Ties of Love, Ruan Wan

When they returned to Nanyuan, it was already dawn. The old women were in a panic. They looked at Ruan Wan, dressed in men's clothing, with surprise, and could only smile bitterly at Qiu Shuang.

At this moment, a man dressed in black was kneeling in the Prime Minister's residence, reporting to Zhang Lucheng, "Your Majesty, the Third Miss Ruan is the woman who saved the Seventh Prince."

Zhang Lucheng laughed out loud, "Good, good, now that Old Mo's granddaughter is involved, this is getting more and more interesting."

Then came a flurry of rumors: the third young lady of the Ruan family was said to be exceptionally beautiful and talented, while others said that Ruan Wan was scheming, first pretending to be mediocre at Princess Chang Le's residence, and then flattering the third prince at the third prince's residence, a natural vixen who seduced the prince.

Ruan Wan couldn't care less what others said, but she thought that when they were discussing it, she was no longer in the capital. She never expected things to turn out this way.

Ruan Wan sat at the doorway, staring blankly at the sky. The days ahead would probably be even harder to endure.

Suddenly, Ruan Yuanyan stormed in with her maid, her face contorted in anger. With one hand on her hip and the other pointing at Ruan Wan, she snapped, "You really are a vixen! Tell me, when did you seduce the Seventh Prince?"

Haha, just because someone is prettier than you doesn't mean they're a vixen. Ruan Wan never seduced him; you're the one who wanted to seduce him.

Ruan Wan ignored her, but Ruan Yuanyan suddenly stretched out her hand. "Where is the Seventh Prince's jade pendant? Hand it over!"

How could she know about the jade pendant? It must have been seen by someone at the city gate yesterday. It seems there are some rumors circulating outside.

Seeing that Ruan Wan ignored her, Ruan Yuanyan led her maid to search inside, but Granny Wang blocked her way, saying, "Fourth Miss, this is not in accordance with etiquette."

The maid beside her pushed her away, and Ruan Wan stood up and pulled Wang Mama aside, saying, "Let her be."

The sound of rummaging through drawers and cabinets could be heard from inside. They were smashing things as they searched, but there wasn't much inside, so they smashed everything in no time.

Unable to find it, Ruan Yuanyan stormed out again, yelling, "Where did you hide the jade pendant? Hand it over right now!"

As she was about to search her, a hand suddenly grabbed her and pulled her away. "Ruan Yuanyan, how dare you! She's your third sister!"

It was Ruan Xiuzhu.

"That slut seduced the Seventh Prince! She's not my Third Sister; she's his mother's bastard child, who knows who she was with!"

Ruan Xiuzhu slapped her across the face, and she froze, staring at Ruan Xiuzhu in disbelief before running away crying.

Ruan Xiuzhu glanced at the mess in the room and said, "My elder brother will send someone to clean up and rearrange it later."

"Thank you, brother"

While the old women were cleaning inside, Ruan Wan and Ruan Xiuzhu sat down in the living room.

"Third Sister, is it true that you and the Seventh Prince are involved?"

After some thought, Ruan Wan decided that she could still trust Ruan Xiuzhu for the time being.

He then took out a jade pendant and handed it over, saying, "Years ago, I accidentally saved the Seventh Prince's life in the mountains. He gave me this jade pendant then, and I accepted it without knowing he was the Seventh Prince."

Ruan Xiuzhu took the jade. "So that's the reason. Have you promised the Seventh Prince anything?"

"At the time, the Seventh Prince did not know that I was a woman." In fact, whether he knew then or not, Ruan Wan does not know now either.

"Since this jade was seen in your possession, people assumed that the Seventh Prince favored you. The reasons behind this are not easy to explain to outsiders, and it's truly unclear unless the Seventh Prince comes forward to clarify."

Ruan Xiuzhu added, "Actually, the Seventh Prince is also a good candidate. Third Sister isn't very happy staying in Nanyuan. If Third Sister is willing, I, your elder brother, can go to the Seventh Prince's residence to put in a good word."

Ruan Xiuzhu had his own plans, and Ruan Wan didn't know why Brother Xia was doing this, nor did she know how she felt about him.

Ruan Wan hadn't even considered getting married, so she could only say, "Father said he would handle this matter; thank you for your trouble, elder brother."

After Ruan Xiuzhu left, someone rearranged the South Garden.

Ruan Wan was in a real bind. It seemed that someone was playing chess in the court, and this courtyard was also quite unusual.

Father Su Ying understood without saying a word, elder brother's calm mind was unfathomable, and grandmother seemed to be detached from worldly affairs but knew everything about the big and small matters in the courtyard.

Aunt Liu and Aunt Hua each had their own ulterior motives, but upon closer inspection, the simplest person in the family was actually Ruan Yuanyan, leaving Ruan Wan helpless.

Inside the Seventh Prince's residence, Lou Qianyuan stormed into Xia Changfeng's study in a fit of rage.

"Xia Changfeng, you're being incredibly dishonest! Don't you know you can't mess with your brother's wife?"

Looking at the furious Lou Qianyuan before him, Xia Changfeng chuckled, "I have to return that favor to you."

Lou Qianyuan was completely bewildered, only to hear Xia Changfeng say with a smile, "She is Xiaozhu."

Lou Qianyuan was even more confused. "Wait, you're saying Ruan Wan is Xiao Zhu? How is that possible? Isn't your Xiao Zhu a man?"

"Yes, she was a boy back then, but she's a girl now."

Lou Qianyuan stared wide-eyed, mouth agape, frozen in place.

Then Xia Changfeng told him in detail what happened two years ago.

"Okay, so you got to know her first, but let's make this clear: if she doesn't like you, you can't steal her away."

"It's too late, she's already mine."

Xia Changfeng handed the letter to Lou Qianyuan. Lou Qianyuan took it and saw that it was from Minister Ruan. The letter read, "Wan'er has been targeted. We hope the Seventh Prince will cooperate in court tomorrow."

"This old scoundrel has his eye on Ruan Wan? How did Ruan Zhengqing come to you knowing you'd cooperate?"

Xia Changfeng grinned mischievously, "You think just a few people at the city gate could cause such rumors?"

Lou Qianyuan was startled again. "It was you who spread the news?"

Looking at the smug man in front of him, Lou Qianyuan could only sigh with regret.

Lou Qianyuan, however, was still not giving up. "Have you asked Miss Ruan if she is willing to marry you?"

Xia Changfeng countered with a question, "Would there be anyone in this world who wouldn't want to marry me?"

Lou Qianyuan immediately said, "Miss Ruan is different from other girls. She doesn't care about power, and it's not certain whether she even looks up to you. Let's make it clear beforehand: you're not allowed to force her if she doesn't want to."

The following day in the imperial court, the emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, speaking in a long, breezy manner.

Xia Changfeng stepped forward and said, "Your subject is here."

"I have recently heard rumors that you gave away the jade pendant. Is this true?"

"Your Majesty, I was just about to submit a memorial. I am twenty-two years old this year, and it is time for me to get married. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request."

"Fine, you refused to get married a few years ago, but now you've come to me yourself, saying that some girl has bewitched my son."

"Your Majesty, this is none other than Ruan Wan, the third daughter of Minister Ruan."

The emperor turned to his daughter and asked, "Minister Ruan, how about I marry my unworthy son to your daughter?"

Ruan Zhengqing stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty's decision is entirely up to me; I have no objection."

"Very well, this matter is settled then. Someone, draft the imperial edict."

On the ladder to heaven.

"I entrust my daughter to Your Highness, Seventh Prince."

"Father-in-law, rest assured, Changfeng will cherish and protect Wan'er for the rest of his life."

No one ever asked Ruan Wan whether she was willing or not; two sentences in the court determined Ruan Wan's life.

Lou Qianyuan was even more furious. This gave him no chance to fight back. He ignored Xia Changfeng and ran straight home.

Xia Ruzhi stood behind him with his hands behind his back, looking at the two people below the Heavenly Ladder. The Sixth Prince, Xia Wuxiu, stepped forward and asked, "Third Brother, what are you looking at?"

"What a pity, what a pity, Seventh Brother beat me to it. I was thinking of making her a concubine if she couldn't get married," Xia Ziru said, shaking his head.

"They're just women. If Third Brother wanted them, wouldn't they all pounce on him?"

"They're all just vulgar beauties, not comparable at all."

Is it really that beautiful?

Xia Ziru looked at his well-developed younger brother, sighed, and walked down the Heavenly Ladder.

Xia Wuxiu, standing behind him, was also helpless. His third brother only knew how to indulge in romance, fishing, and flower appreciation all day long, and didn't care about the affairs of the court.

The Empress Dowager placed all her hopes on herself. It seems that Consort Ruan's faction has allied with the Empress after today's events, and there's going to be a fight.

At noon, Nguyen Thieng Thanh led the Nguyen family to wait for the imperial decree at the gate of the mansion. Eunuch Zhang stood in front of the gate holding the bright yellow imperial decree, with two rows of guards standing behind him.

The father-in-law loudly proclaimed, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The eldest daughter of the Nguyen family, intelligent, gentle, and virtuous, is betrothed to the seventh son of the royal family. A date shall be chosen for the wedding. This is the imperial decree."

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Thank you for your great grace!"

Ruan Zhengqing received the imperial edict with both hands above his head. Eunuch Zhang helped Ruan Zhengqing up, saying, "This old servant congratulates Your Excellency, Minister."

"Thank you for your trouble, sir. Someone come here."

Xiao Li walked over carrying a small, copper-rimmed rosewood box.

"This is just a small token of my appreciation; please have some tea with your father-in-law and everyone else."

"Then, on behalf of the soldiers, we thank the Minister and the Seventh Imperial Concubine."

A guard stepped forward to take it, and the eunuch said, "This old servant must return to serve His Majesty, so I will take my leave now."

"Farewell, sir. We will not see you off further."

Back in the inner hall, everyone congratulated Ruan Wan, who was completely stunned.

With a dark expression, Ruan Zhengqing said, "Ruan Wan, come with me to the Hehuan Courtyard."

He got up and left, and Ruan Wan followed him.

After closing the door, Ruan Wan stepped forward and asked, "Father, when did you conspire with the Seventh Prince?"

"There are more and more spies in this mansion. You can't stay here any longer. The Seventh Prince will protect you."

"But Father should also discuss this with me."

"That day at the city gate, I knew that the Seventh Prince had feelings for you. I was thinking of not marrying you into the royal family, since Lou Qianyuan was a perfect match. I also thought that you would be safer with the Seventh Prince. Besides, Wan'er didn't do it unintentionally."

"Daughter, daughter," she stammered, then ran out, her father's laughter still echoing behind her.

In fact, Ruan Wan did not know whether she was willing to marry Xia Changfeng, or rather, whether she was willing to get married at all.

Ruan Wan has no sense of belonging. She is a transmigrator from another world, possessing the mind of a modern person but living the life of an ancient person.

Previously, Ruan Wan had never thought about life after marriage, but now this matter suddenly came to mind.

From now on, confined to a secluded mansion, devoted to her husband and children, Ruan Wan could not imagine such a life.

Moreover, Xia Changfeng is the seventh prince of the current dynasty and the empress's legitimate son, so he has a high probability of succeeding to the throne in the future. If she really marries Xia Changfeng, she may become the empress of the country in the future.

Faced with the beautiful women of the imperial harem, Ruan Wan was unwilling.

The idea of ​​a lifelong, one-person love was ingrained in Ruan Wan's bones from childhood. Even living in ancient times, Ruan Wan did not want to follow the rules of the past.

At least, she can choose not to get married.

But given the current situation, she had no choice.

Ruan Wan didn't know why Zhang Lucheng was pursuing her so closely. Was it because she had accidentally saved Xia Changfeng two years ago and ruined his plans?

Could Zhang Lucheng really be such a petty and calculating person?

At this moment, Ruan Wan had no time to think about these things. If she ran away, she might lose her life. If she stayed, she would have to get married.

Meanwhile, in the East Garden, Su Ying stood outside the door, knocking, "Yan'er, open the door quickly!"

All that could be heard was the sound of things being smashed inside. Ruan Yuanyan had locked herself in her room after learning that the Emperor had bestowed a marriage upon the Seventh Prince and Ruan Wan.

She was the one who fell for the Seventh Prince first, and she finally grew up and was ready to marry him, but he married someone else, her so-called Third Sister.

Ruan Yuanyan recalled how she and her second sister had secretly climbed over the wall to go out and play, but she had slipped and fallen, and was so frightened that she closed her eyes.

When Ruan Yuanyan opened her eyes, she found herself in her brother's arms, and his smile was so gentle.

Later, upon learning that her brother was the seventh prince, Ruan Yuanyan secretly fell in love with him and longed to grow up quickly and marry him.

But Ruan Yuanyan appeared in front of him several times dressed up beautifully, yet treated him like he was invisible. Now, she suddenly married that Ruan Wan. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

Su Ying was still calling out when Ruan Xiuzhu stepped forward and said, "Mother, stop calling and let her be."

Su Ying turned to look at her son, who was outstanding and made her proud, but he never helped her.

"Yan'er is like this because you've spoiled her since she was little. Sending her to the palace like this is less troublesome than letting her die like this, so as not to implicate the Ruan family later."

"Xiuzhu, Yan'er is your sister. How can you talk to her like that? Don't you even consider me your mother?"

“I am Mother’s son, and also the eldest son of the Ruan family. Mother, do you think this is the Ruan family, the Su family, or the Zhang family?” Su Ying looked at Ruan Xiuzhu and was speechless for a moment.

"The Ruan family has Consort Ruan in the palace, and although they have no princes, Chang Le is deeply favored by His Majesty. The Zhang family has Consort Zhang De, the Third Prince, and the Sixth Prince. Now, the Third Sister has married into the Empress's lineage. The Ruan family's status seems glorious, but it is extremely dangerous."

Ruan Xiuzhu looked at Su Ying coldly.

"And Mother, don't think that no one knows what you've done in the Ruan family all these years. The reason you and your children are the way we are now is only because of the current situation. When the time comes, the overall situation will be settled. How will you and your children then conduct yourselves?"

Su Ying stared blankly at her son, knowing he was calm and collected, but she hadn't expected him to see the situation so clearly.

Watching her son walk away, Su Ying was deeply hurt.

For so many years, she has been in this courtyard, where all eyes have been blocked. She was sent to the Ruan family by her uncle back then, and over the years she has borne children for the master and done a lot for the Zhang family in the Ruan family.

But now that she was a member of the Ruan family, she could no longer serve the Zhang family. She had to plan for her children. Thinking of her son, she couldn't help but feel gratified.

Ruan Yuanyan was holding a blue and white porcelain vase, ready to smash it, when she heard silence outside.

Peeking through the crack in the door, she saw no one there and became frightened. Could it be that her mother had listened to her older brother and really didn't want her anymore? She sat down on the ground and started crying.

When dinner time came and no one called her, her stomach growled with hunger, so Ruan Yuanyan opened the door and went into the main hall.

Su Ying was having her meal when Ruan Yuanyan stood in front of the door. Su Ying continued eating as if she hadn't seen anything.

Ruan Yuanyan took a step forward, but Su Ying stopped her, saying, "Standing there, all dirty, where is the semblance of a proper young lady?"

"Mother, I know I was wrong."

Su Ying suddenly put down her chopsticks and sat up straight. "Yan'er, now you have two paths. One is to send you into the palace to become a concubine or imperial consort. The other is to find a random family to marry into in a couple of years. Given your current personality, your mother can't ruin your life. So, we'll find a family to marry into."

Ruan Yuanyan burst into tears, "Mother, I know I was wrong, I really know I was wrong, please don't marry me off so easily."

"Alright, you chose this yourself. The riches and luxury of the palace are not something ordinary people can enjoy. Go wash up first before you eat. Tomorrow, please have the palace matrons give you some more instruction."

Ruan Yuanyan responded with a "yes" and turned to leave.

"Since I can't marry the Seventh Prince, I will become the richest person in the world."