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

Jin Yu brought in hot water, wringing out a handkerchief as she said anxiously, "You said yesterday that Princess Cui had been using you all along and didn't have a single genuine sisterly affection for you. It's clear she's a dark-hearted person."

"You humiliated her at the poetry gathering yesterday, how could she not retaliate? She came here today without prior notice, and even barged into the inner courtyard—she's definitely up to no good!"

She drew back the brocade curtain.

Ignoring her groans, he helped her up and helped her wash up.

I used cold water on purpose; it helps to wake me up.

"You'd better be alert and handle this carefully! The most important thing..." she lowered her voice and pointed to Xiao Che's location, "is that if they find out you're hiding someone in your room, it could be a disaster!"

Jiang Ruining was jolted awake by the icy water.

What Lingyi mentioned yesterday came back to me clearly, and my heart jumped into my throat.

While asking Jinyu questions, he hurriedly got out of bed: "Are those paintings and undergarments that I asked you to dispose of a few days ago still there?"

Jin Yu knelt down to help her put on her shoes: "We haven't dealt with them yet. Do you need them, Miss?"

Jiang Ruining hummed in agreement: "Go get it!"

Jin Yu was startled and subconsciously looked at Xiao Che: "Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

In this emergency, Jiang Ruining didn't care about whether it was appropriate or not: "It'll be useful! Just do as I say, and burn it all together later!" After a pause, she added, "Bring in a charcoal brazier as well."

Jin Yu didn't say anything more, and went to do as she was told.

Jiang Ruining ran barefoot to Xiao Che's usual spot, grabbed a cushion, knelt beside him, and smiled obsequiously: "Your Highness~"

Xiao Che's gaze was drawn to a patch of fair skin. He saw that the lotus-colored skirt half-covered her feet, making her fair and smooth skin appear slightly pink. Her round toes were gently curled, making her look incredibly cute.

Her fingertips, which had been casually resting on the armrest of the couch, gently caressed it: "With your ability to change your expression so quickly, it's a pity you're not an opera singer!"

Jiang Ruining: "..."

So early in the morning, he's already asking for a beating!

The matter is urgent, so let's put it on hold for now and settle the score with him later.

Xiao Che cut her off first: "I'm busy."

Jiang Ruining tugged at his sleeve, because she realized that every time she did this, Xiao Che would tolerate it no matter how angry he was: "You continue to be busy with your affairs. Your bodyguards can do whatever they want when they have time."

Xiao Che pulled his sleeve back.

No twitching.

My sleeves are wrinkled.

He took a deep breath: "Speak!"

Jiang Ruining raised an eyebrow. Sure enough, he was susceptible to a woman's coquettishness!

"The patrol battalion planned to let the 'criminal' hide in the Jiang residence in full view of everyone, so that they would have an excuse to come in and search openly. There must be a tight net outside the residence. Cui Jingwei's entry at this time must be aimed at forcing you out."

"Given your current condition, are you confident you can escape unscathed? Besides, you haven't avenged yourself, and you haven't reclaimed the throne. Putting yourself in such a dangerous situation is hardly a wise move!"

"Send a few skilled fighters to infiltrate the Jiang family's guards and capture the 'culprit' alive. Not only will this resolve today's crisis, but if we can also find out that the patrol battalion was maliciously framing the governor's mansion for harboring a traitor, that would be even better!"

"It's perfect timing to purge the Empress Dowager and the Cui family from the patrol camp and replace them all with your own people! With the capital region's patrol forces under your control, your safety will be much more assured!"

Her analysis was logical and well-reasoned, and all the advantages were on Xiao Che's side.

Xiao Che, however, seemed unconcerned and instead asked her, "How did you know about the patrol battalion's movements?"

Jiang Ruining's lips twitched: "Lingyi told me! Her brother overheard it when he went to the patrol camp on business. Your people have been watching me all along, didn't you really know?"

Xiao Che didn't deny it, but he wanted to hear her explanation: "Don't you know you were just saying it on purpose for you to hear? Once the Jiang family takes any defensive action, they'll know the answer."

Jiang Ruining nodded knowingly: "I know! If they find out the Jiang family is making a move, they'll know I'm guilty. But since they're so insistent on suspecting you're hiding here, even if I don't do anything, their plan will still go through with it!"

"If we don't find a way to deal with those idiots in the patrol battalion, are we just going to watch them continue to bully your loyal subjects with impunity?"

Xiao Chengyan picked up his brush, dipped it in vermilion ink, and wrote a comment, his voice slightly deep: "The fact that a subject's residence could capture 'thieves' carefully selected by the patrol battalion is enough to arouse suspicion!"

Jiang Ruining chuckled: "So what if they suspect me? After what you did yesterday, even if I talk myself hoarse, no one will believe me. I have nothing to do with you. Besides, they can't catch you, so their suspicions are pointless!"

"Catch their people and eliminate them. That way, they'll think you've been setting a trap for them all along, and they won't dare to act rashly again, afraid that you'll find another opportunity to eliminate their people!"

Xiao Che put the folded document aside after he finished approving it.

I glanced at her.

half an hour.

He said calmly, "Consider it a favor you owe me."

Jiang Ruining felt relieved after receiving his promise, but that one glance from him made her realize that arresting, interrogating, and dismantling the patrol battalion was his plan all along, and his unhurried pace was just to see her reaction and attitude. In other words, he was confirming her intelligence!

How awful!

"Why?! They were clearly after you!"

Xiao Che's thin lips curved into a mocking smile: "Since I can leave at any time, whether the patrol battalion searches your house or not is none of my business."

Jiang Ruining: "..."

That's exactly why she begged him!

How hateful!

"You're being unreasonable! You're making a scene! You always try to take advantage of others, no matter how unreasonable! If you hadn't come in here, would I be in all this trouble? I've been protecting you like this, and this is how you treat me? Don't you have a heart?!"

Xiao Che raised an eyebrow: "I don't need to reason with anyone. I am reason! My heart has already been devoured."

Jiang Ruining laughed in exasperation, silently cursing him in her heart.

He caused trouble for others, yet he still acts so self-righteously. What a shameless guy!

Xiao Che rested his chin on his hand, watching her vivid expression when she was angry: "The words you use to insult me ​​are written all over your face."

Jiang Ruining frowned, took a deep breath, and forced a big, fake smile: "How could I dare! I love helping others, it's my greatest honor to have sheltered you!"

Xiao Che described her as a "lackey!"

Jiang Ruining forcefully suppressed the roar that was about to come out of his mouth, walked around to his back, and performed a series of punches.

I was so excited I almost tripped and fell over.

Xiao Che glanced at the bronze mirror beside him, watching the little coward gesticulating wildly, his face flushed red, and raised an eyebrow slightly.

Jiang Ruining angrily changed her clothes: "Where are those lunatics?"