The seductive princess is no longer being pursued; the aloof prime minister is facing a crematorium.

Chapter 107 She must be angry with me.

Look at what this says.

The Empress Dowager had always disliked her, and both of them were well aware of this.

She had been back in the capital for so long, and the Empress Dowager had never asked her to pay her respects. She seemed to avoid her at all times. Even the nannies in Chang Le Palace never bowed or spoke to her when they saw her.

Now they say it was because she didn't go to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and raised an eyebrow at Eunuch Sun: "Eunuch Sun, please forgive me. Since returning to the capital, I have been busy with many matters and have not had time to see the Empress Dowager."

After a pause, Jiang Jinshuang asked with a smile, "However, didn't the Empress Dowager say back then that I was unqualified to go to Huguo Temple because of the many sins I had committed?"

She used the Empress Dowager's words from years ago to shut her up.

Back then, in order to help His Majesty quell the reforms and establish a new dynasty, Jiang Jinshuang cut off the arm of the leader of the conservative faction, who was originally a member of the Empress Dowager's faction.

Later, the man begged to retire and resign from his official post, which enraged the Empress Dowager, who demanded that His Majesty punish him severely.

Later, Jiang Jinshuang was punished by the Empress Dowager for Pei Du killing that person. The Empress Dowager said that she should be executed as an example to others.

It was Jiang Huayan who intervened and changed the punishment to eighty strokes of the cane, which nearly cost her her life.

The Empress Dowager was still not satisfied, so His Majesty suggested that she be sent to Huguo Temple to cultivate her mind for a few years.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager coldly refused: "Hmph, someone like her who has committed murder would not be accepted by the Buddha of Huguo Temple. She is not qualified to go."

Because of the Empress Dowager's words, Jiang Jinshuang never went to the Huguo Temple to offer sacrifices and pray for blessings during subsequent royal ceremonies.

—So you've changed your mind now?

Could it be that the Buddha of Huguo Temple is willing to take her in again?
Jiang Jinshuang chuckled lightly and looked calmly at Eunuch Sun in front of her.

Eunuch Sun's expression remained unchanged, and his tone was still as calm as still water: "This is the Empress Dowager's will; this old servant is not aware of it either."

Smiling and waving her hand, Jiang Jinshuang said, "In that case, I would like to trouble Eunuch Sun to tell the Empress Dowager that I am willing to go with her."

Grandpa Sun bowed slightly, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Jiang Jinshuang watched Eunuch Sun's departing figure, then lowered her head slightly to glance at his light footsteps.

Sun Zhang's internal strength is even stronger than it was three years ago.

Jiang Jinshuang knew that the Empress Dowager's sudden summons to Huguo Temple today must be for some purpose.

But she still agreed, and she had her own reasons.

Back then, Prince Ruiyang and Abbot Miaofeng of Huguo Temple were close friends. He might know something about what happened back then.

After returning to the capital, Jiang Jinshuang had been looking for an opportunity to visit Huguo Temple, but because of something the Empress Dowager had said years ago, she was not allowed to enter openly.

If she changed into civilian clothes, she could sneak in unnoticed, but if she met Master Miaofeng in this way, it would probably cause him trouble.

Now, this has given her an excuse to go to Huguo Temple.

Therefore, even if the Empress Dowager had any ideas, Jiang Jinshuang would still go.

With Pei Du's matter temporarily resolved, Jiang Jinshuang was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Ultimately, Jiang Jinshuang still found it troublesome.

She admitted that Pei Du's rescue of her had indeed saved her a lot of trouble.

But because of this, others always felt that she owed him a favor, and that he was her benefactor.

—It was as if they were being coerced by this favor.

Although she was well aware that Pei Du had no intention of repaying her kindness.

Although what Jingmo said today was unpleasant to hear, Jiang Jinshuang seriously reflected on it.

It was because of her overly obsessive and intense pursuit back then that everyone assumed she would not give up on Pei Du.

It seems we can't really blame them.

But Jiang Jinshuang certainly wouldn't blame herself.

There's just this knot in my heart, neither here nor there.

—That's why Jiang Jinshuang chose to blame Pei Du.

It was blatant misplaced anger, without even any legitimate reason.

No reason is needed.
-
Wenshan Pavilion, bedroom.

Jingmo knelt before the bed, bowing his head in respect and remorse.

The wound on Pei Du's shoulder bled again, staining his snow-white undergarment.

"Yes, Your Highness, I misspoke and said those things to you. Your Highness must be angry with me."

Jingmo admitted that he seemed to have formed a preconceived notion as well. Like everyone else in the capital, he believed that His Highness was the one at a disadvantage in this relationship.

He seemed to take it for granted that His Highness would not give up on the Lord as easily as before, and would try every means to attract the Lord's attention.

—Just like this time when the poison flared up.

Jingmo readily believed the rumors, thinking it was His Highness's punishment of the adults.

A condescending perspective is repulsive.

These were things that Jingmo realized belatedly after hearing Mr. He's words.

Now, kneeling before his own family, he understands a fact even more clearly.

—In this relationship, Your Highness has never been the one at a disadvantage.

"Please punish me, sir."

Jingmo lowered his head even further, his face filled with regret.

He should find a time to apologize to His Highness. What he said to His Highness back then was too self-righteous and condescending.

Put yourself in his shoes; if he were the prince, he would definitely be very angry with him.

Upon realizing this, Jingmo felt even more regretful.

Even when he was unwell, he would still sit upright by the bedside, with his hands on his knees and his posture ramrod straight, when his subordinates reported to him.

His lips were pale, and his dark eyes were deep and unfathomable.

He coughed twice, and the already opened wound bled even more.

Pei Du took a deep breath and said in a hoarse voice, "She must be angry with me."

His thin lips were pressed into a straight line.

After a long while, the man looked at Jingmo, who was kneeling on the ground.

"Change for me."
-
That night.

Jiang Jinshuang pulled a rattan chair from her bedchamber and placed it in the courtyard.

Lying on the rattan chair, Jiang Jinshuang swayed back and forth, thoroughly enjoying herself.

Early summer is approaching.

The cicadas hadn't started chirping yet in the capital, but the night air was already quite warm.

Holding a folding fan, Jiang Jinshuang fanned herself while swaying in her rattan chair, her thoughts wandering.

The case concerning Prince Ruiyang's uncle has stalled.

Although she realized that the letters were written by her uncle later, she knew that if she presented such evidence to His Majesty, she wouldn't get any answers.

Ultimately, regardless of when those letters were written, they were indeed written by Prince Ruiyang.

Now, the only thing she can do is try to investigate Uncle Ruiyang's motives for doing this. Only by knowing what he is thinking can she make her next plan.

This is also why Jiang Jinshuang decided to go to Huguo Temple to find Abbot Miaofeng. Abbot Miaofeng and Uncle Wang are close friends, so he should understand Uncle Wang's thoughts better than she does.

The moon shines brightly at night.

Jiang Jinshuang even found the moonlight somewhat dazzling.

Jiang Jinshuang closed her eyes, twitched her ears, and heard footsteps.

A figure dressed in moon-white robes stood before her, tall and elegant, bathed in the silvery glow of the moonlight, his radiance understated.

A clear breeze and a bright moon.

It was Pei Du.

Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow and chuckled, her posture remaining unchanged as she lay in the rattan chair, nonchalantly asking, "Does Lord Pei know the consequences of breaking into the princess's residence at night?"

The man's face was still slightly pale, and the moon-white robe he wore made him look like a god who had ascended to immortality.

He lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes trembling slightly.

"The dew is too heavy, and my clothes are wet."

As he spoke, his gaze lingered lightly on the hem of her skirt.

Jiang Jinshuang frowned slightly, and the smile on her face faltered a bit.

Very strange.

Their familiar conversation made it seem as if they were long-lost friends.