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

Xie Qinghe's jealousy and rudeness froze on her face as she stared at her mother in disbelief: "What do you mean I implicated my brother? Did I tell my brother to act impulsively? Did I tell Xiao Zheng to kill me?"

"I'm a victim too. Just because I didn't die, does that mean I deserve to be your punching bag, falsely accused and framed?"

She became more and more agitated as she spoke, gradually turning hysterical.

"If my brother really doesn't survive, are you going to strangle me to die with him? What kind of parents are you? This is outrageous! You've gone too far!"

"Snapped!"

Madam Xie slapped her across the face, glaring at her coldly with disappointment and exhaustion: "The family is already exhausted because of your brother, and you still have the energy to compete for favor and argue? Do you even care about this family anymore!"

I'm so annoyed.

She angrily flung her sleeves, slammed the curtains shut, and left.

They headed straight for Jiang Ruining's tent.

Seeing the cold-faced female guard standing at the door, she recognized her as the one who followed Jiang Ruining in and out every day.

Taking a deep breath, she adjusted her expression and stepped forward politely, saying, "Please inform them that Zheng Lingyi's future mother-in-law requests an audience with the county princess."

July made no comment on her self-proclaimed title, only nodding slightly: "Wait a moment, I'll go in and inform her."

The heavy curtains were lifted and then lowered.

In that instant when the lid was lifted, Madam Xie saw Jiang Ruining sitting in front of the small table, drinking tea leisurely and without the slightest hint of urgency. She clenched her handkerchief tightly, then relaxed it.

When the curtain was lifted again, the noble ladies who had been accompanying her came out, greeted her, and left chatting and laughing.

The carefree laughter sounded extremely grating to Madam Xie's ears.

"Madam Xie, the county princess requests your presence inside."

July's cold voice pulled Madam Xie back to reality.

She nodded, lifted the curtain, and entered the tent.

"Greetings, Your Highness. May Your Highness be well."

Jiang Ruining raised her hand: "Madam Xie, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat!"

Madam Xie, however, lifted her skirt and knelt directly before her: "Please, Your Highness, help me save my son!"

Jiang Ruining glanced at her, but didn't help her up or call her to get up. She simply sipped her fine tea slowly.

It is said to be a piece of exquisite jade specially supplied to the Empress Dowager.

However, the Empress Dowager probably didn't know that what she received would be one grade lower than what was sent to the Regent.

She couldn't tell the difference between good and bad, but it definitely smelled delicious!

A powerful, rich aroma!

After a long pause, she slowly spoke: "I've already asked him once for help for Lingyi's sake, but he refused, so there's nothing I can do."

"And Xie Lanheng and I are merely nodding acquaintances, yet you expect me to kneel before the Regent for his sake..."

She smiled, but her smile was faint.

"Xie Lanheng and your Xie family don't have that much influence!"

Madam Xie's face stiffened, but she still had a trump card, and she immediately said, "As long as Heng'er is not released, Lingyi will worry about him every day. She has already fallen ill from worrying about Heng'er! The county princess is her close friend, so she must feel sorry for her too."

"Please, Your Highness, even for Lingyi's sake, help Heng'er and the Xie family!"

Jiang Ruining's eyes suddenly sharpened: "Zheng Lingyi accepted the Xie family's betrothal gifts; she's a member of the Xie family in life and in death. She deserves to suffer along with Xie Lanheng and endure the torment with you all!"

"When you said that, you never treated her like family, did you?"

Madam Xie gasped sharply!

A wave of terror washed over her, making her dizzy and disoriented.

The words that had just been spoken had already reached the county magistrate's ears: the Xie family... had been under surveillance all along! And they were completely unaware!

"Please forgive me, Your Highness. Qinghe was just being ignorant and talking nonsense. I will punish her severely when I get back. But Your Highness knows that I have always treated Lingyi like my own daughter!"

Jiang Ruining coldly replied, "If it weren't for the fact that Lingyi is deeply in love with Xie Lanheng, and that your affection for Lingyi is somewhat genuine, do you think you would have the chance to speak to me?"

Madam Xie repeatedly agreed, saying, "Your Highness is extremely discerning and would certainly not blame the entire Xie family for Qinghe's ignorance! Please, Your Highness, have mercy and plead with His Highness the Regent again!"

Jiang Ruining refused: "Madam Xie is a smart woman; she's already guessed that the Regent is waiting for me to beg him! If I really go again, and he takes the opportunity to make some outrageous demands, should I agree or not?"

Madam Xie quickly said, "Please agree, whatever the cost, the Xie family will bear it all."

"Fine!" Jiang Ruining looked at her and said, word by word, "If he wants to marry me, how will your Xie family bear the responsibility? Will you marry in my place, or will your daughter marry in my place?"

Mrs. Xie was dumbfounded.

Jiang Ruining put down her teacup, gently stroking her left fingers, which were red from the scalding tea, with her right hand: "The Empress Dowager won't take Xie Lanheng's life immediately, Madam Xie. You're too hasty; you'll only make things worse!"

How could Madam Xie not be anxious?

The one imprisoned is her most promising son!

He gritted his teeth and kowtowed, his voice echoing on the ground before he collapsed onto her face: "As long as Heng'er can be saved, the Xie family will serve the County Princess and the Regent Prince from now on!"

Jiang Ruining dusted off his fingers as if they were dirty: "Madam Xie, you're overthinking it. Your Xie family isn't anything special, and you don't have any top-tier family backing you. The Regent and I wouldn't stoop to putting on an act just to force your submission!"

Madam Xie's intentions were exposed, and her social status was also diminished, leaving her feeling suffocated: "Princess..."

Jiang Ruining's words were devoid of sentimentality: "If the Regent doesn't come to me on his own initiative, I will go to him again before returning to the capital to plead with him on your behalf. But if that still doesn't work, then it's fate."

"Furthermore, the Xie family has been in business for so many years and has many connections. They can take action from all angles and don't need to rely on me."

Madam Xie hurriedly moved her knees: "Princess!"

The master forbade her to ask any more questions, but she vaguely guessed that her son had likely sided with the Prince of Yan.

The Prince of Yan is at the bottom of the seal; there's no way he could possibly come to his rescue.

If the Regent doesn't help, the Xie family will have no choice but to seek refuge with the Empress Dowager.

Even though she didn't understand politics, she knew that the Xie family's allegiance to the Empress Dowager wouldn't lead to them being given important positions. Instead, they would be forced to fight for them and scheme against the Regent!

If he performs meritorious service, he may have a chance to climb the ranks in the future.

If they fail... the Empress Dowager will immediately find a way to fill the vacancy with her people! The Xie family deserves to be used as pawns.

Jiang Ruining frowned, revealing her impatience: "Madam Xie, you don't like being coerced, and neither do I! I have my own plans and bottom lines when I do things. If you are unwilling to cooperate, then please ask someone else for help."

Madam Xie's chin trembled, a hint of threat lurking beneath her resentment: "Is the County Princess even abandoning Zheng Lingyi?"