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

After Ruan Xianrong introduced Cheng Qing to her parents, the heavy weight in her heart finally lifted.

Once you've gone through the proper channels and received tacit approval, things become much easier.

In a few days, I'll find a reason to formally propose marriage to my parents; the sooner the better.

Looking up at Cheng Qing writing in the pavilion, a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.

"The way you're looking at Young Master Cheng, could it be... that you've really fallen for him?" Yinque, who was beside her, couldn't help but tease her softly when she saw the smile on her lips.

Ruan Xianrong snapped out of her reverie, giving her a reproachful glare. "You've gotten bolder, now you even dare to joke about me?"

Yinque smiled and lowered her voice, "This servant would not dare to make fun of you, Miss, but when have you ever smiled like this at anyone else? This servant sees that you treat Young Master Cheng differently."

Ruan Xianrong did not deny that she did have feelings for him.

On the way back to Beijing, she suffered from severe motion sickness and vomited uncontrollably. Cheng Qing took care of her, handing her water to rinse her mouth and cleaning up the mess, without the slightest hint of disgust or impatience, only eyes full of worry.

During his time in Huai'an, he often came to visit her, always bringing some novel little trinkets, such as a bamboo-woven dragonfly or a bag of candied fruit he had never seen before. They weren't worth much money, but they were thoughtfully chosen.

As they were talking, Cheng Qing put down his pen, stood up and walked towards her, handing her the paper with both hands.

Ruan Xianrong took it with a puzzled look, then froze when she saw the words on it. "What...what are you doing?"

Cheng Qing took a half step back and bowed solemnly to her. "I know I come from a humble background and my words are not enough to gain people's trust. I don't want to be a burden to you, so I entrust this contract to you for safekeeping from now on."

"It's already stamped. If I ever betray you in the future, you can take this and do whatever you want with it."

Ruan Xianrong truly did not expect him to have gone this far.

With this contract of indenture, Cheng Qing was essentially her servant. No matter how vicious the mistress's methods were, they were not considered excessive.

He has completely cut off his own escape route, betting all his trust and his life on her.

"you......"

Cheng Qing put her hands behind her back and smiled gently, "But I won't let you have the chance to use it."

Ruan Xianrong's hand holding the contract trembled slightly; if this continued, she really couldn't hold on any longer.

She steadied herself and carefully folded the indenture. Since it was someone's kind intention, she couldn't let them down. "I'll remember what you said."

As she spoke, she handed him a flower she had just picked, saying, "In return, this is for you. I just picked it, and this one is the prettiest."

Cheng Qing took it, sniffed it lightly, and looked at her. "No matter how beautiful the flowers are, they can't compare to the beauty of a person."

"..."

Ruan Xianrong was taken aback by his sudden words, and her face flushed.

Why say such embarrassing things?

And why does it sound so awkward coming from his mouth?

Seeing that she remained silent for a long time, only staring at him with her almond-shaped eyes, Cheng Qing felt a little embarrassed. Her eyes narrowed and her ears turned red. "Don't look at me like that. I... I may not have ever made a woman happy, but I still know how to say sweet words."

"If Miss Ruan wants to hear it, I will tell it to you every day from now on."

Ruan Xianrong smiled. Who doesn't like to hear sweet words?

"That's great, but since we're getting married soon, shouldn't we change how you address me?"

What's your name, Miss Ruan? It sounds too formal.

"My nickname is Niannian. My mother said she hopes that no matter when, someone will always remember me. You can call me that from now on."

Cheng Qing's ears turned red again. It took a lot of courage to finally say it, "Nian, Nian Nian."

Ruan Xianrong was very satisfied. "Then I won't call you Cheng Langjun anymore. I'll just call you... Aqing, okay?"

Cheng Qing was slightly taken aback. His name was given to him by his father at random. It was very ordinary and had no special meaning. It was just because his mother gave birth to him when the weeds in the yard were green. The word "green" didn't sound good, so they chose this character instead.

But when she said the name, it sounded surprisingly pleasant, and it didn't seem so unpleasant at all.

"it is good."

Seeing that the young lady was getting along well, Yinque couldn't help but smile. It seemed that the young lady really liked this young master Cheng.

Not daring to disturb her any further, she quietly slipped out. Just as she reached the courtyard gate, a servant came to report, "Sister Yinque, a letter has arrived from outside. It's from the Duke of Zhao's mansion..."

Yinque hurried back to inform the young lady, who was surprised, "Zhao Xuelan?"

"Exactly."

Knowing that she had to meet a guest, Cheng Qing took her leave and returned to the neighboring courtyard.

Before long, Zhao Xuelan was led in.

Looking flustered and pale, the girl, who usually loved to dress up, was now without any makeup.

In the past, he would always say something sarcastic whenever he saw her, but today he remained silent.

What do you want?

"I......"

She twisted the hem of her clothes, bit her lip tightly, as if she had made a great decision, and suddenly knelt down.

"Ruan Xianrong." She choked back tears, her voice filled with anxiety and panic. "I admit that I was wrong before. I shouldn't have opposed you, and I shouldn't have competed with you for the Crown Prince's position. It was all my fault."

Ruan Xianrong nearly choked on her water, staring at her in disbelief.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"I won't argue with you anymore, I'll never argue with you again. I beg you, please let me go, let my family go, I'll never dare to do it again."

She kowtowed as she spoke, her cries so pitiful that anyone who didn't know better would think someone was slaughtering a pig.

"Get up first, let's talk this out."

"No, I won't get up. I want to apologize to you, but I... I just wanted to teach you a lesson, I really didn't mean to kill you."

Although it was inappropriate, Ruan Xianrong finally understood why Zhao Xuelan wasn't wearing makeup today.

If she wears makeup and then cries, her face will be covered in all sorts of colors.

But she did understand what was said just now.

Zhao Xuelan was indeed connected to the person who tried to assassinate her.

The investigation into her assassination attempt at Huguo Temple did indeed trace back to the Duke of Zhao's mansion.

However, there was no evidence. The Duke of Zhao even took the matter to the Emperor, who then quelled the dispute. In the end, the Ruan family had no choice but to suffer the loss.

Zhao Xuelan actually admitted it?

"So the assassin that day was really from your Duke's mansion?"

Zhao Xuelan immediately waved her hand, "No! It wasn't the Duke's mansion, it was me. I just wanted to scare you, but... but I didn't want to kill you, so please, could you ask the Crown Prince to release my family?"

"So you've come here today not to admit your mistakes, but to beg for leniency."

Ruan Xianrong sneered, "Your family member committed a crime and you come to me for help? Don't tell me I can't interfere; even if I could, you're going to kill me anyway. Why should I help you?"

She's not some kind of sucker; it's already kind of her not to slap her twice at a time like this.

"You've come to the wrong person. Your Zhao family's affairs are your own to resolve. Why are you coming to me? I find it unlucky."

"Someone, see the guest out."

Zhao Xuelan refused and tried to grab her clothes, but Yinque quickly pushed her away.

After sending the person away, Yinque was indignant. "Miss, since Zhao Xuelan has already confessed, why didn't you arrest her earlier?"

"In that case, let's see how the Duke's Mansion can argue now. Last time, the Duke of Zhao even impeached his patriarch because of this matter, saying that the Prime Minister's Mansion was targeting the Duke of Zhao's Mansion."

Ruan Xianrong sighed. Naturally, she hoped that those who wanted to kill her would pay the price.

But if Zhao Xuelan could recognize her, she wouldn't have come to see her alone today.

Even if we hand her over, what if she changes her mind?

Without concrete evidence, it will only cause trouble for the family.

"Go and find out what's happened to the Zhao family recently."

"Yes."