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

Shi An stepped forward, bowed with concern, and then hurriedly reported all the activities his master had taken during the past two weeks: "His Highness traveled for three days straight, and upon returning, he immediately began investigating the mastermind without even closing his eyes."

"After capturing the person, in order to force out the poison formula and antidote as soon as possible, we interrogated the Wen family overnight, and even squeezed out time to deal with the Empress Dowager's family as a counterattack. We also rushed back to be with you overnight, without even having time to catch our breath."

"Your Highness hasn't had a proper rest for over half a month, so your good looks have suffered somewhat. Please forgive me!"

What does it mean for beauty to be diminished?

Xiao Che gave him a speechless glare: "You talk too much nonsense!"

How could Jiang Ruining not see that he hadn't had a moment's rest these past few days?

The sweet words that used to flow so easily now seem impossible to utter after he realized he liked him. Countless eyes rolled around his lips, all of them changing: "I really need to work on my looks and salvage them."

Xiao Che hummed in agreement: "I understand."

Shi An retreated, allowing the two to be alone. He then grabbed Yun Mi, who was foolishly trying to walk inside, and stuffed the handkerchief in her hand into his master's hand.

Yun Mi was stuck in the collar and couldn't make a sound, punching and kicking at the air: "..." Damn it! This grandma is going to smash your heads in!

The room fell silent.

Xiao Che stepped forward and pulled her to sit down on the chaise lounge.

He put down the towel in his hand and reached out to untie the ties of her semi-transparent blouse.

Jiang Ruining panicked and grabbed his hand: "What are you doing!"

Xiao Che said softly, "Let me check the wound."

Jiang Ruining was overthinking it and felt a little guilty: "Oh, oh!"

Xiao Che slowly loosened the ties, pulling the blouse down below her shoulders.

The injured area is exposed.

After more than ten days of recuperation, the wound had scabbed over. The thick scabs, one in front and one behind, looked like two ugly monsters lying on her fair and delicate skin, sucking away her health, which was particularly glaring.

Xiao Che held her slender arm, his thumb gently stroking the skin near the wound, as if to ease some of her pain: "Does it still hurt?"

He bent down, standing very close to her.

Breath fell on Jiang Ruining's shoulder, one cool and one warm, a damp itch seeping into her pores and coursing through her blood.

Before she realized she liked him, she never felt guilty about sharing a bed with him at night or flirting with him during the day!

Just being close to her now makes her tremble slightly.

One should never have a guilty conscience!

"It's almost healed; it doesn't hurt anymore if I don't exert myself."

Xiao Che helped her pull her clothes up and tied the ties at her chest.

He didn't straighten up immediately, but instead bent over and looked at her, his deep phoenix eyes seeming to try and capture her.

Jiang Ruining felt uncomfortable under her gaze and dared not meet her eyes.

Xiao Che flicked his finger, gently stroking her cheek; it was smooth and warm. "Why is your face a little red? Are you shy?"

Jiang Ruining stammered, "I didn't! There's a difference between men and women. It would be so inappropriate for people to see us in broad daylight!"

Xiao Che chuckled: "When you were afraid of sharing a bed with me at night, why didn't you say it would be inappropriate?"

"Shut up!" Jiang Ruining covered his mouth, kicked him angrily, and then kicked him again: "If someone hears this, will I even be able to go out anymore?!"

The familiar spoiled attitude, the familiar kicks—Xiao Che felt reassured: "It's not that strong."

"I'm weak!" Jiang Ruining wasn't a man, so the word "weak" just slipped out. She snorted at him twice and said matter-of-factly, "Aunt Wan said that my arm can't be used for strenuous work from now on, and you have to take responsibility for that. Also..."

"Fine, I'll take responsibility." Before she could finish, Xiao Che had already accepted the entire burden. "As long as the scar remains, I'll take responsibility and make sure you continue to be arrogant and domineering!"

Jiang Ruining was thinking of taking advantage of the freshness of his injury and the peak of his gratitude, so he clung tightly to her leg. He agreed readily, and she was indeed quite funny, but his eyes and words... something seemed a little strange.

It's like you're going to spend your whole life with her!

This idea is a bit dangerous. Quickly shake your head and shake it out forcefully!

But as long as the scar remains, it's still there, so it's perfectly acceptable!

"Then you'd better win to the very end! Everyone knows we're in the same boat now. If you fall, I'm finished too! I'm still young, I haven't even enjoyed the good life for long, and I can't bear to say goodbye to wealth and luxury!"

Xiao Che ruffled her hair, making her neatly combed hair fluffy, which made her once sleek black hair, now dull and frizzy from the poisoning and weakness, stand out even more.

His hand paused, then he murmured a deep "Mmm": "It won't fall. What you want, you'll always have!"

"You have both?" Jiang Ruining reached out to him, grinning sheepishly. "Do you have any get-out-of-jail-free cards? Give me one! I'm afraid that after a while, the debt of saving my life will become worthless."

Xiao Che laughed in exasperation, slapping her hand: "Do you take me for some kind of despicable person?"

"No, that's not it!" Jiang Ruining chuckled. "It's just that I often forget that you are a high and mighty prince, and I am merely the daughter of a lowly subject. I'm afraid I might be wearing down your patience without even realizing it!"

Xiao Che snorted, picked up a towel and stuffed it into her hand, then sat down on the chaise lounge: "Your hair is wet."

Jiang Ruining seemed to have smeared a towel all over his face!

"How dare you treat a sick person like that!"

Xiao Che asked her: "You don't want the death-free gold medal?"

Jiang Ruining's pale smile instantly lit up. She hurriedly took off her shoes, climbed onto the bed, went around behind him, styled his hair into a bun, and let his black hair down.

I just got a little wet from the rain, my temples are a bit damp, I can just pat them dry a couple of times.

To avoid being criticized, I wiped it with utmost care, attention, and gentleness!

Finished wiping.

She even combed his hair and made it neat and tidy.

Xiao Che's peripheral vision fell on the bronze mirror reflecting their figures. He looked at her carefully "dressing up" him and felt her movements on him. His usually cold gaze softened like spring.

His eyelids, so thin you could almost see the veins, drooped slightly. His wide sleeves covered his mouth and nose. He yawned wearily and swayed forward.

Jiang Ruining hurriedly grabbed him, turned her body slightly, and glanced at him over his shoulder: "What's wrong with you?"

Xiao Che slowly turned his head, looked at her, his eyes still sleepy and his expression confused: "Hmm?"

Seeing his blank expression, dark circles under his eyes, and how exhausted he looked as if he might collapse at any moment, Jiang Ruining sighed, moved back a little, and patted the small pillow on the couch: "Lie down and go to sleep!"

Xiao Che's voice was hoarse from sleepiness: "Where were we?"

"What are you talking about! I don't talk to idiots!" Jiang Ruining said irritably, pulling him onto the bed. "Go to sleep, we'll talk after you've had a good night's rest!"

Xiao Che leaned down, his long arm outstretched, pulling her down onto the couch as well.

Jiang Ruining gasped softly as she was pinned down, her iron arm pressing against her stomach. Before she could struggle, his voice, muffled and nasal, whispered in her ear, a subtle, coquettish tone.

"My head hurts so much, it feels like it's going to split open."