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

The people Ruan Xianrong sent to follow Ruan Zhaolin have returned with a reply.

Ruan Zhaolin and Xie Chengming are indeed close, and not just recently; they have been seeing each other frequently since last year.

"Our people have inquired and found out that when you were injured last year, His Majesty and Prince Qi came to visit you, and the eldest son spoke with Prince Qi."

"I heard from the people in the manor that the eldest young master wants to learn martial arts from His Highness Prince Qi."

Ruan Xianrong straightened up. "What did you say?"

"That's what the people in the eldest young master's courtyard are saying: he's secretly practicing martial arts and is even clamoring to make a name for himself."

Ruan Xianrong's expression changed. "To achieve great things?"

Is my elder brother home today?

"Not here."

"Go, get ready, we're going to the Imperial College."

The carriage stopped in the alley outside the Imperial College, and a servant was sent in to look for the person.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, the servant returned and said, "Miss, the eldest young master is not at the Imperial Academy."

"Not here? Today isn't a day off either."

"I asked your classmate, and he hasn't come for several days."

Ruan Xianrong had a headache. Instead of studying properly, he insisted on learning martial arts. Did he really think being a military general was easy?

"Where could the eldest son have gone if he's not at the Imperial Academy?"

Where else can we go?

"Go to the Prince of Qi's residence."

The people from the Prince Qi's residence respectfully welcomed her in, but before she even entered the courtyard, voices could be heard coming from the other side of the wall.

Ruan Zhaolin was waving his knife around.

King Qi nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad, you've improved."

Ruan Xianrong burst in, asking, "What progress have you made?"

"Brother, you're doing perfectly fine at the Imperial Academy, why are you learning martial arts?"

Ruan Zhaolin looked at her, "Niannian? What brings you here?"

She pulled him aside, "Why does Big Brother suddenly want to learn martial arts? Didn't I say that this is something you have to learn from a young age, and it's very tough?"

Ruan Zhaolin didn't care at all, "I know, don't worry, I can hold on."

"If His Highness Prince Qi is willing to teach me, I am sure I can learn well."

"Can......"

"Don't worry, little sister. Once I've mastered my skills, I'll be able to protect you."

"I don't need your protection, brother. Just take good care of yourself."

Ruan Zhaolin knew his sister was worried about him, so he patted her head and said, "I know you're worried, but I can't keep you worrying, can I? I've heard that bandits are rampant in the Bingzhou area. Once I've finished my studies, I'll lead troops to suppress them."

The more he talked, the more uneasy Ruan Xianrong became. How could they still be nagging about bandit suppression in the end?

"Brother, why can't you just study hard and pass the imperial examinations? Why do you have to find another path to achieve success?"

"Miss Ruan," King Qi spoke up at the opportune moment, "Zhaolin enjoys practicing martial arts, why are you so opposed to it?"

"He has a talent for martial arts."

What good is talent? What if you go to suppress bandits and never come back?

In her haste, she blurted out, "Your Highness makes it sound so easy. He's my brother, not yours. Even if he doesn't come back, you won't be sad."

"Niannian, don't be rude," Ruan Zhaolin reminded her.

Ruan Xianrong pulled her older brother, "You're not allowed to practice anymore, go home."

Just as I turned around, I saw someone walking towards me.

"It's rare to have so many people here today, why don't you sit down and have a drink?" Xie Chengli said with a smile.

Before the three could bow, Xie Chengli said, "We're all family, why be so formal? Let's sit wherever we like, just like before."

That's true, but how can someone who becomes emperor still be the same as before?

Even Xie Chengming was not as casual as before.

Only Xie Chengli spoke to himself, showing no awareness whatsoever of being an emperor.

Seeing no response, he turned to Ruan Xianrong, "I wonder how Miaoyin is doing lately?"

What can you do? You'll just be sullen and unwilling to go to the palace.

But she couldn't say that. In the book, Xie Chengli went against the male lead at every turn for the female lead, and in the end, he didn't even care about the chance to live.

She didn't speak, but Ruan Zhaolin spoke first: "It's fine."

Xie Chengli brought the teacup to his lips. "That's good. Miaoyin and I will be getting married soon, and then I'll have to call you 'Big Brother' again."

"You are His Majesty, this won't do. If my parents find out, I'll get a beating."

Xie Chengli looked around the three-person room, as if the three of them were a family, excluding him. His smile faded slightly. "That's true."

After leaving the Prince of Qi's residence, Xie Chengli returned to the palace and was summoned by Empress Dowager Meng.

Empress Dowager Meng is throwing a tantrum.

"I told you to choose an empress from among the relatives of the Rongguo Duke's family, but you chose the Ruan family. The Ruan family was meant to be won over; making her a concubine would have been enough. But you acted on your own. What, you've just ascended the throne and you don't even respect your mother anymore?"

Xie Chengli bowed and said, "Your subject dares not."

Empress Dowager Meng sneered, "What wouldn't you dare to do? Don't think I don't know you're wary of your maternal grandfather. If it weren't for him, do you think you could have sat on this throne?"

"Xie Chengli, remember your place. Your current status is half due to the Meng family!"

Xie Chengli lowered his eyes, "Your subject understands."

Xie Chengli always obeyed his mother's words without question, and today was no exception.

When Empress Dowager Meng saw that her son was obedient, her anger subsided.

"And then there's Jiang Wantang. I've heard he's quite capable. Although Xie Chengyan sent him to the Meng family, we mustn't let someone like him be won over by others."

Xie Chengli frowned. "What Mother means is..."

"What I mean is, since you have issued an imperial decree to the Ruan family, it is naturally not appropriate to take it back. If the Ruan family's daughter is the Empress, then the Meng family's daughter must be a Noble Consort."

"Besides Jiang Wantang, I have already chosen someone for you. Once the empress is established, we can bring them into the palace."

Xie Chengli remained silent for a long time, which displeased Empress Dowager Meng. "What, are you going to disobey your mother?"

"Don't forget who gave you everything. I was able to give you the status and position of a prince back then, and now the dragon throne you sit on can also be changed to someone else."

Xie Chengli smiled slightly, "What are you saying, Mother? What you choose is naturally the best."

Empress Dowager Meng said coldly, "It's good that you know. Don't think that just because you've grown up and become the emperor, you can disregard your mother. Remember, from now on, all decisions you make must prioritize the Meng family."

"Yes."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a palace servant came to report that Jiang Wantang had arrived.

"Why did Mother summon her to the palace?"

"Since she's going to be your imperial concubine, of course you should meet her. It's a good opportunity for you two to spend more time together. Use the methods I taught you to extract all the information she has from her and make it work for the Meng family."

Xie Chengli's eyes flickered slightly. "I understand, son."

On the way back to the council hall, he remained silent, and those around him dared not speak either.

The road ahead was long and arduous, but suddenly those ahead asked, "Tell me, does the throne belong to the Xie family or the Meng family?"

The people behind him dared not answer.

Xie Chengli chuckled lightly, "So be it, let him be emperor for as long as he can."