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

Jiang Ruining stared wide-eyed.

Where is the aloof, taciturn, ruthless villain we were promised?

What kind of slutty talk is that?

She touched his chest with her delicate hand and pinched him: "Have you no shame! If you're not going to be that kind of dirty man, what's there to ask!"

Xiao Che had practiced martial arts for many years, and his muscles were stiff with the slightest exertion. To make it easier for her to twist, he deliberately relaxed his body and hissed in pain, saying, "It hurts, be gentle! I just finished exerting myself, don't you even care about the pain?"

"What do you mean by 'not contributing'!" Jiang Ruining angrily punched him. "Stop talking nonsense, I'm still angry!"

Xiao Che held her in his arms, and they lay back down in bed, wrapping her up tightly to keep out the chill. "How can I appease you and make you calm down?"

Jiang Ruining arched her body, adjusting to a more comfortable position, and tucked her cool feet between his legs to warm them: "Do me a few things. If you do them well, I'll decide whether or not to forgive you!"

Xiao Che agreed without hesitation: "Okay, go ahead."

I don't believe he can't get things done for her!

Jiang Ruining prioritized the matters she needed to discuss, deciding to address Chu Jin's life-changing event first: "What are the Li family's plans regarding Li Jingrui's marriage?"

Xiao Che's expression suddenly turned cold.

However, there was only one candle left in the room, making the light dim, and the blanket was pulled up halfway, so you couldn't see their expressions.

Only a pair of pale-skinned accomplices stared at her, saying nothing.

Jiang Ruining pulled the blanket down a little, and when she saw the handsome face so close to hers, she blinked and leaned back slightly: "Your expression is terrifying. I have a reasonable suspicion that you would commit domestic violence."

Domestic violence?

That's something only a tasteless man would do.

Xiao Che should have been angry at being questioned like this, but his expression changed from gloomy to sunny.

Because the key point he heard was the word "home," not "violence"!

He held her tightly, then forcefully pulled her swaying body back into his arms: "I can't do such despicable things!"

Then answer her question.

"The Li family has been arranging matchmaking for him recently. Are you going to recommend someone?"

Jiang Ruining pressed close to him, able to see the fine hairs on his face and clearly feel his heartbeat: "Chu Jin! He's handsome, kind, and smart. He and Li Jingrui are quite a good match, don't you think?"

Xiao Che placed his palm on her back, gently stroking it: "Didn't you used to dislike her?"

Jiang Ruining never pretended to be a virtuous and gentle woman in front of him; he had already investigated her thoroughly: "That's all in the past. We're doing great now! I used to hate you! You were fierce, threatening me, and even pinched my nose and neck—you were a bastard!"

Xiao Che: "..." The choking incident became his dark history, an insurmountable obstacle.

Jiang Ruining brought this up deliberately to make him feel awkward refusing: "Could you arrange it for me? The adopted daughter of the Grand Secretary's family has the right status! We can bring them along next time we meet, so they won't feel embarrassed!"

She tugged at his sleeve and swayed it, her coquettish tone both sweet and soft, yet carrying a hint of threat.

"Little Dog Xiao~"

"Little dog Che~"

These two titles are truly shameful.

Every time Xiao Che heard it, he felt a jolt of electricity running down his scalp, and he wanted to cover her mouth. His face also turned red uncontrollably.

He wanted to stop her, but he also felt that this special treatment was only for him, so he couldn't bear to say it.

In order to meet again sooner, and to stop her from calling him that so embarrassingly again and again, Xiao Che immediately relented and said, "Okay."

Jiang Ruining was overjoyed at her success, cupped his face, and gave him a loud kiss.

Not satisfied, Xiao Che brought his lips to hers.

Jiang Ruining kissed him on the lips again.

After the kiss, she realized something was wrong: "You were supposed to be trying to please me, so how did it turn into me trying to please you?"

Xiao Che looked innocent, and his explanation sounded reasonable: "Didn't you say you liked me a lot, and that my lips were so nice to kiss? Letting you kiss me, isn't that trying to please you?"

Jiang Ruining scratched her cheek.

That's what I'm saying, but I feel like the logic is a bit off.

Xiao Che kissed her several times, asking, "Does this count as me trying to please you?"

Jiang Ruining shook her head haughtily, "I guess so!" She covered his lips, which were about to come closer again, and said, "There's something else."

Xiao Che's words were muffled as she covered his mouth: "I'm listening."

"Help me stock up on some common medicinal herbs." Jiang Ruining counted a bunch of herbs on her fingers, remembering there were twelve kinds, but after counting eight, she forgot: "Never mind, I made a list, I'll get it for you later."

Stockpiling medicine?

It's not difficult to stock up.

But Xiao Che hadn't heard of any epidemic: "Why do we need these medicinal herbs?"

Jiang Ruining had already prepared his explanation: "I had people wander around the city, listening to merchants from various places talk about what they had seen and heard along their routes. They concluded that some places had experienced strange weather this year, resulting in severe crop failures."

"The old folks say this is not a good omen, and it might mean disaster. I've been hearing this a lot during the day, and lately I've been having recurring dreams of plagues breaking out in various places. It makes me feel anxious and worried, so I'm thinking of stocking up on some medicine and rice, especially for the areas with severe crop failures."

"If a real problem breaks out, at least we'll have medicine and food to fall back on, and we can stabilize one place as long as we can. If nothing happens, we can sell the stockpiled items at a discount or donate them, which would also be a good deed."

The original owner's second wish was for her to be famous throughout the world.

Perhaps this is an opportunity.

So she'll sell everything she owns to get things done!

Anyway, as long as she clings to a powerful figure, she won't have to worry about running out of money.

"My father gave me a lot of money, and if I sell off the jewelry and other things in my private treasury, I should be able to raise sixty or seventy thousand taels. If that's not enough... can you travel without it?"

"At worst, if you really manage to protect the people, the credit goes to you, and I'll just get a small share!"

Xiao Che raised an eyebrow.

Not at all surprised by her last sentence!

He's not the type to let himself suffer losses and incur debts!

"Does he look like a submissive man who would steal credit from his woman?"

Jiang Ruining showered him with a flurry of kisses. He was willing to help and didn't try to take credit. So, let alone kiss him, he was willing to grit his teeth and do it again!

"No! No! Your Highness is the best and the bravest! Otherwise, why would I like you so much?!"

Xiao Che pinched her cheek: "You're the best at talking big, and you change your tune so quickly!"

Jiang Ruining snorted sweetly, "Yes! Yes! I'm the most hypocritical person. Your Highness doesn't think much of me, so just kick me out!"

Jiang Ruining grinned, beaming with pride: "You'd better take my affairs to heart!"

Xiao Che hummed in agreement: "I'll give the order tomorrow."

With her worries resolved, Jiang Ruining felt relieved. After a long day of hard work, she began to yawn frequently, tears welling up in her eyes and shimmering like stars in the dim candlelight. "Xiao Che, I'm sleepy!" she said.

Xiao Che wiped away her tears with his sleeve: "Go to sleep. Tomorrow we'll go boating on the lake. Let's invite Li Jingrui and Chu Jin along."

Jiang Ruining said "okay," buried her head in his neck, and fell asleep in no time.

Not long after falling asleep, Xiao Che felt that the little girl in his arms had a very high body temperature.

He suddenly opened his eyes and checked her forehead temperature.

It's so hot!

I gently patted her face and called her urgently, but there was no response!

"The county princess is delirious and unconscious. Go and fetch Lady Wan, quickly!"

Upon hearing the order, the people outside moved towards the medicine furnace, their shadows shifting.

It takes about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Lady Wan arrived by leaping across rooftops, her hastily dressed clothes blown askew by the night wind, her long hair disheveled from not having been tied up. She glared speechlessly at Eleven Crane, who had dragged her over: "It's just a fever, not an emergency. Are you in such a rush to be reborn?"

A hint of urgency appeared on Shiyihe's usually cold face: "Please, Divine Doctor, hurry!"

Madam Wan tidied her clothes and hair before entering the house.

She is a doctor with a keen sense of smell.

Even with the wind and burning incense, one could immediately sense the unusual smell in the room.

Pretending not to know, he stepped forward to take Jiang Ruining's pulse.

Once this happened, it was impossible to pretend not to know.