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

Chapter 188 Just protect her!

The sound wasn't quiet; at least the officials present heard it.

The crowd, who had been captivated by the exquisite jade coral, turned around and hurriedly bowed their heads in worship!

"Your Highness, we pay our respects!"

The ministers looked at Jiang Jinshuang with very complicated expressions.

They were respectful and cautious, and some even carried a hint of fear and unease.

Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow slightly and exchanged a glance with Qian Yao beside her. They both saw the intriguing expression in each other's eyes.

Jiang Jinshuang knew perfectly well why they viewed her that way.

She was thrown into the dungeon and was on the verge of death, even facing execution, but she was released.

Saying she was "released" isn't entirely accurate. At the time, the Grand Secretary ordered his personal men to rescue her from the dungeon, which became common knowledge!
Who is the Grand Secretary?

That's His Majesty's favorite!

Leaving aside the previous events, just a few days ago, the Grand Secretary led the Black Armor Cavalry alone to resist the attack of the Northern Locust Army and returned in great victory!
His Majesty bestowed such a great deal of real gold and silver upon them!
This very same Grand Secretary, upon his triumphant return, did not inform His Majesty but instead sent men to bring her out of the dungeon!
Moreover, so many days have passed, and His Majesty has not held the Grand Secretary accountable, nor has he held Princess Zhaoming accountable!

After that, the Grand Secretary knelt outside the palace for three days and three nights, and shortly thereafter, His Majesty's decree was issued.

—They actually want Prince Ruiyang's memorial tablet to be placed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple!
The ensuing events and situations were something that even the most astute officials and ministers in the court could sense.

—At least, the Grand Secretary did not turn against Princess Zhaoming as they had imagined.

They did more than just not turn against each other.

Judging from this situation... it seems that the Grand Secretary is on the same side as Princess Zhaoming, and has even defied His Majesty's decree in order to help the princess.

This……

Every official in the imperial court is a shrewd and calculating person.

As a result, the way everyone looked at Princess Zhaoming became subtle.

If before it was disgust and disdain, now they look at Jiang Jinshuang with panic and fear.

Who knows if Princess Zhaoming will use the Grand Secretary's influence to get rid of them all?

The current Grand Secretary is a level above the powerful ministers and nobles of the past.

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled lightly and said calmly, "Please rise, gentlemen. We are all here to see off the head of the Si family. There is no need for formalities."

Qian Yao, standing to the side, respectfully said, "Your Highness, please come in. My family head said that if it weren't for waiting for Your Highness, we would have already set off."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang did not delay any longer and entered Yong'an Mansion, lifting her skirt.

As soon as you enter the gate of Yong'an Prefecture, you will see dozens of servants carrying countless wooden boxes of all sizes, which are placed in the courtyard of Yong'an Prefecture and are being opened in a very casual manner.

Jiang Jinshuang glanced at them and saw that they were all gold, silver, jewels, cloth, and silk bestowed by His Majesty.

"Master, His Highness has arrived!"

Qianyao took two quick steps forward and announced the news.

In the main hall, Si Beihuan, who had been sitting in the main seat with his eyes closed, finally opened them.

He slowly rose, saw Jiang Jinshuang in the courtyard, and strode out of the main hall.

A step behind, Si Ning followed behind Si Beihuan, her gaze towards Jiang Jinshuang as gentle and refined as ever.

Jiang Jinshuang saw Si Beihuan and bowed slightly, saying, "Uncle Si, I've come to see you off."

Si Beihuan's right sleeve was empty, fluttering in the wind. He looked Jiang Jinshuang up and down, frowning unhappily: "Have you used up all the fabric and gold and silver I gave you?"

"Huh?" Jiang Jinshuang's eyes widened, looking puzzled. "No, no, there are many more."

"Hmph, I had someone tailor new clothes for you, why aren't you wearing them today?"

Jiang Jinshuang scratched her face, both amused and exasperated: "Uncle Si, the clothes you prepared for me are so luxurious and elegant. It's fine for me to wear to palace banquets on ordinary days, but how can I wear such clothes to give to you today?"

Taking over the host.

Upon hearing this, Si Beihuan still snorted: "What girl doesn't love to look beautiful? What's wrong with that? Wear what you want. Are you afraid that this old man will be unhappy? Do you want me to eat you?"

Upon hearing this, Si Ning chuckled and said, "Father, you've frightened His Highness."

As she spoke, Si Ning looked at Jiang Jinshuang, her eyes gentle and curved: "Father means that Your Highness does not need to care about those formalities. As long as you think it looks beautiful, it doesn't matter what you wear to see her off."

"Hmph, I didn't say that." Si Beihuan snorted and muttered.

Si Ning smiled helplessly and shook her head.

Jiang Jinshuang understood Si Beihuan's meaning. Her eyes reddened slightly, and she smiled sweetly, "Uncle Si, don't worry. I'm so smart, I definitely won't wrong myself."

Si Beihuan gave him a look that was hard to describe: "You still have the nerve to call yourself smart?"

“Father,” Si Ning said disapprovingly, stopping Si Beihuan’s arm. “It’s getting late, you should set off.”

Si Beihuan glared at Si Ning: "You're already protecting her like this before she's even married into the family. Once she's actually married into the Si family, you'll be treating her like a princess every day!"

“Father,” Si Ning said with a helpless smile.

To say he's protecting someone is ridiculous; his own father is even more unreasonable when it comes to protecting his own son.

Si Ning only thought these words to herself; naturally, she would never say them aloud.

Si Beihuan raised his chin and glanced at Jiang Jinshuang again.

Then, he pointed to the endless wooden chests filled with gold and silver jewelry in the courtyard: "I can't take these things with me, and they're useless in Yong'an Prefecture. I've left a few servants to send them all to your residence."

Jiang Jinshuang's eyes widened as she glanced at the priceless treasures, then turned and gave Si Ning a look.

Si Ning understood, but only smiled gently and said, "Your Highness, please rest assured, these are just some inexpensive little things. Father came in a hurry this time, so it is indeed not advisable for him to have too much luggage."

After a pause, Si Ning said with some distress, "Besides, if Your Highness doesn't want it, Father won't leave it to me either."

Jiang Jinshuang swallowed and bowed slightly to Si Beihuan: "Then thank you very much, Uncle Si."

If there's a bargain, you should still take advantage of it!

Si Beihuan then raised his hand, and the fully equipped and ready-to-go team marched out of Yong'an Prefecture. Si Beihuan got into the carriage, and Jiang Jinshuang and Si Ning followed behind, walking together towards the city gate.

Yong'an Prefecture is quite close to the city gate.

Jiang Jinshuang and Si Ning walked at the back of the procession. Looking at the grand and magnificent procession, Jiang Jinshuang asked in a low voice, "Are there enough guards?"

Si Ning nodded slightly: "Your Highness, rest assured, they are all top-notch experts, and half of the Shadow Guards are hidden in the shadows, so they will not be easily discovered."

Jiang Jinshuang nodded: "If you're still worried, I'll have Yan Jue take Uncle Si there."

Si Ning smiled and shook her head: "That's enough, Your Highness, you don't need to worry."

Jiang Jinshuang didn't say anything more.

Looking at the procession, as if thinking of something, Si Ning smiled and said, "Earlier today, my father came to inquire about our marriage."