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

Jiang Ruining paused for a moment before turning back. She only slightly curled the corner of her mouth when he couldn't see her before running away quickly!

Xiao Che wanted to chase after them.

But when the young emperor arrived, everyone had already returned to their places, either standing or sitting.

He couldn't bring himself to pull her in public; he was afraid it would affect her.

He was also afraid that she was angry right now, and if he went there and blocked her way, it would only make her angrier.

I regret not understanding her feelings sooner, and for touching on her sensitive spots.

A dull pain shot through my chest, and a faint metallic taste of blood rose in my throat.

Shi'an felt heartbroken and depressed, because the county princess's words were so sorrowful, and also because of his master's taciturn nature.

I feel like sighing.

When are these two finally going to talk things out?

The betrothal gift list can't be filled out again!

worry!

Why not just tell them they're in love?

But upon reflection, they realized that they themselves hadn't been able to find out whether the bystanders would be willing to believe what they heard.

These two seem to be... not people who easily trust others.

I'm even more worried!

……

The hunt continues.

After each day's hunt, there would be a banquet where people would count who had the most prey and whose prey was the most difficult to hunt. Those in higher positions would offer a few words of praise, and then it would be "casual conversation."

As the conversation goes on, someone will inevitably seize on any ambiguity in the other person's words and make sarcastic remarks, praising their own master while harshly belittling the opponent's master, leading to a heated verbal battle.

The verbal battle turned into a mixed physical fight, and then, somehow, it turned into an internal conflict.

As Jiang Ruining stared in disbelief, he recalled similarly outrageous news stories he had read before, such as heads of state fighting during a UN meeting, or a country inviting other heads of state to watch the launch of its rocket, only to have the rocket crash directly into the heads of state after it took off.

For example, high-ranking officials from a certain country were having an online meeting. The topics were solemn and serious, but then they started arguing. The vulgar content of their argument was screenshotted by other officials in the group and spread to every corner of the world...

I couldn't help but exclaim, "This world is definitely made up of countless huge makeshift teams! Brilliant!"

Even though the Regent's men won every time, it couldn't diminish the spirit of Cui Taifu's men who were eager to find someone to criticize them and became more courageous after each setback.

There are exciting performances every day, and none of them are the same, so much so that others don't find it boring and actively participate every day.

Jiang Ruining knew this would happen, so he had someone prepare a large bag of sunflower seeds before he set off, just in case they came in handy.

They listened, watched, and murmured all at the same time, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

A person at the next table, seeing this, got itchy and quietly reached out their hand to her: "Give me a little! If you don't give me a little, I'm afraid I'll applaud!"

Gradually, the scope expanded, and even the people on the other side sent their maids to demand it.

Then, amidst the fierce confrontation, the sound of people cracking sunflower seeds rose and fell.

Click.

Click click.

Click click click!

The person who lost the verbal battle was quite angry and indirectly accused Jiang Ruining, who led the way in eating sunflower seeds, of affecting their performance.

Jiang Ruining's beautiful face was full of shock: "The battlefield was filled with the sounds of battle, the clash of swords, the shouts of men and the neighing of horses. It was so noisy and terrifying, yet the generals still came up with a plan to repel the enemy, and the soldiers were unaffected and focused on killing the enemy."

"If the sound of me cracking sunflower seeds can so easily affect your performance, then it only proves that you have something wrong with your head, are not suitable to be an official, and also proves that you only dare to bully a weak and helpless woman like me... How shameless!!"

Done.

He spat out the sunflower seed shells in the direction of that person.

"Pah!"

The other person felt a pang of pain in their heart from her subtle sarcasm, and they glared and puffed out their beard.

boom!

The sound of the wine glass falling carried a clear warning, coming from the Regent.

The official's eyelids twitched, and he quickly turned his face away.

Jiang Ruining wouldn't let him off the hook just because he shut up.

Xi Zi clutched her heart, her voice sweet and dramatic, with a wavy, affected tone: "You glared at me! You're incompetent as an official, you're not smart enough, it's all your own fault, and you still dare to glare at me!"

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, look at this stupid and incompetent fellow! How outrageous!"

Ugh!

Instead of complaining to the regent or seeking help from her own father, she went and yelled at the powerful figure behind the rude official.

With a simple, honest, and weak expression, he waited expectantly for someone to make a decision for him.

"Your Majesty~"

The boys and girls who got along with her these past few days couldn't help but suppress their laughter.

Xiao Qing felt her bones melt, and only one thought echoed in her mind: She's so charming, she's so adorable!!!

Shao Yunting stared at her, his eyes deep, his fingers gently stroking the rim of his wine glass, lost in thought.

Xiao Che frowned, feeling a pang of sadness.

Is she trying to cut ties with him now? She's been wronged, and she's not even going to complain to him anymore!

The Empress Dowager wouldn't allow herself to be seen as bullying an innocent young girl. Besides, someone who loses a verbal battle and can't accept defeat certainly deserves to be taught a lesson!

"The affairs of court officials should not involve the county princess. Apologize to her now!"

The official gritted his teeth, yet dared not disobey the Empress Dowager's decree, nor did he want to face the Regent's reprimand. He cupped his hands and bowed deeply to Jiang Ruining: "This humble official did not intend to offend you. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Jiang Ruining rose, smiled, and bowed to the Empress Dowager: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for upholding justice for Fu Ning!"

As for the rude official, he was completely ignored.

Who says she has to forgive him just because he apologized?

She's so petty, so what!

The Empress Dowager glanced at the official indifferently: "If this happens again, you'll be fired!"

The official felt stifled, but under the sinister gazes of the Empress Dowager, the Regent, and Grand Secretary Jiang, he ultimately dared not raise his head again: "Yes, Your Majesty, I obey!"

The Empress Dowager turned to look at Jiang Ruining, smiling serenely, seemingly admiring her. Her gaze was gentle and loving, a stark contrast to the sharpness of her initial look: "Imperial Princess, is this your first time participating in a hunt? Are you getting used to it? Are you having a good time?"

Although Jiang Ruining knew that this person's methods were definitely not clean, she had never harmed her, so she could hide her "dislike" very well. There was even a kind of admiration in her eyes when she looked at the Empress Dowager, like, "As a woman, you can climb so high, you are amazing."

"Your Majesty, this place is very fun, and Fu Ning enjoys it very much!"

"That's good!" the Empress Dowager said gently. "It's been a long time since I've met a woman as intelligent and courageous as the County Princess. You're welcome to come and chat with me when you have time!"

It has a strong element of trying to win them over.

Jiang Ruining pretended not to understand, only feeling the joy of being praised: "It is Fu Ning's good fortune that the Empress Dowager thinks highly of me."

The Empress Dowager smiled.

Despite her exaggerated acting, she gave people the illusion that she was genuinely naive and simple-minded. You couldn't find a trace of hidden shrewdness or sharpness in her eyes. She was quite capable, which explains why she had managed to fool everyone in the capital all these years!

She then turned to Jiang Huai: "Grand Secretary Jiang, is Fu Ning married? I've met quite a few young men these past few days; is there one you fancy? Grand Secretary Jiang has devoted himself to the court; perhaps I could issue an imperial decree to bestow this marriage upon the Jiang family, a great honor!"

Jiang Huai rose and bowed, saying calmly, "I am deeply grateful for the Empress Dowager's kindness!"

"It's just that I haven't been home for several years, and I owe her a lot. I want to keep her by my side for a few more years to make it up to her! As for whether she wants to marry in the future, and who she marries, that's up to her!"

"I will only act as her advisor, not make the decision for her! Once she has made up her mind, I will shamelessly come to the Empress Dowager for her decree!"

These words surprised everyone present.

As parents, they felt he lacked the authority of a father.

The children, on the other hand, often looked on with envy.

In the capital, marriages are closely tied to interests among the wealthy and powerful. Children have no right to interfere in their own marriages. Marrying a childhood sweetheart, someone they know well, is already a great blessing. Choosing their own husband... they don't even dare to dream of it!

After expressing their admiration and envy, they all turned to look at the Regent.

They thought he would take the opportunity to announce his marriage to the Princess of Funing County.

This also includes Shao Yunting.

To their disappointment, the Regent glanced at Princess Fu Ning and then looked away without any reaction!

The noblewoman A was puzzled: "The special treatment they receive, the favoritism is blatant, and they even ride in the same carriage—aren't they planning to get engaged?"

Lady B had a different perspective: "You've probably noticed that the county princess and the prince haven't spoken a word to each other these past few days. They must have had a fight, but it's clearly the prince's fault, which is why his gaze is always following the county princess!"

"Announcing the marriage while the county princess is still angry is just adding fuel to the fire, isn't it?"

The Regent Prince's protection and special treatment of Princess Funing was so conspicuous that everyone easily noticed that the two had zero interaction for several days in a row.

Lady A nodded: "That makes sense! So the prince is looking at the county princess, waiting for her instructions. If the county princess ignores him, how dare he speak up?"

Noble Lady C listened to their analysis and found it very reasonable. She cupped her hands to her heart, her face full of envy: "I always thought the Regent was cold, ruthless, and incapable of feeling love. I never imagined that such a person could be moved and even praise someone to this extent!"

"They must have a very good relationship, otherwise the county princess wouldn't dare to be so unscrupulous!"

"How enviable!"