Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 31 Is it true that something is dirty just because it's dirty?

Early the next morning, steam rose from the inn's breakfast stall, where several burly men selling their wares gathered together, chatting in hushed tones, their voices filled with excitement.

"Hey, have you heard? The county magistrate died a violent death in the yamen last night."

"I heard about it, and the Liu family also suffered a misfortune; the whole family died. It's really eerie."

“Those bastards from the Liu family, they always bully others by relying on their power, they deserve to be punished.”

"..."

Jiang Mian, carrying a bundle, paused slightly upon hearing these words.

He stepped forward and asked, "Brothers, you just said that the magistrate died a violent death in the yamen?"

"Yes, the coroner arrived early this morning."

The shop assistant chimed in, "Such a big thing can't be kept secret anytime soon; everyone will know about it in no time."

Jiang Wan frowned but did not ask any further questions.

She had planned to wait a few days before submitting a memorial to the local prefect to clean up the corrupt practices of officials, but unexpectedly, the prefect died a violent death.

Perhaps this magistrate had committed too many evil deeds in his daily life, and was killed by his enemies.

But this is just too much of a coincidence...

"Second miss."

Xiao Hengzhi pulled the carriage to the inn's entrance and called out to her from afar, "We can set off now."

Jiang Mian's thoughts were interrupted. Coming back to her senses, she boarded the carriage with Cong Shuang.

The carriage was bought temporarily in town; it was narrow and cramped, barely enough for two people to sit inside, with no room to stretch their legs out, so they could only sit upright.

But she didn't rest last night, and soon fell asleep against Cong Shuang.

Xiao Hengzhi sat in front, pulling the reins, and after a bumpy ride, they finally returned to the capital.

Upon entering the Jiang residence, Jiang Mian dared not delay and immediately sent someone to invite a doctor to treat Cong Shuang.

Jiang Xun was surprised to see her suddenly return and asked anxiously, "Mian'er, weren't you going to Zhuoyue Manor? Why are you back so suddenly?"

Jiang Mian led him to the study and explained the events that had transpired on the way. Then, she said with great seriousness, "If it weren't for that kind man's rescue, I'm afraid I would have drowned in the river. Father, guess who that person was?"

"Who?" Jiang Xun asked, frowning.

"It's His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Prince?"

Jiang Wan nodded.

Jiang Xun was taken aback and asked again, "You've never seen His Highness before, how can you be so sure?"

"I saw the Crown Prince Yu Hui by chance, it's absolutely true, I would never be mistaken."

Jiang Mian originally thought that Ning Zhi didn't want his identity to be discovered, so he kept the matter a secret.

But after much thought, she felt that this could be a chance to form a bond. If her father could serve Ning Zhi and go to war against Fengyu Pass, Ning Zhi would definitely protect her father.

Jiang Xun turned around thoughtfully, her eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought.

Jiang Wan stepped forward and said solemnly, "Father, I believe that His Highness the Crown Prince is a man of great wisdom and has now saved my life. Why not join his faction and support the new emperor..."

"Shut up!" Jiang Xun suddenly interrupted. "My Jiang clan has always been loyal to the Emperor's grace and has never colluded with the court. How can you break the rules here?"

Jiang Mian knew that the Jiang clan was loyal and righteous. Regardless of right or wrong in the court, the Jiang clan was only loyal to the emperor and to the imperial decree. Even if Ning Zhi was the new emperor, Jiang Xun would still be loyal to the current emperor and would never show favoritism to the prince who was about to become emperor.

But she also knew that Jin Sheng had long been wary of the Jiang family.

"Father......"

Jiang Mian wanted to say more, but Jiang Xun interrupted her: "Alright, this is a matter of the court. You are a young woman, so don't speak recklessly. Since His Highness the Crown Prince saved you, I will personally visit you to express my gratitude on another day. You must be tired from your journey, so please rest well."

Jiang Xun is stubborn and cannot be persuaded in a short time.

Jiang Wan had no choice but to say, "...Your daughter takes her leave."

She left the study and walked back dejectedly.

As I passed by the backyard, I suddenly heard a piercing laugh.

She looked up and saw Aunt Wan and Jiang Li in the courtyard, eating melon seeds and whispering to each other. They would occasionally cover their mouths and chuckle, and point contemptuously at Cong Shuang's room. She didn't know what they were talking about, but it certainly wasn't anything nice.

Jiang Wan walked over and asked in an annoyed tone, "What's wrong? Why can't you just say it out loud? Why do you only dare to gossip behind my back?"

Aunt Wan glanced at her indifferently, a mocking smile on her lips: "Second Miss, don't take your anger out on us. There are some things you probably wouldn't want to hear even if we told you."

Jiang Li seized the opportunity to mock, "Cong Shuang is so young and already hooking up with men. You, her maid, really are just like you."

She deliberately raised her voice to attract the attention of the servants around her.

Jiang Mian realized the meaning behind her words.

When all the servants in the courtyard turned to look at her, Jiang Li spoke up again, shouting, "You all don't know, do you? Cong Shuang went out this time and got together with some wild man. He took advantage of her and then didn't want her anymore, so she slunk back here."

Those around him were shocked upon hearing this, whispering among themselves as if they couldn't believe it.

Jiang Wan's anger flared up suddenly, and she said to Jiang Li, "I know Cong Shuang better than anyone. But you, Jiang Li, have been stirring up trouble from childhood to adulthood. If we're talking about character, you're the one who should be reflecting on yourself!"

Jiang Li retorted without backing down: "I'm reflecting? The doctor just said that Cong Shuang's abdomen was not clean and prescribed a contraceptive decoction with dried lacquer. I heard it clearly!"

[Dried lacquer: It invigorates blood circulation, promotes menstruation, removes blood stasis, and dissipates nodules; it can be used as an adjunct to contraceptive decoctions.]

Just then, Cong Shuang walked over from the passageway.

Seeing her, Jiang Li became even more arrogant, her smile widening: "Cong Shuang, do you dare to admit that you are still a virgin?"

Cong Shuang was stunned, clenching her fists tightly, her face filled with endless shame and pain. She explained in a low voice, "I...I was persecuted..."

"Hahahaha, did you hear that! She admitted it!" Jiang Li laughed loudly.

Aunt Wan glanced at her disdainfully and threw sunflower seed shells at her feet: "You're dirty, you have no shame. I wonder which unlucky man will marry you in the future."

Jiang Wan quickly went over and pulled her behind her, her eyes coldly fixed on Aunt Wan and Jiang Li: "Cong Shuang's body is her own, and no one has the right to judge it easily, let alone admit anything to you."

Jiang Li smiled slightly, but still spoke sarcastically, "I'm just telling the truth. A woman who has lost her chastity will be unwanted by anyone in the future, and deserves to be gossiped about behind her back!"

"Tell the truth?" Jiang Wan sneered. "Jiang Li, do you think you're superior just because you're innocent? If you define yourself by men's opinions, then women like you are nothing but a laughingstock who depend on others for survival. The words you said to Cong Shuang today will one day become a sharp blade that will stab you in the back!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a hammer blow, striking straight to the heart. The servants around her were already silent, bowing their heads and not daring to utter another word.

Jiang Li's face flushed red and then turned pale as she was rebuked, but she couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

Jiang Mian looked at the sunflower seed shells on the ground and said coldly, "Pick up all these sunflower seed shells, or I'll have someone chop them up and put them in your rice bowl. I guarantee I can do it!"

After saying that, she pulled Cong Shuang into the house.

Jiang Li watched her retreating figure, clenched her fists in anger, and overturned the sunflower seeds on the table to the ground.

After Cong Shuang entered the room, she couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears.

Jiang Wan comforted her, saying, "Cong Shuang, what I just said wasn't just for Jiang Li, but also for you."

“Miss…” Cong Shuang looked up.

"Remember, a woman is not defined by her chastity. If a man dislikes you because of this in the future, it only means that he is not a good match, not that it is your fault."

Cong Shuang looked at her with tears in her eyes and gratitude on her face.

"Alright." Jiang Wan patted her head. "Just rest well these next few days. Don't worry about anything else. If anything happens, just come to me."

Cong Shuang nodded, tears welling up in her eyes again.

Jiang Wan smiled and playfully pinched her nose, teasing her, "How come I never noticed before that you cry so much?"

She cared for Cong Shuang like a younger sister, helping her drink her medicine and rest until she calmed down before leaving.

Just as he was about to go back to his room, he saw Xiao Hengzhi coming out of his father's study.

She was a little confused, so she quickly went over and called out to him.

"Xiao Hengzhi".