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

That's a very unwise idea!

And look how happy that young girl is having with the Regent; she doesn't seem like she'd give him a chance at all.

It's probably not unrequited love!

The supervisor silently sympathized.

It turns out that even a man with such power, influence, and good looks can have a troubled love life!

Thinking about it this way, there's nothing wrong with a life that's ordinary but smooth sailing.

The two exchanged a glance and quickly left.

I have absolutely no desire to get involved in the affairs of important people!

Shao Yun stopped on horseback and quietly watched Jiang Ruining's graceful figure.

She used to only feign affection for him, but now she only treats him with politeness and directness; she has never given him such unrestrained and joyful laughter.

At this moment, he desperately wanted to know what her true nature was like, that such a ruthless figure as the Regent would take her with him wherever he went, take care of everything concerning her, respond to everything he asked, and even lower himself to play and chase after her.

Is it because the Regent was the first person to discover her political acumen that she was so impressed with him, even ignoring his ruthlessness and unpredictability, and willing to risk her life to stand by his side?

And what does she mean by stepping outside the boundaries to look at the whole game?

She must have discovered a truth that is closely related to his position and life, otherwise she wouldn't have spoken up. But what exactly is this truth?

He still hasn't figured it out!

"Perhaps I can find an opportunity to meet her and ask her!"

……

the other side.

Jiang Ruining failed to hit Xiao Che.

It's not that I couldn't hit it, it's that I deliberately didn't hit it.

If this is the kind of "flirting" that Xiao Che wants, then it's more interesting if he can't hit her, because she might suddenly make a move again at any time. This interaction will be prolonged, and he will keep thinking about it, trying to replace it, and even reminiscing about it!

She clutched her chest and gasped for breath.

His body, still weakened from the severe injury, felt tired after running for only a short while.

Xiao Che held her elbow: "Tired?"

"I'm not tired!" Jiang Ruining boasted. "I can still ride a horse!"

Xiao Che gently squeezed her slender arm: "You're still up to no good, you won't stay quiet for a moment."

Jiang Ruining used her ultimate move, tugging at his sleeve and swaying sweetly, pleading, "If you hold the reins, I definitely can't run. Just let me ride for a little while, okay? Xiao Che~ Xiao Che~"

"No." Xiao Che resisted her coquettishness: "The imperial carriage will arrive soon, and we must go to the camp to greet it now."

Even without real power, she is still the emperor. If she fails to greet him upon his arrival, it would give those with ulterior motives an opportunity to deal with her.

She's not stupid; she won't give anyone that chance.

She couldn't ride now, but she'd seize the opportunity: "Then it's a deal! You'll come riding with me after the imperial carriage is settled!"

Don't give him a chance to refuse.

He immediately added another sentence.

"Alright! You didn't say no, so that means you agree! It's decided then and there. Anyone who goes back on their word is a puppy!"

Xiao Che: "..."

The officials, carrying the emperor and empress dowager's entourage, with banners waving and bright yellow flags leading the way, arrived at the camp outside the hunting grounds in a grand procession.

The young emperor stepped down and then went to the back to personally greet the Empress Dowager as she alighted from her carriage.

"Welcome Your Majesty, welcome Empress Dowager."

The officials and their families who arrived early and were on duty at the hunting grounds knelt to welcome the emperor, while only the regent, standing at the head of the table, stood upright and simply bowed to the emperor and empress dowager.

"Your Majesty must have had a long journey."

The young emperor gestured to him with a polite gesture, showing no imperial majesty whatsoever, but rather a restrained and amiable manner: "Your Majesty, no need for formalities."

Then he told everyone to rise.

"This autumn hunt is to strengthen the bond between the ruler and his subjects. No need to adhere to court etiquette; just relax and have fun, and perform well on the hunt!"

The officials and their families rose to express their gratitude.

The young emperor's gaze fell on the girl behind the regent. She was strikingly beautiful with bright, captivating eyes. Even though she had just narrowly escaped death and was now somewhat frail, she only gained a touch of delicate charm. She was indeed a rare beauty.

His eyes were bright and clear, like the spring sunshine: "You're the Lady Jiang who saved the Regent?"

Jiang Ruining stood behind Xiao Che and quickly glanced at the young emperor.

He had a handsome and gentle face, with pale skin and light-colored lips. His eyes cautiously observed the expressions of the Empress Dowager and the Regent. He looked dignified, sensible, and harmless, much like a well-behaved child who was used to being controlled by his elders and didn't even know what it meant to resist.

But those two dark eyebrows, like sharpened swords, cleaved open his ambitious mask, revealing a crack that allowed her to glimpse his ruthless true nature!

Jiang Ruining lowered her eyes, using her thick, long eyelashes to conceal the hatred and disgust that were growing uncontrollably in her eyes!

That little bastard!

One of the culprits who caused her injury, leaving her on the brink of death, and who is still anxious and fearful while suffering from lingering poisoning.

When I read the novel as an outsider, I thought the young emperor was truly remarkable for his ability to lie low, endure, and scheme in the cracks. I even left a comment praising his skill.

But now, as an innocent civilian who has no grudge against him, I have personally experienced his scheming and manipulative tactics, and I understand how many people's bones he trampled on and how many innocent lives he killed on his way to power!

The male protagonist thought he was a wise ruler, but in her eyes, his path to power was also arrogant and no different from that of Cui Taifu and other treacherous villains who only cared about their own interests and murdered the emperor to seize the throne!

I don't understand it at all!

The icy chill felt like a sharp, cold blade scraping along her arteries, sending shivers down her spine.

Jiang Ruining felt a pang of panic.

Could it be that her hatred was leaked and discovered?

He immediately suppressed all his emotions, raised his eyes and looked in the direction the gaze came from—it was the Empress Dowager!

He was looking down at her, a faint smile playing on his lips and in his eyes. He seemed dignified and gentle, but a closer look revealed that his smile was disdainful, as if he were watching a little beast that thought it was capable, making a laughable roar. The little beast's life or death was just a matter of his mind.

That look made Jiang Ruining's heart sink.

After all, this woman was a ruthless person who dared to kill her husband and murder her ruler!

In the book, everyone who offended her or got in her way was ostensibly forgiven, but soon after, they all died in various ways—through proxy killings, accidents, or being implicated—leaving no room for doubt that she was taking revenge.

Now, her birth mother and her brother's family, who had been granted the title of duke, had just been sent to the underworld by the regent. Standing opposite her mortal enemy at this moment, she showed no trace of grief or haggardness on her face, remaining calm and noble.

Being targeted by such a ruthless character is a death sentence!

Upon hearing the emperor call her name, Jiang Ruining tensed up. After composing herself, she stepped out from behind Xiao Che and respectfully bowed, saying, "This humble woman, Jiang Ruining, greets Your Majesty."