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

After traveling for more than ten days, the group finally arrived in the capital.

Xie Chengli returned to the palace to report first, while Ruan Xianrong settled Cheng Qing in her estate outside the city and returned to her own residence.

The Prime Minister's residence had received the news long ago. After the court session, Prime Minister Ruan waited at the gate. Ruan Zhaolin did not go to the Imperial Academy either. Madam Sun had not been sleeping well for the past few days, staying awake until dawn.

"Madam need not worry. The Third Prince is a reliable person. The young lady will be fine if she comes back with him," said Granny Kong.

Madam Sun sighed, "If she knew that after she went to Mingzhou, Miaoyin had already returned to her ancestral home, I wonder if she would blame me."

"The young lady has been understanding since childhood and will surely be able to understand your difficulties. Besides, the two young ladies have gotten along well before, so everything will be alright."

When Miaoyin heard that Ruan Xianrong was coming back today, she got up early to wash and dress up, changing into several outfits but not being satisfied with any of them.

As she stepped outside, her heart pounding with anxiety, she asked the maid beside her, "Do you think Sister Ruan will be angry with me now that I have this identity?"

The maid shook her head. "Don't worry, Miss. The Second Miss is a very kind person. She has never beaten or scolded us servants."

Yes, Sister Ruan is a very good person, but she took away what belonged to her.

As I came out of the courtyard, I ran into Ruan Zhaoyuan.

"Sister, there's a poetry gathering at Yunhua Residence today, shall we go check it out?"

"Sister Ruan is home today, why bother with the poetry recital? Let's go greet her at the door."

Ruan Zhaoyuan's smile vanished as he watched Miaoyin's departing figure, his gaze turning somber.

Ruan Xianrong, it's her again.

Didn't she have the backbone to leave the Ruan family? Why did she come back? Is she still not giving up on the Crown Prince?

He's trying to come back and bully his older sister again, but he'll never let her succeed.

She immediately chased after him, calling out, "Sister, wait for me!"

Ruan Xianrong's carriage stopped in front of the Prime Minister's residence. Before she could even alight, Madam Sun stepped forward and softly called out, "Niannian?"

Ruan Xianrong lifted the curtain and came down. She had just vomited again outside the city, and her body was still weak.

His complexion was also bad; he looked haggard and listless, which broke Sun's heart.

"Niannian, what happened to you? Why have you become so thin?"

When Ruan Xianrong saw Sun again, she didn't know how to face her and simply bowed.

Prime Minister Ruan's eyes were also red. "Let's go inside quickly, don't stand there."

"Yes, let's go inside first." Mrs. Sun wiped away her tears.

Miaoyin, who hadn't seen her for a long time, came running over, "Sister Ruan..."

Ruan Xianrong smiled and said, "I'm fine. I'm just tired from traveling for too long."

"I'll help you back."

Entering the courtyard where she used to live, I felt as if I had returned to another world.

Are you going to let her stay here?

Sun and Miaoyin remained expressionless, and she didn't say anything more.

Madam Sun immediately sent someone to fetch a doctor. Miaoyin brought out the pastries she had just made yesterday. "Sister Ruan, while you were away, I learned to make a few more pastries. Would you like to try some?"

Thank you.

Miaoyin paused, her lips trembling, looking like she was about to cry.

"Sister Ruan, are you being too polite? Are you angry with me?"

"I was wrong. I didn't mean to steal your things. I really didn't know my own identity, and I didn't use Sister Ruan to get back to the Ruan family. You have to believe me."

Ever since Miaoyin learned her true identity, she had been worried that Ruan Xianrong would be upset or angry, so she stopped talking to her.

She didn't want to acknowledge her ancestors, but the thought of becoming a daughter of the Ruan family and being able to see Sister Ruan every day made her tempted.

But when news came from Mingzhou, she felt like dying.

She shouldn't have come back...

Ruan Xianrong couldn't help but laugh out loud. As expected of the female lead, to put it nicely, she was kind and innocent; to put it bluntly, she had a saintly heart.

She, this cannon fodder, has occupied the position of the legitimate daughter of the Ruan family for so many years, yet she can still say such things to her. No wonder she was treated so cruelly in the book.

They're just...too naive.

Such a naive little rabbit, if it gets kidnapped by that black-hearted prince in the future, it's really too good for him.

"How could that be? I should be the one apologizing to you. You're the real member of the Ruan family. I've been enjoying a life of luxury here for over a decade, while you've been suffering outside. Don't you resent me?"

Miaoyin shook her head vigorously, "If it weren't for Sister Ruan, I don't know how I would be tortured in the brothel right now. I like Sister Ruan, how could I resent you?"

Ruan Xianrong breathed a slight sigh of relief. Good. As long as the female lead doesn't resent her, she won't ruin their relationship. She can just quietly enjoy the CP (couple pairing).

She's a straightforward person who doesn't like beating around the bush or keeping things to herself. Now that she's back, she'll settle down here. She's been exhausted from the journey these past two months and needs a good rest.

News of Ruan Xianrong's return to the Ruan family quickly reached the Eastern Palace.

When Cao Shen returned, his steps were light. He pushed open the palace door and walked in happily, "Your Highness, good news, good news!"

"The guards have sent word that Miss Ruan has returned to her residence."

Upon hearing this, Xie Chengyan got up and walked out.

Just as they stepped outside, a voice called out from not far away, "Your Highness, Your Highness!"

Jiang Wantang rushed past the guards, "Your Highness, what exactly do you mean?"

"Insolence!" Cao Shen shouted.

"How dare you, a commoner, speak to His Highness like that?"

Xie Chengyan raised his hand, and Cao Shen immediately fell silent, his gaze fixed on Jiang Wantang.

"What is it?"

"Where are you going? I want to go with you."

He looked her up and down, finding her unremarkable, but not without some skill. Considering the secret she possessed, he decided to keep her for the time being.

After a moment's thought, he put on that gentle, flawless mask again. "In that case, let's go."

Jiang Wantang was overjoyed. She thought to herself, "What about the Crown Prince?"

He's from ancient times and doesn't know much. Once he learns about her talents, he'll probably treat her like a treasure.

Xie Chengyan sneered and left the East Palace.

Miaoyin picked some flower petals, intending to make flower cakes for Ruan Xianrong, when she saw Jiang Wantang walk in.

As soon as Jiang Wantang entered, he took Miaoyin's hand and said, "Miaoyin, I've come to see you."

"Sister Jiang? What brings you here?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince had something to discuss with the Prime Minister today, so he brought me along. Miaoyin, I've missed you so much."

Jiang Wantang is a modern person and dislikes the pretentious rich girls of this era the most. But Miaoyin is different. Not only is she beautiful and cute, but as the daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion, she doesn't have the temper of those rich girls. She is down-to-earth and can talk to her.

"I haven't been here in ages, shall we go for a stroll?"

Miaoyin shook her head, "No, my older sister just came back and is still sick. I'm worried about her."

Jiang Wantang was taken aback. "You're not talking about that person who's been living under your rich heiress status for over a decade, are you?"

"Didn't they say she wasn't coming back? Why is she suddenly back? Is she here to compete with you for her affections?"

She had read quite a few novels about real and fake heiresses. The fake heiresses were the best at pretending to be innocent, deceiving their parents' trust and affection, and framing the real heiresses everywhere. They were just green tea bitches.

The whole family ganged up on the real daughter, who was pitiful and lived a life worse than a dog at home.

She'd seen enough of the kind of scenario where her parents suffered endless injustices and then regretted it, wanting to make amends to their real daughter.

Given how adorable and kind Xiao Miaoyin is, it's only natural that this righteous transmigrator would protect the weak while pursuing the Crown Prince.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you. If that fake heiress dares to bully you, I'll have His Highness the Crown Prince teach her a lesson."

Miaoyin was a little unhappy. "Sister Jiang, don't say that. My sister is a good person. How could she bully me?"

Jiang Wantang sighed helplessly. What a silly girl, she's just too naive.

"You know, you can only know a person's face but not their heart. You'd better be careful. After more than ten years of wealth and luxury, can she really let go of it? I don't believe it."

Miao Yin's smile faded slightly, and she subtly pulled her arm away from Jiang Wantang's embrace.

Her parents said that from now on, Sister Ruan would be her own older sister, and that her older sister was the best person to her. She didn't like to hear others say bad things about her older sister.