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

During the hot summer months, the hunting grounds are lush and green, making them a perfect place to escape the heat.

The carriage slowly drove into the waterside pavilion behind the hunting grounds. Outside, fine horses and carriages filled the air with fragrance, and people in gorgeous clothes vied with each other.

In the book, Ruan Xianrong also participated in the hunt, but she was pampered at home and brought her arrogant nature with her. She was jealous of the crown prince and didn't know that everyone was laughing at her.

Not far away, a young man in white stood craning his neck, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the carriage.

When the Ruan family's carriage stopped, he was overjoyed and wanted to run over, but he held back because of Madam Ruan and stood properly.

Madam Ruan went in first. When Ruan Xianrong got out of the carriage, the young man had already come forward and extended his hand to her. She naturally took his hand and jumped down from the carriage.

What are you doing here?

Shen Qinghe blushed slightly. "Of course I've been waiting for you."

"It's the height of summer now, and you're not in good health, aren't you afraid of getting heatstroke?"

"I wanted to see you, didn't I? It's been so long and you haven't come to see me." He muttered softly, his ears burning red.

Shen Qinghe was younger than her and came from a family of military generals, but he was physically weak and naturally not favored. Anyone could bully him. She had only helped him once, but the boy remembered it.

Before they could exchange more than two words, she felt a chill down her spine, as if something was watching her.

She looked around but didn't see anyone.

Ruan Zhaolin, on the other hand, led her to the women's tents, and glared at Shen Qinghe before leaving.

"Brother, you don't need to come with me. I can manage on my own. It's not like this is my first time here. You go with them."

Ruan Zhaolin, who had been sitting still for a long time, got up and walked towards the crowd in front of him upon hearing this.

She found a place to sit down and noticed the occasional glances directed at her, followed by a murmur of whispers.

A game of pitch-pot was taking place not far away when someone said, "What, you look down on me?"

The speaker was Xue Jingshu, a young lady from the Pingchang Marquis's household and a candidate for Crown Princess.

I've never seen anyone being put in a difficult position on the other side.

The woman was shoved a few times by the crowd, but she spoke politely, "I haven't been in Kyoto long. I've only heard of pitch-pot, I don't know how to play."

"What kind of talk is that? His Highness Prince Yong is a renowned expert in pitch-pot. You're by his side, how could you not know how? Do you think you're looking down on us because you're trying to curry favor with Prince Yong?"

Xue Jingshu's aggressive approach was clearly aimed at her.

Ruan Xianrong looked into the distance, fearing that Prince Yong would be unable to come over.

Fine, I'll do him a favor.

He stepped forward unhurriedly, pushed through the crowd, and said, "Miss Xue, would you like to play pitch-pot? I'll play with you."

When everyone saw her coming, their expressions changed, and they all made way for her.

Ruan Xianrong's name is well-known in the capital. Everyone knows she is the Crown Princess and not someone to be trifled with.

But, does she know how to play pitch-pot?

Everyone knows that Ruan Xianrong is a notorious good-for-nothing in the capital, capable of nothing.

She didn't argue, picked up the arrow, and threw it as if it were just a casual throw, but it hit the target every time.

The arrows struck the silver pot with a crisp sound; not one missed.

Xue Jingshu stared wide-eyed at her incredulously, having never seen Ruan Xianrong play the game of pitch-pot before.

"How do you know how to play pitch-pot?"

Ruan Xianrong smiled and said, "I never said I couldn't."

Not playing doesn't mean I can't play.

"It's your turn."

Xue Jingshu didn't try to be assertive, as offending Ruan Xianrong would not do her any good.

He immediately admitted defeat and left with his men.

The woman, visibly excited, rushed forward, exclaiming, "Girl, you've helped me again!"

Ruan Xianrong was stunned. What a stunning beauty! She was so beautiful that he couldn't take his eyes off her.

Anyone who has seen such a face will surely remember it.

"You recognize me?"

"It's me." The woman laughed. "That night I was almost sold into a brothel, and it was you who helped me."

That day her hair was disheveled, and her face was obscured; all I remember is that her eyes were exceptionally bright.

At the time, my older brother was in a hurry to take her back and didn't have time to ask her any more questions. I never expected to run into her here.

Today she changed into a palace dress and styled her hair in a simple bun, looking completely different from that day.

"Is it you?"

The woman excitedly grasped her hand, "I didn't have a chance to ask your name that day, I never expected to actually meet you today."

"My name is Miaoyin, and I do not yet know your name, young lady."

Ruan Xianrong then learned about her background. She had been an orphan since childhood and fled to the capital. She was targeted as soon as she arrived.

"Didn't I give you some silver that day? How did you end up in Prince Yong's residence?"

Prince Yong was the first son of His Majesty to be granted the title of prince. He was the fourth son in the family. He was a man of pure heart and few desires. He did not get close to women, nor did he participate in court disputes. In the end, he even renounced the world and became a monk.

It's truly unbelievable that they would bring the woman back.

"It's a long story, but he was a good man. When he saw that I had nowhere to go, he took me back to be his maid, so that I would have a place to stay."

"The young lady was dressed in extraordinary clothes that day, so I guessed that she must be a noble lady from a high-ranking family. That's why I asked Your Highness to bring me here today."

It turned out to be the case.

"Then you're lucky. There are few people in the Prince Yong's mansion, and not much infighting. Your life will be much easier."

"Yes, since I came to Kyoto, I have met many noble people, and you are my great benefactor. If you ever need my help in the future, I will do my best."

Ruan Xianrong didn't really need her help, but she didn't refuse either, saying, "I'll remember that."

After exchanging pleasantries, she returned to the shed she had just been in.

Miaoyin went to serve Prince Yong and turned to look at her.

Miss Ruan is actually the daughter of the Prime Minister; no wonder she has such an extraordinary bearing.

She is really beautiful.

Seeing that Ruan Xianrong finally had some free time, Shen Qinghe, who was standing not far away, quickly ran over and said, "Rong, I'll take you horseback riding."

"Tsk, you dare call me Ah Rong? Call me sister."

Shen Qinghe was displeased, "You're not that much older than me."

"Didn't you love calling me 'sister' when you were little? Why don't you want to call me that anymore now that you're older?"

"I've grown up now, I'm not the little kid I used to be, and now I can protect you."

Ruan Xianrong didn't argue with him about that, and asked again, "Aren't you going into the woods with them?"

Shen Qinghe smiled and said, "I won't go. I'll stay here with you and lead your horse."

As the two were talking, the surroundings suddenly fell silent. It turned out that an archery competition had begun ahead.

The sound of an arrow hitting the target rang out, and several noble ladies clapped and cheered.

"His Highness the Third Prince is truly accomplished in both literature and martial arts..."

"In my opinion, the Second Prince is still better."

"His Highness the Crown Prince didn't make a move, otherwise it would have been the best outcome."

When the Crown Prince was mentioned, the noble ladies looked in Xie Chengyan's direction.

At the same time, he noticed Ruan Xianrong behind him.

Ruan Xianrong found it meaningless and didn't take what was said to heart at all.

He said to Shen Qinghe, "Let's go horseback riding."

Shen Qinghe picked out a gentle pony for her and helped her onto it.

"Who was that woman who was talking to Sister Ruan just now? She looks kind of familiar."

"She's from the Prince Yong's residence. Have you met her?"

Shen Qinghe shook his head. He had never seen him before, but he felt that the face looked familiar.

"Let's not talk about her, let's go take a look over there."

There were other women riding horses around, but Ruan Xianrong was the only one whose horse was led by a young master from a prominent family.

Everyone is saying that His Highness the Crown Prince will soon be choosing a consort, and the girl from the Ruan family is the top candidate. Now, people have some doubts.

At the hunting grounds, Ruan Xianrong did not stay with the Crown Prince, but instead got along well with the second son of the Xuanwei General's family. Could it be that she had no interest in the position of Crown Princess?

Thinking of this, everyone's gaze towards Xie Chengyan brightened.

As long as Ruan Xianrong doesn't try to take the position, all of them will have a chance to compete for it.

Xie Chengyan's gaze subtly drifted towards the figure on horseback in the distance.

The girl was lively and charming, and her face was captivating.

I really want to lock him up and let him see it all by himself.

Suppressing the raging madness within him, he coolly fixed his gaze on Shen Qinghe.

Among the crowd, a pair of eyes were fixed on Ruan Xianrong, their disgust and malice growing ever deeper.