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

Ruan Xianrong's plan went smoothly. She had Yinque send a letter to Cheng Qing, asking him to meet, and he agreed.

"It seems he wasn't entirely indifferent to me."

"Of course, who is this girl? How could he not be interested?" Yinque said smugly.

"Go and prepare."

"Yes."

As soon as the courtyard gate opened, Ruan Tinglan stood straight at the entrance with an expression that said, "I knew something was going to happen."

"What is Niannian going to do?"

Ruan Xianrong knew she couldn't hide it from her, so she had no choice but to tell her everything.

Ruan Tinglan's eyes widened. "Are you crazy?"

"You've seen plenty of fine young men in Kyoto, why would you be so foolish as to look for one in Mingzhou?"

She neither understands nor respects it.

"Furthermore, don't you know your place? You're destined to be the Crown Princess, how can you find yourself a husband without my permission?"

Ruan Tinglan pulled her back, "No, I won't let you go."

"I've already made arrangements with them, how can I not go?"

"You're so bold! If your uncle finds out, he'll definitely break your legs."

"You look down on someone as outstanding as the Crown Prince, but you've taken a fancy to a mere scholar? No wonder you specifically asked about Cheng Qing last time; so that's what you were planning. Has your eyesight deteriorated after coming to Mingzhou?"

Ruan Tinglan refused to let her go no matter what.

But things have already been agreed upon, and it wouldn't be good to break the promise now.

"Big sister, I'm just going to meet someone, I won't do anything, please let me go."

"No!"

Ruan Xianrong had no choice but to try to persuade them for a long time before both sides compromised.

Ruan Tinglan went in her place.

After waiting for most of the day, when the person finally returned, she hurriedly asked, "How did it go? Is it possible for Scholar Cheng to submit his work?"

I can befriend him, but I cannot befriend Ruan Xianrong.

Ruan Tinglan asked seriously, "Tell me the truth, why did you marry Cheng Qing?"

Ruan Xianrong didn't know what to say. There was still no news from the capital. She was still a daughter of the Ruan family, and others really couldn't understand.

"Big sister, I like him."

"Where are you? When did you meet him?" Ruan Tinglan asked in surprise. "And don't you know your status? You're supposed to marry the Crown Prince, how can you just find anyone else?"

"I'm not casual."

"His Highness the Crown Prince is good, holding a high position and wielding great power, but what can I do if I don't like him? I just like Cheng Qing!"

"Besides, even my aunt, a very intelligent woman, struggles to survive in the palace. If I marry the Crown Prince, I can't fight against anyone. Will I even survive?"

Xie Chengyan will not compromise for anyone, and his harem will not consist of only one person; that place is not her final destination.

Also, if any good cannon fodder were to rush to marry the male lead, wouldn't that be just courting death?

It's better to find someone here.

Ruan Tinglan sighed, "But what about your reputation if you do this?"

"Don't worry, sister. I'm not senile. I won't do anything that would damage my reputation."

Ruan Tinglan couldn't argue with her, and in fact, she also felt that marrying the crown prince wasn't a good thing.

Men of status and position, which family wouldn't take a few concubines? There are very few like my uncle in the world. Not to mention the crown prince, who will have so many women in the future that he can't even hold them all.

The second sister, such a simple girl, married someone who didn't love her, and in the deep palace, she was left with nothing but bones.

"Are you sure it's Cheng Qing?"

"I'm not sure, we need to meet and talk to each other first."

Ruan Tinglan agreed to help, sent a letter to Cheng Qing, and arranged to meet. She was worried and insisted on accompanying Cheng Qing on the day of the meeting.

"That day I told him that you had a problem with him, and he acted like he was a stranger to you. He even stuttered when he mentioned your name."

Is it true? If so, her situation will be much easier to handle.

After entering the agreed-upon teahouse, Ruan Tinglan waited outside the pavilion. She finished her cup of tea, but no one came.

With a bad feeling, Yinque said, "Go and see if anyone has come."

"Yes."

Soon after, she heard footsteps outside, and she knew someone had arrived.

She put down her teacup with a polite smile and turned to look.

The smile froze.

The newcomer was tall and imposing, dressed in a dark gold robe and blue boots. He had a half-smile on his face and walked over slowly and leisurely.

Seeing her casually raise the corners of her mouth, he thought, "Cousin, you're not happy to see me?"

Ruan Xianrong was speechless for a moment, feeling that this world was too crazy. How could Xie Chengyan be here?

He chuckled softly, took a few steps forward, and pinched her cheek. "What are you daydreaming about?"

Ruan Xianrong's pupils dilated slightly as she tried to back away, but she was pinned against the table, trapped between Xie Chengyan and the table.

The person he had been longing for day and night was right in front of him, and Xie Chengyan had to work very hard to control the urge to pull her into his arms.

The girl's sweet fragrance filled his nostrils; it was what he had been longing for, a familiar scent.

He secretly sniffed beside her, and the fatigue from his days of travel vanished in an instant.

Sure enough, he couldn't live without Nian Nian.

"Your Highness?" Ruan Xianrong called out tentatively.

Upon hearing this, the man's hazy eyes finally cleared.

"Wrong again."

Adhering to the principle of being under someone else's roof, Ruan Xianrong changed her address to "cousin".

Xie Chengyan was finally satisfied. He glanced at the two teacups on the table, his eyes dark, and asked casually, "Did Niannian have an appointment with someone today?"

"...My cousin and I came here for tea today."

He smiled, "Really?"

"Isn't my cousin in Hanzhou? Why is he in Mingzhou?"

"Just passing by."

Ruan Xianrong: ......

Hanzhou is in the northwest, and Mingzhou is in the south. What nonsense is he spouting?

"How is Niannian doing in Minnesota?"

"It's going well. How's your job, cousin?"

"Is Niannian concerned about me?"

Ruan Xianrong's heart was really going up and down. What does that mean?

Is he testing her again?

Was he worried that she had improper thoughts about him?

"Of course I care. My cousin has worked so hard. If my aunt, the Empress, knew, she would be heartbroken."

What she said shouldn't be wrong, right?

Xie Chengyan lowered his eyes, looking at her evasive gaze, feeling a tickle in his heart.

She's still a young girl, easily embarrassed. Once they return to the capital and their marriage is settled, she'll probably blush when she sees him.

The thought of her flushed face nestled in his arms brought back the heat he had finally managed to suppress.

Her voice was slightly hoarse. "It's time to go back."

The two came out of the teahouse one after the other. Ruan Tinglan was in the carriage, sweating profusely with nervousness.

"Niannian, why is His Highness the Crown Prince here?"

Before Ruan Xianrong could answer, she hurriedly asked, "Where is Scholar Cheng?"

"Don't worry, I've already sent someone to tell him that we'll meet another day."

Slightly relieved, Ruan Tinglan lifted the curtain and looked at the carriage in front.

"His Highness isn't here to see you, is he?"

"How could that be? He doesn't like me. This might just be a coincidence."

Although passing by is pure nonsense, I definitely didn't come to find her.

"Don't worry, he should be eager to return to the capital and won't stay in Mingzhou for too long."

However, Xie Chengyan could no longer say these words after moving into the Ruan residence.

His arrival was so sudden that no one in the Ruan family, except for the old lady Ruan, had ever seen the Crown Prince before. Even the second uncle was flattered and his voice trembled.

"Madam Ruan, there's no need for such formalities. I grew up by my mother's side since I was little, so according to custom, I should call you maternal grandmother."

After saying that, he actually cupped his hands in a bow.

This was a great honor for the Ruan family. Old Madam Ruan couldn't stop smiling. "Your Highness's presence is an honor for the Ruan family. Please come inside and have a seat."

Xie Chengyan didn't move, but glanced at Ruan Xianrong behind him. Old Madam Ruan immediately understood that His Highness the Crown Prince was here for his granddaughter.

"Your Highness must be tired from your journey. Please don't disturb him. Someone, go and tidy up the east courtyard so Your Highness can rest first."