Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 174 A Sudden Embrace

What kind of medicine can cause such extreme pain?

But he had no time to delve into the matter at the moment, and only asked the doctor, "Could it provide some relief?"

"I have done my best. However, the two forces within Miss Jiang's body are clashing too intensely, and she may not be able to have a peaceful night. If she is not careful, her heart meridian may be damaged."

The guest rooms were brightly lit that night.

The doctor administered acupuncture and medicine, while the maidservants continuously changed the cold handkerchief on Jiang Mian's forehead, which was soaked with sweat.

She was sometimes delirious and mumbled incoherently, and sometimes she was awakened by excruciating pain, vomiting up several mouthfuls of dark blood, her whole body looking as if she had been pulled out of the water.

Ning Zhi stayed by her bedside the whole time, watching her struggle in pain, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

It wasn't until dawn that Jiang Wan's high fever subsided slightly, and she fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.

Ning Zhi lay down beside her bed and heard her mumbling in her sleep.

He leaned closer and heard a few fragmented words—

"...Don't touch me..."

"Your Majesty..."

"don't want--!"

She screamed and suddenly opened her eyes.

Upon recognizing Ning Zhi beside her, she frantically reached out and hugged him, tears welling up in her eyes: "Your Highness..."

She sobbed softly, as if she were having a nightmare.

Ning Zhi was stunned for a moment by the sudden hug.

He then gently patted her back to comfort her, saying, "It's alright, I'm here with you."

Her body temperature stabilized, and her breathing gradually calmed down.

After releasing Ning Zhi, she whispered, "I'm sorry, Your Highness..."

She was in a daze just now and habitually mistook him for Ning Zhi from her previous life.

"It's alright, are you feeling any better?"

"Yeah." She nodded.

Ning Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, gave the order to the carriage, and immediately set off at full speed.

Three days later, they arrived in Chuizhou.

It was a full day faster than normal.

The carriage stopped in front of Guo Huaiming's residence in the prefectural capital.

Compared to the bustling capital, Chuizhou City is much more ancient and solemn.

Because of its proximity to the border, the air was filled with a chilling dust.

However, the snow disaster was severe, and the land was desolate.

Beneath the snow-covered roof beams and wooden planks lay many people who had long since stopped breathing.

Jiang Mian, wrapped in a thick fox fur coat, was helped out of the carriage by her maid, her face still pale.

Guo Huaiming and his family were already bowing at the door: "Your humble servant Guo Huaiming respectfully welcomes Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Your subject, Zhao Yulian, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Guo Huaiming began, "A quiet courtyard has been prepared in the manor. Please, Your Highness,..." He glanced at Jiang Mian, and wisely refrained from asking further questions, "...and allow our distinguished guest to rest well."

Ning Zhi nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Guo. I don't want to make a fuss about this trip. Just call me Young Master Xu to outsiders. If anyone asks, just say that I am a guest of your household."

Guo Huaiming cupped his hands in greeting: "Your humble servant obeys."

“And this one,” Ning Zhi said, turning slightly to the side, “is my good friend, Miss Jiang.”

"This humble official greets Miss Jiang."

Jiang Mian nodded, her hand unconsciously clenching slightly inside her sleeve.

The capital of the border prefecture was none other than Guo Huaiming...

She suddenly remembered her past life, when a major case occurred in the court. During that time, Ning Zhi was busy with official duties and did not return home for several days.

She was bullied by Chi Yu and became a foot-washing maid.

In the dead of winter, when she was forced to kneel under the palace wall as punishment, she overheard several old eunuchs shrugging and gossiping.

"That Guo Huaiming whom His Highness investigated is finished!"

"Good heavens, there's so much silver there's nowhere to hide it... Even the cracks in the walls of the cellar, and the artificial rocks, are all hollowed out and filled with snowflake silver!"

"No wonder the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Supervision couldn't find out before. With so much silver, what channels couldn't they use?"

"Yes, if it weren't for the large number of people freezing to death, this matter would probably still be kept secret..."

At that time, Jiang Mian herself was in dire straits, and all she knew was that it was a major embezzlement case.

She never expected it would be this case.

Pulling herself out of her thoughts, she followed Ning Zhi across the threshold.

Guo Huaiming led them to the Jingyuan.

Ning Zhi glanced around and noticed that many people were repairing the courtyard wall.

Guo Huaiming lowered his head and explained, "This year's snowfall is unprecedented in a century, and it has collapsed countless houses and government offices. I have simply not been able to take care of my own small place. If there has been any neglect, please forgive me, Your Highness."

An old servant chimed in, his voice full of heartache: "Sir, seeing the plight of the disaster victims, even used his own salary to buy porridge and food. This courtyard wall was only recently..."

"Shut up!" Guo Huaiming immediately whispered a reprimand. "Your Highness, please forgive the servant's indiscretion."

Ning Zhi slowly spoke: "Lord Guo cares deeply for the people and distinguishes between public and private matters. What crime has he committed? Now that I have been ordered to come, I will certainly investigate this case thoroughly. After returning to the capital, I will certainly speak on your behalf to my father."

Guo Huaiming said gratefully, "Your Highness is very kind! I will cooperate fully with Your Highness in the investigation and will not dare to conceal anything."

During the conversation, Jiang Mian slightly furrowed the tip of her nose.

Besides the smell of charcoal burning in the house, there seemed to be a strange odor lingering in the air.

It didn't smell like damp mold, nor did it smell like dust or dirt from the walls.

"What does it smell like..." she muttered to herself.

"What's wrong?" Ning Zhi asked.

"Your Highness, can you smell anything?"

Ning Zhi sniffed carefully, but before she could answer, Guo Huaiming said, "The snow collapsed the warehouse wall a few days ago, and the smell of the lime mortar being mixed over there may have drifted over. If you can't stand the smell, I'll have them stop work immediately."

Jiang Mian shook her head: "Lord Guo, you flatter me. Official repairs are the priority; a little odor is nothing to worry about."

The group continued walking inside.

After settling in, Guo Huaiming hosted a banquet at his residence that evening to welcome Ning Zhi.

Jiang Mian was not fully recovered, so she rested in her room.

However, despite the large hall, the banquet was quite quiet.

Ning Zhi glanced around and asked, "I've long heard that Lord Guo has both a son and a daughter. Why are your son and daughter not here at today's family banquet?"

"Your Highness, my son is unruly. Last month, the military commissioner of Anbei, Lord Liu, happened to be inspecting this area. Seeing that my son's swordsmanship was decent, he took him in as a personal guard for training. My daughter yesterday..."

He hadn't finished speaking—

"Father! Mother!"

A clear and loud call came from outside the hall.