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

Chapter 181 Backbone
For Jiang Jinshuang, this question was meaningless.

She looked up at Pei Du, her eyes clear and indifferent: "Kneeling in front of the palace for three days and three nights, just for a marriage decree with me. If that's really the case, I'll only think that Pei Du is not smart."

If it were her, she would certainly receive more, more valuable, and more useful rewards.

They might be offered titles of kings, nobles, generals, or ministers, or they might request troops and soldiers.

—It can't possibly be a meaningless arranged marriage.

Jiang Jinshuang told the truth.

Upon hearing this, Pei Du's expression remained serene and aloof, his dark eyes simply returning her gaze in silence.

I do not know how long it has been.

He finally said, "This is not a marriage decree."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang finally managed a slight smile, and the smile in her eyes became more genuine: "I knew it, the Grand Secretary wouldn't be that stupid."

Pei Du frowned in disapproval: "I did not ask for a marriage decree, but I felt it would be disrespectful to His Highness."

It's not that it's not worth it.

Jiang Jinshuang didn't care about any of that, and just blinked and smiled: "Then, Lord Pei, could you tell me what exactly you asked for?"

Pei Du looked at her quietly.

"On my recent trip to Baiyujing, I saw snow-covered mountains and the bright lights of the southern sky."

"The city of Baiyujing is full of red-tailed iris trees, which are more beautiful and bright than the snow that is several feet deep."

"The people there are very sensitive to any disturbances on the border, probably because they have lived on the frontier for many years."

"Therefore, even if we don't tell them, those people can probably sense that Beihuai has repeatedly violated our borders and intends to take Baiyujing."

After a pause, Pei Du continued to look at her, his dark eyes swirling with emotions.

"Your humble servant is not an omniscient or omnipotent person. After arriving in Baiyujing, in order to protect the safety of the people of Baiyujing, I planned to have a group of Black Armor Cavalry take the people of Baiyujing out of the city to seek refuge first."

Pei Du had no idea whether he would win that battle.

Even if you have a plan in mind, you can't be completely sure.

He couldn't possibly gamble with the lives of 30,000 people in Baiyujing to take this risk with him.

Therefore, having the army lead them to a temporary relocation is the safest approach.

"Does Your Highness know what the elders of Baiyujing said to me back then?"

Jiang Jinshuang's heart skipped a beat.

She lowered her eyes slightly and looked at Pei Du in front of her.

Pei Du looked at her, and the smile on his lips finally turned upwards a little.

"Thirteen highly respected elders, all over eighty years old, led 30,000 people of Baiyujing in a petition, saying they wanted to stay in Baiyujing and not go anywhere else."

“They told me that Baiyujing was guarded by Prince Ruiyang and 300,000 black-armored cavalry. It was the fiefdom of Princess Zhaoming, the only princess of the current dynasty. They had lived here for generations, experiencing both the wilderness and the prosperity.”

"They have endured nearly a century of wind and snow, but the iron cavalry of Beihuai could not trample Baiyujing."

"This is the land of heroes, and they are the people of heroes. Therefore, if the Black-Armored Cavalry does not retreat, neither will they."

At this point, Pei Du paused, as if he had thought of something, and even his cold and aloof expression softened.

“They said that the backbone and courage to fight against Beihuai had already been given to them by Prince Ruiyang and Princess Zhaoming before.”

Jiang Jinshuang's eyes flickered a few times, and for a moment her nose stung with tears.

She even lowered her eyes in a bit of a panic, trying to hide her slightly reddened eyes.

She wasn't used to hearing these words.

In order to portray a wicked and treacherous princess convincingly, Jiang Jinshuang did not get close to the people of Baiyujing.

More often than not, she would have her subordinates secretly do things for her. She was used to playing the bad guy.

Therefore, when she heard what Pei Du said, she was momentarily stunned.

It turns out that in the hearts of the people of Baiyujing, she was considered a respectable person.

Why are you suddenly saying all this?

Jiang Jinshuang looked away and asked him in a low voice.

Pei Du's eyes were clear and earnest.

"Your Highness is just thinking that if you let down the people of Baiyujing, you will be very lonely."

Jiang Jinshuang didn't quite understand the strange remark.

Just as Jiang Jinshuang was about to ask him what he had asked for, Jingmo knocked on the door.

"My lord, Eunuch Kang is requesting an audience outside the mansion. He says he has come to deliver an imperial edict!"

Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyebrows slightly and exchanged a glance with Pei Du.

Pei Du's expression was stern, as if this was within his expectations: "The answer Your Highness desires is better heard read aloud by His Majesty himself."

……

Jiang Jinshuang went to the main hall with Pei Du to receive the imperial decree.

The eunuch Kang was dressed in official robes, holding an imperial edict in his hand. Beside him stood a young eunuch, head bowed, holding another edict in his hand.

Upon seeing Jiang Jinshuang appear, Eunuch Kang's eyes widened in surprise: "Oh my! Her Highness is here too. That's perfect. His Majesty's decree will be issued to Her Highness as well."

As he spoke, Eunuch Kang took another imperial edict from the eunuch's hand and gestured to Jiang Jinshuang that this one was hers.

Jiang Jinshuang glanced at the imperial edict and nodded slightly to Eunuch Kang: "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Kang."

Eunuch Kang nodded and first took the imperial edict for Pei Du: "Chief Minister of Wenshan Pavilion, Pei Du, my beloved minister, receive this edict."

Pei Du, dressed in a wide robe, bowed calmly without kneeling: "Your humble servant receives the imperial decree."

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Culture illuminates the world, martial virtue secures the nation."

"I have been ordained by Heaven to rule over all lands, and thanks to the loyal and capable ministers who have devoted themselves to assisting me, the country is peaceful and prosperous."

"Your Excellency Pei Du, the Chief Minister of Wenshan Pavilion, is loyal and diligent in serving the country, and possesses both wisdom and courage. When the flames of war suddenly broke out in Beihuai and the enemy cavalry ran rampant, you led the Black Armor Cavalry, devised strategies, and achieved a great victory. Your achievements shine as bright as the sun and moon, and your virtue benefits all the people."

"Today, I bestow upon you special favor to commemorate your outstanding achievements: I grant you ten thousand taels of gold, ten bushels of red pearls, two coral trees from the South China Sea, three hundred bolts of imperial brocade, and one hundred bolts of Sichuan embroidered dragon-patterned satin. I also confer upon you the title of 'Grand Master of the Palace,' grant you an iron certificate in red ink, and make you a hereditary Duke of Zhongwu. You will also be entitled to have your portrait enshrined in the Hall of Meritorious Officials in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, so that you may serve as a model for all time!"

"This proclamation shall be made known both at home and abroad. This is the imperial decree."

Pei Du lowered his eyes, his expression unchanged, his demeanor cool and indifferent: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."

It was a very ordinary reward.

For a powerful minister who had quelled a national turmoil, these rewards were merely adequate.

Jiang Jinshuang stood side by side with Pei Du, but she was even more curious about what the other imperial edict given to her contained.

Eunuch Kang smiled kindly and handed the imperial edict to Pei Du.

He bowed slightly to Pei Du: "Lord Pei, the rewards are on their way. You can check them yourself in a moment."

Pei Du accepted the imperial edict and said calmly, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Kang."

Eunuch Kang smiled, but his gaze fell on Jiang Jinshuang, who was standing next to Pei Du.

"Your Highness, this imperial edict is from His Majesty."

For some reason, Jiang Jinshuang always felt that the way Eunuch Kang looked at her carried a deeper meaning.

"Princess Zhaoming, Jiang Jinshuang, receive the imperial decree."

Jiang Jinshuang lowered his head slightly and nodded: "Your subject accepts the decree."