Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 9 The scabbed wound started bleeding again.

The next morning, Jiang Mian opened the door with dark circles under her eyes, looking exhausted.

The servants were sweeping up the water and fallen leaves from last night; the scent of rain had not yet dissipated.

When Xiao Hengzhi saw her, he greeted her as usual.

Jiang Wan cleared her throat, still thinking about what happened last night, and awkwardly beckoned him over: "Last night... did you sleep well?"

Xiao Hengzhi feigned innocence and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Miss. I slept very soundly last night after taking my medicine."

He paused for a moment, then added, "I just... had a nightmare."

Jiang Wan's heart tightened, and she tentatively asked, "What nightmare?"

He smiled faintly: "I dreamt that a female ghost was entangled with me, saying she wanted to take my life."

Jiang Wan's heart skipped a beat, but seeing his ambiguous smile, she felt that he might really think it was a dream.

She turned around awkwardly, rubbing her wrist that he had pinched the night before; it still hurt.

She didn't even dare to imagine what would happen if someone grabbed her by the neck.

Jiang Man subconsciously touched her neck.

Xiao Hengzhi frowned slightly upon seeing the red mark on her wrist. He had already used much less force... so why was there still a mark?

Jiang Wan didn't notice the change in his expression and waved her hand, "Go on with your work, but don't forget what I told you."

"what's up?"

Jiang Wan stopped and glared at him, saying, "I told you to tell Father you didn't want to marry me."

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Granny Xu leading several maids approaching from a distance and bowing to her.

"Second Miss, these are the new maids who have come to the manor. Master said that Xiao Hengzhi will be the son-in-law from now on, so this room should be replaced with a bigger one. He also picked out two maids for him to serve."

As she spoke, the two maids stepped forward and bowed.

"This servant Ruilan greets the Second Miss and Young Master Xiao."

"This servant Ruiju greets Second Miss and Young Master Xiao."

The two said in unison.

Jiang Wan rubbed her forehead, secretly annoyed. It was all her fault for overacting, saying that she and he had already consummated their relationship. Now it was getting harder and harder to back down.

"Thank you for your trouble, Granny Xu."

She curled her lip, her tone sarcastic: "You really have the nerve to want this? You really think you're the son-in-law?"

After she finished speaking, she gave Xiao Hengzhi a cold glance, then turned and left. The group felt somewhat awkward, and Xiao Hengzhi also lowered his head and walked away.

After he left, Ruilan came over and asked, "Granny, has the Second Miss always treated Young Master Xiao this way?"

Granny Xu shook her head and replied in a low voice, "It wasn't like that before, but I don't know what's happened recently..."

Ruilan's eyes lit up as she watched Xiao Hengzhi's retreating figure, her heart filled with a strange longing.

......

At lunchtime, handkerchiefs for washing hands were laid out in the inner room.

Jiang Mian sat alone, wiping her hands and idly looking around at the room's decor.

In my past life, I didn't understand. Now, looking at the luxurious decorations, I realize the power of the Jiang family's military achievements, which is why they were bestowed with so many treasures.

Perhaps this is why the Emperor sent my father to the perilous Fengyu Pass. If he wins, he can save the country from crisis; if he loses, he can get rid of a minister whose merits overshadow the Emperor.

"Sigh, why didn't I realize the importance of imperial strategy back then..."

When Aunt Wan entered, she saw Jiang Wan frowning and sighing, looking as if she had experienced many hardships.

She asked with a smile, "Second Miss, why are you alone? Where is Xiao Hengzhi? He's getting married soon, invite him to join us at the table. There's no need to be so formal."

Jiang Mian looked up and saw her beaming with excitement.

Ever since Jiang Li got engaged to the Marquis's family, Aunt Wan has been in a particularly good mood. She goes out shopping every day, wishing she could wear gold from head to toe. Jiang Xun even lets her do as she pleases, as if afraid others won't know how much wealth the Jiang family has.

Jiang Mian pursed her lips and replied, "He usually eats with the servants in the kitchen. I suppose he's used to it, so let him be."

Jiang Xun happened to enter the room and heard her words. He said, "What kind of talk is this? If he is to become my son-in-law, how can he hang out with the servants all day? Go and call him over."

Jiang Mian rolled her eyes helplessly, too lazy to waste any more words.

A moment later, just as the last dish was being served in the kitchen, Xiao Hengzhi entered the room.

His clothes were simple, and if it weren't for his face, he would have been so shabby that he would have been hard to look at.

But Aunt Wan was overjoyed; the more incompetent Xiao Hengzhi was, the happier she was.

A servant set up a chair next to Jiang Mian and invited Xiao Hengzhi to sit down.

As he sat down, the hem of his robe brushed against the hem of her skirt. Jiang Mian gave him a forced smile and silently moved to the side.

The servants carried the dishes to the table one after another.

Sitting opposite her, Aunt Wan suddenly spoke up: "I hadn't noticed before, but I just realized that the Second Miss and Xiao Hengzhi look so well-matched!"

After she finished speaking, Jiang Li chimed in, "Yes, I wonder how beautiful your future children will be!"

After saying this, she exchanged a glance with Aunt Wan and thought to herself, "What's the use of being pretty? In the future, she'll still be just a country bumpkin. When she sees her, she has to bow and greet her. Even if she carries her shoes, it depends on whether she's willing to do so."

Xiao Hengzhi replied politely, "You flatter me, Miss."

Jiang Wan glanced sideways, leaned closer, and whispered, "Why are you answering? Can't you tell she's being sarcastic?"

Xiao Hengzhi leaned down to listen to her speak, a smile on his face.

To outsiders, the two appeared to be very close.

Then Jiang Wan sat up straight, smiled and said, "How can you two be a perfect match, elder sister and Lord Xie? You two are a match made in heaven, a perfect couple."

"Second sister, why do I feel like there's something hidden in your words?"

Jiang Mian was about to say a few more sarcastic remarks to her when Jiang Xun interrupted her.

"Alright, alright, that's enough. I have important business to attend to, so listen up."

Jiang Xun sat upright in the main seat and solemnly said, "Last night I asked a fortune teller to choose an auspicious date. The ninth day of next month is a very lucky day, and the wedding of Wan'er will be held on that day. If anyone asks, just say that it was an arranged marriage since childhood, and that the Xiao family was spared because of their misfortune, so he was allowed to stay in the Jiang family. That way, it will be proper and easy to explain. What do you think?"

After Jiang Xun finished speaking, there was a moment of silence at the table as everyone watched Jiang Mian's reaction.

She subtly kicked Xiao Hengzhi beside her, signaling him to refuse, but he didn't react at all.

Then she turned her face and pinched the wound on his leg.

Xiao Hengzhi grinned slightly, glancing at her sullen expression, and immediately found it amusing, as if he found it rather amusing.

He teased her, making a "what" face with his angry lips.

Jiang Mian covered her face with one hand, gritted her teeth, and pinched him hard again, this time with great force.

The wound that had just begun to scab over was pinched until it bled again.

Seeing her annoyed expression, Xiao Hengzhi clicked his tongue and touched the tip of his nose.

It was absolutely impossible for him to refuse the marriage proposal. But seeing Jiang Mian gritting her teeth in anger, he was helpless.

Never mind, I'll just soothe her.

He coughed lightly: "Uncle Jiang, the marriage between the eldest young lady and the Marquis's family should be more important. If the second young lady and I were to marry first, the Marquis's family would inevitably harbor resentment. The second young lady and I are already of the right time, so there is no need to rush. It would be better to postpone the date."

These words left Jiang Wan completely stunned.

Make him refuse, not ask him to reschedule!