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

Chapter 13 I only ask for Your Highness's mercy

Lu Xiao's voice was clear and melodious.

Jiang Jinshuang turned around and looked closely.

Before she knew it, Lu Xiao, dressed in a white robe, stood behind her, his appearance radiant and refined.

He dusted off his sleeves, his smile perfectly timed.

“Your Highness, Su Xiu is willing to go with you.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang glanced at the madam behind Lu Xiao.

As if knowing what she was thinking, Lu Xiao smiled and said, "Su Xiu did it willingly, so she used her savings over the years to redeem herself."

Jiang Jinshuang's eyes widened: "You redeemed yourself?"

Lu Xiao nodded: "Yes, I only beg Your Highness to have mercy on me and not abandon me."

These words caused an uproar and sparked much discussion.

"What exactly does Young Master Su Xiu see in the princess?!"

"That's right! She's actually willing to give up all her wealth to buy herself out of jail!"

"Such a refined and aloof young master as Su Xiu actually wants to go with her!"

"..."

Jiang Jinshuang clearly heard the discussions, but she only smiled and said, "Don't worry, Young Master Su Xiu, I will never let you down."

After saying this, Lu Xiao bowed to the madam in farewell, and Jiang Jinshuang led Lu Xiao away.

But she had only taken a few steps when Pei Du called her back.

"Your Highness."

His voice was cold and low, and his emotions were unreadable.

Jiang Jinshuang stopped in her tracks, but did not turn around.

Petals fall in profusion.

The bluestone path in front of the Nanfeng Pavilion was covered with a thin layer of peach petals.

As the dew deepened and became heavier, one could even feel the moisture when stepping on the petals.

The petals, stained with mud, brushed past his shoes, as if the dust and grime were irrelevant to him.

for a long time.

“Chang’an is different from Baiyujing, Your Highness should be more careful in your manners.”

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Excellency."

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled and left Nanfeng Pavilion with Lu Xiao.

The huge pavilion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and was as lively as a haunting ghost.
-
When Jiang Jinshuang returned to the princess's residence, Chuntao immediately noticed the man following behind her.

Her eyes widened, and she stammered, "Your Highness! This young master is..."

"Let's call him Su Xiu for now," Jiang Jinshuang instructed. "Go and prepare a side hall for Young Master Su. He can stay here for the night."

"Yes."

Chun Tao didn't dare ask anything and carefully withdrew.

Inside the main hall, Lu Xiao raised an eyebrow: "Your Highness just said... 'Stay for one night'?"

Jiang Jinshuang nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world: “Of course, it’s too late today, you can stay at the manor for now.”

"I will have someone find you a house to settle down tomorrow."

Lu Xiao smiled, his voice gentle and clear: "Your Highness... don't you intend to keep me in the manor?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang frowned and shook her head seriously: "No."

"Why?"

“I have just returned to Beijing, and many eyes are watching me. I am going to reopen a case from three years ago, which is a risky move and will be fraught with difficulties.”

Lu Xiao chuckled: "Your Highness has changed your mind?"

Jiang Jinshuang sighed: "What I mean is, I can be in danger, but I will keep you safe."

Seemingly not expecting Jiang Jinshuang to say that, Lu Xiao's smile froze for a moment.

He pursed his lips slightly, a flicker of emotion in his eyes: "Does Your Highness trust me that much?"

Jiang Jinshuang listened, lowered her eyes and smiled: "Lu Xiao, I know you can't completely trust me yet."

"I can wait until you believe me, then you can tell me what you know."

Lu Xiao stood tall and straight, and his originally gentle and elegant eyes had become more serene.

The candlelight in the main hall flickered a few times.

"I heard that Your Highness visited the general in prison before his execution." Jiang Jinshuang did not hide anything and nodded: "Yes, the treason case back then was shrouded in mystery, and the Imperial Uncle must know some of the inside story."

"When I went to see the Imperial Uncle, I wanted to see if I could find any clues to help him overturn the case."

Lu Xiao calmly asked, "What did the general say to His Highness?"

Jiang Jinshuang shook her head and laughed self-deprecatingly: "He just pulled me along, laughing and saying that I've grown taller again, and told me to eat more meat and not get sick."

Jiang Buhuo gave Jiang Jinshuang a lot of advice on everyday matters.

However, he remained silent about the treason case.

Lu Xiao looked at the graceful young woman in front of him and said after a long while, "Does Your Highness know that three years ago, Prince Ruiyang died and his military seal was confiscated? The 200,000 Black Armor Cavalry under Prince Ruiyang's command are still guarding the northern border, obeying orders but not summons."

Jiang Jinshuang's eyelashes trembled a few times: "Yes, I know."

After the death of the Imperial Uncle, the military tally should have been handed over to the Imperial Family, but who knew that the military tally would disappear without a trace the next day!
If the 200,000 black-armored cavalry of Prince Ruiyang do not have the military tally, they will only obey the emperor's orders; but if they have the tiger tally in hand, they will only obey the orders of the person holding the tiger tally.

In other words, whoever holds the Tiger Tally can command these 200,000 invincible Black Armor Cavalry.

Lu Xiao paused, observing Jiang Jinshuang's expression discreetly: "Does Your Highness know where this military tally is now?"

Jiang Jinshuang shook her head: "Ever since I learned that the Tiger Tally had disappeared, I have sent people to search for it in secret, but after so many years, there is still no news."

She wasn't the only one who wanted to retrieve the Tiger Tally.

In both the court and the countryside, undercurrents of power struggles are surging, and officials are adept at navigating complex situations.

In the past few years, during her search for the Tiger Tally, she encountered various forces, none of whom were ordinary people.

—There are far too many people who want to obtain these 200,000 black-armored cavalry.

Finding nothing amiss with Jiang Jinshuang, Lu Xiao bowed slightly: "The Tiger Tally is of utmost importance to our Black Armor Cavalry. If Your Highness has any news about the Tiger Tally, please be sure to inform me."

"I see."

After chatting with Lu Xiao for a few more minutes, Jiang Jinshuang asked someone to take Lu Xiao down to rest.

Not long after Lu Xiao left, the candlelight in the main hall flickered, and a dark figure appeared beside Jiang Jinshuang.

The man, holding his sword with both hands, said in a cold and stern tone, "He's lying."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled indifferently: "He doesn't trust me, so it's understandable that he tells some lies."

After all, they had only met once before.

Her previous reputation was bad and her character was questionable, so it's good that Lu Xiao is being cautious.

Upon hearing this, the man in black said nothing more.

The night breeze blew into the main hall from the courtyard, causing the man's high ponytail to sway gently.

I glanced at the sky outside and could faintly see the first hints of dawn in the distance.

It's almost dawn.

Jiang Jinshuang stretched and asked with a smile, "When will Si Ning arrive in the capital?"

"the day after tomorrow."

Calculating the time, Jiang Jinshuang was somewhat surprised: "You can only arrive on the day of the Yichun Banquet?"

The man in black nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Never mind, Si Ning's health isn't good to begin with, so it won't be a big deal if it's a little later."

Not hearing the man in black speak, Jiang Jinshuang asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

"Someone was watching us just now."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang frowned slightly: "Were we overheard?"

"No, it's too far away, they probably can't hear anything."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang muttered in confusion, "If you can't hear anything, what are you monitoring?"
-
Wenshan Pavilion, study.

"That young master Su and Her Highness the princess stayed in the main hall for a while before leaving."

"He never appeared by His Highness's side again after that."

Jingmo bowed his head and respectfully reported.

The man flipped through the book in his hand at the desk, his tone indifferent: "I understand, you may leave."

"Yes."

The windows were bright and the table was clean, with purple smoke wafting in the air.

The paper rustled softly, and the man's gaze involuntarily drifted to the corner of the table.

Several brightly blooming peach blossoms were inserted into a white jade vase above the table.

Pei Du disliked peach blossoms.

(End of this chapter)