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

Chapter 167 Are you worthy?
There are millions of people in the world.

Jiang Jinshuang will always remember that year, at that forum, countless scholars and gentlemen gathered together, each expressing their own opinions.

He stood among millions, a figure of refined elegance and grace.

"Those who hold salaries for everyone must not freeze to death in the wind and snow."

Such a handsome and exceptional young man would never belittle himself by saying that he was "that kind of person".

What kind of person?

Xia Yurong always felt that she came from a humble background and resented the unfairness of fate, which caused her to suffer countless misfortunes and end up in this state.

Therefore, she always thought of herself as someone who was treated unfairly by fate.

But Pei Du would never think that way.

Even though he came from a poor family and was all alone, he dared to stand alone among millions of people, at the head of countless kneeling ministers, and declare that he would establish a heart for heaven and earth and establish a destiny for the people.

He didn't care about the unfairness of fate, nor about the unpredictability of destiny.

With his own two hands and his own integrity, he was determined to break through the seemingly unattainable path to officialdom.

"Xia Yurong, you are underestimating yourself and belittling yourself."

Jiang Jinshuang looked at her, her eyes filled with emotions that Xia Yurong couldn't understand.

"You're talking nonsense!" As if her thoughts had been exposed, Xia Yurong's eyes widened in fury as she stared at her intently. "Jiang Jinshuang, of course you can be high and mighty and say these high-sounding words!"

"Because you were born the only Princess Zhaoming of Wanjin, you can get whatever you want. You don't understand anything, how could you know how much effort I've put in to get to where I am today!?"

"I have been Princess Wanjin for twenty-two years. During these twenty years, I have survived more than a hundred assassination attempts. When my life was in danger, I sealed off all news in the palace and never revealed a single word."

"Twelve years ago, Wan Jin spies kidnapped me as a hostage, intending to exchange me for the Wan Jin defense map. The imperial family refused, and the spy dislocated my arm. I relied on my two legs to escape back to Wan Jin along the tire tracks. The wound on my shoulder required three treatments by the doctor before it was relieved."

“When I was young, I learned to read at the age of three, recited poems at the age of six, and was addressed as ‘Young Master’ at the age of nine.”

"In the past twenty years, there have been at least eight hundred or a thousand court officials who have impeached me, and the common people and officials who have insulted me could drown me with their spittle."

"If I had ever considered backing down during all that time, I would not be alive today."

Jiang Jinshuang stared intently at Xia Yurong, her gaze cold and indifferent: "Xia Yurong, do you deserve to sit in my position?"

She said she was high and mighty and didn't understand the hardships she had endured.

Jiang Jinshuang really didn't understand.

—Because for her, Xia Yurong's suffering was too insignificant.

Like tiny specks of dust, those so-called "bitterness" and "hardships" left a less profound impression on Jiang Jinshuang than even a single scar.

Jiang Jinshuang stands between heaven and earth, and she certainly doesn't rely on that fleeting favor.

Xia Yurong's thin lips parted slightly, her pupils contracted, and she looked up at Jiang Jinshuang intently.

The girl before her was beautiful and delicate, and suddenly, she could see the image of that person in her face.

“Xia Yurong, you always say how unfortunate you are,” Jiang Jinshuang said, emphasizing each word, “but what I have given you is far more than you should have.”

"It's your insatiable greed that's driving you to madness."

for a long time.

Xia Yurong scoffed coldly, taking a few steps back to steady herself: "Sister, stop your grand pronouncements here. Even if I say all this, in the end, I am the winner, I am Xia Yurong!" "You can stay in this dark and gloomy dungeon and wait for the news of your impending execution."

With that, Xia Yurong dusted herself off and turned to leave.

As she stepped out of the cell, a jailer approached her obsequiously: "Miss Xia, are you done talking?"

Xia Yurong glanced coldly at Jiang Jinshuang behind her, her voice low and somber: "She's already a dying woman, why are you still being so polite to her, sir?"

The jailer raised an eyebrow slightly, his eyes lighting up as he understood Xia Yurong's meaning.

"I understand! I understand!"

……
-
For several days in a row, the people of Chang'an stayed indoors, and the streets of Chang'an were deserted with very few people.

The long street was muddy.

On that day, news came from the border of Wan Jin that Pei Du, the chief minister who had been missing for several days, had led his black-armored cavalry to break through the Bei Huai army and retreated more than a hundred miles against them!

I've heard that the Grand Secretary is a brilliant strategist, with meticulous planning and foresight. Someone has spread the word that Wan Jin was a spy within Beihuai, which led to the great victory in this battle!
The monarch of Beihuai received the news and heard that Prince Wen Fengcang had been assassinated in Beihuai. It was clear that someone had done it on purpose!

In an instant, the ruler of Beihuai began to suspect Jiang Zeyi, the Prince of Changping, who was allied with him!

It must be that the Prince of Changping was feigning an alliance with Beihuai, but in reality, he wanted to severely damage Beihuai's army!
Meanwhile, for several days in a row, Wen Fengcang went to Jiang Huayan's study and stayed there for more than an hour each time.

Jiang Zeyi had long suspected whether the Northern Huai Monarch truly intended to form an alliance!

Seeing that the Lord of Beihuai had broken their alliance in a fit of rage, Jiang Zeyi was also enraged, and their alliance fell apart!
Fortunately, Jiang Zeyi possessed the God of Slaughter Mask. Now that the truth has been revealed and the Beihuai army has suffered a crushing defeat, Jiang Zeyi has no choice but to take out the God of Slaughter Mask and fight a desperate battle!
Jiang Zemin launched a rebellion.

On that day, Jiang Zeyi secretly arrived at the border of Wanjin, wearing a mask of a killing god, and stood in front of 300,000 black-armored cavalry, raising his arms and shouting!

In the end, not a single one of the 300,000 black-armored cavalry obeyed his orders.

An arrow pierced his chest, and Jiang Zeyi, sitting on his horse, fell stiffly to the ground.

That never-started rebellion thus came to an end.

—Changping King Jiang Zeyi is dead.

The dark clouds that had shrouded Chang'an for half a month finally dissipated.

The sky is bright.

On the day that the noble minister Pei Du, the chief minister, returned victorious, the people of Chang'an lined both sides of the road to welcome him, and the streets were deserted!
The Grand Secretary has repelled the Northern Huai army!
The Grand Secretary has returned victorious!

The Grand Secretary is bestowed with honors!

The people of Chang'an cheered and threw fragrant flowers and sweet fruits onto his carriage!
Jingmo rode his horse alongside the sedan chair, a new scar on his face that looked like it would take him a while to heal.

He held a melon in his hand and smiled at the man in the carriage: "Sir, look, everyone is thanking you!"

Inside the carriage, the man's voice was clear, calm, and undisturbed.

"Go to the palace."

Jingmo chuckled, "You're right, sir! We've won such a great victory; His Majesty must be waiting to see you!"

In the crowd, someone appeared to be carrying a bundle, with disheveled hair, and running towards the city gate with their head down!
Jingmo glanced at him, frowned slightly, and grabbed the man, pulling him close.

"My lord, it's Xia Yurong!"

He shouted, grabbed Xia Yurong by the collar with one hand, and threw her in front of the carriage procession.