Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 86 I'm Begging You

On that day, many dignitaries gathered at the Prince of Beiqin's residence, presenting a dazzling array of congratulatory gifts.

Although the gifts from the Xie family were of high quality, they were not particularly outstanding.

The head housekeeper was making arrangements, but Xiao Hengzhi himself was nowhere to be seen.

"His Highness is not in the manor today, and has specifically ordered me to take good care of all the distinguished guests."

Jiang Li entered the courtyard and looked around as if searching for someone. Then her eyes lit up and she walked towards one person.

"I have met Miss Wen."

Wen Yin turned her head, glanced at her, and then looked her over with a hint of amusement, a barely perceptible sneer curling at the corner of her lips.

She knew a little about Jiang Li's situation; the jokes that happened during Jiang Li's wedding were still being talked about.

"Oh, Mrs. Xie?"

Jiang Li sensed Wen Yin's disdain, suppressed her emotions, and smiled slightly.

"I don't think I'm familiar with Madam Xie. Is there something you need from me?"

Hearing her sarcasm, Jiang Li didn't show it, but instead asked directly, "I heard that the Prince broke off his engagement with the Third Miss because of my second sister?"

Touched on her secret, Wen Yin slightly pursed her lips.

Ever since she got nothing at the Empress Dowager's banquet, the Wen family started gossiping about her bad luck. They said that the Empress Dowager's grandson had come back right after the engagement was called off, and that she didn't have the good fortune to be with him, which infuriated her.

She came here today to try and win him over again, even if it's just for the sake of saving face.

This Jiang Li, she just had to go and mess with her. Does she want to make fun of her too?

She retorted irritably, "Isn't Mrs. Xie being a bit too nosy? It's none of your business to gossip about me."

Seeing that she seemed angry, Jiang Li explained, "Miss Wen, please don't be angry. I just wanted to help you."

Only after hearing this did Wen Yin look at her properly.

"help me?"

"good."

"What will you do to help me?"

Jiang Li approached and whispered in her ear.

A moment later, Wen Yin smiled, a dark glint flashing in her eyes.

“Young Madam Xie, how could such methods possibly lead to being confined to a small corner?” She chuckled lightly. “However, I will carefully consider what you have said.”

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Jiang Li standing alone.

People come and go in the mansion, most of them wanting to see the prince and become acquainted with him.

But since the prince wasn't there, they just left their congratulatory gifts and left.

Even after almost everyone in the courtyard had left, there was still no sign that the prince was going to return.

Lady Xie could hardly contain herself and repeatedly told the nanny, "Please tell His Highness that in addition to offering our congratulations, the Xie family has come today with apologies. We hope His Highness will not hold a grudge."

The old woman responded and gestured for the guest to leave.

She remembered that the prince had said that if people from the Xie family came, they should not be given a warm welcome. Therefore, the two of them waited there for a long time without even getting a cup of tea.

After seeing everyone off, and as it was getting dark, just as they were about to close the door, Jiang Xun hurriedly led Jiang Mian over.

Jiang Mian followed behind Jiang Xun reluctantly.

The head housekeeper hurriedly came forward and said very warmly, "It's a great honor to have Commander Jiang come in person. Please sit down and have some tea. His Highness instructed that if Commander Jiang comes, the manor should take extra care of him. Unfortunately, His Highness is not here today. Please don't take offense, Commander Jiang."

"It's alright. His Highness has been busy with many matters recently, returning to his clan to reconnect with his relatives. I just came to visit."

Jiang Mian relaxed slightly when she heard that Xiao Hengzhi was not at home.

She looked around the mansion; it was indeed grand.

The ancestors of the Xiao family were founding heroes who helped the late emperor pacify the vassal states. His son was granted the title of a king of a different surname, and the late emperor even betrothed a princess to him, adding to his honors.

The young prince was born into a noble family, but unfortunately he was sickly. After he went missing, everyone said he would never be found again. With his weak and sickly body, he might have been carried away and eaten by dogs long ago.

The Empress Dowager punished all these people and spared no effort in searching the world for this grandson.

Surprisingly, she actually found it.

Jiang Mian was puzzled. In her previous life, when she lived with Xiao Hengzhi, she had never seen the gold and jade talisman on him.

Just as she was deep in thought, she suddenly heard a commotion outside.

The maids all hurried towards the main gate.

Soon the sound was heard—

"We sincerely welcome the prince back to his residence."

"Your Highness, Commander Jiang has arrived and is waiting for you in the hall."

As Jiang Wan heard the footsteps getting closer, her heart tightened instinctively.

Knowing that getting entangled with him would only cause her more trouble, she took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention and quietly retreated to the backyard, where she went to hide away by herself.

When Xiao Hengzhi entered, Jiang Xun was the only person in the hall.

"Uncle Jiang, I have been waiting for you. I apologize for my lack of manners."

Jiang Xun smiled and said in a kind tone, "Your Highness is too kind. It is rare for me to have the opportunity to come and offer my congratulations. Now that you have been properly recognized and returned to the clan, I am also very happy."

After that, the two exchanged a few pleasantries.

Jiang Mian walked slowly to a plum tree in full bloom, gazing intently at the sparse shadows on the branches. The faint fragrance of the flowers filled her nostrils, and only then did she feel a little calm.

However, just a moment later, footsteps could be heard.

She froze, turned to leave, but then heard that familiar, deep voice slowly emerge.

"Jiang Wan, why do you avoid me like this?"

Xiao Hengzhi's voice drifted over softly.

Jiang Wan's heart tightened. She took a deep breath and forced herself to remain calm, saying, "Since Your Highness knows I'm avoiding you, why did you come here?"

Xiao Hengzhi chuckled lightly: "It's been a while since I've heard you address me like that."

Jiang Mian suppressed her disgust and decided to leave without saying anything more to him.

Just as she was about to turn and leave, he grabbed her wrist. The force wasn't strong, but it was just enough to prevent her from breaking free.

"Your Highness is a man of status now. Aren't you afraid of losing your dignity by getting entangled with me here?"

"What status do you have to lose? I have already petitioned the Emperor for a marriage decree today. With the Empress Dowager's help, the decree should be issued soon."

Throughout history, those who have failed to achieve anything have all been defeated by procrastination.

He didn't want the person he had in mind to be snatched away by Ning Zhi at the last minute. So he went to the palace early this morning to request the emperor to grant him a marriage. Given the emperor's sensitive nature, he would never allow the Jiang family to marry the crown prince, so he was naturally very confident that the marriage would be arranged.

Jiang Wan looked at his smug smile, and the images of every nasty expression he had ever made flashed through her mind. A wave of nausea washed over her, and she felt a little nauseous.

Looking at her reaction, Xiao Hengzhi's tone was cold and tinged with disappointment: "Do you hate me that much? Jiang Wan, what do you like about Ning Zhi? What's so good about him? What he can give you, I can give you too."

Jiang Mian stood there, neither looking at him nor answering him.

Xiao Hengzhi's gaze grew increasingly cold. He pulled her close and lowered his voice, saying, "You don't think my patience has improved these days, do you? How about I kill someone to show you? Like... Jiang Xun?"

Jiang Mian's eyes widened suddenly, and her breathing quickened slightly.

"If you dare to touch my father, I will kill you with my own hands!" she said through gritted teeth, but to Xiao Hengzhi, it was nothing more than a kitten scratching an itch.

Xiao Hengzhi chuckled lightly: "I wouldn't mind dragging everyone down to hell with me."

He raised his hand to brush away the stray hairs from her forehead, and cupped her face in one hand: "Jiang Man, I am begging you now."

His tone was gentle, but his eyes were filled with an uncontrollable intensity, as if sparks could fly at any moment.

Jiang Wan's clenched fist trembled slightly. She knew that Xiao Hengzhi could beg her, and he could also force her.

She couldn't afford to mess with such a madman who didn't recognize his own family; if she resisted, the price would be too high.