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

Jiang Ruining thought for a moment and then said, "It's probably just that Father is coming back soon and he's trying to make amends in advance. It's not worth Mother thinking so much about."

Madam Jiang was even angrier: "They are all such noble and respectable people, how could they possibly approach a woman with such a tarnished reputation as you just to win over your father and brothers! If you dare to jeopardize your father and brothers' position and future, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Jiang Ruining stared at her, then burst into laughter: "My mother has seized the opportunity to kill me with a legitimate reason! How exciting!"

Madam Jiang's face stiffened.

Jiang Ruining's bright, laughing face gradually darkened: "But what can we do? I haven't made any promises to them, nor have I gone to any private appointments, nor have I put my father and brothers in a difficult position. How can I let you seize such a great opportunity!"

He clicked his tongue softly several times.

"Knowing full well that I have a bad reputation and a terrible temper, they all rush to get close to me instead of going after Chu Jin, who is perfect in every way. This shows that these important people value status and lineage more!"

Over the years, she has tried every means to make herself act crazy and lose all dignity in front of others!

Isn't he just trying to make his motive of suppressing and driving his own daughter to her death seem legitimate?

Isn't it just to let everyone see that the Jiang family's own daughter is crazy, useless, and worthless, and that marrying her will ruin three generations? Only Chu Jin, who has been carefully raised, is the apple of the Jiang family's eye and can become the matriarch of a high-ranking family?

"Even though I'm a crazy person born of a mother but raised without one, they still chose me to approach them! It seems all your scheming has been in vain!"

Madam Jiang's deepest thoughts were shattered by her. Her cheeks twitched slightly, and her eyes showed pity and anxiety.

But all these emotions were directed at Chu Jin, not Jiang Ruining.

Jiang Ruining's eerie tone was like the murmur of a demon from hell: "Mother, think of another way. Quickly fabricate a baseless and filthy charge against me, and kill me before Father returns."

"With the Jiang family losing their own daughter, it's only because of this that such a wonderful opportunity could possibly fall into Chu Jin's hands!"

"But Mother, I'm not as cunning as I used to be. Don't give me any leverage. Don't end up being a discarded woman after failing to kill me!"

Madam Jiang was so angry she nearly fell backward: "You!"

Jiang Ruining admired her uncontrollable anger, and before she could rebuke him, he had a big look of sudden realization on his face.

"I understand!"

"My mother hurriedly summoned me and bombarded me with insults, trying to make me feel ashamed and that I was unworthy to have any connection with such important figures as the Regent and the Duke of Shao. She wanted to force me to back down."

"And then you'll step in and shift all those marriage proposals onto Chu Jin, right?"

"But you already used this trick on Prince Zheng, did it work?"

is that useful?

Useless.

The original owner and the children of the Zheng family were childhood sweethearts who grew up together. Madam Zheng liked the original owner very much and felt sorry for the original owner being ignored and belittled by Madam Jiang. She even came to persuade Madam Jiang.

But Madam Jiang wouldn't listen and was in a hurry to change the marriage that the two families had almost agreed upon to Chu Jin.

Madam Zheng, of course, could not accept this. Her son was of noble birth and privilege; how could she allow others to pick and choose whomever they wanted?

Prince Zheng also felt that Lady Jiang was unreasonable.

The attempt to steal the bride failed, and the Zheng family became estranged from Madam Jiang.

When Madam Jiang was exposed, her face turned pale and then red.

Frustrated!

"Shut up! How dare an unmarried young lady utter such words!"

Jiang Ruining ignored her scolding and continued, "What are you thinking, Mother? Those two, one is a member of the royal family, the other a talented and virtuous young man. How can you pick and choose, and just switch spouses as you please?"

"I advise Mother not to have such thoughts. Otherwise, if the marriage doesn't go through, you might end up ruining Chu Jin's entire life! You can't afford to bear the wrath of those two!"

Since the argument yesterday, Madam Jiang has been suspicious that she might know something.

But when she uttered the words "stealing a marriage," it became clear that she knew about her sister's forced marriage years ago!

The mistakes she tried so hard to erase, the shame she desperately tried to cover up, were used as weapons by her own daughter to mock and retaliate against her. How could she possibly tolerate that?

Enraged!

Even the pain that kept seeping out from between her bones was suppressed by her anger. She stood up abruptly, strode to her, and raised her hand to slap her.

Jiang Ruining didn't dodge or flinch, but instead looked up and stared at her coldly.

Looking at her overly calm face, indifferent eyes, and the hand that was about to be raised with force, Madam Jiang suddenly couldn't bring herself to strike!

He stumbled and bumped into the screen.

The screen, struck, did not fall over but swayed back and forth, its base hitting the ground with a thud that struck Madam Jiang's head, triggering a sharp pain that seeped from her bones, causing her whole body to tremble violently.

Looking at her pale face and her complex expression of hatred, Jiang Ruining suddenly felt refreshed.

"Is there anything else you'd like to ask, Mother? I will answer to the best of my ability."

Madam Jiang's breathing trembled, broken: "What do you know?"

Jiang Ruining smiled slightly: "I know far more than you think!"

Madam Jiang's face froze completely.

"It seems Mother has nothing more to ask." Jiang Ruining curtsied. "Mother dislikes me. If I stay here any longer, I will only prevent you from getting proper rest. Wouldn't that be truly unfilial? I will take my leave now!"

After saying that, he didn't care about Madam Jiang's expression and went out the door.

The doors and windows of the bedroom were carved with openwork designs, but were covered only with gauze.

The conversation inside wasn't hushed, so the maids and servants inside and outside the house heard most of it.

Seeing Jiang Ruining come out with a relaxed expression and a comfortable smile, everyone looked as if they had seen a ghost.

Those who had previously argued with or made things difficult for her were now even more afraid.

I'm afraid she'll settle scores with me later.

"..."

"Ningning," Chu Jin sighed helplessly.

I don't know what to say.

One can only sigh that it's a cycle of cause and effect.

She fears she will have to suffer the injustices her aunt caused her in the past.

"I'll see you out."

We stepped out of the main room.

Jade mats hung along the corridor, blocking the strong light and casting a large shadow on her face.

There are gaps between the jade mats, and a narrow golden light cleaves the shadows in two, one half bright and the other half obscure, splitting and merging, making one's heart tremble.

Looking at her, Chu Jin couldn't reconcile her with the impulsive, hysterical girl she used to be.

Jiang Ruining stopped in her tracks and suddenly asked, "You like Shao Yunting, don't you?"