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

Every word she heard felt like a sharp needle piercing her heart, leaving her with an indescribable bitterness.

"Father said that on the day Sister Ruan went missing, he was brought back just before dark, covered in wounds and nearly died. If he were to appear before His Majesty again, he would surely die," Miaoyin added.

"For his own good, we'll send him back once the results of the provincial examination are out."

Ruan Xianrong understood that this was for the best.

She and Cheng Qing were destined to be apart. She returned to Mingzhou, hoping to find a better girl than herself, get married, have children, and live a peaceful life.

She dragged him down by bringing him back, causing him to suffer.

"Sister Ruan, don't worry, I will definitely get you out of here."

Speaking of this, Ruan Xianrong thought of Jiang Wantang. Perhaps she could meet her and maybe there would be a chance.

"Miaoyin, you..."

Before she could finish speaking, Hongjian brought in some pastries. "The kitchen made some new pastries today, please have a taste, young lady."

Miaoyin also took a bite and exclaimed in surprise, "How come this pastry tastes exactly like the ones I make?"

Hongjian put down the pastries and said softly, "His Majesty specifically instructed that the young lady likes them."

The hall fell silent for a moment, neither of them responding.

With her around, the two sisters couldn't say anything more, and could only offer some polite words.

A quarter of an hour later, Cao Shen came to urge her, "Miss Miaoyin, His Majesty requests your presence."

Before leaving, Ruan Xianrong whispered, "Go back and tell Cheng Qing that I have no feelings for him. I only chose him because he is good-looking and honest. I was just using him. Tell him to take his family back to Mingzhou as soon as possible."

"Have my father give him some more money as an apology. I'll destroy the things he gave me earlier when I get home."

Miaoyin understood what she meant, but no one would believe her.

Judging from Cheng Qing's expression, I'm afraid...

"Don't worry, Sister Ruan, I will definitely deliver it."

"Take good care of your parents, and tell them I'm fine and they don't need to worry."

Xie Chengyan is a madman. If you anger him, who knows what he might do? It's best to be careful.

Cao Shen escorted Miaoyin out of the palace and returned to report.

The nanny who served Jiang Wantang during her bath was taken to the Hall of State Affairs.

"how?"

"Your Majesty, that Miss Jiang does indeed have a birthmark on her shoulder."

"Many people have birthmarks on their shoulders, are you sure it's her?" Xie Chengyan asked calmly.

"There's no mistake. Many people have birthmarks on their shoulders, but not many are in the same location and have the same shape. This old servant saw it clearly; it's her."

Xie Chengyan lightly twirled his fingers. "Granny is an old servant in the palace. After this matter, you can take your whole family away from the capital."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. This old servant will keep my mouth shut," the old woman said.

"Go down and collect your reward."

"Yes."

After the servants left, Cao Shen asked, "Has Your Majesty confirmed Miss Jiang's identity?"

Xie Chengyan tapped his fingertip lightly on the imperial desk, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "There are some people I don't touch, yet they insist on handing me their weaknesses. In that case, I won't be polite."

He concealed the fierceness in his eyes. "Let her in."

Jiang Wantang had just had a fierce battle with the system, arguing her case rationally, and finally received some compensation.

She refused to believe that she couldn't win over a mere ancient person.

"How could you marry Ruan Xianrong?" Jiang Wantang questioned as soon as he opened his mouth.

Just as Cao Shen was about to reprimand him, he saw His Majesty raise his hand, slightly close his eyes, and say calmly, "Do I need to explain my actions to Miss Jiang?"

Jiang Wantang choked, "Why don't I need it? I only helped you like a slave because I had feelings for you, but you married someone else."

In Jiang Wantang's mind, Xie Chengyan brought her back to the East Palace because he had feelings for her. Otherwise, why didn't he bring back others when he had saved so many people?

She was treated well in the Eastern Palace, with plenty of food and drink, and was free to come and go as she pleased. She had asked around and found that no one else received such treatment.

But it's always a mix of near and far, like being close yet distant.

What she wants is his favor, and that supreme position. Now that he has brought Ruan Xianrong to the palace, isn't he just making things difficult for her?

Xie Chengyan's tone remained gentle, "Then what does Miss Jiang want?"

"I..." Jiang Wantang almost blurted out that she wanted the position of Empress, but she managed to hold back.

Because the system was roaring in her mind, "[Host, shut up! Xie Chengyan is no ordinary person. If you say it directly, he will become suspicious.]"

[Think carefully. If you succeed in completing the strategy, you will receive all the rewards. If you choose to switch players, the rewards will be halved.]

[Also, I warned you before that your behavior is too bold and out of step with the times. He might already be suspicious of you, and once he's wary of you, winning him over will be incredibly difficult.]

Jiang Wantang remained silent for a long time, struggling with her inner turmoil. For the sake of the reward, she endured it!

"Your Majesty... just give me whatever you think is appropriate, I'm fine with anything."

The speed of the change in attitude stunned Cao Shen.

No wonder His Majesty said that this Miss Jiang is strange; she changes her mind faster than turning the pages of a book.

"Miss Jiang, you have worked hard and done a lot for me. You deserve to be rewarded."

"Since you are all alone and helpless in the capital, I will grant you an identity."

"...What is your identity?"

"The Rongguo Duke's mansion is thriving. The Duke has ten grandsons but no granddaughters. I hereby decide that you shall become the Rongguo Duke's granddaughter."

Jiang Wantang's expression lit up. That was great! Her only shortcoming in the capital was her social status, which was why the noble ladies from those aristocratic families looked down on her.

If she truly became a member of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, her status would be different. There would also be a Dowager Consort from the Duke's Mansion in the palace, making it perfectly legitimate for her to enter and leave the palace, and making it easier for her to get close to Xie Chengyan.

He immediately agreed, "Very well, thank you, Your Majesty."

Cao Shen quickly drafted the imperial edict and presented it to His Majesty for review.

"Go yourself," Xie Chengyan instructed.

Cao Shen understood what he meant.

"Yes."

*

In the evening, just as Nguyen Hien Dung was about to undress and go to bed, he was summoned to the Council Hall.

There were only the two of them inside the hall. Xie Chengyan smiled and beckoned to her, "Come here."

She reluctantly moved up, and before she could even stand properly, she fell into his arms.

What did you talk about with your sister today?

"She didn't say anything..." She didn't want to say more, but Xie Chengyan didn't believe her.

"I... told them about some things that had happened in the past few days, and also asked about my parents."

"Is that all?"

"What else would you like to hear?"

Ruan Xianrong simply told them all, "I asked my eldest brother, my cousins, and even Aqing."

"I brought him to Kyoto, so naturally I have to take responsibility, after all, Ah Qing and I almost got married."

The more she spoke, the deeper Xie Chengyan's smile became.

He's crazy, that's what he wants to hear. If I tell him, he'll get upset, so I might as well just die of anger.

"Ah Qing, he..."

Before he could finish speaking, the man pinned him to the chair and silenced him with a kiss.

Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?

She met his gaze. "Didn't you tell me to say it?"

"What I said is the truth. Ah Qing and I are engaged; it was an arranged marriage by my aunt. What can you do about it if you're angry?"

Xie Chengyan chuckled and began punishing her in the same way again.

Ruan Xianrong pressed down on the hand beneath her dress. "What else can you do besides scare me with this?"

He said slowly, "Niannian, you know that if you anger me, there will be no good outcome."

The lights in the council hall stayed on until late at night, and the interior was dimly lit; the dragon throne was ultimately not spared.

Ruan Xianrong held onto the armrest of the chair, bracing herself to keep from falling.

The results of the provincial examination were right before their eyes, and the first place was marked with the name Cheng Qing.

The man beneath her gripped her waist, forcing her to lie face down on the imperial desk, closer to that name.

The hairpin on her head fell onto the imperial edict, and her voice was drowned out by her heavy breathing.

Ruan Xianrong suddenly turned over and regretted it.

She will never come to this council hall again.