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

A sudden gust of night wind blew, making the campfire rattle and sway wildly.

His Highness the Regent's eyes followed the movement.

Inferior generation!

Damn inferior!

The Regent, finally losing his temper, spoke bluntly: "I don't like either of you. Get out of here!"

Xin Yang's expression was exaggerated, and he exclaimed softly, "Wow! This is the first time I've heard my brother so bluntly express his needs! How rare!"

Gongsun Changming felt that the Regent was like a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment, but there was nothing he could do. His wife kept pinching his waist, demanding that he cooperate, so he could only grit his teeth and accompany the beauty at the cost of his life: "If only my royal brother could be this straightforward about marriage!"

Xiao Che's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and he gave a forced smile: "It seems I've been too polite to you all this time!"

Xin Yang blinked and grinned, "Oh dear, brother, don't be angry! You know I'm clumsy with words and don't know how to talk! But my sister is eloquent and can say sweet nothings without batting an eye. How about I ask her to come and talk to you and plead for me?"

Xiao Che finally understood what it meant to be influenced by one's surroundings!

My sister, who used to be quiet and reserved, has been led astray by that heartless guy for only a short time!

If we really called that heartless guy over, besides laughing at him for not being eloquent enough to win an argument with his sister, we would definitely teach him a lesson for not bullying a pregnant woman!

If the topic of marriage comes up again, he's really afraid she'll introduce him to potential partners; she's absolutely capable of doing it!

Taking several deep breaths, the Regent suppressed his anger: "Shut your mouth!"

Xinyang could hardly contain herself and buried her face in her husband's neck, laughing so hard she was shaking all over.

Gongsun Changming put his arm around her and kept laughing.

I'm so glad that my wife has such a playful and adorable side, and I'm also so glad that she and her brother, whom she cares about, have become so close!

"Ningning said that if you smile more, your child will be more beautiful and intelligent. Your brother is also a very hardworking and good uncle. You should teach him to be filial to his uncle in the future."

The Regent: "..." Does anyone still remember that he once slaughtered half the court? If not a single person is afraid of him, where is his authority going?

Around the seating area, several small bonfires were set up, where palace servants roasted the game hunted that day. The firelight reflected off the glistening, crispy skin, and the aroma of fresh meat filled the air. The sizzling of oil above the flames made one's mouth water.

Everyone waited for the roasted game to be distributed.

Suddenly, another rich aroma wafted in, completely overpowering the scents of the roasted whole lamb and roasted venison.

"It must be Ningning's homemade marinated meat that's being grilled! It smells so good!" Xinyang's mouth watered; a pregnant woman's hunger strikes without warning: "Changming, go get me some!"

He turned to ask the Regent, whose face was icy cold.

"Brother, are you waiting for Ningning to bring it to you personally, or should Changming ask you to get one for you as well?"

Xiao Che's thin lips parted slightly, but he hadn't had a chance to speak yet.

Xin Yang interjected again, "I think Your Majesty would prefer to eat what Ningning personally grilled and served! So there's no need to ask for it for Your Majesty!"

Gongsun Changming tapped her nose: "Be careful not to upset your elder brother."

Xin Yang said sweetly, "No way! My brother lets Ningning climb on his head and jump around, how could he not tolerate a weak pregnant sister like me?"

Xiao Che: "..."

Gongsun Changming went to get some roasted meat for his wife.

As I walked along, I saw many people stop chatting and sniff the aroma in the air, trying to find its source and guess what kind of food it was!

Lady A considered herself not to be greedy, but the moment she smelled the aroma, her mouth watered uncontrollably, and her stomach growled: "What's this smell? I've never smelled anything like it before, it smells so good! It's making me hungry!"

A girl named B, who lived closer to Jiang Ruining, said, "It must be Princess Jiang and her entourage roasting meat. This morning I saw her guards and maids busy marinating meat in the tent. They said it was a recipe Princess Jiang devised herself, and you definitely can't buy it outside."

"It smells just like that!"

Mrs. Bing, who has a great appreciation for food, wanted to go and see it, but given her status and age, she was embarrassed: "We've had marinated roast meat before, but we've never smelled anything this good!"

Her daughter understood her thoughts perfectly and immediately smiled and said she would help with the grilling.

We'll eventually get some, and we can give it to our mother to try.

Mrs. Bing was very happy; her daughter was so filial and understood her.

Lady A also called her son, saying, "The young people are all playing at the county princess's place, you should go too! I don't need you to keep me company!"

The young man didn't like joining in the fun, but seeing all his friends go and chat and laugh happily, he finally couldn't sit still. He apologized to his elders and went too.

Fu Jiajia smiled and drank a cup of wine. Looking at the group of youthful faces, he felt young again: "No wonder she is valued by the Regent. County Princess Jiang is indeed very popular and thoughtful."

Sun Langjun, who didn't get along with Jiang Ruining, sat nearby, his eyes fixed on Jiang Ruining being fawned over by everyone.

On the other hand, Princess Cui, who was full of love, had her beautiful hair burned and her delicate skin burned. She could only stay at home to recuperate and had to listen to other people's gossip. She was so angry that she almost gritted her teeth!

"What noble lady would go around with a man from another family? It's laughable that such a dissolute and shameless maidservant deserves such adulation!"

The person sitting next to him heard this but didn't respond, only thinking that he was a little mentally unstable.

Which well-mannered son of an official would insult a woman behind her back, especially a woman who has no grudge against him?

They all got up and moved away.

I didn't want to be implicated by him and get targeted and taught a lesson by the Regent and Grand Secretary Jiang!

Seeing their behavior, Sun Langjun was furious.

Crack!

The sound of firewood crackling and sputtering filled the air, with sparks flying from time to time.

A wicked thought formed in his mind. He got up and moved silently toward the barbecue.

On the other side.

Shao Yunting's gaze was constantly drawn to Jiang Ruining. Since sitting down, he had looked in her direction countless times.

Now that she had a powerful backer, she no longer wanted to feign foolishness and impulsiveness. She attracted so many people with just a plate of fragrant barbecue. The more people there were, the faster one could showcase their strengths: intelligence, wit, eloquence, and social skills...

Her smile was bright and radiant, even the grand bonfire couldn't dim her glow. She could chat happily with anyone, and the people gathered around got to know her all over again, looking at her with friendly and affectionate eyes.

Besides the few boys who had always liked her and revolved around her with undisguised infatuation and admiration, there were also several other scions of prominent families who were obviously trying to curry favor with her.

His intentions were obvious; he clearly wanted to marry her!

His grip on the wine glass tightened, until it shattered in his palm with a soft "click".

The last drops of wine, tinged with blood, dripped from between his fingers.

What suffocated and pained him was that, not long ago, her gaze, her smile, her initiative... all belonged only to him!

Even if it's fake, Ningning is right. Her initiative to get close to him was handing over the opportunity to observe and understand her to him alone. He believed others' one-sided stories and concluded that she was foolish, impulsive, shallow, and brainless. He personally rejected the right and opportunity to stand openly by her side and drive away those swarms of suitors!

"Does this mean I really have no chance anymore?"

Xie Lanheng came over and followed his gaze. Unsurprisingly, he was looking at Jiang Ruining, and beside Jiang Ruining, as happy as a little bird, was Zheng Lingyi.

She and Jiang Ruining have remained close for over a decade, and even when Jiang Ruining's reputation was very bad during those years, she never distanced herself from him.

They seem naive and easily fooled, but in reality, they have their own ideas and won't easily change their minds once they've made up their minds.

The same goes for him!

Therefore, he was never worried that one day her shy and lovely gaze would leave him!

Thinking of this, a confident smile appeared on his lips. Compared to Shao Yunting's emotional situation, he felt a little sorry for him. In public, he was coveted by many rich and noble ladies and was very popular, but in private, the ladies who coveted him paid no attention to him. He was pitiful and lonely!

Look at that, it's so pitiful!

"Sun Ziyang sneaked over there. This is a golden opportunity. If you don't act now, the Regent will seize it!"

Shao Yun stopped scrolling and looked at Xiao Che not far away.

He seemed oblivious, remaining still and expressionless as he listened to Princess Xinyang speaking at the next table.

Xie Lanheng took the first step: "I'm going to find Lingyi, let's go together!"

Shao Yunting brushed the broken porcelain shards from his palm, wrapped his wound with a handkerchief, stood up, and strode toward Jiang Ruining!

Xie Lanheng turned and glanced at the emperor.

He was also observing Jiang Ruining, this young man who was suppressed by two powerful forces. He was too cunning and too good at acting. Xie Lanheng could not see any emotion in his gentle and sensible eyes.

The more they couldn't understand it, the more worried they became about Shao Yunting.

Jiang Ruining is, after all, one of the Regent's men. Too much contact with him would not benefit him at all. If he were to be suspected, things would be terrible!