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

Zheng Lingyi stared at her blankly, suddenly feeling that the face she had known for more than ten years had become so unfamiliar!

Deep and wise, she was completely different from the Jiang Ruining she remembered.

"Did the Regent tell you this, or are you just guessing?"

Jiang Ruining shattered her last hope: "What I observed has also been confirmed by the Prince. If you don't believe me, you can ask him for evidence."

Zheng Lingyi did not disbelieve.

But she couldn't believe it.

She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a word!

Her fiancé schemed against her brother and her entire family... The shocking things she had only ever read about in storybooks actually happened to her!

My heart aches so much!

Duke Zheng remained silent, his face taut, but a flicker of emotion crossed his slightly lowered eyes. After a long pause, as if having made a decision, he bowed deeply to the wise and composed young woman before him: "The Zheng family is willing to serve the Regent with utmost loyalty!"

The Zheng family had been prominent for generations and knew the principle that prosperity must eventually decline. They had no ambition to rise to a higher level and were content with maintaining the safety of the entire clan amidst the turbulent power struggles. Therefore, they had tried their best to remain neutral in recent years.

With the Empress Dowager's faction suffering frequent setbacks and the young emperor secretly plotting against them, it's now a pipe dream for the Zheng family to remain unscathed.

Compared to the scheming of the two sides, Jiang Ruining, who was on the side of the Regent, was helping them. So if they had to choose a side, the safest option was naturally to side with the Regent!

Jiang Ruining knew what the Zheng family was thinking, and waved his hand, saying, "You can take your time to consider what choice to make. The Prince and I will not force you. Right now, the most important thing is the marriage between Lingyi and Xie Lanheng."

"Should we turn a blind eye and continue, or should we make a clean break?"

This question was a heavy blow, leaving Zheng Lingyi dizzy. She had to grip the handrail tightly to keep herself from collapsing.

Seeing her beloved daughter in such pain, Madam Zheng's heart was breaking!

"My son!"

Zheng Lingyi forced herself to stand up, her gaze fixed on Jiang Ruining as if she were waiting for an answer: "Ningning, do you know something else?"

Seeing her on the verge of collapse, Jiang Ruining couldn't bear to be too blunt: "He's not a good match."

In an instant, Zheng Lingyi felt as if all the strength in her body had been sucked away by some monster, leaving her unable to exert any strength at all. She trembled violently and collapsed back down with a thud, almost collapsing.

Madam Zheng quickly helped her up: "Child!"

Zheng Lingyi's soul seemed to fly away; her slender body and the question that came out of her mouth trembled violently: "His affection for me was all an act, wasn't it?"

Jiang Ruining wanted to comfort her, but didn't know what to say.

He did not speak.

Zheng Lingyi got her answer; some of the strength she had lost returned to her body, allowing her to sit up with difficulty.

After a long, blank stare, she suddenly laughed—a foolish, bitter laugh, as large tears streamed down her face, each drop like a rusty, dull knife slashing at everyone's heart.

Madam Zheng was heartbroken and regretted associating with Madam Xie and arranging the marriage between her daughter and the Xie family because of her own connections!

Jiang Ruining also felt sorry for her, but compared to being tricked and losing her life, it was a good thing to see things clearly and let go sooner so that she could get over it sooner.

She's still young, and she has plenty of time to meet better, more sincere young men!

Zheng Lingyi leaned weakly on the armrest, her smile gradually turning into bitterness. Her eyes were fixed on a blank spot, as if she wanted to see a scene from the past, or some other scene!

"Actually, I can feel it. His kindness towards me is just like the descriptions in those picture books. But the reason a picture book is a picture book is because it's fake!"

"But I keep thinking... is it because I'm still young that he can't feel romantic feelings for me? Then I think! How many couples in the world have never met before marriage, yet they treat each other with respect and live happily ever after?"

"Maybe things will be different when we get married, or when I'm a bit older?"

"I was too naive after all!"

Jiang Ruining caught her tears and said gently, "It's not wrong to give your heart, it's not wrong to wait, it's not wrong to have expectations. You genuinely loved someone, you were true to yourself, and that's loving yourself. That's good!"

"He doesn't cherish what he has; he's calculating. He's the one who's wrong and suffers the loss! His intentions are wicked; Heaven will punish him!"

Zheng Lingyi's heart was breaking.

Because the feelings she invested were real, and her expectations for the future were also real!

The man she had loved for so many years had no genuine feelings for her, only scheming... How ridiculous!

How ridiculous is her sincerity!

Jiang Ruining understood her lament: "It's not laughable. We've all received your sincerity, and we cherish it very much!"

"Lingyi, don't let time and emotions get involved in any decisions, especially such important life events. Ditch that jerk, we'll take our time and see who's better. A girl as wonderful as you deserves better!"

You'll definitely meet someone better!

Zheng Lingyi was stunned for a few moments.

Perhaps it was because those words were so comforting that she suddenly burst into tears.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief that she could cry.

Because she was venting her emotions, and it's a good thing that she was able to squeeze out her grievances and pain from her heart.

"I'm sorry, I... I want to be alone for a while..."

Everyone quietly said "okay," turned around and left the tent, leaving her alone.

Jiang Ruining then instructed her maid: "Later, wrap the brewed tea leaves in a thin cotton gauze, heat it up, and apply it to your daughter's eyes for fifteen minutes in the morning and evening. It will make her eyes feel more comfortable."

The maid gratefully replied, "Yes, I've remembered. Thank you, Your Highness."

"It's alright." Jiang Ruining glanced at the tightly closed leather curtain of the tent and said, "If she wants to scold me, you can send someone over anytime."

The maid nodded vigorously: "Yes, I understand!"

Jiang Ruining turned to Madam Zheng: "Aunt, let her claim illness! Don't let her see the Xie family. They're just forcing her to come here and beg, which will only make her mentally exhausted. Tell the Xie family to come directly to me."

Madam Zheng grasped her hand, momentarily at a loss for words: "I don't know how to thank you."

Jiang Ruining squeezed her hand back: "During those years when I was not well received, you did not look down on me and continued to treat me well. I remember it all. Since you treated me sincerely, there is no need for words of thanks."

The Jiang and Zheng families had been friends for generations, and Jiang Huai and the Duke of Zheng had been friends since childhood. After Madam Jiang and Madam Zheng entered the family, they naturally became good friends. It was Madam Jiang's cruelty and morbidity that caused the two families to become estranged.

But the Zheng family all understood that Jiang Ruining had been driven mad. Her true nature was actually clever and lively, so even for Jiang Huai's sake, and because Jiang Ruining had always protected Tianzhen when she was young, they would not despise and belittle her behind her back like others would.

The Zheng family did not expect that their kindness and compassion would lead to such a good relationship within the family.

Madam Zheng was deeply moved and didn't know what to say, so she just held her hand tightly.

Only Zheng Lingyi remained in the tent.

But it was not quiet.

Her ears were filled with the cacophony of laughter, and memories of the past surged up like a tsunami, wave after wave crashing over Zheng Lingyi's mind, chilling her to the bone.

Those details she ignored were like icy seawater freezing into icicles, barbs that constantly pierced her body, then whistled out, splattering blood. Xie Lanheng's feigned affection and deep feelings left countless shocking marks on her.

fake!

It's all fake...

She thought that as long as they got married, stayed together day and night, she would be a good wife, take care of the chores, and have a few children with him... he would eventually fall for her.

But in the end, she was still naive!

He had no sincerity towards her or her family, only scheming!

He only had himself and his future on his mind.

"Xie Lanheng, you're too cruel..."

……

By the time Jiang Ruining finished speaking to the group of teenagers, it was already dark, and preparations were underway for the bonfire feast that would be held the next day.

Because several things, big and small, happened today, the people who had initially lost interest became excited again and went over early to chat together in groups.

But after a long day, Jiang Ruining was tired and didn't want to participate. Before returning to her tent, she asked Chu Jin, "Madam Zheng and Lingyi will probably need some space to chat tonight. Why don't you come and sleep with me and Wan Yi?"

Chu Jin nodded: "Okay, I'll come over with Wan Yi later."

Jiang Ruining yawned, somewhat surprised: "You guys haven't had enough fun yet!"

For young people, especially young women, who can only go out and have fun once every three years, they cherish these days of freedom and don't want to stay at home like they would at home, so they close the door and go to sleep early!

They've played every game imaginable, and they can even create games!

In short, you must make the most of your time before returning to Beijing; the more fun you have, the better!

Chu Jin winked at her: "It's not that we haven't had enough fun, it's just that we're afraid of being too clingy and making the Prince jealous and holding a grudge!"

"He wouldn't dare!" Jiang Ruining said matter-of-factly, but then felt it was too matter-of-fact, as if she could have him completely under her thumb. A hint of embarrassment crept onto her face. "Well, what I mean is, he's not that unreasonable."