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

Chapter 171 looks like her.

Before Pei Du, Jiang Jinshuang had never considered marriage.

Even after getting to know Pei Du, Jiang Jinshuang always avoided the topic of "marriage".

She had thought that if everything went smoothly afterward and she could live out her days peacefully, the only person she thought of was Pei Du.

But it's okay not to grow old together, it's okay not to get married.

It doesn't have to be Pei Du.

Jiang Jinshuang took these things in stride and didn't have any particularly stubborn ideas.

She simply liked him, fell in love with him, and loved him so much that she didn't hesitate to bring him into her camp and keep him by her side.

When she likes someone, she can give everything, all her respect and admiration, to support him alone.

If she no longer likes it, or if she can't force it, she can let go decisively.

—With a "once you get it, it's not all that great" mentality, it's quite malicious.

Jiang Jinshuang admitted that she is a very selfish and dictatorial person when it comes to relationships.

She won't allow emotions to hurt her, so if there's any sign of being hurt, she'll quickly withdraw and get rid of it completely.

So when He Weijing asked her, "If Pei Du really asks His Majesty for a marriage decree, what will you do?" Jiang Jinshuang was slightly taken aback and somewhat lost in thought.

Then, she looked at He Weijing seriously and said clearly, "If I am unwilling to do something, no one can force me."

What about the imperial decree?

It's not like she hasn't disobeyed before.

Upon hearing Jiang Jinshuang's answer, He Weijing was taken aback at first, then lowered his head and chuckled softly.

"Yes, this is the real Jiang Jinshuang."

She refused to choose any of the paths the world had prepared for her, insisting on forging her own way, a path she named "Jiang Jinshuang".

After examining Jiang Jinshuang's pulse, He Weijing instructed, "Don't go out for the next few days. If you hear any rumors, don't worry about them; Si Ning will handle them."

Jiang Jinshuang looked up at He Weijing: "Pei Du brought me back to the Princess's residence in public. Won't His Majesty be angry?"

He Weijing shook his head: "His Majesty is too busy to take care of himself right now. Let Pei Du worry about this small matter himself."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang yawned, nodded, and said nothing more.

"There's one more thing. Xia Yurong committed suicide in the street. A few days ago, after I healed that maid named Hongyao, I sent her out of the capital."

He Weijing spoke in a detached tone.

Jiang Jinshuang nodded: "Yes, although her character is a bit flawed, she was ultimately acting under Xia Yurong's orders, so let's just send her away."

He Weijing lowered his eyes, packed up his medicine box, and said nothing more.

Actually, he didn't tell Jiang Jinshuang that he was narrow-minded. Although he let Hongyao go, she was much slower to react because she had been drowning for too long.

If one had to put it into words, Hongyao now probably only has the mental capacity of an eleven or twelve-year-old.

He didn't want to leave such a burden behind, so he simply gave her some silver and left with her.

There's no need to tell Jiang Jinshuang any of this.

"Drink the medicine in a little while, and I'll come see you again tomorrow."

"Take care, Mr. He."

After watching He Weijing leave, Chun Tao came in with a bowl of medicine.

"Your Highness, please drink your medicine first. Mr. He said you must take it on time."

Jiang Jinshuang took the medicine bowl, frowned as she looked at the dark-colored soup, pinched her nose, and drank the whole bowl of soup in one gulp!

A sour and bitter taste spread from the back of her tongue. Jiang Jinshuang grinned, her face scrunched up like a bun: "This medicine is so bitter!"

Chun Tao took the medicine bowl, smiled and said, "Mr. He said this is a lesson." Jiang Jinshuang muttered, "He gives me bitter medicine whenever he gets angry. I don't know where he got this habit from."

Although it was funny, Chun Tao still felt sorry for her prince, so she quickly took out two pieces of candied fruit from her palm and stuffed them into Jiang Jinshuang's mouth.

Jiang Jinshuang had only been awake for a short time, so Chuntao didn't talk to her much. She gave her some food and then told her to continue resting.
-
Outside the Weiyang Palace in the Forbidden City.

For several days in a row, the emperor did not hold court. It had rained for half a month in the past few days, and the stone roads in Chang'an were wet and muddy.

The man, dressed in a bright red official robe, knelt upright outside the main hall of Weiyang Palace, holding a scepter and wearing an official hat, standing tall and straight like a pine tree.

The rainwater on the stone slab soaked his clothes.

He seemed oblivious, simply kneeling there upright, facing the direction of the main hall of Weiyang Palace, his gaze cold and indifferent, undisturbed.

Outside Weiyang Palace, Eunuch Kang glanced at the scorching sun.

It is already the beginning of summer.

This year, Chang'an City got hot early, and at noon, the sun was so scorching it felt like it could melt you.

Kang Gonggong had only been under the sun for less than fifteen minutes when his back was already soaked with sweat.

—The Grand Secretary in front of the palace has been kneeling here for three whole days!

For some reason, looking at the noble official kneeling in front of the main hall of Weiyang Palace, Eunuch Kang suddenly remembered that Princess Zhaoming three years ago had also faced the direction of Weiyang Palace and loudly pleaded for justice for Prince Ruiyang.

Even the kneeling positions were exactly the same.

Half a month ago, that Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review stood alone in the Mingtang Hall amidst countless kneeling officials, showing no sign of yielding.

Now, this chief minister kneels alone above all the ministers, daring to ask for what others dare not ask for.

Good luck tricks people.

Grandpa Kang's eyes stung with tears.

Everyone said that this Grand Secretary was so upright and honest, as clear-headed as a gentle breeze and a bright moon, and as brilliant as a genius.

But as an old man, Kang Gonggong could see clearly that this Grand Secretary was actually quite stubborn.

Once a decision is made, even the imperial court cannot change its mind.

In this respect, he and Princess Zhaoming were practically identical.

Another quarter of an hour passed.

The one kneeling before the hall stood upright, showing no sign of laziness.

Unable to bear it any longer, Eunuch Kang raised the whisk in his hand, bent over, and stepped forward.

Right in the center outside the hall, with no shade left, the sun was even more scorching.

Eunuch Kang adjusted the brim of his hat and lowered his voice: "Lord Pei, you've been kneeling here for three days now. If this continues, your health won't be able to take it."

Sweat beaded on the man's forehead.

He simply held the tablet in his hand, knelt there solemnly and upright, staring straight ahead, showing no emotion whatsoever.

Pei Du did not respond.

Seeing this, Eunuch Kang sighed and continued to persuade him, "Lord Pei, by kneeling here like this, aren't you making His Majesty lose face?"

"A few days ago, you went to the border to fight the enemy by falsely conveying an imperial edict. His Majesty cherishes talent and suppressed the matter. You should know that falsely conveying an imperial edict is a capital offense that can implicate nine generations of one's family!"

"Lord Pei, please don't be stubborn. The Emperor is currently sitting in Weiyang Palace, and he's been in a bad mood these past few days. Aren't you just adding to his troubles?"

Having said all that needed to be said, Pei Du remained motionless in his bright red official robe, and spoke in a deep voice: "I am deeply grateful for Eunuch Kang's advice, but in a person's life, there are things more important than life itself, and what I seek is more important than life itself."

Grandpa Kang opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something.

Inside the main hall of Weiyang Palace, the Emperor's furious roar echoed: "Where is Kang Fengnian?! Where the hell has Kang Fengnian gone?!"

Eunuch Kang hurriedly turned around and ran towards Weiyang Palace, shouting, "This servant is here! This servant is here!"