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

Upon seeing her, Cheng Qing felt somewhat at ease before reluctantly leaving.

Ruan Xianrong turned around, and Xie Chengyan was still behind her.

This person is really interesting; she doesn't seem embarrassed at all talking to her fiancé.

She had no intention of continuing with him, so she gave a slight curtsy and said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave without disturbing you, cousin."

Having said that, he got up and turned around with Silver Sparrow.

They walked from the inner palace to the garden where the banquet was being held, where everyone was enjoying the flowers and tea.

Before the banquet even started, Xie Chengli appeared among the female guests and began chatting with Miaoyin Liuxia.

She found a place to sit down, and people around her kept glancing at her.

Automatically hidden; I pinched a piece of pastry.

Miaoyin was pulled away by Jiang Wantang in no time, and Xie Chengli's gaze fell on her.

He walked over, fanning himself, deliberately poking at her sore spots. "This is unusually quiet today. What's wrong? Did Shen Qing return with his war merits, and you're afraid you won't be able to argue with him later?"

Ruan Xianrong glared at him, accusing him of being nosy.

"You said he had no military achievements and only got his position through his family's influence, but now he has military merits. What do you say about that?"

Xie Chengli always loved to stir up trouble, and knowing that she and Shen Qinglian were at odds, he stirred things up everywhere.

"You're one to talk! After all this time, has Miaoyin even the slightest bit liked you?"

He would show her that tattered painting all day long. While his mother was anxious and worried in the palace, he was carefree and unrestrained outside. He only turned evil after the male and female leads had fallen in love.

Xie Chengli simply smiled and did not answer.

"Tch, if you don't dare to confess your feelings to Miaoyin, then stay away from her. Getting close to her like this will only cause her trouble."

Xie Chengli stood up, and Ruan Xianrong glanced at his waist, and she knew why he could be so calm.

His purse looked very familiar.

Miaoyin had practiced needlework and embroidered quite a bit before, so I gave her one.

Last time she even advised her to send one to His Highness the Crown Prince as well, but unexpectedly Xie Chengli also received one.

Is this person deliberately trying to show off to her?

"Third Prince," she called out to him.

"Um?"

After much deliberation, I still didn't ask.

Forget it, what does it have to do with her anyway?

When His Majesty and Shen Qinglian appeared, the welcoming banquet had already begun. Miaoyin seemed very busy; she only greeted her before going to find Jiang Wantang.

Today's protagonist is Shen Qinglian. She looked over from afar and saw this person glance in the direction of the women.

Many women around immediately began to whisper among themselves, praising General Shen for his bravery and remarkable achievements at such a young age.

Ruan Xianrong sighed inwardly. A spirited young general is the best at capturing the hearts of young girls. He is really amazing. It would be better if he were mute.

Halfway through the banquet, His Majesty left first, and the atmosphere in the garden became more relaxed, with the voices of the crowd becoming noisy.

No one wanted to talk to her, the fake heiress, during the meal, so she was happy to be alone. After lunch, she felt sleepy and planned to find a quiet place to take a good nap.

As soon as she stood up, the maid who was passing by her stumbled, spilling all the tea on the tray onto her.

The maid looked terrified. "I deserve to die, please forgive me, young lady."

Her clothes were soaked and unwearable. Seeing that the maid on the ground had kowtowed until her forehead was red, she helped her up first, saying, "Get up, it's alright."

"Then, then this maid will take you to change your clothes."

After passing through several long corridors, we arrived at a secluded side hall.

The maidservant said respectfully, "Please wait a moment, young lady, I will go and fetch you your clothes."

Not long after the palace maid left, she changed her clothes and said, "If you are tired, you can rest here."

Thank you.

The hall was filled with fragrant aromas, and I was too lazy to go anywhere else, so I just lay down and took a nap.

I don't know how long I slept, but my whole body felt weak. I stretched and reluctantly sat up.

Her mouth was awake, but her mind was still foggy. "Silver Sparrow, what time is it?"

The person inside the room walked to the bedside and handed over a glass of water.

She was still dozing off. She casually took the cup, and when she gripped the body of the cup, it was still warm. She pushed it away a little, her voice soft and still sleepy, "I want it cold."

"Drinking cold drinks is bad for your health."

She frowned, then leaned back and lay down in a coquettish manner, grabbing a pillow and sitting on her lap, muttering, "I don't want to."

The person beside the bed chuckled almost inaudibly, patiently coaxing, "Sweetie, drink this cup first, then I'll give you something cold."

She shouldn't.

Not long after, the sound of water being poured could be heard from the table.

Ruan Xianrong was sleepy and confused. She only noticed that someone put their arm around her waist, helped her up, and fed her water.

The water went down her throat, and the cool touch brought her back to her senses. She finally opened her eyes.

She rubbed against him uncomfortably, "Silver Sparrow, how come you're so strong, you're gripping me so tightly..."

As soon as he turned his head, he met a pair of unfathomable black eyes. A slight smile played on his lips. "My cousin's awake?"

Ruan Xianrong suddenly stood up and shoved the person in front of her away. Xie Chengyan was pushed back a few steps, and she herself lost her balance and fell off the bed, hitting her foot.

Before she could even cry out in pain, she quickly stood up, her smile looking more like a grimace than a cry.

Xie Chengyan glanced at her feet; they were probably bruised.

Ruan Xianrong quickly put on her shoes, holding back tears that were almost coming out.

"Cousin, I was just confused from sleep. I thought it was Silver Sparrow." She was now fully awake. She glanced around and realized it was the same place the palace maid had brought her to.

"...What's my cousin doing here?"

Xie Chengyan tucked his sleeves in. "That's what I should be asking you. This is my study."

Ruan Xianrong stared wide-eyed in disbelief, her lips trembling, unable to utter a word for a long time. Xie Chengyan's study?

"I thought my cousin came on purpose."

"No, absolutely not!" She hurriedly waved her hands. "Um... I didn't know this was my cousin's study. Someone brought me here. I didn't mean to."

In the book, Xie Chengyan hates it when outsiders enter his study or touch his things. Today, she not only entered, but also slept in his bed...

Her vision went black. Would she be able to walk out of the palace gates today?

"Cousin, please forgive me, I... I won't bother you any longer."

"No rush."

Ruan Xianrong's heart jumped instantly; she was about to confront him.

She swallowed hard, took two steps back, and stung Xie Chengyan's eyes.

Sure enough, she could smile without any guard up in front of others, but she was so distant from him.

Concealing the fleeting coldness in his eyes, he said, "I have something to give you."

He turned and picked up an exquisite sandalwood box from the table. Just as he was about to hand it over, Yinque rushed back, "Miss, something terrible has happened! Young Master Cheng is in trouble!"

Ruan Xianrong's heart skipped a beat, and her face turned pale. She didn't see Xie Chengyan's expression clearly, nor did she hear what he said. Regardless, she staggered out.

Her sleeve swept across the box, knocking it to the ground. The hairpins inside fell to the ground with a thud, and the pearl flowers shattered into pieces.

Xie Chengyan stared at her momentary panic, then lowered his eyes.

His pupils dilated slightly, and the smile that hadn't yet faded crumbled inch by inch. His outstretched hand froze, veins bulging. He wanted to go crazy, but he managed to hold back.

It was like a knife stabbing into her heart, yet she still had to put on a smile and not let the blood stain her.

Their departing figures moved so quickly that they showed no sign of lingering.

She even took away the last glimmer of hope.

He bent down to pick up the broken hairpin and held it in his hand, blood dripping down between his fingers, but he was completely unaware.

The smile on his face had vanished, replaced by a sinister gaze that seemed to be poisoned. That flawless mask had shattered completely.

She doesn't like him.

She didn't like him.

More than a decade of affection cannot compare to a few months of time spent with someone else.

Why exactly?

She disliked him, feared him, and distanced herself from him.

But he... just misses her.

Is it not possible either?