Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

"It's so noisy..."

Jiang Mian lay on the bench under the corridor and slowly woke up.

My head was throbbing, my hair was disheveled, and my nose reeked of strong alcohol. Behind me, a group of people were chattering away.

When did she drink the alcohol?

Jiang Wan's mind was a complete mess. She subconsciously concluded that Xiao Hengzhi knew she couldn't hold her liquor and deliberately made her look so pathetic!

Jiang Wan cursed inwardly, thinking, "What a bastard!"

She tried to get up, but her legs felt unsteady, and she slumped back into the chair.

Then someone sat down next to her and handed her a glass of water.

Jiang Wan took the cup, glanced at the newcomer sideways, her eyes full of impatience: "Haven't you had enough fun yet?"

Then, reluctantly, he took a small sip and leaned in to kiss her lips.

Caught off guard, tender flesh pressed against his lips, and Xiao Hengzhi was so shocked that his eyes widened, and he sat there frozen, at a loss for what to do.

His breathing was quickly disrupted, and he could only smell a hint of sweetness mixed with the strong smell of alcohol, as well as the familiar technique of the person in front of him.

After some hesitation, Jiang Mian gently licked his lips, and just as he was about to become aroused, she bit him hard as if to vent her anger.

Finally, with a hint of resentment, she asked, "Are you satisfied now?"

She was completely unaware that the lively voices behind her had suddenly fallen silent.

Xiao Hengzhi wiped the blood from his lips and after a long while spoke, "Second Miss... what is this?"

Jiang Wan was completely stunned.

"What did you call me?"

"Second Miss..."

Like a bolt from the blue, Jiang Mian was jolted awake, and the effects of the alcohol sobered her up considerably.

......

She rubbed her eyes and looked closely at Xiao Hengzhi in front of her. His sword-like eyebrows slanted upwards, and beneath them were a pair of clear, bright eyes that exuded a youthful innocence and vigor. He was dressed in an ordinary dark blue shirt, and there was not a trace of murderous intent about him.

This is clearly Xiao Hengzhi in his youth!

Jiang Mian's mind exploded, and her heart pounded like a drum.

What's going on...?

Could it be that she has been reborn?!

Immediately afterwards, a shout came from behind.

"Jiang Wan! Have you gone mad?!"

She turned her head sharply to look into the courtyard, where she saw Jiang Xun slamming her hand on the table in a fit of rage, while her aunt and half-sister sat in front of a banquet table laden with delicacies, staring at her in disbelief.

They were all familiar faces from my memory.

Jiang Wan quickly realized that today was her mother's death anniversary and also Aunt Wan's birthday. However, her father favored his concubine, and every year on this day, he would hold a family banquet to please Aunt Wan. Over time, no one paid attention to her mother's death anniversary.

She drowned her sorrows in alcohol, which is how she got to this state.

Seeing her expression change rapidly, Xiao Hengzhi asked with some confusion, "Second Miss, are you feeling unwell?"

Jiang Mian turned around upon hearing the sound, and looking at his youthful face, she felt a mix of emotions.

At this time, Xiao Hengzhi was merely a dependent in the Jiang family, without any official status or distinction, no different from a servant.

If it weren't for Madam Jiang's kindness in taking him in, he probably would have frozen to death on the street long ago.

Logically speaking, the Jiang family had saved his life. Although Jiang Mian had wronged him once before, he had humiliated her to death, so she owed him nothing.

Looking at that young and innocent face now, she thought of the regent from her past life, and couldn't help but feel disgust.

Others may not know, but she has already felt it: beneath Xiao Hengzhi's gentle mask lies a twisted and insane heart.

Jiang Mian glared at him and said coldly, "Stay away from me."

Xiao Heng was taken aback, then awkwardly got up and tactfully walked away.

"Second sister, I never realized you were so fickle. The Xie family's betrothal gifts have only been presented for a short time, and you're already so impatient."

A sharp, shrill voice came from not far away. It was Jiang Li, the illegitimate daughter of Concubine Wan and her elder sister.

She was only half a year older than Jiang Mian, and she had always loved to compete and fight since she was a child, and she also had a sweet tongue.

Jiang Xun's grandmother passed away early, and she was so fond of Jiang Xun that Jiang Mian, despite being the legitimate daughter, was not as favored as Jiang Xun, who was an illegitimate daughter.

Jiang Li slowly stood up and stood next to Jiang Xun, saying, "Father, you now have His Majesty's trust and have made great military achievements. Countless soldiers look up to you as a role model. Second sister is so reckless. If she does something disgraceful after marrying into the Marquis's family, she might ruin your reputation. I think we should think of a way to prevent her from getting married."

Jiang Mian scoffed as she listened from the side. In her previous life, before entering the palace, she had indeed been married to Xie Cen, the second son of the Xie family.

Popular legend has it that he is extremely learned and has a refined demeanor, but he has never shown his true face to anyone.

In her past life, Jiang Li tried to steal this marriage time and time again. If she hadn't fought desperately to protect it, she probably would have been the one to snatch it away.

But Jiang Mian only found out after marrying into the family that Xie Cen was an impotent, mentally challenged man. The intrigues and backstabbing in the noble household, the constant harassment from her mother-in-law, and the exhaustion she endured were ultimately met with her being kicked out.

Having been given a second chance at life, she would never be foolish enough to suffer like that again.

Didn't you want to be the wife of a marquis?

Then you can have it.

"Jiang Mian! Fortunately, no one from the Marquis's residence is here today. If they had seen you behaving so shamelessly, my family would have been utterly disgraced!"

A moment later, Jiang Mian covered her face, changed to a mournful expression, and rushed over with tears streaming down her face.

Choking back tears, she said, "Father! To tell you the truth, I have long loved Xiao Hengzhi, and my heart belongs entirely to him. Now that I am about to marry someone else, I couldn't control my emotions..."

Aunt Wan covered her mouth in horror and said, "Second Miss, could it be... that you've already slept with him...?"

Jiang Wan let out a sob and covered her face in embarrassment, which could be considered as her acquiescence.

Jiang Xun's face darkened, and he flew into a rage: "How could my Jiang family raise such a beast! Bring him here! I'll beat him to death today!"

Upon seeing this, Jiang Wan cried out, "Absolutely not, Father! It was all my own choice!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xun's vision went black, and he raised his hand to deliver a powerful slap.

He came from a military background, and this palm strike, which he had gathered, was incredibly powerful.

Jiang Wan closed her eyes, bracing herself for the slap, but instead of feeling any pain, she heard a crisp "smack".

When she opened her eyes, she saw that Xiao Hengzhi had somehow appeared in front of her, taking the blow for her.

"Uncle Jiang, please show mercy..." he said in a low voice.

Jiang Mian was somewhat surprised.

How did this person reappear?

That's it.

Without giving it much thought, Jiang Wan decided to go all the way and play the part.

"Xiao Hengzhi! Father hit me, what are you doing running out here? You got slapped for nothing, doesn't it hurt?"

Her voice was so soft it seemed to drip water as she carefully cupped Xiao Hengzhi's face, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Jiang Wan was so engrossed in her performance that she was completely unaware that Xiao Hengzhi had taken her "heartache" to heart, and his eyes were filled with emotion.

Seeing the two so affectionate, Jiang Xun was even more furious.

But what can be done now that things have come to this point, and the deed is done?

"Fine! Tomorrow you will come with me to the Marquis's residence to apologize and annul this engagement!"

Jiang Mian didn't speak, but secretly glanced at Jiang Li's astonished expression. Sure enough, she couldn't hold back anymore.

"Father!" Jiang Li stepped forward quickly. "Abruptly breaking off the engagement might offend the Marquis's mansion. Since my second sister has someone she loves, I am willing to marry in her place..."

Jiang Wan pretended to argue with her: "Elder sister! How can you act like this? The marriage arranged by the Marquis's mansion is... cough cough! It's me!"

Jiang Wan was so engrossed in her performance that she choked on her own saliva.

She knew that the more she held on, the more Jiang Li would try to snatch it.

As expected, Jiang Li panicked and immediately knelt down: "Father! The Jiang family's reputation was earned by you on the battlefield. Second sister dared to do such a sordid thing with a man in public, which shows that she has no regard for the family's honor. I am different. If I go to the Marquis's mansion, I will definitely help the Jiang family in everything I do. I am doing this for the sake of the Jiang family. Father, please think it over!"

She spoke earnestly, as if she were expressing her loyalty.

Jiang Xun was indeed persuaded by her words, and turned to say, "Wan'er, the Marquis's mansion is reasonable. I imagine they won't force you once they know you have someone you love. Are you willing to give up the marriage?"

In her previous life, Jiang Xun had asked her the same question. At that time, she only felt that the Marquis's mansion was her way out and refused to give it up no matter what.

This time is different.

Jiang Wan frowned, feigned hesitation, and then nodded, saying, "Then... I thank Father and Elder Sister for their kindness."

Jiang Xun hummed in agreement, "It's rare to see someone so magnanimous." She then glanced at Xiao Hengzhi and said, "In that case, you two should choose a date to get married."

"what?!"

Jiang Mian suddenly looked up, inwardly realizing something was wrong.

Just as she was about to retort, she saw Xiao Hengzhi suddenly turn around, smile gently at her, his eyes filled with seriousness and expectation, as if he wanted to swallow her whole.

It seems she... went a little too far...