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

The next morning, Xie Chengyan came out of the Hall of State Affairs. The sun had just risen, and he was walking down the steps when he ran into Xie Chengli and Xie Chengming.

The two bowed and greeted each other, "Your Majesty."

"Mm," Xie Chengyan replied warmly.

Xie Chengming always knew his place, so he stepped aside and stood to the side.

Xie Chengli, however, was always restless. He followed half a step to his side and asked, "Did you just go to see Father and tell him about the matter in Hanzhou?"

"Exactly."

"Is there any result? I heard that the prefect of Hanzhou was promoted by Prime Minister Ruan himself."

Xie Chengyan glanced at Xie Chengming without saying a word, "Yu Chengzhi is nothing special; he's just being manipulated by someone behind the scenes."

Xie Chengming frowned slightly, lowered his head, and remained silent. Xie Chengli seemed not to understand. "Someone is behind this? Who has the audacity to involve the Prime Minister's residence?"

Xie Chengyan's lips curled into a faint smile. He glanced at the two of them briefly before looking back at the council hall behind him, but the smile didn't reach his eyes: "Yes, I also want to know who has the audacity to throw dirty water on the Prime Minister's residence."

These words, spoken lightly, caused a moment of silence in the surrounding area.

The three brothers remained silent for a moment, with only the sound of their boots lightly tapping the ground.

Reaching the fork in the road, Xie Chengyan seemed to suddenly remember something, turned to look at Xie Chengli, and casually asked, "By the way, where did you find Niannian when you went south recently?"

"Huai'an City. My brother returned from the southern border and received a letter from Prime Minister Ruan on the way. He inquired along the way and it took him quite a bit of effort to find her residence."

Upon hearing this, he asked thoughtfully, "Speaking of which, didn't Your Majesty also send people to search for someone, but I beat you to it?"

Xie Chengli was completely oblivious to the gazes of those around him, and smiled openly.

Xie Chengyan's eyes were dark and unfathomable. "Yes, I haven't found my people, but you have."

Xie Chengli waved his hand, "Alas, I was just lucky. If Your Majesty were here, there would be no need for your humble servant."

Xie Chengyan didn't say much, and went out of the palace after passing through the palace gate.

After everyone had gone, Xie Chengming sighed and said to his younger brother, who still looked completely oblivious, "I think you're just having too much of a comfortable life."

Xie Chengli was confused. "What's wrong? Did I... say something wrong?"

"You knew perfectly well what the Crown Prince's feelings were for Miss Ruan. He couldn't find her, but you did. How does that sound to the Crown Prince?"

Xie Chengli immediately realized what he had said and slapped his thigh. "Oh yeah, tsk, how could I have forgotten about that? Why didn't Second Brother remind me earlier? I made him say the wrong thing in front of the Emperor."

Xie Chengming: ......

She said the wrong thing because she was quick-tongued, and then blamed him for not stopping her. After all these years, could he have stopped her?

*

Ruan Xianrong slept soundly until she opened her eyes and vaguely saw the familiar bed curtains, only then remembering that she had returned to the capital.

My mind was still a bit foggy from sleep; I blinked several times, but I couldn't quite regain my senses.

I tilted my head and felt dizzy and my throat was sore and dry.

If I had known it would hurt this much, I would have preferred not to wake up.

In a daze, a cool hand covered her and touched her forehead.

"Nian Nian?"

There were people talking nearby.

"how?"

"Your Highness, rest assured, the young lady's fever has subsided. With proper rest, she will recover in a few days."

"understood."

After the imperial physician left, Ruan Xianrong's mind was buzzing, and she struggled to open her eyes.

Xie Chengyan's tone was so gentle it was almost an illusion, "Awake? Still feeling unwell?"

Today he wore a moon-white brocade robe with dark cloud patterns, and his hair was tied up with a jade crown. Compared to his usual imposing presence in the main hall, he looked less dignified and majestic, and more like a refined and elegant young master from a noble family.

Ruan Xianrong was a beat slow to react, her mind was in a daze, and she ignored his face, replying almost unconsciously, "I feel unwell."

It was so uncomfortable. I had no strength, my whole body ached, even my lips hurt.

With her eyes slightly narrowed and her defenseless, aggrieved expression made Xie Chengyan's heart itch.

He leaned closer, "Where does it hurt? Tell me."

A stunningly beautiful face suddenly loomed before her, but it was the one she least wanted to see. Ruan Xianrong's gaze gradually cleared, and then her eyes widened in shock.

She closed her eyes again; it must be her imagination. How could Xie Chengyan be at her bedside?

In this situation, even if it wasn't her parents when she opened her eyes, it should have been Yinque.

She quickly glanced around; the room was still hers, but there was no one else in the room besides the two of them.

What's going on? Why is Xie Chengyan in her room?

Before her chaotic thoughts could be sorted out, her cheek was pinched lightly. "Why aren't you saying anything?"

The two simple questions gave Ruan Xianrong goosebumps.

What's with this inexplicable familiarity?

Why are you standing so close to her?

Don't come any closer!

"You... how did I get into my house?"

"I am worried."

These words made Ruan Xianrong rack her brains trying to figure out what they meant, and in the end she could only come to one conclusion: Xie Chengyan didn't trust her and was afraid that she would cause trouble.

"Don't worry, cousin, I won't do anything."

"Can't you do anything?"

He did nothing and got so sick.

Ruan Xianrong knew he was worried, so she didn't explain further and decided to wait and see how she performed.

She struggled to get up, saying, "Thank you for coming to see me, cousin."

Xie Chengyan's smile faltered. "Why are you being so polite?"

"Speaking of which, there's something I'd like to ask you."

"When did you realize you weren't a member of the Nguyen family?"

Ruan Xianrong was taken aback. How should she put it? She had known this since birth.

"I just found out too."

"Then why don't you come back to find me?"

She didn't understand what he meant. Why did she have to come back? She wouldn't have come back if Xie Chengli hadn't caught her.

"It's nothing, I don't want to trouble you, cousin."

"A small matter? What's a big matter to you?"

Of course, it's about saving your life!

Compared to her life, everything else is trivial.

As long as you're alive, anything is negotiable.

Thinking of this, she looked at the person beside the bed and asked, "Cousin, aren't you going back to the palace?"

"You need someone to take care of you."

"Since Silver Sparrow is here, I'll trouble you to call him in, cousin."

"Or you could call Miaoyin in."

Upon hearing the name Miaoyin, Xie Chengyan's eyes darkened. "What do you want with her?"

Ruan Xianrong belatedly realized, "Oh, it's better to call her Silver Sparrow than Wonderful Sound."

He must be sick; his mind is muddled. He mentioned Miaoyin in front of him, being a smart aleck.

"Just tell me what your cousin wants."

"No, no, no need. Your Highness is so busy with state affairs, how could we trouble you? Please go back quickly."

Xie Chengyan stood three or four steps away, quietly watching her.

My gaze swept over her lowered neck, delicate and white, trembling slightly as she swallowed.

He stood ramrod straight, his hands clasped behind his back, only his fingers behind his back twitching almost imperceptibly. His tone was as calm as if he were discussing the weather, "Niannian, are you afraid of troubling me, or are you... avoiding me?"

Ruan Xianrong felt a chill run down her spine as she looked into those unfathomable yet smiling eyes.

"What are you afraid of?"

What am I afraid of? I'm afraid of you!

Who wouldn't be afraid of someone who will kill them in the future?

She is someone who cannot endure hardship, cannot stand not having enough to eat every day, and cannot bear the ten most cruel tortures.

In the book, several male protagonists tortured her terribly, but they wouldn't let her die. She couldn't even imagine how much pain it must have been in.

If he stays, she'll have nightmares every night.