Ties of Love, Ruan Wan

Ruan Wan's swaggering trip to the post station to meet Meng Cilan had already spread throughout the capital.

Several groups of people were stationed outside the post station, but they dared not approach because of Aqing, who was guarding it, and could not hear what the two were talking about inside.

These people followed Ruan Wan's carriage all the way until they saw her return to the Seventh Prince's residence, and then they all left.

Yang Qiao naturally informed Xia Ziru of the news immediately.

Inside the flower hall, mist filled the air, flowers bloomed, and fragrance permeated the air. Yang Qiao stood at the door, while Shui Yue stood guard beside him.

Looking through the curtain, Yang Qiao felt as if he were gazing into a fairyland.

Today is different from the past. There is no music or concubines dancing. Ruan Xiuzhu prefers quiet and does not like these beautiful women.

Ruan Xiuzhu made no attempt to conceal his visit, making several visits to the Third Prince's residence in a row. Everyone in the capital knew that he was going to the Third Prince's residence to report on the reconstruction of Qingzhou.

Although the Jingzhao Prefecture case damaged his reputation somewhat, the central figure in the incident was still Ruan Zhengqing.

He frequently visited the Third Prince's residence, partly to seek peace and quiet. Su Ying was in a panic, worrying day and night that the matter would be traced back to her, and bothered Ruan Xiuzhu every day.

Secondly, his high-profile visits to the Third Prince's residence would remind people in the capital of his achievements in Qingzhou over the past two years, which would help him salvage some of his reputation.

In the center of the flower hall stands a large boxwood bathtub carved with dragons and phoenixes, from which steam rises.

Xia Ziru closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and leaned against the edge of the bathtub, his face showing an expression of blissful ecstasy.

Ruan Xiuzhu, his back pressed tightly against Xia Ziru's chest, had a dazed look in his eyes, flushed cheeks, and felt weak all over. He leaned against Xia Ziru, his body soft and delicate, a far cry from his usual gentlemanly demeanor.

Every now and then, maids would carry hot water, bending over as they quickly entered the flower hall to add hot water to the bathtub.

The maids moved swiftly, not daring to lift their heads, and immediately retreated after pouring the hot water.

Yang Qiao was already used to the scene before him. He spoke through the curtain, "Your Highness, the Holy Maiden of Miao territory met with the envoy sent by Miao territory at the post station today."

Xia Ziru gave a lazy "hmm" without speaking. Yang Qiao continued, "The Holy Maiden's maid, A Qing, is guarding outside the door. Our people can't get close, so we can't hear anything they're saying."

There was still no response from inside. Yang Qiao, bent over, kept glancing inside. Suddenly, the sound of water splashing against the tub came from inside. Xia Ziru groaned and asked, "That Miao healer, what's her name again, Lan?"

Yang Qiao immediately replied, "Meng Ci Lan."

"She's going to the palace tomorrow, isn't she?"

"Your Highness, someone from the palace will come early tomorrow morning to fetch her."

Xia Ziru reached out and stroked Ruan Xiuzhu's cheek. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Send a message to the palace, asking Mother to find an opportunity to see her in a few days. Tell Mother she doesn't need to do anything, just check her pulse as usual."

Yang Qiao quickly left the flower hall, while Shui Yue remained standing at the door, waiting as if no one else was there.

Ruan Xiuzhu felt a little out of breath and tried to push himself up. Just as his smooth body emerged from the water, a pair of hands wrapped around his slender waist.

With a splash, Ruan Xiuzhu fell into the bathtub again, water splashing everywhere. Ruan Xiuzhu felt dizzy and her body went limp in Xia Ziru's arms.

After a while, Ruan Xiuzhu finally calmed down and leaned against Xia Ziru's chest. "Is there anything suspicious about this Meng Cilan?"

Xia Ziru's gaze drifted into the distance. "When my father was still a prince, he hid in Miao territory for a period of time. This time, he suddenly sent a female physician from Miao to the palace. I'm afraid there's some connection between us."

Ruan Xiuzhu chuckled lightly, "Could it be that this female physician is His Majesty's lover from Miao territory? His Majesty doesn't seem like a man of lasting affection."

Xia Ziru laughed, his hand gliding across Ruan Xiuzhu's slender back. "By the way, how's your father's case going? You keep coming here to hide away for peace and quiet, aren't you afraid your father will get implicated?"

Ruan Xiuzhu gently bit Xia Ziru's broad shoulder. "What's wrong? We've only been together for two days, and you already dislike me?"

Xia Ziru wrapped his arms around Ruan Xiuzhu's waist, holding him tightly, burying his head in the crook of his neck, greedily sucking on his lips. "How could this be? You know how much I missed you. I wish I could lock you up in this palace."

Ruan Xiuzhu snorted coldly, and Xia Ziru immediately knew why Ruan Xiuzhu was angry. He quickly smiled apologetically and said, "I had no choice. Only I know about my sixth brother's homosexuality. I don't trust anyone else. If Mother didn't know about my sixth brother's homosexuality, she wouldn't be so supportive of me."

Ruan Xiuzhu raised her head, looking at Xia Ziru with resentment in her eyes. "So you were just pretending with me, only to trick me into seducing Xia Wuxiu so that you could succeed."

Before Ruan Xiuzhu could finish speaking, Xia Ziru sealed her lips with a kiss.

It was always like this; Xia Ziru never gave a positive response and always rudely told Ruan Xiuzhu to shut up.

At first, Ruan Xiuzhu would always resist, but under Xia Ziru's strong offensive, Ruan Xiuzhu would eventually give in.

The floor was covered in water stains, the water in the bathtub gradually cooled down, and the mist in the flower hall gradually dissipated.

After being lost in passion, Ruan Xiuzhu, wearing a long robe, lay on the couch with her head resting on Xia Ziru's lap.

"My father's case is quite strange; there are many inconsistencies. I always feel that someone is instigating the Han family behind it."

Ruan Xiuzhu raised her head and glanced at Xia Ziru. "I even feel that Hu Qiang was sent by someone. It's just a coincidence. He's a eunuch, and maybe my return disrupted that person's plans, so they're using the Han family to continue targeting us."

Xia Ziru squinted, deep in thought. "Perhaps it was the person behind the Han family who kidnapped your brother. But what is their purpose? Why would they target the obscure Ruan family?"

Suddenly, something occurred to Ruan Xiuzhu, and she looked at Xia Ziru, "Do you think it's possible that the Miao Holy Maiden is behind this?"

"She has no grudge against the Ruan family, so why would she go to such lengths to plot against you?"

Ruan Xiuzhu couldn't figure out the key point either, and lowered his head again.

Xia Ziru laughed and said, "Instead of thinking about this, you should think about how to help your father get through this difficult time."

Ruan Xiuzhu said dismissively, "His Majesty will protect Father. Their relationship is far deeper than we know."

Xia Ziru's hand slowly reached into Ruan Xiuzhu's chest, tracing the sharp angles of his face. "Is it as deep as ours?"

As soon as Ruan Wan returned to the Seventh Prince's residence, Xia Changfeng had been waiting for her in the Yaotai Courtyard for a long time. Upon seeing Ruan Wan return, Xia Changfeng put down Xiao Yuanyuan in his arms and greeted her, "Hu Qiang's case was transferred to the Dali Temple early this morning."

This news didn't seem to bring much surprise; Ruan Wan appeared to already know about it.

Ruan Wan squatted down, clapping her hands with a smile at Xiao Yuanyuan. Xiao Yuanyuan giggled and wiggled her short legs, burying herself in Ruan Wan's arms.

"The emperor has finally intervened; this matter can now be concluded."

Ruan Wan glanced back at A Qing, who immediately understood and ran outside.

Xia Changfeng frowned and asked, "Normally, cases involving officials are transferred to the Court of Judicial Review, which then submits them to Father Emperor before he becomes involved."

Ruan Wan smiled and said, "This matter has become such a big fuss, the emperor can't possibly sit idly by."

The winds in the capital have already shifted in the last two days; someone must have been secretly manipulating public opinion.

Ruan Wan has achieved her goal, so she will not push it too far, lest things get out of control.

Ruan Wan continued, "Once this matter is handed over to the Dali Temple, there will definitely be a result soon. On the other hand, how is your plan to place people in the four cities of Dongyi progressing? Now is the perfect time."

Xia Changfeng looked at Ruan Wan in disbelief and asked, "You knew!"

Ruan Wan nodded. "Xia Wuxiu will be returning to the capital soon, and Xia Ziru is staying home all the time. Now is the perfect opportunity for you to place your people in the city."

"Father hasn't issued a decree yet, how do you know that Xia Wuxiu will return to the capital soon?"

Ruan Wan smiled without saying a word, and instead asked, "Do you have any plans?"

Xia Changfeng took out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Ruan Wan. "These are the people I have selected. My father has already appointed the governor of Zhangzhou to take over the four cities of Dongyi. These people will be assigned to them. What do you think?"

Ruan Wan took the envelope, opened it, glanced at it briefly, and then handed it back to Xia Changfeng, saying, "You can decide for yourself."

Seeing that Ruan Wan had no objections, Xia Changfeng finally felt relieved. "Then I'll arrange for these people. They are all marginal figures in the court, so they shouldn't attract attention."

Ruan Wan nodded and said, "You haven't spent much time with Mingyue lately. I'm afraid Mingyue might forget what her father looks like."

Xia Changfeng knew that Ruan Wan was once again telling him to leave. Before Xia Changfeng could speak, Ruan Wan had already carried Xiao Yuanyuan into the inner hall.

"Your face looks like a little kitten's; Mommy will take you to wash your face."

Xia Changfeng sighed helplessly. He had indeed been visiting Qingfang Courtyard less often lately, spending more time with Liang Qiaoyi in order to appease her.

Xia Changfeng still loved his eldest daughter very much, but between him and Linglong, pretense outweighed true feelings.

Rather than putting on an act in front of Linglong, Xia Changfeng would much rather enjoy Liang Qiaoyi's gentle affection.

Inside the inner room, Azi had already prepared the water for washing her face. Little Yuanyuan obediently stretched out her head, closed her eyes, and stared at Ruan Wan as she washed her face.