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

Her words, like a stone thrown into water, stirred up a storm in Shao Yunting's heart.

Jiang Ruining's smile at this moment was like sunlight shining on the winter ice, looking warm but actually devoid of any warmth: "You say you understand me, so you like me, but in reality, you look down on me, thinking I'm just a parasitic plant with a little bit of cleverness, unable to survive without you men."

"Xiao Che, like you, started observing me after he learned that I had a little bit of cleverness. But he took my opinions seriously and carried out the plans I made. Even if my views were not perfect, he would only give me hints and guide me to analyze the details."

"Instead of taking it for granted that 'women are no good,' I would never say something like, 'If it weren't for your father and brothers, what would you be worthy of respect for?'—such nonsense treats me, a living, breathing human being, as an appendage!"

In the novel, his attitude towards the female protagonist's court intrigues only began to change later, after he received two substantial acts of assistance from her.

Ultimately, he was just like all the men of his time, believing that women's skills and abilities were limited to music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and domestic scheming, and were not worthy of being discussed in public!

Other men might be wary and suppress their wives after discovering how capable they are, but he will accept and appreciate them.

But she is not the female lead. After discovering that she is looked down upon, she still tries to prove her wisdom with love.

She'll just be unhappy and dislike it!

"Why should I like a man who doesn't respect me and only wants to marry me as an accessory?"

As if struck by a surging wave of ice, Shao Yunting was shocked and chilled to the bone, and was speechless with rebuttal.

Yes!

From their few conversations, he could clearly tell that she was aware of his stance, but he assumed she would suspect that he had secretly sided with Grand Tutor Cui and wouldn't really know who he was loyal to.

He thought that since he was with the Regent, if she knew anything, she would surely tell him.

But lately, the Regent has not taken any action against His Majesty or those who secretly serve His Majesty, so he thought he was overthinking it.

I never expected she knew!

She knows everything!

After he learned that her past foolishness was all an act, he found her former shallow behavior endearing and cunning. Getting close to her, and even becoming her husband, became something to look forward to.

But he couldn't deny that he hadn't really thought deeply about whether she would have keen insights into politics and the court, or whether her own value would surpass that of the Jiang family father and son!

After all, Jiang's father was a trusted minister of the late emperor, possessing exceptional abilities. Although Jiang Ruixiao was still young, he also had the capacity to transform a poor and chaotic area into a prosperous county. Their value was so striking that it overshadowed many other achievements!

The regent, however, went and discovered and proved her own value!

Who wouldn't feel good about someone who faces themselves honestly, respects themselves, and guides them?

No wonder she never hesitated to reject him; the gap between them was truly significant!

Shao Yunting wiped her face, her voice, as gentle as a spring breeze, becoming hoarse: "I didn't look down on you, it's just a habitual way of thinking that women in the inner quarters don't come into contact with the court and might not understand what's going on there."

Jiang Ruining's tone returned to its usual calm: "The same meaning."

Shao Yunting explained: "The regent will not keep people who cannot bring him benefits, so he will explore your strategies, repeatedly test and confirm your value, and guide you to play a greater role."

"I became attracted to you because I found you interesting, so my focus on you is on discovering and affirming your interesting qualities. Ningning, we have different priorities, so naturally, we focus on different things as well."

Jiang Ruining hit the nail on the head: "That's not a reason for you to ask, 'What value do you have without your father and brothers?' If you truly respected me, even if I had nothing, you would find a way to elevate me!"

Shao Yun choked.

His gaze lingered on her beautiful and serene face for a long time. After a few moments of reflection, he seemed to understand her value; her insightful perspective was sharp!

He then asked her, "Aren't you afraid that the Regent's regard for you is only based on your perceived value, and that one day he will discard you like trash once he has achieved his goal?"

Jiang Ruining smiled faintly, "Are you afraid?"

Of course she was afraid of being discarded after her usefulness was over, but the reality was that she couldn't escape the erosion of power and could only be forced to get involved!

"Duke Shao, you have once again publicly insulted my intelligence."

Shao Yunting met her clear eyes and saw the profound meaning in them, as if she had seen through something about him, something related to his stance and future.

I want to ask, but I don't know where to begin.

The only thing I can do is sincerely apologize, because I don't want her to think of me as arrogant and conceited, a man who can't even reflect on himself!

"I'm sorry, I was narrow-minded. I will learn to value and appreciate the intrinsic worth of those around me."

Jiang Ruining slowly exhaled: "It's a good thing that Duke Shao, as a minister with real power, has such thoughts, but you don't need to apologize to me. I have never had any hope for you, nor have I ever longed for your attention."

Shao Yunting felt a heavy weight in his heart.

The truth is often the most hurtful!

"Does the Regent know what you're talking about?"

Jiang Ruining did not answer directly: "I can't guarantee when he will find out."

In any case, Xiao Che promised to act according to her plan and would not take any action against the young emperor and the secret agents he had developed for the time being.

After much deliberation, I decided to say something.

"Shao Yunting."

Shao Yunting thought she was going to say something like "Don't come again," and her heart jumped, waiting to be thrown down by her.

Jiang Ruining's gaze was calm and profound: "Don't do anything foolish."

Shao Yun was taken aback: "What?"

Jiang Ruining said, word by word, "You know why I left Beijing at the end of June, and I know it too, and others probably do as well."

She suspected that the young emperor was behind the assassination attempt.

He was the young emperor's confidant, so it was impossible for him to be completely unaware.

Catching the surprise in his eyes, I felt a growing certainty: "The clear sky you perceive may not be cloudless. Be careful! Don't wait until you're used and then discarded."

At the end of the novel, both the male and female protagonists are highly accomplished and enjoy great prestige, but when describing the young emperor sitting comfortably in his high position, a sense of apprehension is clearly revealed.

Once an emperor begins to fear a minister, nine times out of ten he will take the step of eliminating him completely!

Judging from the methods the young emperor used to develop his power, he was unscrupulous in his methods.

Once he has secured the throne, he is absolutely capable of dealing with the meritorious officials!

"Step outside the game, see the game clearly, and understand the person you are loyal to. If you still decide to go down this path, then consider what I said to be in vain."

That's all I wanted to say.

Shao Yunting had just recovered a little from the shock she had given him when he heard this, and he was horrified again.

What did she realize?

Could there be another side to the young emperor he perceived as a man of great vision and patient, reserved and patient?

Or was her statement merely a ploy to persuade him to abandon his support for the emperor and instead become the regent?

He couldn't be sure.

So he decided to do as she suggested, step outside the game, and observe from an outsider's perspective!

"Okay, I understand."

There is still one answer he wants to verify.

The conversation shifted abruptly: "The miracle doctor said he can cure the scar on Yunxi's face."