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

Silver Sparrow carefully opened the door. The people outside were backlit, so only one figure could be seen, a dark mass blocking the doorway.

The person who came in tidied up the two people inside and then turned to look at her.

Ruan Xianrong was taken aback. "Third Prince? What are you doing here?"

The man was dressed in military armor, and unlike his warm demeanor in Kyoto, he bore a resemblance to the Second Prince in temperament.

Xie Chengli laughed and said, "I was ordered to go south. When I passed through here, I encountered a group of villains who followed me all the way here."

"You guys know how to pick a location; this inn is their stronghold."

Ruan Xianrong then realized that this was a shady establishment. Xie Chengli and his men originally intended to storm in, but after learning that people lived inside, they chose to sneak in instead.

She couldn't help but feel a sense of lingering fear; it was her oversight. If they hadn't encountered the Third Prince today, they would have been in danger.

Xie Chengli pushed the person back to the room, "Everyone in the inn has been cleared out, it's safe tonight, go back to sleep, my men are guarding it."

She felt reassured since everyone in the inn was her own family, and she fell asleep soon after returning home.

When I woke up the next day, a meal had been prepared downstairs.

Xie Chengli changed his clothes, regaining his usual elegant and refined demeanor, and greeted her, "You're up? Come and have some food first."

Breakfast consisted of a small dish of side dishes, a few steamed buns, and a bowl of soup.

"This place is not like Kyoto. Please make do with what you have. Things will be better once we get into the city."

"It's already very good, Your Highness. Thank you for your help."

"When you're out and about, you can change that way of addressing people," Xie Chengli said, taking a bite of his steamed bun.

"Change what?"

He thought about it seriously for a moment, "Why don't you call me cousin? According to seniority, you should indeed call me cousin."

Ruan Xianrong was unwilling to call out, and Xie Chengli did not force her.

He smiled and said, "I've painted a few pictures and written some poems. Why don't you take a look at them for me?"

Ruan Xianrong's lips twitched slightly. How much did she like it to carry it with her at all times?

He glanced at it briefly, his tone rather perfunctory, "Your Highness has excellent writing skills."

"Would Miss Miaoyin like it?"

"Your Highness, why don't you give it to her and let her try it out after you return to the capital?"

Xie Chengli smiled and put the things away, not continuing the topic or revealing what had happened in the capital.

After the meal, Xie Chengli led them into Huai'an City.

This is Jiangnan, and the local customs and culture are different from those of Kyoto. Everything here feels fresh and new.

In the past, whenever she went back to visit her grandmother, she didn't want to go back; she just wanted to settle down here and live a free and easy life.

This is an opportunity.

Anyway, she's in Jiangnan, so her parents can't come and kidnap her, which makes room for the female lead.

Xie Chengli turned to look at her. "Last time you visited Madam Ruan, you mentioned it was a pity you didn't get to visit Huai'an. Shall we go for a stroll today?"

Ruan Xianrong hesitated for a moment, then decided to go shopping with Xie Chengli.

"I've heard that Huai'an's braised pork meatballs and soup dumplings are famous far and wide. Wouldn't you like to try them?"

There should be a crab feast today.

Ruan Xianrong, quite pathetically, agreed.

Xie Chengli had arranged accommodations in advance, taking care of all the needs of him, and he showed no impatience whatsoever.

At lunchtime, they even serve her food.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I can do it myself. I wouldn't dare trouble you."

Xie Chengli chuckled, "Since you're following me, I naturally have to take good care of you. Otherwise, if your father finds out, even I, a prince, will probably get a beating."

Nguyen Chancellor used to be the prince's tutor, and he and his brothers were often reprimanded.

Upon hearing this, my guard lessened somewhat.

She always remembered that he was the second male lead and couldn't get too close, but now that they're not in Kyoto, it shouldn't have any impact, right?

Thinking about this, I feel much more at ease.

After having lunch and taking a nap, she couldn't wait to go out.

Xie Chengli prepared a veil for her, "Wear it."

Huai'an City was bustling with activity. Shouts and songs rose higher and higher, flags of snack shops, taverns and teahouses fluttered in the wind, and acrobatic performances drew cheers from the crowd.

What a wonderful place.

Xie Chengli seemed to have noticed, "If you like this place, stay here for a while longer. I'll send someone to deliver a message to your grandmother."

Ruan Xianrong shook her head, "Grandmother is sick, I have to go as soon as possible. It's not too late to come after Grandmother recovers."

The two wandered around for half a day until night fell and the streetlights came on, creating a bustling scene different from the daytime.

She was holding snacks she bought from the street vendor, her eyes dazzled by the sight.

Turning around, Xie Chengli stood motionless in front of the wood carving stall.

The wood carvings are all in pairs, clearly gifts between men and women.

Taking a bite of the sugar crisp in her hand, she said, "You're not thinking of buying this as a gift for Miaoyin, are you?"

Xie Chengli was taken aback by her sudden question, and then turned his head.

"I just find it exquisite."

Seeing that he was about to leave, Ruan asked again, "Aren't you going to buy anything?"

He pursed his lips. "When giving a gift, it's naturally more sincere if it's carved by hand."

"You want to learn?"

"Of course I'll learn it; Miss Miaoyin will definitely like it."

Ruan Xianrong chuckled a few times, as long as he was happy.

As night falls and the city lights come on, the nighttime is even more lively than the daytime.

More and more people gathered in front of us, and we looked up.

The magnificent buildings are towering high, with lanterns hanging on each floor, and each floor has a different lantern, making the streets as bright as day.

The lanterns swayed gently in the night breeze, as soft as ribbons in a woman's hair, or like the Milky Way falling to earth.

"There's a lantern riddle contest at Qionglou today, would you like to go check it out?" Xie Chengli asked.

"It's the same from here."

"The first person to climb to the top floor will be able to answer the riddle. The one who answers correctly will win the prize for tonight. It's that one."

He pointed to a glass palace lantern hanging above the pavilion, which was magnificent, dazzling, and more beautiful than any he had seen in Kyoto.

"want to?"

"Can you climb up there?" Ruan Xianrong asked, taking a bite of hawthorn.

"If you want to, you can always try."

"Then I want it."

Xie Chengli asked with a smile, "I helped you get that lamp, how are you going to repay me?"

"If you win that lamp, I'll tell you Miaoyin's preferences, how about it?"

"make a deal."

After saying that, the person went upstairs.

Xie Chengli was skilled in martial arts, so climbing stairs wasn't too difficult for him; he reached the third floor in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

He looked down from the window on the third floor. Ruan Xianchao waved to him, then sat down at a street stall with Yinque and ordered a local snack.

"Girl, shall we go watch the Third Prince solve riddles and win lanterns?"

"There are still seven floors up. Let's rest here and wait for him to come back."

"Are you really going to tell His Highness Miaoyin's preferences?"

Ruan Xianrong chuckled mischievously. "That's impossible. Besides, Xie Chengli wouldn't even ask."

This man hid his feelings very well, never uttering a word; no wonder he doesn't have a wife.

She wouldn't get involved in their complicated love triangle.

After finishing his bowl of glutinous rice balls, Xie Chengli had already reached the top. The people upstairs posed a question, which he answered quickly. He then took the lamp and waved it down below.

Ruan Xianrong, unsure if he could see it, gave a thumbs up.

Xie Chengli went downstairs and handed her the glass lamp, saying, "This is for you."

Ruan Xianrong's eyes lit up as she held the lantern.

In the past, when I read novels in modern times, I often saw sisters arguing over jewelry and lanterns, with neither willing to give in.

She would fight for any lantern like this.

"Thank you, Third Prince."

"I've won the lamp for you; remember what you promised me."

"What if I change my mind?"

Xie Chengli stroked his chin, his expression serious. After a moment's thought, seeing her staring at him intently, he chuckled. "What else can we do? We can only suffer this loss. Are we going to tie you up and torture you?"

Ruan Xianrong felt a pang of sadness. Thinking of his ending in the book, she still kindly asked, "Third Prince, why did you fall in love with Miaoyin?"

"There are many women in the world; there is bound to be one that Your Highness prefers."

"But I don't like other people right now."

"You know, there are some people that not everyone can win over."

Xie Chengli's eyes darkened slightly, then he lowered his gaze and chuckled softly, "How will you know you can't have it if you don't try?"

Ruan Xianrong sighed, "What if the person you want to fight for doesn't want you to fight for them?"

Miaoyin never liked him throughout the book, and in the end she chose the male protagonist.

Xie Chengli looked at her with eyes that reflected a sky full of stars, "You're not that person, so how would you know?"

Ruan Xianrong was stunned and had no words to refute.

Suddenly I feel that it's not so bad for the female lead to be with the second male lead.

The male lead can't tolerate the Ruan family, but the second male lead might be able to.

The female lead can fight for the throne, but what about the imperial throne?

The throne is something Xie Chengyan would never give up, and the two will eventually become enemies.

No more persuasion; she can't change anything anyway. It's already a miracle that she's saved her own life.

She tilted her head back and smiled, "Your Highness, just pretend I didn't say anything."

Ruan Xianrong put aside the conversation and focused on looking at the roadside stalls.

We had a great time and didn't go home until very late.