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

Chapter 196 Pei Du, do you like me?

court?

Not right either.

At least Jiang Jinshuang's idea of ​​"showing goodwill" wouldn't go to this extent.

In Jiang Jinshuang's mind, "showing goodwill" meant that if she upset Pei Du, she would bring him a lot of exquisite and delicious snacks until Pei Du was willing to pick one out of the plate and take a bite.

It's much more profound than just "showing goodwill".

Jiang Jinshuang smiled at him, noticing that he paused for a moment while wiping her hands.

She didn't seem to care much and still asked, "Pei Du, is there anything you need from me?"

The damp towel wiped her slender, soft knuckles clean.

But he didn't get up; he just looked up at her.

Not a word.

for a long time.

Jiang Jinshuang tilted her head slightly and chuckled softly, "Pei Du, I don't understand."

Pei Du stared intently, his eyes swirling with emotion: "What?"

"Is it liking?" Jiang Jinshuang pondered for a moment, her gaze towards Pei Du filled with inquiry. "It's liking, isn't it?"

Jiang Jinshuang is not sensitive to emotions.

Often, we only realize it after the fact.

As for Pei Du, Jiang Jinshuang immediately ruled out the possibility of "liking" him after returning to the capital.

That's impossible.

But now, with all possibilities eliminated, only one remains.

Even in Jiang Jinshuang's view, this possibility was simply unbelievable.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled, completely at ease: "Pei Du, you... like me?"

Otherwise, she had no other way to explain that he had tricked her into going to Wenshan Pavilion by feigning unconsciousness, and then seduced her in that way.

—Could it be that this Grand Secretary is simply too thirsty for sex?

The man knelt in front of her, his pupils slightly constricted.

The sandalwood incense in the bedroom swirled a few times, hovered in the air, and then vanished without a trace.

half an hour.

"Your Highness, the hem of your skirt is dirty."

He lowered his gaze, but only looked at the hem of her skirt, and spoke calmly.

Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

He didn't answer.

Or rather, he doesn't admit it.

This is unlike that upright, incorruptible, and composed chief minister.

Pei Du rarely avoided questions from others.

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled, crossed her legs, and leaned slightly forward: "Pei Du, answer."

The man stood up, placed the damp towel on the table, and said calmly, "I will have someone send the jade pendant back to your residence after I have cleaned it."

Tsk.

Jiang Jinshuang really doesn't have much patience when it comes to matters of love and romance.

The three years she spent pursuing Pei Du had exhausted all her patience.

She had no intention of clinging to Pei Du's answer.

She was just a little curious, but since he was unwilling to answer, Jiang Jinshuang didn't press him for an answer.

Insignificant.

He stood up from the armchair.

Jiang Jinshuang dusted off the hem of her skirt and said in her usual tone, "Since Lord Pei is still recovering from his injuries, he should take good care of himself. I will not disturb him any longer."

After saying that, she nodded slightly and left.

……

As Jingmo walked out of Pei Du's bedroom, he happened to be carrying tea towards Pei Du's bedroom.

Upon seeing Jiang Jinshuang emerge, Jingmo hurriedly stepped forward: "Your Highness, are you... leaving?"

Jiang Jinshuang nodded: "Well, since your master is awake, I won't bother you any longer." "Ah?" Jingmo scratched his head and glanced at the teacup in his hand. "I was thinking of sending Your Highness some of the finest tea leaves to try."

Jiang Jinshuang waved her hand: "I have other matters to attend to, so I won't stay any longer."

After saying that, Jiang Jinshuang didn't look at Jingmo again and strode away.
-
We walked out of Wenshan Pavilion.

Jiang Jinshuang glanced at the sun.

It's still early.

Jiang Jinshuang lifted her foot and walked towards the Dali Temple.

Shortly after the servant announced her arrival outside the Dali Temple gate, he invited her inside.

Upon entering the main hall, Jiang Jinshuang found a seat and sat down. Shortly after, Shen Huaihe came out from the courtyard.

Tea was served, and Shen Huaihe bowed slightly, saying, "Your Highness, this humble subject greets you."

Jiang Jinshuang waved her hand dismissively, acting as if she were the guest of honor, gesturing for him to sit down.

Shen Huaihe sat in another main seat and glanced at her sideways: "Your Highness, what brings you to the Dali Temple?"

Jiang Jinshuang clicked her tongue and frowned in displeasure: "What are you saying, Lord Shaoqing? Can't I just be passing by and ask for a cup of tea?"

Shen Huaihe remained expressionless, his tone clear and crisp: "The princess's residence should not be short of a cup of tea."

Jiang Jinshuang put down her teacup unhappily and looked at Shen Huaihe: "Shen Huaihe, do you really want me to explain myself?"

Shen Huaihe raised his eyebrows: "Yes, Your Highness is foolish. You may explain it more clearly."

Jiang Jinshuang glared at him, and after a long while, she chuckled softly and sighed.

"Shen Huaihe, thank you."

She smiled and said, "Shen Huaihe, thank you."

Shen Huaihe pursed his lips.

He avoided her gaze, lowered his eyes, and picked up the teacup beside him.

Taking a sip of tea, Shen Huaihe finally looked at Jiang Jinshuang again: "What did Your Highness just say?"

Jiang Jinshuang rolled her eyes: "I won't say nice things a second time."

Shen Huaihe didn't take it to heart, and simply said calmly, "Your Highness has not done anything, and there is no need for Your Highness to thank me."

"Since you, Lord Shaoqing, spoke up for me in court, I should thank you for your kindness and integrity."

Shen Huaihe said in a clear voice, "Your Highness, I am not biased towards you. There is insufficient evidence. Whoever it was on that day, I will stand up."

“But only you, Lord Shaoqing, have stood up for me,” Jiang Jinshuang said with a self-deprecating laugh. “I am not popular and I thought I would be isolated and helpless, but I never expected that you, Lord Shaoqing, would be willing to speak up for me.”

“The laws of Wan Jin are impartial and unbiased, and they do not speak for anyone.”

In Shen Huaihe's view, right is right and wrong is wrong.

No suspect should go unpunished, and no innocent person should be sent to the dungeon.

Neither of them is fair.

He was the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, representing the laws and regulations of Wan Jin.

He should stand up.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "I just think that you must have been quite happy when you impeached me in front of His Majesty and saw me arrested and thrown into prison."

“One thing at a time,” Shen Huaihe said calmly, “Your Highness did nothing wrong, so you shouldn’t be punished.”

There is no such thing.

Jiang Jinshuang looked at Shen Huaihe and couldn't help but chuckle.

"What is Your Highness laughing at?" Shen Huaihe asked.

Jiang Jinshuang shook her head: "It's nothing. I was just thinking about the past. Although the court officials didn't like me, they were afraid of my power and dared not impeach me easily."

"Only you submit memorials every few days. His Majesty said that the memorials you submitted against me alone are already taller than a person."

"Now, the court officials all want me imprisoned, but the Junior Minister stands out and says that I should not be punished."

I just find it amazing.

Human nature is a really strange thing.

Shen Huaihe took another sip of tea without saying a word.

Jiang Jinshuang continued, "I heard that Lord Shaoqing was confined by His Majesty for speaking up for me in front of the palace?"

Shen Huaihe explained, "It's only temporary; His Majesty is still angry."

Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyebrows: "Lord Shaoqing went so far as to defy His Majesty for my sake. If I don't repay him in some way, it would be rather inappropriate."

Upon hearing this, Shen Huaihe frowned slightly: "Your Highness, His Majesty's anger has not yet subsided, so it is best not to provoke him."