She accidentally flirted with the villain and was fiercely criticized as the regent for forcibly mar

"Duke of Shao"

Shao Yunting gave a gentle "hmm".

With his hands behind his back and his upper body slightly tilted, he looked at her lying on the recliner. Her turquoise hair ribbon slipped off her shoulders and hung down, swaying gently in the wind, much like the orchids embroidered on the ribbon swaying in the breeze.

The distance is too close.

Her beauty is so striking.

Jiang Ruining subconsciously tilted her head back, only to be propped up by the recliner, revealing a thin double chin. She said softly, "His Majesty's procession is about to depart. How come you, such a busy person, still have time to stroll around?"

Shao Yunting rubbed his fingers, resisting the urge to poke her double chin: "I can't rest easy until I see you out of danger with my own eyes. If I had been more precise back then, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Hearing his self-blame, Jiang Ruining softened her tone: "If anyone is to blame, it's the assassin. I'm not that unreasonable."

Shao Yunting didn't feel any better; he couldn't sleep at night whenever he thought about the scene.

He handed her a bouquet of flowers that he had picked himself.

"When I came over, I saw that the flowers in the flowerbed were blooming beautifully, so I picked a few branches for you to enjoy."

Jiang Ruining looked at the bouquet in front of her, which consisted of small flowers with long stems, clustered together in a riot of colors, blooming vibrantly.

But she just smiled politely and didn't accept it.

Sending flowers is still too ambiguous these days.

"I'm doing fine now. I have a renowned doctor available to see me at any time. Your Excellency is a very busy man and wouldn't dare to take up your precious time."

Shao Yunting didn't mind her aloofness and politeness, and handed the flowers to Yueya beside him: "There are plenty of people at the hunting grounds, they don't need me. If there's an emergency, I can go there later."

Is the male protagonist really the one who uttered such irresponsible remarks?

Jiang Ruining chuckled, said nothing, and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.

The meaning of seeing the guest off is quite clear.

But Shao Yunting showed no intention of leaving. He pulled up a chair, sat down beside her, and looked at her.

Her thick, long eyelashes curled slightly upwards, casting a faint fan-shaped shadow that made her face appear even paler. Her lips had not yet regained their color. Bathed in sunlight, she looked as if she were about to become transparent, as if she would be blown away by a gust of wind, which made him feel a pang of pity.

Even though she is gentle and quiet, she still carries an undeniable sharpness that makes people dare not underestimate or desecrate her.

She used to always pester him, but because of what others said, even though she was incredibly beautiful, he didn't like her and thought she was foolish and shallow. Now, with curiosity and affection, he observed and investigated her again, and even though she was still very flamboyant in her speech and actions, he found her to be soft and lovely in every way.

Unable to ignore his burning gaze, Jiang Ruining had no choice but to open her eyes: "Is there anything else, Duke Shao?"

Shao Yunting's eyes reflected the willow-colored fabric of her clothes: "You rest, I'll sit with you for a while."

Jiang Ruining said directly, "I'm not used to having outsiders watching me."

Shao Yunting: "..."

She thought he was different from other men, but she treated him without any subtlety.

"The Regent will handle the assassination attempt. You just need to focus on recovering and don't worry about those upsetting things outside."

Jiang Ruining gently placed her palm on the wound, her eyes darkening: "I'm the one who's injured. I not only want revenge, I want to take it personally!"

Shao Yunting chuckled, took a tangerine from the fruit plate beside her, and slowly peeled it.

The orange peel bends, and the juice that splatters out has a rich, refreshing aroma that quickly spreads in the air.

He countered, "How do you intend to take revenge yourself? With the Regent's abilities, by the time you recover and return to the capital, everything will be over. Even if it's not over, and he turns a blind eye, letting you sneak into prison, would you really dare to kill someone?"

Jiang Ruining smelled the fragrance of citrus, but felt a dull ache in her chest.

That's true! Even if she had the chance, she wouldn't dare to kill someone.

I wonder if things are going smoothly on Xiao Che's end.

This guy is not only a jinx, but also a curse; he's in danger every few days.

Hopefully, no more clueless bastards will come up with any more foolish tricks.

If he dies, she'll lose her protector.

That can't be done!

Seeing her lost in thought, Shao Yunting noticed a hint of worry in her eyes, and her hand resting on her lap twitched slightly. "Are you worried about him?"

Jiang Ruining did not deny it: "He is my big backer. Whether he can continue to be arrogant and domineering in the future depends on how well he lives. How can I not worry!"

Shao Yunting handed over the peeled tangerines: "Isn't it good to have another powerful backer?"

His "one more" naturally refers to himself.

Jiang Ruining took the fruit and put it back in the fruit plate: "Since I've already chosen him, those who have different stances from him can at most be nodding acquaintances with me. Those in positions of power don't like subordinates who are indecisive, and I don't want to cause trouble for myself."

Shao Yunting's dark eyes deepened: "Are you trying to win me over for him?"

Jiang Ruining smiled faintly and replied, "The Duke of Shao is indeed a talented young man, but does it make a big difference whether Xiao Che has you by his side or not?"

Shao Yun paused for a moment, then said, "Ningning speaks very sharply."

Jiang Ruining curled the corners of her lips: "I thought Duke Shao would like to hear the truth. If Duke Shao prefers hypocrisy and flattery, I can say things that are more pleasing to the ear than anything you've ever heard."

Shao Yunting smiled gently: "You really are different from everyone else."

Jiang Ruining replied confidently, "Of course!"

Shao Yunting remained silent for a moment, then asked her again, "You once said that the court was dangerous and you didn't want to get involved."

Jiang Ruining's gaze fell on the empty spot in the courtyard: "I am annoyed, and I wish you people in the court were eight hundred miles away from me, but I am all alone, with no one to protect me, and whether I get involved or not has never been up to me."

A flicker of regret crossed Shao Yunting's eyes: "I was very sorry back then."

Jiang Ruining smiled magnanimously: "It's all in the past."

She was too carefree, but Shao Yunting wasn't so happy.

He gazed at her for a moment, then asked a very sharp question: "If your father and brothers were willing to come with me, what would you do?"

Jiang Ruining frowned and asked, "Knowing my stance, you still choose to go against me. What do you think I should do?"

Shao Yunting said earnestly, "You are indeed very intelligent, but the Regent has many capable people and countless strategists under his command. If it weren't for your father and brothers, how long could he have kept you around?"

Jiang Ruining lowered her eyes and chuckled.

It's mockery.

She waved her hand.

The maids and servants who were serving them all withdrew.

The polite smile on her face faded, and looking at him, her bright eyes were exceptionally clear and piercing. She bluntly stated, "Shao Yunting, even as an outsider, I can still know who your master is and what you are secretly plotting."

"I know many secrets that you don't know."

"You think my value lies only in a pretty face and a slightly clever mind? You think Xiao Che values ​​me because I have someone backing me?"