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

Jiang Ruining had a splitting headache and simply didn't have the energy to waste time with them.

He straightened his body in the soft room, got up, put his cloak back on, and left the bedroom.

When Madam Jiang saw her emerge, swaying precariously, a look of worry crossed her face: "Why did you come out!"

Yunmi brought over a folding chair and helped her master sit down.

"If I don't come out, the patrol battalion will think I'm a traitor." Jiang Ruining said weakly, and ordered, "Write down the names, addresses, positions, and superiors of the soldiers present."

It's telling them that if they're arrogant today, she'll definitely retaliate tenfold tomorrow!

"Please cooperate so that we can begin the search as soon as possible."

The clerk frowned, his eyes flickering a few times.

Finally, he gave his information.

The maids who could write recorded everything.

Jiang Ruining glanced around and saw two female officers standing at the back of the crowd: "Only female officers are allowed in. If you can't find any so-called fugitives, don't blame me for making a scene at the patrol battalion commander's house tomorrow."

"If he can't give me a satisfactory resolution, I'll go and beat the drum to appeal to the emperor, and ask the nobles in the palace if there's any law that can be applied to the innocent and helpless families of high-ranking officials who are being bullied and humiliated!"

The clerk was unfazed by her anger: "Miss Jiang, there's no need to be so furious. It's absolutely true that the fugitive's blood dripped all the way to your roof. I insisted on searching as soon as possible, not only for my own duty, but also for your reputation!"

"You are a well-bred young lady, of noble birth and precious status. If rumors were to spread that you were harboring a fugitive, it would damage your reputation and the honor of the Jiang family. Don't you agree?"

to be honest.

I just don't believe she'd dare cause trouble!

He turned to the side, gesturing for the two female attendants behind him to come forward.

"These two maids have served in the palace and know their place. They absolutely will not touch anything in your room that they shouldn't! Please rest assured, young lady!"

Jiang Ruining did not speak again.

He nodded to indicate that he could pass.

With permission granted, the two female officers began a thorough search, inside and out, under the watchful eyes of several maids and servants.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn has passed.

The maid came out and reported, "Sir, there are no traces of the escaped convict in the room, but there is a faint smell of blood."

The clerk's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had seized some huge weakness: "Miss Jiang, those vicious people are full of lies. No matter what they say, you cannot believe them or help them hide their whereabouts. Otherwise, the consequences will be more than a young girl like you can bear!"

"Please don't hide anything, tell us clearly where that person is currently hiding!"

Jiang Ruining's heart sank. She rubbed her throbbing temples hard, her mind racing under the pressure of the other party's threat.

In the blink of an eye.

They had an excuse to escape.

"The bloody smell the maidservants detected is from my own vomit. My maidservant was also tortured and bled." Jiang Ruining extended her wrist, resting it on the armrest of the chair. "Does any of you know how to take a pulse? If not, go and fetch someone who does!"

Fortunately, the maid knew some medical skills and stepped forward to take the pulses of both the master and the servant.

He stepped back and returned to the assistant magistrate's side, whispering, "Sir, judging from the pulses of the buyers, they do indeed show signs of vomiting blood." He paused, then added tactfully, "And someone else had menstrual blood; the smell of blood in the room makes sense."

The clerk's gaze fell on the female officer's face, as if trying to discern something.

His face then darkened, and his gaze became unusually stubborn and sharp, like a venomous snake tightly coiled around the candlelit window of the room, clearly convinced that a shocking secret was hidden inside.

He showed no sign of backing down, his hand gripping the hilt of the knife taut.

Jiang Ruining's pale lips curled slightly. As a fifth-rank official, he was just an insignificant shrimp in the power arena of the capital. He was weighing the pros and cons, making a fierce choice between "catching the thief and gaining merit" and "suffering retaliation".

She ran out of patience and spoke up, prompting the clerk to make a decision: "We've searched the place. There's no fugitive here. If you still have doubts, send more men to stake out outside the Jiang residence. Once someone comes in, they'll eventually have to leave."

"But if you still don't leave and insist on barging into my house again, I will begin to suspect your sinister intentions!"

The clenched officer pursed his lips tightly, then shouted and waved his hand, "Search! Excuse me, but to apprehend the traitors as quickly as possible!"

These words were spoken.

Jiang Ruining knew that he had chosen to take a gamble and help his master capture and eliminate Xiao Che. In return, he would naturally be promoted and protected!

There are many examples of patrol battalions arresting traitors by forcibly breaking in and searching, but they are always targeting low-ranking officials and powerless civilians.

Madam Jiang was furious that they dared to be so arrogant in the residence of a second-rank official: "The patrol battalion has quite the airs! Although my Jiang family is not related to the imperial family, my husband is still a high-ranking official in charge of a region and an important minister of the court. How can you be so presumptuous!"

"Stop them! Immediately knock on the doors of the patrol battalion command post and the offices of the Left and Right Censors-in-Chief!"

"I refuse to believe it! Is there no law and order under the emperor's nose?"

The clerk drew his sword, not daring to force his way up to the steps in front of the main hall.

Just as the two sides were about to fight.

There were hurried footsteps coming from the roof, and then another person jumped down.

He whispered in the officer's ear, "The bloodstains went out from the southeast corner of the Jiang residence! My lord, it seems that person intentionally provoked a conflict between the patrol battalion and the Jiang family. I've heard that Lord Jiang's favorite daughter is this one!"

The clerk's expression changed.

Doubtful.

The hand on the knife handle loosened and then tightened again.

His gaze slowly swept back and forth between Jiang Ruining and the tightly closed window several times, finally seeming to have made some kind of awakening.

Remove the sword.

He bowed deeply in apology...

"It was my recklessness that caused you so much offense today. I hope you will forgive me!"

Jiang Ruining gave him a cold laugh, her expression unfriendly: "Forget about forgiveness. I hope your families are just as arrogant and audacious as you!"

The clerk's expression changed.

Jiang Ruining waved.

Yun Mi shouted sternly, "Get out immediately!"

Everyone was surprised.

Jiang Ruining, who is usually reckless and impulsive, actually showed such a fearless demeanor in the face of danger!

Madam Jiang looked at her blankly and with surprise, as if she hadn't seen her for many years.

The clerk took a deep look at Jiang Ruining's boudoir, gritted his teeth, and left with his men.

The maid who was taking Madam Jiang's pulse paused, stopped, and looked back at her: "Great grief and sorrow are most damaging to the heart. Miss Jiang is weak, so it's best not to let her get emotionally agitated, otherwise, it will shorten her lifespan."

After saying that, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"I'll take my leave now!"

The patrolmen quickly disappeared into the night, leaving only the flickering torches illuminating the still-shaken faces of the women.

Chu Jin frowned, looking worried.

I never imagined that today's disturbance would cause such serious consequences.

Chunxi hid behind her, a cold smile playing on her lips. She should have died long ago!

Madam Jiang looked surprised, and there seemed to be a hint of regret in her eyes.

The moment Jiang Ruining confirmed that the crisis was over, her tense body suddenly went limp.

Despite the excruciating pain in her back, Yun Mi steadied herself and supported her mistress. Overwhelmed with worry and guilt, she sobbed uncontrollably, staring at Chu Jin and saying, "Are you happy, satisfied, and smug now that our young lady has been forced into this situation by you all!"

"Miss has always longed for Madam's attention, and in order to avoid any unpleasantness between Master and Young Master and Madam, she has never confided her grievances. Since Madam doesn't care about you, when Master returns, I'm determined to file this complaint!"