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

The Ruan family searched for Ruan Xianrong all night in Kyoto, but could not find her.

I didn't want to make a big deal out of it, but since I couldn't find anyone, I had no choice but to escalate the situation.

The Ruan family reported the case to the police, and the entire city was searching for Miss Ruan.

The Empress had already received the news. When there was no movement from the new emperor's bedchamber for several days, she knew that her son had left no room for maneuver.

He was happy, but she didn't know how to tell her younger brother and sister-in-law about it.

The Empress sent people to inquire, but they couldn't even get close to the person, let alone see them. Even she, as the mother, didn't trust them.

But things have already come to this point, and there's no turning back.

The people inside the new imperial palace slept for two whole days, and the first thing they thought of when they woke up was going home.

But as soon as he moved, he realized something was wrong; she was no longer in the bedchamber she had been in before she fell into a deep sleep.

He was currently soaking in the water, with one arm across his waist and the other supporting her, her whole body nestled in his embrace.

As soon as she moved, the arm around her waist tightened, and then she felt a cool sensation on her lips as a teacup was handed to her.

She didn't refuse and took a sip.

I don't know what kind of tea it is, but it's sweet, and it made my throat feel much better after drinking it.

She struggled to go up, but was pulled back.

"This is a medicinal bath; it's good for your health."

Ruan Xianrong turned around and glared at him. "Then get out."

Neither of them was dressed. The unbearable memories from before she fainted flooded back, setting off alarm bells. All she wanted was to get away from him.

Xie Chengyan returned to his usual self, and the fierce person from last night was not him.

"Are you sure Niannian wants me to go out?"

"Okay, you're leaving now." Her face darkened.

He was surprisingly easy to talk to; he nodded, released her, and was about to get up.

As soon as the hand around her waist loosened, she lost her support, her legs went weak, and she began to fall. She was then pulled back by a large hand around her waist.

Ruan Xianrong then realized that she could not stand up at all.

Xie Chengyan pulled the person into his arms again; the person's body was incredibly limp.

His eyes suddenly darkened, and as he gently touched the bruises on his shoulder, the anger he had managed to suppress flared up again.

Ruan Xianrong gritted her teeth in hatred, wanting to kill him, but she was powerless to do so and could only rely on him.

To vent her anger, she reached out and pinched his arm.

That twist was no match for him; she was already weak and couldn't hurt him in the slightest.

The man holding her leaned down slightly, his voice tinged with amusement, "Niannian, are you trying to seduce me?"

Her eyes widened; Xie Chengyan had indeed gone mad.

"I seduced your ancestor!"

He didn't say anything more, but instead pulled her closer to his chest and took a deep breath into her neck.

"What are you doing, you pervert?"

My feet were thrashing about in the water, kicking wildly, and I ended up kicking the wrong spot, a hot and hard place.

The person buried against her groaned, his eyes darkening further than before, his voice hoarse, "Niannian..."

Seeing his increasingly dazed gaze, Ruan Xianrong trembled slightly, pushing him away with both hands, "Stop!"

She was really scared.

If she continues like this, she really will die.

She dared not move again, and nestled obediently in his arms, sniffling pathetically.

"A beast in human clothing!"

Xie Chengyan chuckled, "I'll take it as Nian Nian praising me."

I rolled my eyes. Shameless! Disgusting!

Fortunately, the person didn't make any further moves. The water in the pool was warm, and soaking in it was indeed very comfortable.

About half an hour later, Xie Chengyan carried her out of the pool and placed her on the edge of the pool. He then turned to get her clothes, revealing several scratch marks on her back.

He wrapped her in a large robe and carried her back to his bedchamber.

No one cared that her clothes were mixed in with her wedding attire. She went into bed, wrapped herself in the quilt, and shrank further inside, afraid that he would become lustful again.

But in Xie Chengyan's eyes, this appearance made her seem like a wary little kitten, both cute and fierce.

"When will I be able to go home?"

Ruan Xianrong was still unwilling to give up. On their wedding day, the bride had disappeared, and her parents must be very worried.

I wonder how Aqing is doing. How can she go back to get married in this state?

Xie Chengyan gave an irrelevant answer, "I had someone make you some soup; drink it while it's hot."

The spoon was brought to her lips, but Ruan Xianrong turned her head away. "I want to go home."

"Does Niannian want me to feed you personally?"

"Xie Chengyan, have you no shame?"

She brought the spoon even closer, as if she wouldn't stop until she drank it all.

"I'll drink it myself."

The moment she tasted the soup, she frowned. "What is this? Why is it so bitter?"

"It's something that's good for your health."

Xie Chengyan was satisfied when he saw that she had drunk every last drop.

After finishing her drink, she curled up under the covers. She was really tired and fell asleep soon after.

When he opened his eyes again, a palace maid he didn't recognize was standing at the head of the bed.

"Is the young lady awake?"

The maid brought over another bowl of dark medicine. "Miss, this is what His Majesty ordered. Drink it while it's hot."

"What is this now?"

She was perfectly fine, healthy, and without any illness or disaster. But after that scoundrel brought her to the palace for a few days, she had to drink bowl after bowl of medicine. What sins did she commit?

I used to be free and at home, but now I have to go to the palace to suffer like this. Suddenly I feel like crying.

Seeing her eyes redden, the maidservant hurriedly knelt down, "Please forgive me, young lady, did I say something wrong?"

She wiped her face, turned her head to wipe away her tears, then took the bowl of medicine and drank it all in one gulp.

The bitter taste sent a shiver down her spine, and she quickly put a piece of candy in her mouth.

He looked at the maid and asked, "What's your name?"

"My name is Hongjian, Miss."

"Has anyone come by in the last few days?"

Hongjian shook her head, "This servant does not know."

Ruan Xianrong immediately frowned. "You were sent by His Majesty to serve me, you should be clever, how come you don't even know this?"

Hongjian lowered her head and refused to speak further, so she knew that Xie Chengyan must have given the instructions.

Unable to get any information from her, he simply buried his head in his sleep, not letting her go home. He figured she could find a way back once she recovered.

But as soon as I woke up, I tossed and turned and couldn't fall back asleep, when I heard someone walk in from outside.

At this time, there was no one else but Xie Chengyan. She didn't want to see him, so she lay in bed pretending to be asleep.

He sat on the edge of the bed, as if afraid of waking her, without moving for a moment.

Just as she lowered her guard, the man suddenly lifted her skirt and reached down inside. Startled, she forgot about the pain and grabbed a pillow to throw at him.

"You old pervert, how dare you lift my skirt!"

Xie Chengyan put the ointment in his hand aside and pulled her into his arms.

Unable to resist, she could only glare at him, "What are you doing now?"

"Let's have a meal."

The palace maids set up a small table on the soft couch, and Xie Chengyan carried her over.

But she had no appetite and only ate some porridge and side dishes. She even lost interest in her favorite snacks.

"Eat some more, you're too thin."

She shook her head; she really didn't want to eat.

The atmosphere was clearly starting to turn sour. His aura suddenly turned cold as he grabbed her waist and moved closer to her.

Ruan Xianrong quickly picked up her bowl, saying, "I'm not full yet."

The person beside her chuckled softly, and she knew she had been tricked.

What should I do? I feel more and more useless. I can't beat them in a fight, I'm not as cunning as them, and I can't run away.

Now even how much to eat depends on how others feel.

The more I think about it, the sadder I get.

Shouldn't he be with Miaoyin right now? Even if it's not Miaoyin, there's Jiang Wantang.

Why did they have to torment her?

She suppressed her resentment and ate a few more bites, and then she noticed that his complexion had improved.

The atmosphere eased, and she tentatively asked, "You...you can't keep me locked up here forever. I have to go home eventually. Or could you pass a message to my parents so they don't worry about me?"

Xie Chengyan placed a piece of pastry on her plate, his eyes crinkling with laughter. "Want to go back to the Ruan family?"

Before she could nod, he added, "Want to see your fiancé?"

A demonic whisper echoed in my ear, "You've reminded me."

"Where did your fiancé touch you? Which hand did he use?"

He took her wrist, his fingertips gently rubbing his palm, his smile tender, but his eyes were icy cold.

"I will clean you up."