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

Even though Ruan Xianrong knew that Jiang Wantang had a cheat code, she didn't expect her to use it this way.

The moment the light behind her appeared, she knew it was coming for her.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Why make such a big fuss just to drive her out of the Ruan family?

She had been living in fear and trembling, afraid that the ghost would come to her yard, but now she was being told that it was all about technology and ruthless tricks.

Fine, fine, Ruan Zhaoyuan and Jiang Wantang teamed up to mess with her. They both have cheat codes, so they're just taking advantage of the fact that she doesn't.

People can laugh when they're speechless. "Ruan Zhaoyuan, are you crazy?"

Playing ghosts and spirits at home, even scaring his own mother, what kind of filial son is this?

Are there any normal people left in this world?

She couldn't hold back her temper any longer and kicked Ruan Zhaoyuan in the butt.

"I've been lenient with you because you're still a child, but you've gone and conspired with outsiders to scheme against me."

Ruan Zhaoyuan was stunned. Why was he reacting like this?

Wait, why did she hit him again?

They always exploited him when he was little, and now they still dare to hit him. Do they really think he's still that clueless child?

He had just stood up on one leg when he was kicked back to his knees. "Ruan Zhaoyuan, just because I don't show my teeth doesn't mean I have no temper!"

"You haven't improved at all over the years. You really think I'm stupid with these tricks? Huh?"

Everyone in the courtyard was stunned, completely unprepared for this turn of events.

Shouldn't they be crying and begging for mercy or trying their best to defend themselves?

Why does it look like it's so self-righteous?

Ruan Zhaoyuan was unconvinced. Although his voice was cold, his aura was still weak due to the bloodline suppression he had endured for so many years.

"Even now, you're still pretending? You've used these crooked methods to harm your father, and you're still playing tricks on him, all because the Empress won't let you marry the Crown Prince, isn't it?"

"You brought Cheng Qing back, wasn't it also to use him to achieve your goals?"

Ruan Zhaoyuan hated her intensely, almost gritting her teeth, "You still dare to stand in front of me now..."

"Slap—" A slap interrupted him.

"You still dare to say that?" Ruan Xianrong knew he hated her, but a woman's anger should not be underestimated.

"You show no remorse. Now that Father is ill and Mother is not well, you still cause this scene at home, only to frame me in the end. I think you haven't been beaten enough."

"Today I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of my parents. I'll beat you until you don't even recognize your own parents, or I'm not a member of the Ruan family!"

Looking for a suitable weapon in the yard, Ruan Zhaolin finally tore off a few willow twigs, braided them into a whip, and handed it to her, saying, "Sister, use this."

Ruan Zhaoyuan was only interested in reading from a young age and knew nothing about martial arts.

That whip will surely tear the skin and flesh apart.

Ruan Zhaoyuan was incredulous. He really hit her? She scrambled to her feet and ran, yelling, "Ruan Xianrong, you have such a vicious heart! You dare hit me? I won't let you get away with this!"

"You dare to talk tough? I'll show you what's what, I'll show you what's what!"

Ruan Zhaoyuan's servant wanted to help, but Ruan Zhaolin stopped him, saying, "No one is allowed to help him today."

That brat, he used to boss me around when he was little, but today he finally got what he deserved.

He understood what his sister had just said; the haunting of the house these past few days was all the work of this good younger brother.

His sister would never lie to him, so this kid deserves a beating!

This Taoist priest was probably someone he found.

"Men, tie this old Taoist priest who's spouting nonsense up and drag him out to beat him!"

The courtyard was bustling with noise, like a pig being slaughtered for the New Year. When Granny Kong from the main courtyard came to inquire, a shadow darted past her as soon as she entered, so fast that she didn't even see who it was.

"Stop right there! I'll beat you to death today!"

The sound of the whip cutting through the air rang in her ears, and Granny Kong was stunned.

Good heavens, that's... the young master?

In all her decades in the Ruan family, this was the first time she had ever seen the young master run so fast. In the past, he would be out of breath after walking just a few steps.

Why is the young lady chasing after the young master? And why is the young master injured?

"Young lady, that's the young master! Please stop!"

Granny Kong asked anxiously, "Young Master, what's going on? Isn't this supposed to be a ritual?"

"Don't worry, Granny. Look at that boy, isn't he jumping around happily? It's alright." Ruan Zhaolin remained calm.

"But...but the young lady is holding a willow branch. Won't it hurt a lot if it hits you?"

"He deserves it. He doesn't learn his lesson. If his parents find out, he'll definitely get a beating."

Ruan Zhaolin told her what had just happened and instructed, "Just tell Mother the truth when you get back, there's no need to cover it up for him."

Granny Kong nodded blankly, "Yes, this old servant will go right away, right away."

Ruan Zhaoyuan's screams continued for half an hour. It wasn't that he had stopped fighting; it was simply that Ruan Xianrong was exhausted and couldn't fight anymore.

Ruan Zhaolin handed her a glass of water at the right moment, saying, "Little sister must be tired. Take a rest first, and you can continue later."

Ruan Zhaoyuan collapsed to the ground, coughing so hard he almost vomited bile.

"Big brother, you..."

How could he side with Ruan Xianrong? He's his own brother.

He was beaten so badly by this vicious woman, and he actually went to care about her?

Ruan Xianrong glanced at it coldly, then quickly looked away.

A wise man doesn't suffer a loss he can avoid.

Finally rested enough, Ruan Xianrong got up and dusted herself off. "You're both incompetent and playful. Next time you try to scheme against me, remember to use a more sophisticated method. Also, tell Jiang Wantang that I won't compete with her. I don't care about what she wants."

She'd really had enough of this day after day.

But Ruan Zhaoyuan's beating wasn't for nothing; it was a buy-one-get-two-free deal, giving her a few days of peace and quiet.

He was beaten by his mother when he got home that day, and his father's illness finally improved. The first thing he did when he woke up was to beat his son. The unfortunate child did not show up until the day of the welcoming banquet in the palace.

He wasn't invited to the welcome banquet, and since his parents couldn't go out, only she and her older brother could attend.

Cheng Qing was not originally among those invited, but the Shen family sent a special invitation, so they went to the palace together.

A long line of carriages stretched out at the palace gate, where eunuchs were already waiting. As soon as the Prime Minister's carriages arrived, they rushed forward to greet them and invite them inside.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has instructed that the Prime Minister's carriages need not queue."

*

Palace

Zhao Xuelan was brought into the Eastern Palace by Emperor Chengxuan's men at a young age.

Xie Chengyan only had time to see her after he finished dealing with official business.

"Miss Zhao, is there something you need today?"

Zhao Xuelan dared not look up, both out of shyness and fear.

"Yes, it was His Majesty who sent me."

Xie Chengyan looked down at her and asked in a calm voice, "His Majesty didn't say what you were here to do?"

"Yes, I said it."

Zhao Xuelan knew that everything hinged on this moment. Her cousins ​​were still in the Crown Prince's hands, but His Majesty was right. As long as she married the Crown Prince, everyone in the Zhao family would be related to the Crown Prince by marriage, and he would naturally release them.

She mustered her courage, took a few steps forward, and gently tugged at the hem of his clothes.

"Your Highness, I...I truly love you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xie Chengyan chuckled, "Miss Zhao, please don't rush to speak. I have a gift I'd like to give you."

Zhao Xuelan was flattered and said that as long as His Highness the Crown Prince would take a look at her, she would definitely win his favor.

Cao Shen handed her the exquisitely carved wooden box. It was neither too light nor too heavy, yet it made her heart pound like a drum.

Xie Chengyan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Open it and take a look."

The young woman looked shy, took a deep breath, and tried her best to maintain the demeanor of a well-bred young lady.

This is the first time His Highness the Crown Prince has given her a gift.

She carefully unfastened the latch and slowly lifted the lid of the box.

A pungent smell hit me.

The box contained neither jewelry nor fine silks.

She froze, a wave of nausea rising in her chest and getting stuck in her throat.

"what!"

The scream that was squeezed out of his throat was completely off-key.

By the time she realized what was happening, the box had already flown out of her hand and crashed to the ground.

The box popped open, and its contents rolled all over the floor.

One of the blood-stained fingers rolled precisely to the hem of her skirt.

Zhao Xuelan's face was as white as paper, and she scrambled backward.

She covered her mouth tightly, her face full of terror, a hoarse sound coming from her throat as she tried to breathe but couldn't, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

The girlish thoughts she had just had were shattered by the bloody thing in front of her.

All that remained was fear and waves of nausea.

Xie Chengyan walked over slowly, his posture calm and elegant. When he reached the broken finger that had rolled down, he paused slightly and glanced at it with his eyes down.

"Miss Zhao, do you still like me?"