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

Xie Chengyan was kept in the Council Hall by Emperor Chengxuan in a fit of anger and spent the whole day reviewing memorials. By the time he returned to the East Palace, it was already dark outside.

Cao Shen held his breath and waited outside the palace. As soon as he saw the tall figure step into the palace gate, he hurriedly went to greet him. "Your Highness, the Imperial Guards have returned to the palace."

Xie Chengyan didn't stop walking, his expression appearing particularly calm under the swaying lamplight. He only hummed in response, but the surroundings suddenly turned cold.

As expected, no one wanted him to marry Nian Nian; everyone coveted Nian Nian.

"Is Niannian feeling any better?"

"Your Highness, I feel much better."

"Will we see Nguyen Chieu Nguyen today?"

"I did not see Young Master Ruan."

Xie Chengyan's jaw tightened, and his face became even more gloomy under the light of the palace lanterns.

Out of consideration for Niannian, he didn't pursue the matter, but if it happened again, he would definitely not let it go.

"Is Jiang Wantang at the Ruan family's house today?"

"Indeed, I have a good relationship with Miss Miaoyin."

Xie Chengyan frowned almost imperceptibly. "Her identity hasn't been investigated yet?"

Cao Shen hurriedly replied, "Your Highness, the secret guards reported that this Miss Jiang is indeed a resident of the capital according to her household registration."

Her parents were peddlers who traveled from street to street. Shortly after her birth, her family left Kyoto and wandered for many years.

Everything else seemed fine, except... when she was twelve, she accidentally fell into the water and was unconscious for several days. When she woke up, her personality had changed drastically, and she suddenly possessed many previously unheard-of and wondrous skills.

Xie Chengyan picked up the folded book beside him. "Are you sure that peddler couple are her biological parents?"

"This... When the secret guards investigated, the Jiang family's former neighbors in Kyoto were no longer there. Some were dead, some were scattered, and the clues were almost completely lost, making it really difficult to confirm."

"Find out the old people in the palace from back then, especially those who served Consort Jia."

"Yes."

There was no movement in the hall for a long time. Cao Shenyou said, "Your Highness, there is one more piece of news."

"explain."

"The group of people we encountered when we left Hanzhou entered Yuzhou."

Xie Chengyan slightly lifted his eyelids. "I remember, Yuzhou is the territory of the Duke of Rong, isn't it?"

"That's right. The Duke of Rongguo is the maternal grandfather of the Third Prince, and he has been guarding the border for many years."

"Heh." He sneered. "Looks like someone's getting restless."

He summoned a guard and ordered, "Send someone to keep an eye on things, and report back immediately if there's any disturbance."

"Yes."

Cao Shen waited for his master to lose his temper, but nothing happened, so he silently stood up.

"Your Highness, should we continue to allow Miss Jiang to act in this manner?"

Xie Chengyan did not answer directly, but instead gazed at the deep night outside the palace and gently twirled his fingers.

A woman with unparalleled skills and a mysterious background, even if she truly possesses extraordinary talent, is a potential threat if she cannot be completely controlled.

If someone can be used by him today, who knows if they won't be used by someone else tomorrow? Or even... turn against their master.

But at this moment, something else was on his mind.

It might not be a bad thing for Jiang Wantang to stay in the Eastern Palace.

When used well, chess pieces can sometimes yield unexpected results.

*

Ruan Mansion.

Ruan Xianrong rested peacefully for three or four days, receiving careful nourishment with herbal medicine and meals. She ate well and slept well, and finally got out of bed.

Sun didn't allow her to go out, but she was worried about Cheng Qing.

Since I returned, she has settled me in the estate, and I haven't had a chance to see her.

Fortunately, Silver Sparrow was quick-witted and sent him a letter early on.

But she still wanted to go and see for herself; it wasn't right to leave them hanging like this.

"Miss, you're only just recovering and shouldn't be jostled around too much. I've been sending people to deliver things and messages to Young Master Cheng every few days. He's doing well, so please don't worry about him and just focus on getting better," Yinque gently advised.

"Did you deliver the books I asked you to send before?"

"Don't worry, young lady, everything has been sent, including the eldest son's books and exam questions at the Imperial Academy."

Then there's no rush.

Lying under a tree basking in the sun, I suddenly thought of Shen Qinghe.

"Has anyone come looking for me these past few days?"

"Yes, Young Master Shen has come several times, but each time he was sent away by the eldest son."

"Is he the only one?" Ruan Xianrong asked.

Silver Sparrow shook his head. "That's all."

Not much of a surprise, her "fake heiress" background is probably already widely known in Kyoto, and it seems that no one wants to have anything to do with her anymore.

It doesn't matter; she only befriended those people because she was attracted to their faces.

It's worth it!

"Next time Shen Qinghe comes, there's no need to stop him. Let him come in and talk."

"Yes."

"Please also pass on a message to Cheng Qing, telling him to be patient and wait a little longer. Before long, I will definitely take him to formally meet my parents."

"Yes, this servant will go right away."

The following afternoon, Shen Qinghe indeed came again.

The first thing they asked was, "Niannian, I heard you were sick. Are you feeling better?"

Ruan Xianrong looked up at him.

The boy was wearing a lake-blue spring shirt. Although his face was pale, his eyes were bright, and his cheeks had regained some color. He had gained weight.

"I have something to do and can't see you today." She smiled. "But you, you promised me you'd take good care of yourself, have you kept your word?"

"I did it!" Shen Qinghe nodded immediately, standing ramrod straight in front of her. "Look, haven't I even grown taller?"

Ruan Xianrong stood up, walked to his side, and gestured carefully.

Last year she reached his earlobe, now she only reaches his chin.

Just like when he was a child, she reached out and ruffled his hair: "Hmm, you've grown quite a bit taller and stronger. Looks like you've really been obedient."

Shen Qinghe's cheeks flushed, and before she could even feel shy, she withdrew her hand.

After talking for a while, the two mentioned Shen Qinglian.

Shen Qinghe's tone became cheerful, "My elder brother wrote to me a few days ago, saying that although the war in the southern border is tense, it is going relatively smoothly, and he should be able to return soon."

Ruan Xianrong recalled the words that man had spoken to her before he went to war.

His biggest worry is probably his younger brother.

He's got some skills, actually managing to come back alive on his first battlefield experience.

The corners of her lips unconsciously curved into a smile.

Shen Qinghe stared at the smile on her lips, hesitating to speak, "Niannian, will you still stay in the Ruan family from now on?"

She didn't answer, but said seriously, "I'm in an awkward position right now. Your older brother isn't here, and you have no one to back you up. You should come to me less often in the future, so as not to cause you any trouble."

He lowered his head, his eyes instantly reddening, and his voice choked with emotion: "Do you... regret it?"

"You said you'd take me to Jiangnan when I'm fully recovered. Do you regret it now?"

Ruan Xianrong didn't say anything. She had probably said those words to reassure him and help him recover, but she didn't expect him to take them seriously.

Perhaps there was indeed that thought for a moment, but Shen Qinghe is the young master of the General's Mansion, what would it mean to follow her?

"Let's talk about this when your older brother gets back."

Shen Qinglian would never let him go with her.

Before Shen Qinghe could say anything more, Miaoyin entered the courtyard and glared at him when no one was looking.

"Sister Ruan, I made you some pastries again, would you like to try some?"

After saying that, he turned to Shen Qinghe, stared at him for a while, and then said, "Young Master Shen, my elder brother is looking for you."

Shen Qinghe blushed under her gaze and immediately stood up. "Oh, then I'll go see Young Master Ruan first. Farewell."

Miaoyin didn't look away until the person disappeared from sight.

They have no sense of propriety at all.