"Gossip is a fearsome thing!" Rong Qingqing said helplessly. She also wanted to be more carefree, but the problem was that their previous identities were indeed a major point of contention, and he was in such a hurry. "At the very least, let's wait a while until everyone has forgotten about it before we bring up marriage again."

Xie Jingrun looked at her gloomily, "If you really mind that much, why don't you change your identity, or I can find a way to shut them up."

"How do you plan to silence the public's opinions?" Rong Qingqing asked, then saw the murderous intent flash across his eyes and instantly understood his plan.

"How many people can you kill? Besides, you're going to be the emperor someday. You can't take someone's life just because of a few gossipy words. Such cruelty will ruin you. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. As a ruler, you must care for your subjects. Only by being supported by your subjects can you go further." She frowned and advised him anxiously.

Xie Jingrun didn't listen carefully to what she was saying, but seeing how anxious she was, a look of pleasure flashed in his eyes.

She was so anxious because she was worried about him.

This realization brought him great joy.

He didn't care about other people's lives or deaths, but—

He suddenly pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear, "Whatever you say goes. If you stay by my side, I can be a benevolent ruler, but if you leave me, I will become a tyrant."

Rong Qingqing's heart skipped a beat. She looked up and met his serious eyes, feeling conflicted.

Xie Jingrun wasn't joking; he genuinely thought so.

He was never a kind-hearted person; his methods were cruel and chilling. Many officials in the court suffered at his hands and had many complaints about him.

After hearing his words, she suddenly felt immense pressure.

After a moment, she frowned and pushed him away forcefully. "Don't use me as an excuse. I don't care about you. Isn't there a saying that those who follow the right path receive much help, while those who stray from it receive little? If you love the people, they will naturally support you. On the contrary, if you lose the hearts of the people, your demise is not far away."

For her to say these words in front of the Crown Prince would be considered extremely treasonous, but Xie Jingrun didn't care; on the contrary, he was somewhat pleased.

He enjoyed seeing her worry and fret for him.

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

Rong Qingqing was disheartened, realizing she had no way to deal with Xie Jingrun like this.

This was different from Xie Jingrun before, leaving her feeling helpless.

After a long pause, seeing her silence, Xie Jingrun suddenly pinched her cheek with his long, slender fingers. "I'm going back to the palace."

The soft, smooth texture made him squint his eyes, his fingers silently tucked behind his back.

"Oh." Rong Qingqing nodded, then, remembering something, quickly added, "You can't tell the Emperor now that you want to marry me. This matter should at least wait until after you ascend the throne." Emperor Zhaojing is in his prime, and he probably won't pass the throne to Xie Jingrun so soon.

As for when Xie Jingrun will ascend the throne, it's anyone's guess.

By then, Xie Jingrun will surely give up the idea of ​​marrying her.

Thinking of this, she felt much more at ease.

Xie Jingrun's deep eyes seemed to see into her heart.

She suddenly felt a little nervous, afraid that he would refuse.

To her surprise, Xie Jingrun nodded good-naturedly, "Alright." He wanted to marry her with the rites due to an empress.

Rong Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief. "Then you should leave quickly."

Seeing how eager she was to get rid of him, Xie Jingrun's face darkened, and he sat down in a chair instead.

"I haven't had your cooking in a long time."

Seeing his matter-of-fact attitude, Rong Qingqing almost vomited blood.

She wanted to refuse, but after knowing him for so long, she understood his nature better than anyone else, so she didn't waste her breath and simply said, "Since you're so free, why don't you help me chop some firewood and I'll make you dumplings."