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

Chapter 15 Is Your Highness going to turn away the guests?

Jiang Jinshuang got up very early on the day of the banquet.

Earlier, Chun Tao came to report to her that Lu Xiao had been settled in a house in the suburbs of Beijing, and Jiang Jinshuang was finally relieved.

If Lu Xiao were here today, she would still have some reservations, worried that she wouldn't be able to enjoy herself to the fullest.

The banquet for Yichun was held in the backyard.

There were pavilions and tables set up, with a winding stream for drinking games. In the very center of the banquet, there was a rockery with gurgling cold springs and flowing water.

—Legend has it that this cold spring was brought here by Princess Zhaoming, who spent a lot of manpower and resources to curry favor with Prime Minister Pei!

Princess Zhaoming cherished this cold spring very much!
“Your Highness, everything is ready,” Chun Tao said, walking to Jiang Jinshuang’s side, “but…”

"Just what?" Jiang Jinshuang asked with a smile, looking at the arrangement of the backyard with satisfaction.

"But... when I went out this morning, I saw that many adults were already dressed and their carriages were heading towards the Xia residence."

Those officials and ministers usually avoided Jiang Jinshuang like the plague, and now that they had received invitations from others, they naturally wouldn't come to her place.

Jiang Jinshuang didn't take it to heart, and just smiled lazily: "Don't worry, the banquet is ready, they will come."

Chuntao always trusted her prince, so she curtsied and said, "Yes."

As if remembering something, Chun Tao asked in confusion, "Your Highness, why didn't we see Young Master Yan Jue this morning?"

Young Master Yanjue has always been by His Highness's side and has never strayed far.

"He's gone to greet distinguished guests."
-
Outside the city gate of Chang'an.

The main south gate of Chang'an City was locked year-round.

Ordinary people and even officials entering and leaving the city all had to use the side gate or the north gate.

The south gate was only opened when the emperor entered or exited, and the procession was grand and could stretch from the south gate to the north gate.

In recent years, the emperor has been plagued by illness, and the Grand Preceptor has been in charge of all large-scale events such as the autumn hunt and the national sacrifice. As a result, the main south gate has not been opened to the public for two or three years.

Today, as usual, the guards at the south gate were checking passersby and civilians.

From afar, a white jade carriage with six horses could be seen slowly approaching the city gate.

The man leading the carriage was dressed as a guard, riding a tall and strong Akhal-Teke horse.

The guards exchanged glances and stopped the carriage.

Aside from the six-horse carriage, the procession was not particularly large. A blue flag was hung on the carriage, embroidered with a white tiger with piercing eyes.

Dozens of men with swords at their waists followed behind the carriage.

The leader of the Imperial Guards only glanced at the guards briefly before realizing that each of them possessed assassin-level martial arts skills.

Stepping forward, the Imperial Guard leader said in a deep voice, "Under the Emperor's nose, private soldiers shall halt."

The guard at the front of the carriage slightly raised his head, took a token from his waist, and tossed it to the leader.

The Imperial Guard leader glanced at it, and the next second, he hurriedly knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head!

"I've seen, I've met—"

The guard coldly interrupted, "May I come in now?"

"Of course you can enter! Of course you can enter!" After saying that, the Imperial Guard leader cautiously looked up at the guard on horseback, "Excuse me, sir, is the person in the carriage...?"

"Shut up," the guard interrupted coldly.

"Yes!"

The imperial guard leader dared not utter another word. He hurriedly stood up and shouted at the guards behind him who had not yet reacted, "What are you standing there for?! Open the city gates! Open the city gates wide!"

The main south gate of the capital has not been opened for many years.

Today, someone actually opened the main gate and swaggered into the capital with his private army!

Such news didn't even need a messenger; it reached the ears of everyone in the capital in no time!

After the Imperial Guard leader ordered the city gates to be opened, he knelt respectfully to the side to welcome the carriage into the capital.

The carriage moved forward at a leisurely pace.

"Stop for a moment." A clear and melodious voice came from inside the carriage as it approached the leader of the Imperial Guards.

The guard in front immediately raised his hand: "Stop."

The carriage came to a smooth stop.

The Imperial Guard leader dared not raise his head, a fine layer of sweat beading on his forehead.

The carriage windows were made of shimmering brocade, and it is said that only three pieces of this brocade could be made each year, and even the emperor in the Forbidden City only received one of them.

They must be carefully stored away and reserved for use as dragon robes during sacrificial ceremonies.

The owner of the carriage used the extremely precious shimmering brocade as the curtains for the carriage windows!
This can no longer be called "luxury"!

The curtain of the brocade carriage was slowly lifted, revealing a slender, fair finger.

That hand was so well-maintained, it was even more beautiful than a woman's hand!
"May I ask, Your Excellency, where is the Princess's residence?"

"The Princess's residence!?"

The Imperial Guard leader thought he had misheard.

—Shouldn't a distinguished guest of such high status pay his respects to the Emperor as the first thing upon arriving in the capital?
Why...why was the Princess's residence mentioned?
"The 'Princess's Residence' you mentioned, young master, is it the residence of Princess Zhaoming?" the Imperial Guard leader asked cautiously.

A clear, melodious voice came from inside the carriage: "Yes."

"Young master, please walk along Chang'an Street, pass the Zhaiyue Tower ahead, walk three more streets, and then turn south."

"Thank you."

The imperial guard leader swallowed nervously and asked cautiously, "May I ask, young master... what brings you to the princess's residence?"

"Isn't Your Excellency asking a bit too many questions?"

Before the man in the carriage could speak, the guard at the front issued a warning in displeasure.

Upon hearing this, the leader of the Imperial Guards lowered his head even further.

“Qianyao, it’s alright,” the man smiled gently from inside the carriage, but said to the head of the Imperial Guard, “I have been invited to a banquet at the Princess’s residence.”

……

Jiang Jinshuang was somewhat unhappy.

Jiang Jinshuang considered many possibilities regarding who would be the first person to attend the banquet at the princess's residence.

But she never expected it would be Pei Du.

—He wasn't on the list she drafted!

In the backyard pavilion, Pei Du wore a dark green robe, the cloud patterns on which were stitched with gold thread, exquisite and expensive.

The man had exquisite features and long, ink-black hair. In the bright spring scenery, even just standing there, he shone like a pearl, attracting the caress of the gentle breeze.

Jingmo, carrying a wooden box, followed respectfully behind Pei Du without uttering a word.

Jiang Jinshuang frowned slightly, looking at the handsome and refined man before her, and forced a smile: "Prime Minister, you've come to the wrong place, haven't you?"

The man's eyes were broad and dignified. He stood under the pavilion, bowed slightly to Jiang Jinshuang, and said calmly, "No."

Jiang Jinshuang almost laughed in anger: "Lord Pei, how could I not recall that my invitation was sent to your residence?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Du handed Jiang Jinshuang a scarlet invitation card.

Jiang Jinshuang frowned and opened the invitation.

When she saw the contents of the invitation, she was so angry that she burst out laughing.

She unfolded the invitation and showed it to Pei Du: "Can't the Grand Secretary read? Isn't the signature on this invitation Miss Xia Yurong?"

Upon hearing this, the man's deep gaze remained unmoved.

"Then I must have misread it."

He slowly turned around and handed the box from Jingmo's hand: "Your Highness, I have brought a gift to your door. Do you wish to send me away?"

(End of this chapter)