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

Ruan Xianrong stood up, her eyes wide, and asked in surprise, "You mean, Shen Qinglian?"

"Exactly."

"General Shen is a very kind person. Such a capable man still came to talk to me. It's a pity that I don't drink alcohol, so I can only use tea instead of wine."

"Did he give you that tea?"

"Yes."

"Could it really be General Shen?" Cheng Qing asked.

Ruan Xianrong shook her head, "No."

Although she and Shen Qinglian didn't get along, he was always an upright man. Besides, who would be so stupid as to pull this stunt at their own victory celebration?

But regardless of whether it is true or not, this matter must be explained to Her Majesty the Empress.

After calming Cheng Qing down, she went straight to the next room, but as soon as she entered, she sensed something was wrong. The courtyard was quiet, and there was no movement inside the hall. Only Xie Chengli was waiting for her.

"Her Majesty the Empress has already returned." He stepped forward to greet her.

"Has the matter been investigated and clarified? I have something very important to discuss with Her Majesty the Empress."

"Are you trying to say that Shen Qinglian served tea to Cheng Qing?"

Ruan Xianrong was taken aback. "How did you know?"

He sighed, "If it's for this reason, you'd better not go. Her Majesty the Empress already knows, and... she doesn't intend to pursue the matter any further."

"What do you mean? Could it really be that Shen Qinglian did it?"

"Whether he did it or not, we don't know, but Her Majesty the Empress has already agreed, so it cannot be taken back. As for who it was, you can go to the Shen family and ask them yourself."

She understood Xie Chengli's words. If the Empress wasn't going to pursue the matter, it meant that the Ruan family wasn't implicated.

"Thank you for informing me, Third Prince."

"If he really did it, what do you plan to do?" Xie Chengli asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What can I do? I'll fight him to the death, okay?"

He chuckled, "With your build, you couldn't even withstand a single finger from him, yet you're risking your life."

"What, you look down on me?"

Xie Chengli didn't reply, but instead bent down and said, "Hey, if you're really going to fight him to the death, call me along."

Before Ruan Xianrong could answer, he straightened up again, "I love watching the excitement. I'll definitely stand behind you and cheer you on."

Ruan Xianrong rolled her eyes. "You really have to thank yourself for being born into a good family."

Otherwise, she would have thrown a punch.

Xie Chengli patted her on the shoulder, "Since you're free right now, how about I treat you to tea?"

Ruan Xianrong would never fall for it again; every time she asked her to go out, it was only to look at paintings.

She used to enjoy watching others paint, but she couldn't stand his constant antics.

"His Highness's painting skills are superb, every painting is exquisite, there is no need for me to look at them. Don't come to me for this kind of thing in the future."

As he turned to leave, Xie Chengli reminded him, "When you go to the Shen residence, be sure to call me!"

They went back next door, called their elder brother, and helped Cheng Qing onto the carriage, preparing to return home.

The person behind him stared at the carriage with a cold expression.

Xie Chengli could tell from his brother's expression that he was angry.

"Tsk tsk, Cousin Ruan is truly devoted to her fiancé, with all her heart."

Xie Chengyan withdrew his gaze, glanced at him, and said, "Third brother, aren't you busy lately? I should no longer be the crown prince soon." He smiled slightly, "Third brother, you'd better hurry up."

As people gradually left, Xie Chengli lowered his eyes.

Oops, I think I went a bit too far with that joke.

*

After a quiet half-month, Prime Minister Ruan recovered from his illness, and Madam Sun's health also improved.

Cheng Qing returned to the Imperial Academy, and his essays became somewhat famous in the capital.

Just as things were flourishing and prosperous, Ruan Boheng returned from court one day, and the imperial guards from the Eastern Palace entered his residence and, without saying a word, tried to take Ruan Zhaoyuan away.

Ruan Boheng hurried out, "Left Vice Minister, please wait."

Zuo Yu bowed respectfully, "This humble official is only acting under orders, and I hope the Prime Minister will not obstruct me."

Ruan Boheng returned the greeting, "Your Highness has given the order, so I dare not obstruct it. However, Zhao Yuan is still a child. What exactly has he done that warrants the mobilization of the Imperial Guards?"

Zuo Yu laughed and said, "It seems that the Prime Minister knows very little about his son. When Young Master Ruan was in Mingzhou, he sent assassins to kill Miss Ruan and even injured His Highness."

"Assassinating the Crown Prince is a capital offense punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family. Your Highness did not publicize it or implicate anyone, which is already a great act of benevolence."

Ruan Boheng nearly lost his balance. "W-what did you say?"

Zuo Yu bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Highness is grateful for the Prime Minister's hard work for the country, which is why you were chosen to arrest the person after you recovered from your illness. The entire Ruan family must remember this kindness."

Goodbye.

Ruan Zhaoyuan was dumbfounded. "Impossible! The Crown Prince will be my brother-in-law in the future. How could he possibly hold me accountable? You must have made a mistake!"

"Young Master Ruan, you should say these words in prison."

Zuo Yu waved his hand, "Take him away."

People come and go quickly. Ruan Boheng finally came to his senses, his face pale. He pushed away the person supporting him, said nothing, and turned to go into the study.

When Ruan Xianrong received the news, she didn't say anything. She just held the plate of snacks and leaned against the soft couch.

"Miss, the young master has been taken away by His Highness the Crown Prince. Aren't you worried?" Yinque asked.

She took a bite of the melon and let out a soft "ah".

"What am I worried about? He deserves it."

"If you ask me, the Crown Prince really did a good thing this time, letting that little brat suffer properly."

"But... what if assassinating the Crown Prince is such a serious crime, it could really cost me my life?"

Ruan Xianrong choked on a piece of pastry, then quickly drank some water. "Don't worry, Miaoyin is here, nothing will happen. At most, it's just a little scare."

Yinque understood. "No wonder the head of the family and his wife aren't in a hurry. The eldest young master has already returned to the Imperial Academy."

"Oh, and there's another piece of news. The carriage from Mingzhou should be arriving soon. Madam has told the young lady to have some free time these few days, so she can take the eldest young lady and the second young master around the capital."

"I remember."

After finishing the plate of pastries, he settled down to rest on the soft couch.

I was awakened by the chirping of a silver sparrow at dusk.

"Miss, young lady?"

"Hey, what are you doing?" She turned over and went back to sleep.

"Girl, wake up! Someone from the palace has arrived."

"Um?"

"A maid from the palace has come to deliver the young lady's wedding dress."

"Didn't I already have a wedding dress?"

"That nanny also conveyed Her Majesty the Empress's words: a young lady's marriage is a major event, so naturally she cannot wear an ordinary wedding dress. The ones sent from the palace are the best."

Ruan Xianrong didn't want to move, but Yinque forcibly dragged her up.

"Miss, please, I'm begging you, please go."

She kept me awake, so I got up and went to the main courtyard.

The nanny who delivered the wedding dress had already left, so Madam Sun quickly picked up the dress and compared it to herself.

"It's definitely something from the palace; it's just different. On the day of Nian Nian's wedding, wearing this wedding dress, she will be the most beautiful woman in the world."

Ruan Xianrong reached out and touched it; the style and material were far superior to her previous ones.

"But I'm wearing such a beautiful wedding dress, what about Aqing?"

The palace only sent her one; if she wore it, it wouldn't suit her.

"But this is your aunt's kind gesture, and we can't refuse her kindness."

"Go change into it first. If the size is wrong, you can get it altered as soon as possible."

Helpless, she went into the inner room to change, and the size fit perfectly.

"Look, your aunt loves you so much; even the wedding dress she chose suits you so well."

I looked in the mirror, and I do look good.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she felt inexplicably at ease. Ah Qing was about to take the provincial examination, and after so long, she could finally get married.

*

Meanwhile, inside the council hall, the palace servants were all silent and trembling, not daring to utter a sound.

Emperor Chengxuan had just lost his temper, but Xie Chengyan refused to back down.

Just as tensions were about to rise, Eunuch Feng entered carrying a food box. "Your Majesty, the Empress has sent someone to deliver bird's nest and shredded chicken soup."

The emperor's expression finally improved after sitting behind the desk, and Eunuch Feng quickly presented the soup to him.

Emperor Chengxuan has recently taken a liking to the soup served in Fengyi Palace, and he drinks a bowl of it every day.

"Your Majesty is very kind."

The temperature was just right, and after taking a sip, Emperor Chengxuan felt his anger dissipate considerably.

Xie Chengyan wasn't in a hurry, waiting for him to finish the soup before asking:

"Father, I will ask one last time: will you issue this imperial decree of marriage or not?"

Emperor Chengxuan felt a lump in his throat as he swallowed the soup. "If I don't resign, can you force me to abdicate?"

"Your subject would never do such a treasonous thing, but just because I don't do it doesn't mean others can't."

"What do you mean?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the palace doors opened, and the Empress walked in, standing with Xie Chengyan.

Emperor Chengxuan still had something he didn't understand, "You...you all..."

Just as he was about to get up, his legs gave way and he fell heavily back into the chair.

I tried several times, but it didn't work.

"What have you done to me?"

"It's nothing, just something added to His Majesty's daily soup," the Empress said calmly.

"You! You wicked woman!"

Xie Chengyan slowly walked up the steps, took the memorial from the Zhao family impeaching him, and said, "Father, rest assured, I will not take your life. It is just that Father is seriously ill and unable to handle state affairs. The country cannot be without a ruler for a day, so it is natural to pass it on to your son."

"You...you..."

"Father, you should just focus on being the Retired Emperor and don't need to worry about anything."

"Feng Hua".

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Feng entered the hall.

"Draft an imperial edict."

"Yes."

Emperor Chengxuan's bloodshot eyes widened instantly.

"You... even you..."

Feng Hua remained silent and, following the Crown Prince's instructions, quickly drafted the abdication edict.

On that day, the Council Hall announced to the public that His Majesty was seriously ill and that the Crown Prince would temporarily assume the affairs of state.

The Empress remained in the palace to attend to the ailing Empress. Xie Chengyan left the Hall of State Affairs, still clutching the long-lost purse in his hand, and looked towards the Prime Minister's residence.

Niannian, I gave you a chance.

Unfortunately, in the end, he could only be alone.