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

After Ruan Xianrong returned to her family home, her peaceful life resumed.

She found Cheng Qing's contract and looked at it; the handwriting on it was excellent.

He even said he would teach her to write, but there will never be another chance.

When Yinque saw her staring blankly at the paper, she knew that the girl was thinking about Cheng Langjun again.

"Miss, don't worry. The head of the family has already sent someone to send him back. He'll be fine."

"I know."

He threw the contract into the brazier, then took out the imperial edict his aunt had given him and threw it in as well.

These things are useless now.

"Sister Ruan, I've come to see you."

Yinque quickly went to greet her, took the food box from her hand, and Miaoyin took off her cloak and sat down next to her.

"Sister Ruan, I bought some new food from outside. Would you like to try some?"

"It's getting cold today, you don't need to keep buying these things for me. What if you get sick?"

"It's alright. When I was in Anshuo, I used to go out even in weather colder than this, and I'm still quite healthy."

Ruan Tinglan happened to come in and shivered. "The weather in Kyoto is so cold. It's still warm in Mingzhou."

I quickly sat down to warm myself by the fire. "It's only October. No wonder my aunt bought me so many winter clothes after I came to Beijing."

The group sat around the stove, eating and talking.

As she spoke, she brought up Ruan Zhaoyu and Ruan Tinglan.

"My second brother passed the provincial examination this year and will be able to participate in the spring examination next year. The teacher at the Imperial Academy said that he has a chance to be among the top three."

"Yes, once Second Brother achieves official rank, Eldest Sister's marriage will be imminent," Ruan Xianrong said.

"That's right. I heard that Mother is already arranging a marriage for my eldest sister. They'll settle things first, and she can get married once the national mourning is over," Miaoyin teased.

Ruan Tinglan's cheeks flushed. "Don't tease me like that. My marriage is settled, so it's your turn now."

Miaoyin couldn't be happy when this was mentioned.

With Xie Chengli ascending the throne, the position of Empress must be filled. The Rongguo Duke's Mansion now wields immense power, and he will never choose an Empress from his maternal grandfather's family again.

The new emperor wanted to win over his old officials, and the first place he chose was the Prime Minister's residence.

As long as the Ruan family sides with him, those who support the Ruan family will naturally support him as well.

Recently, the palace has been very enthusiastic towards Miaoyin, even more so than when her aunt first summoned her to the palace.

Miaoyin was unwilling and made various excuses, but she couldn't keep refusing, so she could only go once every two or three days.

"You don't like His Majesty?" Ruan Xianrong asked.

Miaoyin shook her head. "I don't like it. Although he was a good person when he was the Third Prince, that's the Imperial Palace. I wouldn't dare."

What's so good about entering the palace? Not only is it stifling, but there's also the Empress Dowager. I heard that Consort Jia used to dislike the Ruan family the most, but now that she's the Empress Dowager, what good will come of it for the Ruan family if they enter the palace?

Women do not have skills.

But it's not something she can simply choose not to go. If an imperial decree is issued, her wishes will become irrelevant.

Ruan Xianrong shook her head. Xie Chengli already liked her, and if he didn't take this opportunity to marry her into the palace, it would be difficult later.

Miaoyin was destined to enter the palace.

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. She handed over an orange and asked Ruan Tinglan, "I saw Second Brother come back today, but where is Eldest Brother?"

"My brother said that when he came out of the Imperial Academy today, my eldest brother parted ways with him. He saw that my eldest brother seemed to be leaving with His Highness Prince Qi."

Xie Chengming?

After Xie Chengyan ascended the throne, he enfeoffed the second prince as the Prince of Qi, and Xie Chengli did not take it back, so he let him remain the Prince of Qi.

"What did he want with the King of Qi?"

"I don't know. My brother said he only saw my eldest brother get into Prince Qi's carriage."

Ruan Zhaolin knew several princes, but his relationship with Xie Chengming was just so-so. When did their relationship become so good that they could ride in the same carriage?

After Ruan Tinglan and Miaoyin left, she instructed Yinque to have someone follow Ruan Zhaolin, so that nothing could go wrong at this time.

Two or three days passed in this way, and then the imperial edict from the palace was issued.

Xie Chengli wanted to make Miaoyin his empress.

This matter cannot be refused; to refuse would be to defy an imperial decree.

There was no other way but to accept the imperial edict.

From then on, Miaoyin rarely left her room, and she wouldn't even see Jiang Wantang when he came.

As soon as Ruan Xianrong came out of the room, Jiang Wantang glared at her.

"Miaoyin sees you but not me. Could it be that you said something to her?"

"Miaoyin is in a bad mood and doesn't want to see outsiders. She only wants to see me, her older sister. Miss Jiang, please come another day."

Jiang Wantang snorted coldly, "Miaoyin and I are like sisters, how could she not see me? I think it's you who's causing trouble."

Ruan Xianrong sighed, "If we talk here, Miaoyin can hear us from inside the room. If she wants to see you, why wait for me to say all this?"

"She's in a bad mood, so don't bother her. Let her be alone for a while," she patiently advised.

Jiang Wantang was unconvinced, but Ruan Xianrong lowered her voice and said, "Miss Jiang, I have no grudge against you, so you don't need to be hostile towards me."

"I won't take what you want from you, and what I want, you probably don't care about either. Wouldn't it be better if we just kept to ourselves?"

She didn't want to make enemies, much less cause trouble. Although Jiang Wantang's system was rather useless, it was still a cheat code, so she would avoid provoking him if possible.

Seeing that she had softened her attitude, Jiang Wantang did not force her way in. She glanced into the room and then turned to leave the Prime Minister's residence.

She hadn't even turned two blocks when a man blocked her carriage. "Miss Jiang, my young master has been waiting for a long time."

Jiang Wantang went upstairs and saw Xie Chengli holding a teacup, gesturing to her.

She is now a member of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, and by all accounts, she and Xie Chengli are cousins, so they should be close.

But what can she do when her target isn't Xie Chengli?

She still needed to find a way to rescue Xie Chengyan; she really didn't want to give up half of the reward unless absolutely necessary.

I should give it a try; the man the system chose can't be wrong.

"What do you want?"

Xie Chengli got straight to the point, "I've summoned Miss Jiang today to discuss a transaction. I wonder if Miss Jiang is interested?"

Why should I make a deal with you?

"I know Miss Jiang possesses extraordinary skills, and I also know you have abilities unknown to others, but my brother is currently in prison. No matter how powerful you are, you cannot rescue him."

Jiang Wantang's face darkened. "How do you know I can't save him?"

Xie Chengli chuckled, "If you could really rescue them, you wouldn't have had to wait until now."

"If you make this deal with me, I will promise you that I will release my brother after the deed is done."

Jiang Wantang was indeed tempted. Although Xie Chengyan had lost power, he was like an endless bank account to her. She had to rescue him no matter what.

"So what do you want?"

Xie Chengli pushed the note over, and Jiang Wantang's eyes widened after just one glance.

"you......"

"Well, this matter is only beneficial to you, Miss Jiang, are you willing to agree?"

Jiang Wantang scoffed, "So that's what you were planning. You're ruthless enough."

"Will Miss Jiang agree?"

Jiang Wantang threw the note into the brazier. "I agree."