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

Ruan Xianrong looked over and saw that the two plates of pastries were even more exquisite than before.

"You are now a daughter of the Ruan family, you don't need to do these things for me."

"What does it have to do with me being a daughter of the Ruan family if I make pastries for Sister Ruan?" Miaoyin asked, puzzled.

Ruan Xianrong sighed, picked up a piece of jujube paste cake and took a small bite. It was just the right amount of sweet and sticky. "Your status is different now. It won't be good if word gets out."

Actually, she was doing it for herself. Although she liked the pastries made by Miaoyin, if word got out, who wouldn't say that she was bullying Miaoyin?

If it gets into the palace, then it's all over.

Miaoyin lowered her eyes and mumbled a reply, "I just wanted to make pastries for Sister Ruan, I didn't think that much about it."

"I know you're good to me. If you want to make me some desserts, just teach the kitchen staff. Why do you have to do it yourself?"

Miaoyin nodded reluctantly, "I understand."

Ruan Xianrong seized the opportunity to change the subject, "You've been back at the Ruan family home for a while now, haven't you made any friends?"

Miaoyin's expression didn't change much. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I guess so, but they all grew up in Kyoto, and I can't understand what they're saying, so we rarely keep in touch."

"Only Sister Jiang from the Eastern Palace comes to visit me often."

Ruan Xianrong almost choked on a bite of pastry.

Silly girl, that's your biggest rival in love in this lifetime.

Compared to Jiang Wantang, she, the supporting female character in the early stages, was a true cannon fodder, Little Karami.

"You like her a lot?"

"Hmm... I do like her, but I still like Sister Ruan the most."

Miaoyin originally had a very good impression of Jiang Wantang. She was not coy or sarcastic when she spoke to her, and she said whatever she thought.

But she spoke ill of Sister Ruan several times, and her original good impression of her was gone.

She had previously wanted to introduce Jiang Wantang to Sister Ruan, thinking they would definitely become good friends, but after that day she gave up on the idea.

Suddenly remembering something, she pulled out an elegant floral note from her sleeve: "By the way, Sister Ruan, there's something else I wanted to discuss with you today."

"Yesterday, His Highness the Third Prince sent an invitation, saying that he had set up a private room in the teahouse and would like to invite me for a chat."

She pursed her lips, her voice lowering, "I... I'm a little scared to go alone. Could you come with me?"

Thank you for the gift?

He actually took the initiative to ask Miaoyin out?

This is truly an eye-opener; in the book, he never took the initiative to ask the female lead out.

Did going out there enlighten you?

"No problem, I'll go with you."

The teahouse Xie Chengli chose was located in the west of the city, overlooking a quiet river. The scenery was serene and secluded, making it a popular spot for many literati and scholars.

The waiter led them up to the second-floor room, where guards stood watch outside. He pushed open the carved wooden door and invited them in.

Besides Xie Chengli, Xie Chengming was also in the private room.

Xie Chengming was confined to his residence a few days ago, but later he heard that His Majesty had granted him a pardon and lifted the confinement, but he was not allowed to attend court.

He just looked unwell and a bit haggard.

Xie Chengli had already stood up with a smile to greet him.

Today he was dressed in a royal blue brocade robe with dark patterns, and his hair was tied up with a jade crown, making him look exactly like a wealthy and leisurely young master from a noble family.

His gaze swept quickly past Ruan Xianrong and finally landed on Miaoyin.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two took their seats, and Xie Chengming nodded slightly in greeting.

Today, Xie Chengli is hosting the event and is very enthusiastic in introducing the restaurant's signature tea snacks and the newly arrived pre-rain Longjing tea.

Miaoyin was a little reserved at first, but Xie Chengli was good at livening up the atmosphere. They chatted about all sorts of things, including poetry and songs, and subtly steered the conversation toward music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Miaoyin would occasionally chuckle, and the two seemed to get along very well.

Ruan Xianrong couldn't help but twitch her lips. Had Xie Chengli been kicked in the head by a donkey?

Miaoyin grew up away from home, so how could she know anything about music, chess, calligraphy, or painting?

Which pot does not open which pot.

If it weren't for Miaoyin's good temper, she would have flipped the table and left long ago.

But when they bring out their paintings and poems, they just talk about all sorts of nonsense. They can't even use the opportunities that are right in front of them.

Xie Chengming remained silent throughout, and in a short while, he finished two cups of tea.

Xie Chengli noticed the strange silence between the two of them and chuckled, "Second Brother, I brought you out today to relax, why aren't you happy?"

Xie Chengming remained expressionless. Xie Chengli sighed, "It seems Father was right. Second Brother should get married. Once he has a family and children, things will be more lively."

"Now that the Crown Prince has found someone he loves, Second Brother should hurry up and make his move."

Xie Chengming was helpless, wondering what his younger brother was up to this time.

These words made Ruan Xianrong raise her eyes, glance at Miaoyin beside her, and then Xie Chengli continued:

"I overheard the servants in the Eastern Palace whispering among themselves that the Crown Prince seems to frequently summon a woman to the palace to keep him company lately. Sometimes, when they discuss matters until late at night, the woman stays in the side hall to wait for them."

"You all know my brother; he's never been interested in women. This is quite unusual," he said casually, as if sharing some trivial gossip.

Ruan Xianrong understood; Xie Chengli was speaking to Miaoyin.

The Crown Prince has no consort. Even if His Majesty is unwilling, the Empress will not give up. In the end, the most suitable candidate for Crown Prince's consort is Miaoyin.

When Miaoyin marries Xie Chengyan in the future, this matter will become a barrier between the two.

He's truly ruthless.

At this moment, Miaoyin was staring down at a pastry in front of her, wanting to know how it was made, and didn't hear Xie Chengli's words at all.

I need to ask someone at the teahouse so I can make something for Sister Ruan when I get back.

I took another bite... Hmm, it has peanuts and sesame seeds inside, and also the taste of glutinous rice.

Xie Chengli refilled Miaoyin's tea, saying, "This tea is cold; let me get you a hot one."

Ruan Xianrong could barely contain her urge to roll her eyes.

Keep pretending! That innocent and harmless appearance hides a quick mind.

He went to great lengths to plant a thorn in Miaoyin's heart.

Miaoyin was only interested in finding the chef at the teahouse to ask how the pastries were made, so she used the excuse that she was too full to go downstairs.

Xie Chengming also left first, leaving only her and Xie Chengli in the private room.

Why didn't my cousin Ruan say anything just now?

"What did you say? That you deliberately said those things to Miaoyin, intentionally trying to sow discord?"

Xie Chengli chuckled, "I'm not lying. That Miss Jiang from the Eastern Palace has indeed been favored lately. The Crown Prince takes her everywhere he goes, and even the Empress has been alarmed."

"How do you know that Miaoyin will definitely marry the Crown Prince?"

Xie Chengli took a sip of tea. "It's not just me who knows, it's the whole of Kyoto who knows."

"During your absence from the capital, Her Majesty the Empress summoned her for a talk every day, and Prime Minister Ruan did not stop her. Everyone understands what this means."

The Empress had already consulted with her younger brother, and the candidate for Crown Princess had to be from the Ruan family.

After what happened in Hanzhou, Ruan Boheng understood that His Majesty could no longer tolerate him.

If no further action is taken at this point, the collapse will not be far off. So let Miaoyin visit the palace more often.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Xie Chengli smiled. "Let's not talk about that. While they're not around, could you help me take a look at the painting?"

Ruan Xianrong: "?"

You're insane!