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

In the evening, she had dinner with her grandmother, and after leaving Shou'an Hall, she went directly to her second aunt's room.

They brought in several boxes that her mother had prepared separately.

"This was specially prepared by my mother and my aunt, the Empress, for my second aunt. It's not appropriate to take it out during the day, so it was delivered a little late."

After her initial surprise, Madam He's eyes welled up with tears of emotion. "I am content that Her Majesty the Empress and my sister-in-law still remember me."

"My cousins ​​are getting older and it's time for them to get married. My aunt said that if they can't find someone in Mingzhou, they should go to the capital. My mother will take care of this."

Although the Empress and her second uncle were not born of the same mother, they were both members of the Ruan family and would not abandon them.

This time, her aunt even summoned her to the palace for a talk.

My second uncle's family has quite a few children. Let her take a look and see which ones are worth nurturing, so that they don't go to waste.

Mrs. He burst into laughter through her tears, "Really?"

"It's true, of course. My cousin is a good student and not much younger than my eldest brother. It's about time for him to enter the Imperial Academy. He'll be able to take the exam in a couple of years."

Mrs. He was so happy that she didn't know how to react.

She had been worried about this matter, but there was no news from Kyoto, so she gave up.

Hearing this, I immediately felt at ease.

Okay, okay. As long as Kyoto still remembers her two children, all the suffering she's endured over the years will be worth it.

After leaving her second aunt's courtyard, Ruan Xianrong went to the study, where her father had delivered a letter to her second uncle.

Ruan Zhongqian was reading a book when he heard that she had arrived, so he quickly invited her in.

"Second Uncle."

"No need for formalities, is there something you need?"

She handed over the letter, saying, "This is from my father to my second uncle."

Without investigating the contents of the letter, he delivered it and returned to his courtyard.

After traveling for almost two months, she was indeed exhausted. She went back and fell asleep as soon as she got home, sleeping until noon the next day.

My second aunt instructed everyone in the family not to disturb her, and these past few days have been relatively peaceful.

A few days later, Yinque suddenly brought in a visiting card.

The words "Shen Qinglian" were written in large characters above.

"General Shen is outside the mansion, saying he has something to say."

"If you don't want to see him, I'll send him away right now."

"No need, let him in."

Xie Chengli mentioned last time that there was going to be a war in the southern border, and that's why he left the capital this time.

Shen Qinglian and I left Beijing together this time to go to the battlefield.

Ruan Xianrong leaned back in her recliner, not getting up even as people entered. Her words were barbed, "Is General Shen afraid he won't be able to return, so he's come here specifically to warn me to stay away from Shen Qinghe?"

In the past, Shen Qinglian was always the one to start the sarcastic remarks, but today she finally got a chance to strike first.

Given their relationship, she wouldn't feel guilty even if she said something far worse.

She loved seeing him get tongue-tied by her provocations, and she loved seeing his face turn as black as the bottom of a pot when she made him angry.

"You know that's good," he said in a deep voice.

"Don't worry, if you die, it'll be good that no one will bother you. I'll definitely take good care of Shen Qinghe." Although it was to spite him, she was still willing to take care of Shen Qinghe.

Even after I get married, I will still treat him well.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qinglian looked at her quietly, without any emotion, simply staring at her as if she were stunned.

After a long pause, he finally spoke: "That's fine too."

Ruan Xianrong found it strange that he was being so agreeable today.

He cupped his hands in greeting: "I'm relieved to hear what you've said, Miss Ruan. Thank you."

After saying that, he turned and left, his back view resolute.

She paused for a moment, unsure of what to feel, and then said loudly, "If you don't come back, Shen Qinghe will really be my younger brother, and he won't even remember you as his older brother anymore."

Shen Qinglian paused, and the sky over Mingzhou was clear, with only a patch of blue remaining.

A slight smile played on his lips as he suddenly realized that there were too many things in this world that one could cherish, and if there were no turning back, he would truly feel unwilling.

The darkness in my heart dares not be exposed to the light.

Timid and hesitant, yet yearning for that darkness to be discovered.

It's clearly something I can't bear to part with...

After the person left, Yinque glared at him and said, "This young General Shen is always making things difficult for you. You and Young Master Shen have a good relationship, but he's the only one who doesn't trust you and is worried all the time that you'll harm Young Master Shen."

"The girl is giving him too much credit."

Ruan Xianrong smiled, indifferent; fortunately, she had never suffered a loss before.

But why the sudden call to go to the battlefield?

Shen Qinglian had always been a general of the Imperial Guard, responsible for the security of the palace and the capital. Why would he go to the battlefield with such a good job?

Ruan Xianrong lay listlessly under the tree when Ruan Tinglan bounced in. "Niannian, do you want to go listen to some music?"

"Furong Tower has a new storybook today, so seats are hard to come by. I managed to snag two."

Ruan Xianrong didn't like listening to opera, but since she had nothing else to do, she went out with them.

As the New Year approaches, several women are gathered in front of the butcher shop, waiting to chop meat filling. The aroma of chili peppers mixed with the smell of glutinous rice flour wafts over, and I couldn't help but smack my lips.

A few children were setting off firecrackers in the alley, while several young women sat nearby cutting paper snowflakes, smiles playing on their lips.

She couldn't help but laugh, but Ruan Tinglan pulled her back and lowered the carriage curtain.

"Don't you have any idea what you look like?"

If someone saw this face, what would happen?

"Mingzhou is not like Kyoto. You have to be careful. What if someone takes advantage of you?"

Ruan Xianrong touched her face, realizing that she, this cannon fodder, was actually quite beautiful.

Upon entering the theater, Ruan Tinglan led her to her seat.

Soon, drums and gongs were played on the stage, and a melodramatic and emotionally charged drama was performed, which startled her.

The story performed on stage was exactly the plot of her transmigrating into this book.