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

Chu Jin offered a reasonable explanation: "You are a rising star in the court with a limitless future. For an orphan like me, forging a good relationship with you and the Shao family is always a good thing."

Smile.

His tone was light and cheerful: "Don't worry, Duke Shao, I know my place and won't have any improper thoughts about you."

For some reason, Shao Yunting detected a hint of regret and bitterness in that lighthearted tone: "Miss, you misunderstand. I never made such a assumption."

Chu Jin nodded: "I have already extended my goodwill. Whether you accept it or not is up to the Duke. I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."

She curtsied and gracefully departed.

Step out of the tea room.

She will be greeted by bright sunshine and an endless, beautiful future.

smile.

The hem of her skirt swept up the steps, leaving behind a final touch of melancholy.

upstairs.

Shao Yunting looked at the injury on the back of his left hand and was surprised to find that the injury, which was very obvious just now, was almost invisible!

He had tried many ointments, from the Imperial Hospital to those from renowned doctors in the community, but none had ever achieved such good results.

It seems that Miss Chu's friend is quite capable!

He left.

I'm getting ready to go home and tell my sister the good news.

I glanced at her briefly and saw my mother sitting in the private room next door. I paused for a moment, then went in to pay my respects: "Mother, I didn't see you when I came here."

Madam Shao gestured for him to sit down.

The mother and son rarely sit down together to have tea.

Madam Shao was elegant and graceful. Although she took good care of herself, her husband had passed away early, so she had to worry more than other people. The faint traces of time could be seen in the corners of her eyes and brows.

After considering for a moment, he said, "Your father passed away suddenly before you came of age, and the family fell from its peak to a level comparable to nobility overnight. Your brothers are still young, so the burden of the Shao family rests entirely on your shoulders."

"Your mother knows how hard you've worked all these years, and your brothers and sisters know it too."

Shao Yun paused, realizing that his mother had come with him, so she... must have heard his anxiety about Ningning, right?

"My mother worked so hard to raise us, support the family, and navigate social interactions; that was truly her hardship."

Madam Shao was comforted to know that her children were all filial: "If you want the family to prosper for a long time, you have to support the entire Shao family. You are very popular now, but it is very difficult for you to support the family alone."

"The Chu family girl is good, but she has no parents, brothers, or clansmen to help her. Even if the Jiang family treats her well, they are just relatives. Marrying her will not benefit you or the Shao family. But if you take her as a concubine, it would be a real waste of her character and beauty."

"Therefore, I have no choice but to strongly oppose you having any further contact with her!"

Shao Yun was taken aback.

Did his mother not hear the worry in his voice about Ningning?

He shook his head and said, "Mother, you misunderstand. The person I like is not Miss Chu."

Madam Shao glanced at the red ribbon draped over his shoulder: "You are my son, how could I not know you? When have you ever liked such bright colors? If you hadn't been thinking about it, why would you dress up so flamboyantly?"

Shao Yunting felt ashamed and whispered a defense: "Mother, I only changed my hairband and belt, I didn't dress up in any fancy way."

Madam Shao chuckled, then glared at him: "Don't try to fool me."

Shao Yunting said earnestly, "I did not lie or deceive you. The servant who came to deliver the message did not explain clearly, so I thought it was... I did not expect that it would be Miss Chu waiting here. I am not familiar with her."

Madam Shao, sitting next door, clearly hadn't heard clearly: "If we weren't familiar, why would a young woman like her take the initiative to meet you?"

Shao Yunting explained, "She knew her sister's face was disfigured, and happened to have a friend who was a highly skilled doctor, so she introduced them. She knew her own background was humble, and she only wanted to make a good connection. After saying that, she left, without any ulterior motives."

Madam Shao was skeptical: "Really?"

Shao Yunting nodded seriously: "Really."

Madam Shao breathed a sigh of relief: "Yun Ting, don't blame your mother for being heartless, but since you were born into the Shao family, in this life, the marriages and futures of you and your brothers and sisters can only be sacrificed to the family."

"I understand." Shao Yunting poured tea for his mother, his tone calm and understanding. "Mother, I will support the Shao family and will not let my younger siblings' marriages become stepping stones for the family. You can trust me."

Madam Shao squeezed her son's hand: "Mother believes in you. As for your sister's face injury..." She sighed, "We've seen more than a dozen doctors, and they all said it would definitely leave a scar. She's emotional now and refuses to see any more doctors."

Shao Yunting showed her the back of his hand. There was only a faint red mark on his slender, fair hand. His tone was confident: "It was a cut, not shallow, but it's only been a quarter of an hour since I applied the medicine, and it's already mostly healed. Miss Chu's friend is truly skilled!"

"Persuade your sister to try again!"

Madam Shao's worried expression vanished: "Is it really that amazing... Alright, I'll go back and try to persuade your sister again!"

The conversation turned.

"Who is that girl who has captured your heart?"

Shao Yunting coughed lightly, a little embarrassed: "Mother, it's only my feelings right now, so I can't say anything."

Seeing her son's expression, Madam Shao knew he was truly tempted!

"Tell your mother, and she may be able to come up with some ideas for you."

Shao Yunting shook his head: "She...is very opinionated and intelligent. She doesn't like to be swayed by others. If you get close, she can immediately read your mind."

Madam Shao raised an eyebrow: "To receive such high praise from you, you must be truly outstanding!"

No matter how she analyzed it, she couldn't figure out which woman it was.

She became even more curious: what kind of girl could make her son fall in love with her?

"Since you've said that, your mother won't ask any more questions. Just keep up the good work and make the girl you like like you back soon!"

Shao Yunting lowered her eyes and smiled: "Yes, I know."

He would be very excited if he got married to Ningning.

The mother and son were talking.

Unbeknownst to them, diagonally opposite the openwork platform, the door to a private room was slightly ajar, allowing them to witness Shao Yunting and Chu Jin's meeting.

Her nails, painted with henna, curled up stiffly and sharply, gripping her sleeve tightly. Her carefully grown nails snapped in her hand, and the peony pattern on her sleeve was scraped and frayed, losing its lofty elegance.

"That worthless bastard from a poor, destitute family!"

"You think you're worthy to compete with me?"

……

Knowing that Chu Jin and Shao Yunting had successfully met, Jiang Ruining clapped her hands in joy.

Her appearance and the changes in Xiao Che's trajectory had a significant impact, preventing the male and female protagonists from having a formal reunion. However, the male and female protagonists are the core of the entire book, and their mutual attraction is unavoidable.

Finally, they managed to bring the main couple back together!

When the two met, one must have felt flustered and blushed, while the other had a longing look in their eyes!

With this good fortune, the two of them would have an excuse to meet often in the future.

Today I ask you for a small favor, tomorrow you help me out of a small predicament; before long, our relationship quickly warms up.

Moreover, healing Shao Yunxi's face in advance is equivalent to helping the female lead gain the approval and favor of her sister-in-law in advance. When the male and female leads are about to get married, the sister-in-law will definitely score a lot of points!

"I'm such a little genius!"

In a good mood, Jiang Ruining ate two extra snacks in the afternoon.

Just as he was about to pack his things to make a quick getaway, he heard a little maid's hurried voice coming in.

"Miss Ning!"

"Something's happened!"