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

Shi'an patted the young man on the shoulder: "Eleven knows more! When everyone went to the banquet, you squatted in the corner and 'listened' to so many opera performances, and you were the most attentive."

Shiyihe scratched his head, reasonably suspecting that he was scolding him for being distracted while on duty!

Shi'an, sword in hand, leaned against a pillar under the eaves, a look of satisfaction on his face: "You've made progress! We're one step closer to the betrothal!"

house.

To avoid overthinking, Jiang Ruining immediately changed the subject: "If they hadn't found out these things, if you hadn't died, you would have certainly fought back against the Cui family with all your might. If you died, your people would have done everything they could to drag the Cui family down to hell with you."

"If the young emperor and his men were to incite hatred among your supporters and win them over with a little effort, at least half of the power you've painstakingly built up would be taken into their hands."

"This plan is ruthless! To be able to accumulate strength under the dual pressure of you and the Empress Dowager's faction shows that our young emperor's methods are not exactly clean."

Xiao Che's lips curled into a mocking smile: "In the royal family, no hands are truly clean. When I returned to court, I killed half the officials and exiled countless others, among whom there were always innocent people."

Jiang Ruining hadn't experienced such a desperate situation, but just imagining it made her realize that there was no way to break the deadlock except by killing: "In that situation, if you didn't kill them, they would have to kill you!"

Xiao Che stared into her eyes: "Don't you pity those innocent people?"

Who should we pity?

Jiang Ruining gave him a suspicious look.

Seeing the dark glint in his deep phoenix eyes, as if awaiting judgment, she paused for a moment, then realized what he was expecting.

He said earnestly, "If officials are corrupt, their families who spend their money, rely on their power, and benefit from their influence are not innocent either. Besides, I'm barely making ends meet myself; how can I care about others?"

"Besides, now that we're in the same boat, should I go crazy and stand with you against the common enemy, lamenting the fate of the families of those corrupt officials who defied orthodoxy and helped others seize your throne?"

To be honest, plus emotional value.

Jiang Ruining felt that her "confession" was fantastic!

Xiao Che saw no fear or disgust in her eyes, not even a slight frown. The dark glint disappeared, and his cold, sharp lips softened: "When we return to the capital, I will make you the chief investigator of this case."

Jiang Ruining blinked.

Listen to this!

Completely different answers!

One person told her not to interfere, but she didn't have the guts.

If you give someone a chance, you should take the blame yourself.

She wouldn't say who the old feudalist really was!

"But I'm a woman, how can I be the presiding judge?"

Xiao Che's tone was light and airy, but his words carried the weight of a mountain: "If I say it's okay, then it's okay!"

Jiang Ruining's eyes lit up. Was she about to unlock a new experience?

He jumped up excitedly, gesturing wildly as he stood on the recliner: "Is it the kind of executioner who can wear official robes, sit in the executioner's seat, and then... pull out a board with the word 'execution' written on it from a bucket, throw it in front of the execution platform, and shout 'Execute!'?"

Xiao Che supported her swaying body and hummed in agreement.

"Wow! Wow!" Jiang Ruining exclaimed excitedly, her face flushed. She jumped off the recliner, her uninjured hand hugging him as she bounced around. "I want to be one! I want to be one!"

Xiao Che froze, and when he looked down, he met her bright eyes, which were filled with excitement and joy, like a beam of light shining into his cold heart: "Okay! Sit still, be careful of your wound."

To keep his position as the executioner, Jiang Ruining obediently sat down, blinked his big eyes, and grinned at him with wide teeth: "Hehe! Having power and influence means you can call the shots!"

Xiao Che found it hard to connect her with Jiang Ruining, who was deep in thought and silently moved around to capture secrets: "I told you long ago, if you follow me, I will never treat you badly."

Jiang Ruining nodded like a chick pecking at rice. As long as the boss gives him benefits, he's a good boss!

"Yes, yes, yes! Your Highness is the most handsome, dashing, and majestic man in the world."

Xiao Che flicked her forehead with his finger: "Limp!"

Jiang Ruining was in a good mood and didn't argue with him.

He laughed gleefully.

The sun is getting bigger.

Xiao Che took her hand and led her into the house.

Jiang Ruining stared in disbelief at their clasped hands.

Xiao Che settled her on the soft couch, let go of her hand, poured her a glass of water, and handed it to her: "Aren't you afraid that heads will fall one by one, rolling around, blood everywhere?"

Jiang Ruining stared blankly at his calm face, as if holding her hand was just an ordinary thing. She felt a strange, indescribable feeling in her heart, a tingling sensation mixed with a hint of sourness.

His voice filled her ears, and she blurted out naturally, "You stand behind me, and when the executioner comes down, you cover your eyes."

A gentle smile appeared on Xiao Che's usually cold face: "You dare to order anyone around."

That smile was so alluring that Jiang Ruining's heart skipped a beat, as if she had done something wrong. She took the cup he offered, drank the tea in one gulp, and smiled exaggeratedly: "Your Highness is considerate of your benefactor and cares for your loyal subject. You will certainly agree to this small favor!"

Xiao Che reached out and gently wiped the tea from the corner of her mouth with his fingertips, his voice laced with a hint of indulgence as he smiled: "You're number one at taking credit!"

Damn!

Jiang Ruining groaned inwardly. Although she knew that he was only being unusually friendly because she had saved him and that he still had value, it was really hard for her not to panic when he made these moves with such a devilishly handsome face!

"Those with thick skin get to enjoy the world first."

Xiao Che raised an eyebrow.

That's an interesting point.

"Return to Beijing once you've recovered."

Jiang Ruining glanced at her arm. The penetrating wound was too deep and too large. The surface had begun to scab over, but the inside had not yet healed properly, and the healing process was very slow. If she accidentally exerted force, it would still hurt a lot.

For days, a bad feeling had been haunting her: "Xiao Che, is there something wrong with my injury?"

She asked the question, her eyes fixed on every subtle change in his gaze.

Xiao Che looked back at her, his expression calm and without worry: "We got the antidote, but there's a problem with it. Someone has poisoned it with Gu worms, so it's unusable. We need some time to prepare a new antidote, so we'll have to wait."

Upon hearing the answer, Jiang Ruining's heart sank, and the little color that had finally returned to her face vanished completely.

She knew that fate would not let go of any opportunity to torment her.

The lingering poison won't kill her, but it will make her suffer, just like in modern times. She gets sick but won't die. The discomfort isn't very painful or terrible; it's a slow and steady torment that gradually empties her spirit and hope.

Then one day, I don't know when, I suddenly couldn't hold on anymore.

If I were to live the same life in another life, I'd rather just vanish into nothingness and never have another.

It's meaningless.

That must have been so tiring!