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

Chu Jin was a smart man and understood that Ningning's question was an attempt to salvage her reputation.

Moreover, Ningning said "give" to her, without revealing that her aunt had taken it from her storeroom and then given it to her, which was already giving her and her aunt face.

But if she responded, she would put her doting aunt in an awkward position.

But her hesitation lasted only a moment. She quickly made a decision and firmly shook her head: "Never! You have never taken anything from me. You have always been the one giving me the best."

Then he looked at Madam Jiang.

"Aunt, Ningning was seriously ill and vomited blood a few days ago. She came to take care of you despite her illness because she was worried about you. Please don't say that to Ningning, it will hurt her feelings."

Madam Jiang never expected that her pampered niece would put her in such an awkward situation. When she met the guests' surprised and incomprehensible gazes, her heart clenched, and she tasted a hint of blood in the medicinal soup.

Several relatives came forward, pulled Jiang Ruining aside, and carefully examined her complexion. It was not good; she had little color in her face.

"You look so pitiful, how come you look so haggard?"

"You always looked so healthy and radiant, why did you suddenly vomit blood?"

"Not yet..." Yun Mi opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted loudly by Madam Jiang.

"When you went to Princess Anyang's poetry gathering and showed off those few lines of poetry, weren't you quite full of energy?"

When Jiang Ruining saw the guest appear, she feigned surprise and then walked away from the bedside, looking aggrieved: "Princess Anyang is a ruler. If I don't go to her invitation, who knows how much 'disrespectful' gossip will circulate! Does Mother really want me to offend someone?"

Chu Jin was sensible yet conflicted, grateful yet pained. She stepped forward and took Madam Jiang's hand, saying, "It was my insistence that I bring Ningning along. Besides, if it weren't for Ningning protecting me that day, I don't know how much I would have been humiliated by some people."

"Aunt, I know you're afraid that others will look down on me because I'm living in the Jiang family, so you always dote on me. But every time you neglect Ningning for my sake, she's very sad, and so am I. You make me feel like my existence is a huge mistake."

She shed tears.

His eyes were filled with tears of pain.

"Aunt, Ningning has been very good to me. She saved me and protected me. All she wants is a little attention from you. Please... don't say such things about her!"

Seizing the opportunity, Yun Mi insisted on finishing what she had been saying: "When our young lady was seriously ill, Madam slandered her relentlessly, even to the point of vomiting blood and nearly dying. Why won't she let her go, and why does she still slander her in front of the guests?"

"Are you going to drive her to her death before you're satisfied?"

The guests had only known that Jiang Ruining was immature and always made hysterical tantrums, but they had no idea that there was such a shocking thing in the Jiang family: "a mother defaming and tormenting her own daughter, driving her to the brink of death."

With embarrassed expressions, they all made excuses about having other things to do and got up to leave.

Before leaving, they all shook Jiang Ruining's hand, their expressions full of pity: "Good child, now that you've endured a lifetime of hardship, good days are ahead."

Jiang Ruining's lips trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes. She held back her tears, which surged within her eyes, filled with the bitter emotion of "finally someone knows my grievances and pain." She bravely held back the tears and curtsied, saying, "Thank you all for your concern. I will be fine."

The guests nodded, sighed, and left.

Jiang Ruining was satisfied, Madam Jiang looked extremely unhappy, and Chu Jin and Song Mama were left with a helpless and complicated feeling.

Jiang Ruining turned around, her eyes warm and calm: "Mother, take your medicine and rest well. Get well soon so you'll have the energy to continue ruining my reputation."

As Madam Jiang watched Jiang Ruining leave without looking back, her heart sank lower and lower.

Her back was cold and resolute, her eyes no longer pleading for her family's forgiveness... That was a version of herself she had never had since making her mistake. She could no longer deceive herself into seeing Jiang Ruining as the despicable person she was in her youth.

For some reason, she suddenly felt dizzy and couldn't understand why she would say such hurtful things to her own daughter.

"How could this happen..."

outside the house.

Chu Jin followed Jiang Ruining out.

I saw four servants who had been flogged fall off the benches, curled up in the scorching sun, sweat mixed with blood, groaning in a sorry state.

Jiang Ruining remained expressionless, raising her hand to her chest: "Original owner, did you see that? Those who schemed against you have gotten their comeuppance!"

"Keep your eyes open, all of you! If I find out again that anyone is foul-mouthed or plotting something dirty, they'll be beaten to death on the spot! Don't think that just because you're from the Madam's quarters and someone is protecting you, I can't do anything to you."

"Those who don't believe in this are welcome to try. Let's see if in the end the master can't protect me, or the madam can't protect you!"

The twenty or so maids in the main courtyard used to look down on her, but seeing how powerful she had become, none of them dared to utter a single word of dissent or arrogance. They all bowed their heads obediently and said, "Yes, we understand. We will be careful with our words and actions from now on."

Jiang Ruining glanced over them and was fairly satisfied.

He waved his hand.

The servants quickly and efficiently carried away the person who had been beaten, and cleaned the courtyard thoroughly.

Jiang Ruining said, "That girl has served me for many years, and there must be some affection between you. Let's let this matter rest after the beating today, and just make sure she doesn't come hanging around in front of me again."

Chu Jin was grateful, yet apologetic: "Ningning, I'm sorry..."

Jiang Ruining was willing to believe that she hadn't pretended not to know about what had happened in the past. Because the female lead in traditional sweet romance novels couldn't do evil, let alone cover up evil, there had to be a character like Chunxi to act as the female lead's mouth double and henchman, to do things the female lead couldn't do and say things the female lead couldn't say, so that the readers would feel satisfied.

So it was the author's design that blinded her, preventing her from realizing it.

"The ill will of those servants has nothing to do with you. Besides, you just spoke up for me, which helped me salvage my reputation. I know that, and I appreciate it."

Chu Jin felt a tightness in her chest, and tears stung her eyes.

I regret not discovering the dark schemes Ningning had endured sooner. I am moved that Ningning forgave me so easily despite suffering so much injustice, and I am willing to believe her!

Jiang Ruining raised her hand and gently flicked her forehead: "Don't cry. If someone sees, they'll think I'm bullying you."

He handed her a small, round jar.

Chu Jin blinked back her tears and looked down at the small jar in her palm: "What is this?"

Jiang Ruining explained, "You must have heard about how Shao Yunting's sister was disfigured, right? This contains a special wound medicine that has miraculous effects. Take it to Shao Yunting and don't mention me."

Chu Jin shook her head: "You found the medicine, why should I accept this favor?"

Jiang Ruining smiled and said, "Don't worry, this medicine is clean. I won't harm you."