Flip the table! The reborn villainous woman takes down her entire family and seizes her life.

Chapter 16 Close Friend

Lu Nianqiu tilted her head and smiled sweetly, "Uncle Yama?"

The man was stunned for a moment.

"uncle?"

"Yes, isn't the name nice?"

Lu Nianqiu stared at the man with wide, innocent eyes, "Tell me, how can I truly protect someone?"

After a moment of silence, the man came to his senses and asked, "Who do you want to protect?"

"I just want to protect Zhizhi, that's all I ask for."

There was a hint of urgency in her voice.

“I feel like I already owe her so much. Back then, when she came back from Liangzhou, I couldn’t protect her. This time, she’s going to marry a murderer, and I can’t protect her either. I just feel like I’m useless. I’m afraid that Zhizhi will get hurt.”

The man's gaze turned slightly cold as he said, "Protecting someone is difficult."

Lu Nianqiu's eyes flickered. "It's alright, I'm willing to try."

She's willing to try anything that's good for Zhizhi.

-

The next day.

After having breakfast, Jiang Zhi stood by the window, her expression growing increasingly cold.

"Zhi'er." Madam Liu walked in, her expression softening.

"I have something to tell you."

Jiang Zhi didn't turn around, but simply asked, "What is it?"

Have you ever met the King of Liang before?

If they have met and the King of Liang has clearly expressed his affection for her, then there is still some hope for this arranged marriage. However, if they have never met, it is probably not a good thing.

Jiang Zhi continued to look out the window, without answering.

Madam Liu was displeased, but she suppressed her temper: "I still feel that this marriage is strange. Your father and I are both very uneasy. If you have any thoughts, could you tell me?"

Jiang Zhi remained silent, her expression complex as she lowered her eyes.

"Although His Majesty has betrothed you to the Prince of Liang, it does not mean that you are no longer our daughter."

"It doesn't mean you're no longer a member of the Jiang family."

Lady Liu frowned, her tone gradually turning cold, "If the Prince of Liang treats you well, then that's good; if he doesn't, then we..."

"How are you?" Jiang Zhi turned his head and looked at Liu Shi's expression.

"Do you dare offend the Prince of Liang?"

Liu's face stiffened, and she couldn't utter a single word for a moment.

Shouldn't someone be filled with trepidation when betrothed to the King of Liang?

Why does she seem emotionless, yet her eyes have become so terrifying since last night?

"Is there anything else?" Jiang Zhi asked coldly.

Liu's face flushed crimson, and her tone carried a hint of anger, "Zhi'er, I am still your stepmother, why do you speak to me like that?"

Jiang Zhi glanced at her expressionlessly.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Liu's eyes, but her anger was already boiling.

However, considering yesterday's imperial edict, he still had reservations.

"Madam," the maid Biluo announced from outside, "Miss Qiao has arrived."

A smile appeared in Madam Liu's eyes. After a moment of silence, she said, "Let her in."

"Yes."

Miss Qiao?

It turned out to be her "best friend" Qiao Lixue.

Qiao Lixue was the only daughter of Marquis Zhongjing, and therefore he doted on her immensely.

The ancestors of the three marquises, Zhenyuan Marquis, Guangde Marquis, and Zhongjing Marquis, made great contributions when the capital was founded.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, they were granted noble titles based on their merits, and these titles continue to this day.

Although she was his best friend, she started an affair with Jiang Luan after he went to prison.

Together with Jiang Luan, they shared the fruits of their child's labor.

She had admired Gu Liang since childhood and wanted to marry him, but in the end, Jiang Luan sent her a cup of poisoned wine.

Liu tried her best to suppress her emotions.

"After all, Li Xue likes Liang Wang so much, and you two are best friends. You should have a good talk with her... Even if you can't be friends, don't become enemies."

Jiang Zhi acted as if she hadn't heard him.

Liu clenched her hands tightly and turned to leave.

"Bamboo peach!"

Jiang Zhi hadn't heard this name in a long time.

Qiao Lixue burst in like a gust of wind, her face extremely pale. "Are you really going to marry the Prince of Liang?"

She didn't sleep a wink last night after learning about Jiang Zhici's marriage. She looked haggard and dejected.

More than her physical discomfort, the anxiety in her eyes was impossible to hide; she clearly hadn't expected Jiang Zhi to be betrothed to the Prince of Liang.

This fact was unacceptable to Qiao Lixue.

Jiang Zhi stared coldly at the person in front of her.

She used to trust her so much. They grew up together, and apart from her mother, no one else called her by her childhood nickname.

Now, Jiang Zhi no longer wants to be treated kindly.

"Zhu Tao, you knew I loved Gu Liang, so why did you marry him?"

"Besides, Gu Liang is not a person you can get along with. He is cruel and ruthless, and kills people without hesitation. You cannot marry him!"

Qiao Lixue's face turned pale, and her eyes were filled with pleading.

In her haste, Qiao Lixue blurted out, "Besides, doesn't your Jiang family have a bad relationship with him? He must have ulterior motives! You've been in Liangzhou for so long, how could any man like you? Besides me, who else would be close to you?"

"I can't marry you, but you can?" Jiang Zhi's voice was cold.

"He's not an easy person to get along with, so why do you admire him?"

"I just got back from Liangzhou, and instead of you showing concern for me, you're criticizing me?"

"Yes, all men should despise me, only you are willing to stay with me, I should be grateful to you and thank you three times and nine times."

Qiao Lixue looked flustered. "I...I...that's not what I meant."

Qiao Lixue took Jiang Zhi's hand, "How could I possibly marry the daughter of my enemy?"

Jiang Zhi looked up, stared at her hypocritical face, and sneered.

"The imperial edict has been issued."

Seeing Jiang Zhi like this, Qiao Lixue's eyes showed panic: "Zhu Tao, you won't like him. He's not a normal person. He must have ulterior motives for marrying you, Zhu Tao!"

“But I prefer adventure.” Jiang Zhi’s lips curled up.

"I am devoted to Gu Liang, and I will marry no one but Gu Liang in this life!"

Qiao Lixue's expression froze, the pleading look on her face gradually fading, her eyes turning cold: "Do you think that by climbing up to the Prince of Liang, you can enjoy wealth and glory? Jiang Zhi, let me tell you, the Prince of Liang is a treacherous minister! He'll die sooner or later! Besides, he's not even the Crown Prince yet. How long do you think he can flaunt his power in front of the Emperor? He's a thorn in the Emperor's side, a thorn in his side; he'll die sooner or later—"

"You died before him."

Jiang Zhi coldly interrupted her, "Qiao Lixue, you can make a bet if you don't believe me."

Qiao Lixue's face turned deathly pale instantly, her hands clenched tightly at her sides, and she couldn't utter a single word.

"Even if Gu Liang doesn't marry me, he would never marry you."

"Qiao Lixue, you've miscalculated."

A hint of sarcasm flashed in Jiang Zhi's eyes.

"Jiang Zhi!" Qiao Lixue, enraged and embarrassed, raised her hand to slap Jiang Zhi across the face. "You bitch—"

Jiang Zhi's eyes flashed with anger, and he suddenly grabbed her wrist and kicked her in the stomach.

"what!"

Qiao Lixue suddenly screamed, then curled up on the ground clutching her stomach, her forehead instantly covered in cold sweat.

Jiang Zhi slowly walked over, removed the hairpin from her hair, and leaned against her neck.