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

Chapter 160 Chen and Si Ning, can it be either of them?

What a poor excuse.

Jiang Jinshuang shrank her neck, her misty eyes blinking a few times: "Lord Pei, do you mean you came to my princess's residence specifically to... take shelter from the rain?"

Pei Du didn't speak, but his dark eyes were fixed on her.

For some reason, Jiang Jinshuang suddenly remembered the past.

Pei Du was not without his share of grievances.

It should be said that, given Pei Du's upright and unyielding character, it would be fine if he had reached the highest position in the government, but if he were still just a poor scholar without any official rank, there would be quite a few people who would want to break his back.

She still remembered that time when a woman sued the county government, saying that her husband was an alcoholic and a gambler who would often humiliate and beat her, leaving her covered in bruises and not a single inch of her flesh unscathed.

She tolerated all of this, but last night, after her husband lost at gambling, he actually wanted to pawn their child as a wager!
The woman could no longer bear it, so she took her husband to the government office.

But the county magistrate said it was just a trivial matter between husband and wife, not something to be discussed openly.

Upon hearing this, the woman submitted a complaint to the county government.

Petition or complaint.

The complaint was written in tiny, meticulous characters, each word a gem, each sentence filled with blood and tears. Even a single glance was enough to move one's heart and evoke deep emotion.

—That was written by Pei Du to file a lawsuit against the woman.

But later, no matter how moving the lawsuit was, it ultimately only ordered the husband to pay back the gambling debts as soon as possible and admonished him to treat his wife and children well.

The woman tearfully pleaded for a divorce, but the county magistrate waved his hand impatiently: "Since ancient times, what kind of logic is it to want a divorce just because your husband beats or scolds you a couple of times? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at by others if word gets out!"

The matter was closed so hastily.

But the next day, I heard that the husband had drunk alcohol and gambled again. He got very angry that night and beat the woman to death!
When Pei Du learned of this, he looked at her with those same eyes.

A hurt and confused look in his eyes.

"I still can't save them."

He said so.

At that time, Jiang Jinshuang was unaware of what had happened. After asking others, she looked at Pei Du seriously and said, "Pei Du, I'll come to save you."

She picked up a sword and went straight to the casino where the man was, right in front of the dice cup, right on the gambling table.

He chopped off the man's head with a single sword stroke.

I heard that before the man died, he told those around him that no one cared about his youngest daughter anymore, and that she could play with him as much as she wanted, as long as they gave him money.

She didn't even want to hear this scum beg for mercy.

Jiang Jinshuang still remembers that the man's head spun around on the gambling table a few times before rolling to the ground, his eyes wide open in death.

Princess Zhaoming has a volatile personality and a penchant for killing!
Look, she's wielding a knife and attacking people again!
This time, they chopped the man's head off, and blood splattered everywhere!

Afterwards, she wiped the blood splattered on her face and turned to leave.

He remained silent throughout.

Later, Jiang Jinshuang made a grand display, sitting high outside the county government office in the capital.

The county magistrate, unaware of what had happened, bowed and scraped as he came out of his residence to greet him.

But for some reason, he offended Princess Zhaoming, who made him read aloud the woman's petition in front of all the people.

I read it over and over again.

He read until his mouth was dry, his voice was hoarse, and it felt like his throat was steaming; eventually, even his breathy voice disappeared.

She stood up, tilted her head, and asked him, "Is this complaint well-written?"

The county magistrate was speechless, only nodding hurriedly.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "I also think it's well written. The county magistrate read it insincerely and without sincerity. He should be stripped of his official position and go read more books."

She has never cared what others think of her.

She told Pei Du that people should strive for higher goals.

The higher the better, because only then will no one question your decisions.

With these thoughts in mind, Jiang Jinshuang met Pei Du's dark eyes once more.

It must be said that Pei Du's eyes are completely still when he is cold and indifferent, and no matter how she tries to provoke him, they cannot stir up the slightest ripple.

But when she gets really emotional, she becomes unbelievably beautiful.

Just now, when those eyes fell on her, she had the illusion that she was deeply loved.

With a light laugh, Jiang Jinshuang tilted her head slightly: "Lord Pei is holding an umbrella, isn't he? The Princess's residence and Wenshan Pavilion are not far apart. You can walk a few more steps and return."

The implication was that they wouldn't let him in.

The man pursed his lips slightly. He was wearing a dark green long robe tonight, embroidered with deep green bamboo patterns.

He must have just returned from Huguo Temple, as there was still a trace of incense on him.

"The roads are slippery and difficult to walk on when it rains."

He persisted, his fingers gripping her wrist showing no sign of letting go.

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled softly, wondering what Pei Du was thinking.

"In that case, Lord Pei, please come in."

She stepped aside to let Pei Du enter the mansion.

Main hall.

The servants brought two cups of hot tea, but Jiang Jinshuang didn't touch them. Pei Du, who was in the guest seat, took a few sips.

His temples and fingertips were flushed red, and if you got closer to him, you could feel the coldness emanating from him.

—It looks like they've been standing outside the door for quite a while.

Jiang Jinshuang rested her head on her hand, watching him with a leisurely air.

Nor spoke.

Pei Du did not speak, but sat upright in his chair, took a few sips of tea, and then did nothing more.

I do not know how long it has been.

Jiang Jinshuang was getting impatient.

She clicked her tongue softly and slowly said, "Pei Du."

The man's long eyelashes trembled slightly as his gaze slowly fell upon her.

Jiang Jinshuang remained propped up with her head, looking languid and nonchalant: "What exactly are you here for?"

It's impossible that they really traveled all the way to her princess's residence to take shelter from the rain, right?

Besides, the light drizzle outside won't bother Huiwenshan Pavilion at all.

The rain outside continued unabated, falling steadily.

In the room, the candlelight, shrouded by a lampshade, flickered, casting shadows on the man's silhouette.

“I also found some willow branches.”

Jiang Jinshuang was stunned by his words and didn't react for a moment.

"what?"

She raised her eyebrows slightly, almost losing her tone.

The man's Adam's apple bobbed as he gazed silently at her high position.

"The willow branches in the capital are also very good, Your Highness."

It seemed that Jiang Jinshuang had realized something belatedly.

She chuckled lightly, seemingly unconcerned: "Pei Du, it's just a willow branch."

It was just a few willow branches.

What does it represent?

“It’s just a willow branch,” Pei Du repeated, his voice low. “Your Highness, it’s different.”

The willow branches in the water towns of Jiangnan are slender and tender.

The willow branches in Chang'an, in comparison, are more resilient and vibrant.

“Pei Du, I don’t understand,” Jiang Jinshuang smiled indifferently, “It’s just a custom to ward off evil spirits. Any willow branch will do, whether it’s from Jiangnan or Chang’an, as long as it’s a willow branch.”

"And what about me and Si Ning?"

He suddenly asked this question.

Jiang Jinshuang frowned slightly and looked up at him.

The man's gaze was fixed, neither faltering nor avoiding: "Your Highness, are my servant and Si Ning like willow branches? Can it be anyone else?"

It seems like she let it go just like that.

Just like the cold spring that anyone can enter, just like the side hall that has been occupied by others, and even just like the willow branches of Jiangnan.

She said she liked him, she said she admired him, she said she was delighted with him.

But then one day, she suddenly said that once she got the meat, she no longer found it interesting.