bleeding.

He cupped his hands and said, "In that case, thank you."

Ruan Zhaolin looked at him with a complicated expression. His sister was right; this young General Shen was indeed no ordinary person.

Having repaid the favor, Ruan Xianrong felt relieved.

After resting for more than a month, she recovered and felt refreshed. Just as she was planning where to go for fun, she received the invitation.

It was sent by the Prince Yong's mansion, inviting her to go boating on the lake the day after tomorrow.

"Go and reply to the person who sent the invitation; I will definitely go."

Ruan Zhaolin walked in at that moment, bringing her a message.

"My younger brother has written to me."

Ruan Xianrong's expression brightened. "Zhao Yuan sent a letter? Where?"

Ruan Zhaolin hesitated before handing it to her, watching her sister read the letter, and then comforted her, "A-Yuan was really inconsiderate this time. She certainly didn't mean to forget you. Please don't be sad, sister."

Ruan Xianrong: It would be better not to offer any comfort.

The letter inquired about her parents, expressed concern for her eldest brother, and mentioned that she was doing well with her grandmother. It even included her second uncle and aunt, as well as several cousins, but she made no mention of her.

In the past, no matter what this younger brother did, she was always the first person he thought of. In the past, he would always leave a separate letter for her when he wrote letters, but this time he not only didn't, he didn't even mention her.

You little brat, you've spoiled him for nothing!

She was indeed unhappy and returned the letter to her elder brother.

"That brat is getting more and more disobedient. Don't be sad, little sister. When he gets back, big brother will teach him a lesson!"

Ruan Xianrong couldn't help but laugh at the thought of her elder brother and younger brother standing together.

Ruan Zhaolin was already of legal age, but he was straightforward and naive.

My younger brother is only ten years old, but he is incredibly mature. Even his mother said that he gave birth to a father for her in the end.

"Forget it, with the two of you standing together, it's hard to say who'll teach whom a lesson."

When she was a child, she urged her older brother to study so that he could avoid the endings in the books.

Since her younger brother was born, she has had someone else to keep her on her toes, but unlike her, Ruan Zhaoyuan is truly hardworking.

Unfortunately, such a child did not grow up in the book.