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

Jiang Ruining's mind was working very fast.

"I've never seen a truly stunning beauty before, and I've gone crazy a few times because of Shao Yunting, so my mouth has become a bit of muscle memory. But that doesn't mean I still have feelings for him! I... I prefer a breathtakingly handsome man like Your Highness!"

"No matter what, I'm a daughter of a prominent family, and I even have a 'no-medicine face' (meaning I haven't taken medication). If I didn't really, really like someone so much that I'd completely lost my reason, I would never joke about my innocence!"

Xiao Che pinched her chin, his fingertips tracing her lips heavily: "So, it seems I misunderstood your true feelings?"

Jiang Ruining held up three fingers, raising them high above his head: "I swear, I have absolutely no intention of plotting against or harming the Prince. If I utter a single lie, may I and the Jiang family be struck by lightning and our entire clan die without an heir!"

This vow.

tough enough.

Looking across the entire capital, there are very few people who dare to make such an oath.

Xiao Che raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying.

Jiang Ruining couldn't see him relax, and became even more nervous, feeling like she was about to forget how to swallow: "Besides, didn't the prince's men find out? I did give you the drug, not the other way around, like I gave it to the wrong person and ended up in the wrong room!"

"Most importantly, if I were truly acting under orders, why wouldn't I try to get the news of you in my room out? Your bodyguards have been watching me closely; they must have seen clearly that I didn't do anything, right?"

Xiao Che looked at her face, which was filled with "I am extremely serious," and gave a cryptic laugh.

Jiang Ruining's heart skipped a beat at his laughter: "How could a man as extraordinary as Your Highness not see through my little schemes? You must know that I'm speaking from the heart, right?"

Xiao Che didn't speak, he just stared at her.

She's gotten into trouble, and although she's terrified, she can blurt out anything and dare to do anything. Her pitiful eyes are full of cleverness and cunning, trying to use her alluring appearance and unconventional wildness to get away with it.

She's a cowardly yet cunning little fox who should be allowed to run wild and have fun, but he also wants to catch her and keep her by his side, so she can only act recklessly in front of him!

What should I do?

This is not a good idea.

If this timid little fox is someone else's pawn, its sharp little claws could still kill.

She and Nian should be killed together!

Jiang Ruining was terrified by his gaze, especially when she saw the murderous intent flashing in his eyes. The tears she forced out immediately turned into genuine, heartfelt tears.

She cautiously reached out and hooked her finger around his collar: "Don't be angry anymore, okay?"

No response was received.

Her little mouth twitched, and she whimpered, as if she was about to unleash a flood.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, not before, not now, and definitely not in the future... Please don't kill me, okay? Just..."

Is she obedient?

Looking at her shivering, tear-streaked face, Xiao Che spoke gently, "Don't cry, or I'll throw you into the Spring Play Garden!"

Jiang Ruining immediately pulled back the plug, her body convulsing as she choked: "If you don't kill me, I'll do whatever you say from now on, I... I'll be very obedient..."

"You're a good boy?" Xiao Che laughed. "If you're a good boy, then there aren't many good boys in this capital."

Jiang Ruining's long eyelashes were wet with tears, her face was miserable, and she thought to herself, "I won't hurt anyone, I don't... I don't have the guts."

If this stalemate continues, it won't work.

Her heart and soul were pounding with fear.

If you really can't escape, it's better not to struggle at all.

It's not so bad if it all turns to ashes; at least we won't have to suffer the pain of those who did it anymore!

Original owner, I'm so sorry!

Close your eyes and push your neck forward.

"If you insist on killing me, then do it!"

Xiao Che looked at her, who seemed to be saying, "I'm numb, I don't want to struggle anymore," and slowly slid his cold fingertips down her chin.

It fell back onto her neck.

It felt cool and gently drifted away.

Jiang Ruining got goosebumps all over her body.

This is what it feels like to wait for execution!

Every second is torture!

"Pinch it! Pinch it!"

"Please be quick and efficient, give me a clean break!"

"From now on, every midnight dream I have will hurl insults at you! You're so heartless, how could there be such a cold-blooded man like you!"

Xiao Che found the little coward in front of him quite amusing and decided to keep her nickname for now.

Let's see what secrets she's hiding!

He leaned in, his warm body temperature brushing against her ear: "From this moment on, your life belongs to me. If you're disobedient and disobedient, your and the Jiang family's fate will be quite something."

Jiang Ruining suddenly opened her eyes.

In just a moment.

There was no one in front of them.

If it weren't for the faint scent of styrax lingering in the air, one would have suspected that she was hallucinating!

What does that mean?

We're just going to let her go?

He stood against the scorching wall for a long while, making sure the evil spirit was far away, but he still only dared to carefully exhale the breath of despair from his chest.

Hopefully, this devil won't go crazy and suddenly start playing the choking game with her again someday.

terrible!

He exhaled half of his breath, then his thoughts jolted.

Do not!

wrong.

His words were clearly a warning to her: either die or persuade her father and brothers to completely side with him!

regret!

When you were begging for mercy just now, why did you say something like "I'll do whatever you say from now on"?

What good can come of getting entangled with a shady, crazy villain?

She really wanted to raise her hand and slap her mouth hard, but she was afraid that he might not have gone far and was hiding in the shadows watching her. If he saw her slapping her mouth, he might think she was disgusted by kissing him and come back to continue to scare her. So she used her willpower to press her hand back down.

This is terrible!

Does this mean we'll really have to work for the villain from now on, only to end up committing suicide together in the Taiji Palace?

Just as she was feeling utterly hopeless, a young woman's exclamation came from the other side of the openwork carved window on the outer wall: "Did you really see clearly? Was it Princess Cui who pushed Duke Shao's sister down in the chaos, causing her disfigurement?"

Princess Cui?

Who was pushed?

Reason told Jiang Ruining that she shouldn't listen to other people's secrets, as it would cause trouble.

But what they were talking about was Cui Jingwei, another vicious female supporting character in the book who made the original owner take the blame for a lot of things!

Her father is Cui Sheng'an, the Grand Tutor of the current court, who years ago spread rumors of Xiao Che's death in battle while he was on a military campaign, and conspired with the Empress Dowager to seize the throne from Xiao Che.

This whole family is a mess!

I must hear their secrets clearly, and then I must find an opportunity to take advantage of Cui Jingwei's special care for the original owner!

Jiang Ruining held her breath.

I moved my feet carefully closer to the carved window so I could hear more clearly.