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

Emperor Chengxuan abdicated, becoming the retired emperor. Xie Chengyan rightfully succeeded to the throne, waiting only for the Imperial Observatory to calculate an auspicious day for the enthronement ceremony.

Those who supported the crown prince were naturally happy, while others with differing opinions were not so pleased.

The palace servants of Zhaoyang Palace knelt on the ground, trembling with fear, amidst a scene of utter chaos.

Consort Jia threw a huge tantrum, still not satisfied, and kicked the palace maid next to her.

"I've gone to great lengths to get to this position, and fought with the Empress for so many years, only to have Xie Chengyan sit in that seat. What have all my schemes been for?"

The old nanny beside her, who had served her since childhood, stepped forward to help her calm down, saying, "Your Highness, please calm down. You mustn't get sick from getting angry."

"Even if that person ascends the throne, aren't there still the head of the family and you?"

"His Majesty is seriously ill, and the abdication edict may not be genuine or fake. There is still room for maneuver."

Consort Jia sneered, "What room is there for maneuver? Right now, Ruan Lianxin is probably even more smug, isn't she?"

I was so angry just now, and now I have a terrible headache.

They've been fighting for so many years. She snatched the Empress's position first and lost the initiative. Now she still can't trample her underfoot. How can she be willing to accept this?

Just then, a palace maid came in to report, "Your Highness, the Third Prince has arrived."

Consort Jia was already furious, and the mention of her son only fueled her anger. "Let him in!"

Xie Chengli stepped into the hall, but before he could even bow, a teacup fell at his feet, and a shard grazed his forehead, drawing blood instantly.

"Kneel down!"

Xie Chengli knelt down in response, bowing his head and remaining silent.

The nanny dismissed all the palace servants from the hall and closed the hall doors.

Consort Jia pointed at him with trembling fingers, "Look at you! Look at the state you're in! Xie Chengyan is already wearing the emperor's dragon robe, and what are you doing? Have you forgotten everything I taught you?!"

Consort Jia's face was contorted with rage; she was no longer the gentle and considerate woman she usually was in front of Emperor Chengxuan.

"Your subject knows his mistake."

"I think you've been lazy these days and forgotten your place!"

Consort Jia took a whip from a box and lashed it hard across Xie Chengli's back.

He lashed the whip again and again, venting his anger, "Useless, useless!"

Blood quickly spread across Xie Chengli's back. His back was taut and straight. He clenched his fists tightly, and a trickle of blood seeped from between his clenched teeth, but he never uttered a sound.

When Xie Chengyan ascended the throne, Consort Jia couldn't bear it, and people outside the palace were also uneasy.

Ruan Xianrong and Cheng Qing's wedding date has been set, but His Majesty is seriously ill. What if he passes away one day? Wouldn't the wedding date have to be postponed again?

She hurriedly consulted her parents about changing the date. This time, Prime Minister Ruan and Madam Sun did not object and changed the wedding date to seven days later.

During these seven days, Ruan Tinglan and Ruan Zhaoyu happened to be in the capital, and Miaoyin also had a rare opportunity to return home.

After not seeing her for a long time, he stopped talking about her favorite pastries and started talking about what he had learned from Jiang Wantang.

Miaoyin's cheat ability has come into full play, giving her something to do and making her happy.

Ruan Tinglan was curious and asked her how she was getting along with Xie Chengyan, but the girl lowered her head and didn't say anything.

Ruan Xianrong knew she was shy, so she pulled her cousin aside and said, "Alright, how can we ask about the Crown Prince's affairs?"

Once outside, she whispered, "Miaoyin is shy, so please don't ask, big sister. I'll take you to the best restaurant in Kyoto for a banquet."

Miaoyin followed behind the two, keeping her head down and not saying a word. She was originally quite happy to be home, but the mention of the Crown Prince ruined her good mood.

Everyone outside says that the Crown Prince is virtuous, gentle, and easy to get along with, but once he enters the Eastern Palace, they realize that he is actually a very difficult person to serve.

She wouldn't have suffered like this if he hadn't agreed to her conditions.

My cousin also asked how things were going with him. What could possibly happen?

She dared not speak, fearing that what she uttered would be offensive and insulting to the new emperor, which would cost her her head.

Ruan Zhaoyuan has already been arrested. She still needs to make pastries for her older sister, so she can't be arrested too.

Thinking of this, I felt much better and quickly followed, "Sister, wait for me."

Seven days passed in a flash. Ruan Xianrong didn't want to make a big fuss, so she didn't invite many guests. There was no need to go out to welcome the bride. The ceremony was simple, just going from the east courtyard to the main courtyard.

Ruan Tinglan and Miaoyin accompanied her, their mouths never stopping praising her.

"We think you're so beautiful. Cheng is truly blessed to have married a wife like you," Ruan Tinglan exclaimed.

Back in Minnesota, I thought you and...

"Big sister!" Ruan Xianrong quickly interrupted her, giving her a wink; Miaoyin was still there.

Ruan Tinglan then realized, "Oh right, Miaoyin is going to marry His Majesty and become Empress."

They subtly changed the subject and started talking about the groom.

They were laughing and talking when someone burst in. Cheng Qing hurried in, not caring about manners.

"Nian Nian!"

"Tsk, you're getting married today, and the wedding ceremony is about to begin. It's bad luck to meet beforehand. You should leave now," Ruan Tinglan stopped him.

Cheng Qing looked anxious and pushed the person away. "Niannian, my mother has come to Kyoto."

Ruan Xianrong was taken aback. "Didn't you send a letter last time, saying we'd return to Mingzhou after our marriage?"

"I don't know what happened, but someone delivered a letter to me saying that my mother was targeted as soon as she arrived in the capital. She... she was tricked into going to a brothel."

"What?"

When Aunt Cheng arrived in Kyoto, her son naturally had to go and pick her up; being tricked into a brothel was no small matter.

"Who sent you the letter? Is the message reliable?"

"I sent my page to inquire, and the situation is true."

"Then I'll go find Dad right now and bring him back."

Cheng Qing shook her head. "The letter also said that my younger brother and sister got lost in Kyoto."

"Are you going to find someone?"

"Yes, but don't worry, I will definitely come back on time. Even if I can't find it, I will still come back."

"What do you mean?" Miaoyin suddenly asked.

"Today is your wedding day with my older sister, what kind of place are you going to?"

Cheng Qing panicked, "My, my mother..."

"That's your mother, not my sister's mother. Why should she wait for you?"

"Miaoyin, stop talking." Ruan Xianrong sighed.

Cheng Qing was raised by his mother alone, and they have a deep bond. It's understandable that she's anxious now that something has happened.

If it were her own mother who had an accident today, she would be even more anxious than him, because that's her own mother.

If he doesn't intervene today, she'll be afraid of his character.

"Anyway, it's not time for the wedding ceremony yet, so you can go. Bring plenty of people with you."

Cheng Qing clasped his hands and bowed, "Wait for me to come back."

After everyone left, Miaoyin still pouted, looking unhappy.

Ruan Xianrong chuckled, "I'm not even angry, why are you? There are still two hours before our wedding ceremony. If his mother has an accident, do you think I can stop him?"

"But... what if he's delayed?"

"No, Ah Qing keeps his promise. He said he would come back on time, and he definitely will."

Ruan Tinglan joked, "Why do you seem more anxious than your sister about getting married?"

"What will happen when you get married in the future?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Miaoyin was amused; she was very easy to coax.

The two sat with her for a while, then Ruan Tinglan was summoned by the main courtyard, who said that the Empress had sent someone to ask her questions.

Miaoyin was summoned by Prince Yong's men and left.

As the room quieted down, Ruan Xianrong felt bored and began to doze off, her head drooping.

"Are you sleepy, young lady? I'll go get you some refreshing tea."

Yinque went out, and she sat on the edge of the bed waiting. She couldn't hold on any longer, her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and she finally fell asleep.