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

The young woman anticipated all the things the woman might say, but she never expected that the woman would mention her name, and her expression changed drastically.

This name hasn't been used in ten years.

She crawled out of a pile of corpses after her family was massacred, and lived in anonymity so that one day she could avenge all 72 members of her family!

Jiang Ruining was well-prepared. Using information from the book, she subtly inquired about the main figures in the bookstore from Xiao Che.

He took a pen from the pen holder, wrote down his father's name, official title, and address, pried open her stiff, clenched hand, and placed the note in her hand: "Protect this person, and you will know who really caused the massacre of your entire family back then."

"It's one thing to hate the wrong person, but it's laughable to seek revenge on the wrong person. It harms the innocent and leaves the deceased family members with unfulfilled grievances!"

Cen Niangzi's brow furrowed, a look of suspicion on her face.

Jiang Ruining didn't intend to answer her questions right now, but continued, "But if something happens to me, regardless of whether you were the one who did it, all the information about your bookstore will be exposed immediately. So, Miss Cen, don't follow me or try to test me, and don't cause me any trouble. I will be unhappy."

After saying that, he smiled.

He gathered the veil hanging from his cap, opened the door, and left.

Cen Niangzi watched her figure disappear before she regained her composure after a long while.

I opened the note and glanced at it.

Recognize the person above as Jiang Huai, the Provincial Governor of Southern Zhili.

So that girl from earlier must be the one who's been the subject of much discussion in aristocratic circles lately, the one who pretended to be a fool and fooled the whole capital, Miss Jiang!

"The five thousand six hundred taels of silver weren't used to hire five experts, but to ensure Lord Jiang's absolute safety, and she even tried to use the bookstore's power to protect herself! She's quite a character at such a young age."

She tapped the table lightly with her fingers.

The servant guarding the private room entered: "What are your orders, Madam?"

Cen Niangzi tossed him the note: "Send ten elite first-class soldiers to set off immediately for Southern Zhili. Success is the only option; failure is not an option."

I left the bookstore.

Jiang Ruining bought some more snacks and then went straight back to her residence.

The head cook in the kitchen heard the knocking and hurried to open the door. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that she had returned safely.

Jiang Ruining handed her the snacks: "You promised you'd be back soon. Let's see if I keep my word. These are fresh, warm snacks for your little girl."

The old woman accepted the snacks, saying, "Thank you for the treat, Miss." She then added with concern, "I've noticed that the patrol battalion isn't very efficient. We should avoid going out these days if possible; safety is the most important thing."

Jiang Ruining nodded: "Sigh, there's nothing urgent, I definitely won't go out. I know you care about me, Granny."

The old woman was pleased to see that she could hear her and offer advice: "Go back quickly! If anyone asks, just say you came to learn how to cook so you can present it to the master when he returns."

Jiang Ruining smiled and said, "Okay, Granny, you've thought of everything so well."

Back at Chaohua Residence.

Jin Yu came forward, her little face tense.

Jiang Ruining could tell at a glance that she was barely able to hide her amusement: "What's making you so happy?"

Jin Yu leaned close to her ear and said, suppressing her excitement, "Madam is ill!"

Jiang Ruining raised her eyebrows.

That's definitely good news!

"Typhoid fever, or headache?"

Jin Yu shook her head: "No! Miss Jin sent Yunxi to tell me that the illness is very strange. You can't see anything on the surface, but you just feel a sharp pain all over your body. You can't sit, lie down, eat, or drink."

"Even if I endure the pain and eat or drink something, it feels like a thousand needles are pricking my stomach, and I'll immediately vomit it all up!"

Jiang Ruining raised her eyebrows.

No wonder Madam Jiang looked so uncomfortable yesterday evening; she must have been feeling quite unwell then.

"What kind of strange disease is this? I've never heard of it before."

Yun Mi grinned, feeling an intense, almost painful, headache.

The lady has bullied the girl so many times over the years, and now it's finally her turn to get her comeuppance!

Should!

"Who cares what illness it is! As long as it helps you vent your anger, it's a good illness!"

Jin Yu tapped her on the head: "You dare to blurt out anything like that, be careful you don't get a beating again!"

Yun Mi scratched her head, still smiling, "I won't say it again!"

Jiang Ruining then asked, "Besides Yunxi coming, has anyone from Madam's courtyard come to inform her?"

Jin Yu shook her head: "No! Not a single one!"

Yun Mi held back for a moment, but couldn't help but say, "This is too much! They're still plotting against our young lady! This is outrageous!"

Not knowing means deliberately concealing something.

Living in the same mansion, not even knowing that one's own mother is sick—if word gets out, people will gossip about it behind one's back!

Jiang Ruining sneered.

Trying to trick her? Dream on!

I went back to my room and changed my clothes.

She painted her face white, making her look tired and haggard.

Jin Yu, being clever, smiled knowingly.

Jiang Ruining went out the door.

The moment he stepped out of the small room, his face was filled with anxiety and worry as he hurried out.

Jin Yu was a step too slow and chased after her out the door: "Miss! It's so hot today, and you've already caught heatstroke. You're feeling unwell. Where are you going? Slow down and watch your step!"

Yunmi, unusually quick-witted, answered loudly, "Madam is ill, Miss, you must be worried!"

The servants on duty in the garden overheard this and whispered among themselves.

"The lady has shown no affection for her eldest daughter over the years, not even inquiring about her illnesses. Yet, when the lady falls ill, the eldest daughter is so thoughtful and filial."

"Blood relatives, connected by blood, are ultimately different!"

……

"Actually, the eldest daughter isn't bad at all. All these years of making a fuss, when has she ever made things difficult for us servants? She just wants her mother's love."

"Yes! In the end, she's just a pitiful child!"

……

South Courtyard.

When the old woman guarding the courtyard saw her coming, she stopped her tremblingly and said with a forced smile, "Madam said that you are only just recovering and do not need to come to pay your respects morning and evening. You will be leaving for the Summer Palace in a few days. The journey will be arduous, and if you do not fully recover, I'm afraid you will not be able to handle it."

Jiang Ruining raised an eyebrow slightly.

Take a look!

With increased fighting power, even bullies will have to cower.

But since she's already here, how can I not go in and annoy her, and put on a show of being a dutiful daughter?

She frowned, looking anxious, and scolded, "How dare you! It's clearly Madam who's ill, how dare you deliberately deceive me!"

The old woman was shocked; she hadn't expected the news to have been kept secret!

He peeked inside.

Qian laughed and said, "How could that be! Miss, you must have misheard. Madam is perfectly healthy!"

Jiang Ruining caught the guilty look in the old woman's eyes: "Since Madam is unharmed and I'm already here, how can I not go in and pay my respects! If word gets out, what will others think of me? You wretched servant, are you trying to make me the subject of gossip?"

"You insist on obstructing us. Is it at the behest of Madam, or have you received favors from someone, deliberately trying to sow discord between me and Madam, my daughter!"

The old woman was terrified and knelt down with a thud: "This servant wouldn't dare! Miss, you are right, it is the Madam's will. This servant is just a gatekeeper, how could this servant dare to speak nonsense?"

"This servant dares not let you in; please return, young lady!"