Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 19 Body Measurement

Jiang Wan pouted, looking at him with a hint of doubt: "Do you even know how to measure?"

Suppressing his emotions, Xiao Hengzhi led her behind the counter without further ado, picked up a ruler, and said softly, "Raise your hand."

Jiang Wan stood in front of him, somewhat reserved: "Why don't you write it down on paper, so you don't forget?"

"No need, I remember," he replied in a muffled voice.

His hands had measured her body countless times.

He knew every inch and millimeter of change in collarbone and waistline.

But at this moment, he actually wanted to take her measurements himself, just so that she could meet another man.

He was frustrated and furious, wishing he could pin her down there and prevent her from ever seeing Ning Zhi again. Ideally, she'd be crying and begging him, pleading with him again and again...

Ginger gave birth.

Stop thinking about other men...

Xiao Hengzhi leaned closer, the ruler sliding from her shoulder to her wrist, his fingertips lightly brushing against her skin, seemingly intentionally, yet unintentionally.

Jiang Mian held her breath, feeling that the atmosphere was somewhat strange, and couldn't help but slightly pull her hand back.

"do not move."

His voice was deep and close to her ear.

The ruler slid across her waist, his knuckles slightly bent, as if he had pressed down on her waist unintentionally.

The soft touch made his breath catch in his throat.

Xiao Hengzhi lowered his eyes, suppressing the throbbing in his heart.

With each inch closer, the desire in my heart surged even more fiercely.

"Alright." He quickly put the ruler back, his tone returning to calm.

Jiang Mian breathed a sigh of relief, took a half step back, and distanced herself from him.

"Is this all you need?" She looked down and straightened her sleeves, unaware of the turbulent emotions in his eyes.

"Hmm." Xiao Hengzhi smiled, his tone composed.

But his hand, gripping the ruler, had white knuckles.

It took several seconds before he slowly let go.

"I'll write down the measurements for the shopkeeper." His tone was calm, yet it carried a hint of restrained coldness.

Jiang Man was completely unaware, her heart already filled with the joy of attending the banquet.

......

The two walked out of the shop side by side, the hustle and bustle of the street filling their ears.

Jiang Mian was in a good mood and hummed a little tune all the way.

Xiao Hengzhi remained silent, simply following slowly beside her. Seeing her smiling so happily because of Ning Zhi, the irritation and possessiveness in his heart surged up again.

"Hurry up!" Jiang Mian urged.

Xiao Hengzhi pursed his lips and quickly followed.

Upon returning to the Jiang residence, Cong Shuang hurriedly came forward to greet her: "Miss, the eunuch from the palace just arrived and said that Her Majesty the Empress is hosting a banquet at Zhuoyue Manor on the September Festival and has invited you to attend."

Jiang Wan's eyes were filled with joy as she asked, "Is my sachet finished?"

"it is done."

After she finished speaking, she pulled Jiang Mian to the backyard.

As Xiao Hengzhi watched her joyful figure, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes. Beneath his sleeve, his fingers gently caressed the medicine bottle.

The foot that had just stepped into the mansion gate was pulled back.

He walked out without saying a word.

Two days later, the clothing shop delivered the new clothes.

Jiang Mian enthusiastically picked out clothes and tried them on one by one. White, red, silk, gauze, all kinds of styles were scattered on the bed.

She examined herself in the bronze mirror, her brow furrowing slightly: "It fits well, but..."

The person in the mirror was radiant, but she was not satisfied.

This dress is the style Ning Zhi likes, but at the banquet, it must first catch the Empress's eye.

The Empress prefers light-colored clothing, so this brocade white outfit suits her quite well.

But if the Empress Dowager saw that she was dressed too plainly, she would find it unlucky. Pink was delicate, but it also carried a hint of vulgarity.

She muttered to herself, her gaze shifting in the mirror, looking very conflicted.

Cong Shuang, who was tidying up the scattered clothes, couldn't help but ask, "Miss, I've never seen you so attentive before when you entered the palace. Is there anything different this time?"

She chuckled softly, "Of course, I want to leave a good impression on Your Majesty."

What others might not know, she was aware that at this palace banquet, the Empress would be choosing a Crown Princess, and Ning Zhi would be watching the ladies from behind a curtain.

In her past life, her path to Ning Zhi was humble and despicable.

In this life, she will stand openly and honestly by his side.

No more humbling ourselves, no more hiding our true feelings.

She was confident that, based on her understanding of Ning Zhi, she would make him fall in love at first sight.

At that time, Xiao Hengzhi, who has neither completed the marriage nor received blessings, will only need to undergo a post-natal examination to render this fragile marriage invalid.

After becoming the Crown Princess, she would treat Ning Zhi with utmost kindness, making up for everything that had happened before, and supporting him...

"hey-hey......"

Thinking of this, Jiang Mian couldn't help but stare blankly and start to giggle foolishly.

Cong Shuang tugged at her sleeve: "Miss... are you alright?"

Jiang Wan snapped out of her daze: "Of course I'm fine!"

She looked at Cong Shuang with a warm smile in her eyes.

"Cong Shuang, our good fortune is about to arrive! I'm determined to make you live a good life this time!"

"Huh?" Cong Shuang scratched her head in a daze, wondering why her mistress was so happy today.

But she hadn't seen her mistress smile so happily in a long time, so she helped her find clothes and accessories.

So for the past few days, she has been busy attending banquets and has not paid attention to Xiao Hengzhi, nor has she noticed that he has not been at home for two consecutive days.

On the day of departure, Cong Shuang prepared all the necessary supplies and neatly placed them on the carriage. However, Jiang Mian did not set off immediately, but instead had the carriage take a detour via another road.

She had previously heard of an old man on the outskirts of the capital, known as a living immortal.

I didn't really believe in these things before, but I still wanted to come and pray for good luck, since these fortune tellers are always good at saying nice things.

She dismounted from the carriage and walked on the charred ashes of grass and wood, as if the place had just been burned. Not far away was a tattered curtain.

Jiang Mian lifted the curtain and saw a gentleman wearing a felt hat, with a gray beard, an old face, but strangely bright eyes.

This must be the person.

She sat opposite the man, a little uneasy in her heart: "Sir, I came to ask you to do a divination for me—will I be able to find love on this trip?"

The fortune teller didn't answer immediately, but slowly rubbed the copper coins in his hand and smiled slightly: "What you want to ask about, young lady, is it your marriage?"

She nodded, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

The gentleman picked up a few copper coins, tossed them lightly, and the coins rolled down, clinking together.

He squinted and stared for a long time, as if searching for the most obscure parts of fate.

"There will be a romantic connection." His voice was light and ethereal, "but this connection is deeply entangled, like an unresolved debt from a past life."

Jiang Wan's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but ask, "Then... will it go smoothly?"

He tapped his finger lightly in the air, not answering directly, but saying, "This person is waiting for you; why don't you go and fulfill this destiny, young lady?"

Jiang Mian felt a surge of joy. These words clearly referred to Ning Zhi—Ning Zhi had been deeply in love with her in their past life, so their fate was to be like this.

She got up with great interest, smiling broadly, and walked briskly back to the carriage.

When Cong Shuang saw her return, she quickly went to greet her: "Miss, how is it? What did the master say?"

Jiang Mian smiled broadly and said in a light tone, "Everything is going smoothly!"

She was in a great mood, as if everything was going in the direction she had envisioned.

"Let's go!" she said in a clear and bright voice.

Seeing her beaming face, Cong Shuang said, "Miss is smiling so happily. I didn't know you were going to a banquet. I thought you were going to see your sweetheart."

"My beloved?" Jiang Mian repeated.

Cong Shuang tilted her head and changed her words, saying, "No, Miss's sweetheart should be Young Master Xiao."

Jiang Wan tilted her head: "Tch, who said he's the one I love?"

Cong Shuang took a bunch of grapes and said, "Miss is just stubborn but soft-hearted. Although she often scolds Young Master Xiao, I know that Miss has feelings for Young Master Xiao."

After all, those who can make fun of each other must have a very good relationship.

After saying that, he peeled a grape and handed it to her.

Jiang Mian took it and put it in her mouth. Just as she was about to object, the sourness made her squint and grit her teeth.

"Why are these grapes so sour!"

"How could that be? All the grapes delivered to your residence are very sweet; perhaps that one just happened to be a little sour..."

As Cong Shuang spoke, she peeled one and put it in her mouth, only to spit it out because it was so sour. She peeled several more, and they were all sour!

Jiang Mian took two sips of tea and said, "It must be Xiao Hengzhi's doing."

"Young Master Xiao? Why did he replace the grapes with sour ones?"

Jiang Wan pursed her lips, took a piece of osmanthus candy and put it in her mouth, saying, "I wouldn't be surprised if he did anything. He's selfish, inhuman..."

At this moment, Xiao Hengzhi, who was far away at Yuezhu Ridge, sneezed for no apparent reason.

He smiled and then walked deeper into the bamboo forest.