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

Chapter 197 I won't agree.

Shen Huaihe advised her.

After Jiang Jinshuang was imprisoned, Shen Huaihe spoke up for her in court, which angered the emperor, who then ordered her to be placed under house arrest at the Dali Temple.

Now that Jiang Jinshuang has been released from prison, the Emperor has not blamed her, yet he still refuses to lift Shen Huaihe's house arrest.

“Recently, His Majesty has been in a bad mood because of Lord Pei’s matter. Afterwards…” Shen Huaihe paused and continued, “Afterwards, His Highness and Lord Pei together placed Prince Ruiyang’s body in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. I heard that His Majesty was very angry in the court that day.”

Shen Huaihe looked at Jiang Jinshuang: "Your Highness should also know that His Majesty is very sensitive about the matter of Prince Ruiyang. It would be best for Your Highness to avoid confrontation."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang smiled and looked at Shen Huaihe with a smile: "Lord Shen, why are you two-faced?"

Shen Huaihe frowned slightly, looking puzzled: "What?"

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and tilted her head: "Didn't you just say that you didn't do anything wrong and therefore shouldn't be punished?"

Shen Huaihe was stunned for a moment, looking at her with a surprised expression.

Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyebrows, her smile unrestrained and arrogant: "Shen Huaihe, speaking up for me is not a wrong thing."

“If His Majesty wants to punish you, I, Jiang Jinshuang, will not agree.”

Speaking up for her, without doing anything wrong, being impartial and unbiased, she shouldn't be punished.

Since someone like her wasn't reprimanded by the emperor, Shen Huaihe shouldn't be affected by the emperor's lingering anger.

That's fair.

……

As I left Dali Temple, night fell.

When Jiang Jinshuang returned to the princess's residence, it was already completely dark.

Outside the mansion gate, Chun Tao stood there with a cloak draped over her arm, and she could be seen from afar.

"Your Highness!"

Chun Tao smiled and jogged a couple of steps toward Jiang Jinshuang, finally reaching her and draping the cloak she was carrying over her shoulders.

While helping her put on her coat, he muttered, "It's not even fully summer yet, and the nights are chilly. Your Highness doesn't even know to put on an extra layer."

Chuntao always liked to nag her.

Jiang Jinshuang was happy to listen to her nagging, and smiled helplessly: "Miss Chuntao is right to teach me a lesson~"

Chun Tao smiled and said, "Oh, by the way, Your Highness, earlier today, the little sword attendant from the Imperial Preceptor's side came to the manor to look for you."

Jiang Jinshuang blinked: "Regularity?"

Chuntao nodded: "Yes, it is Lord Zhengze."

"What does Xiao Zhengze want from me?"

Chun Tao scratched her face: "This servant doesn't know either. That Lord Zhengze only said that if you come back, you should go to the Imperial Observatory to find the Grand Preceptor."

Jiang Jinshuang glanced at the deepening night: "Does he seem to be in a hurry?"

Chun Tao shook her head: "I didn't seem to be in a hurry, but I heard that you went to visit the Grand Secretary and you didn't seem very happy."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled helplessly: "Okay, then I'll go again tomorrow morning."

It shouldn't be anything urgent.

Chuntao smiled and nodded: "Okay."

Upon returning to the princess's residence, dozens of sandalwood boxes were neatly arranged in the main hall. With the lids open, all that could be seen was a dazzling, crystal-clear expanse of gold.

Jiang Jinshuang almost didn't react in time, and then burst into laughter.

Chun Tao, who was standing to the side, smiled and said, "It was sent by Mr. Si Ning from Yong'an Prefecture. He said it was a return gift from his father to His Highness."

A return gift, perhaps?

Jiang Jinshuang shook her head helplessly.

When she saw him off today, she didn't give Uncle Si anything particularly valuable.

They were nothing more than some common items like gold and silver jewelry, not even as valuable as this sandalwood box.

Isn't this "return gift" a bit too generous?
Jiang Jinshuang sighed. It seemed she would have to send Uncle Si an even more valuable gift in return.

After having Chun Tao put all the jewels into storage, Jiang Jinshuang didn't linger. She ate a few bites of dinner and went back to her room to rest.

—She has things to do tomorrow.
-
The next morning.

Jiang Jinshuang got up quite early. Looking at the sun, she figured the court officials should be finishing their morning court session soon. After telling Chun Tao to help her wash up, Jiang Jinshuang changed her clothes, got into her carriage, and headed towards the palace.

Outside the Forbidden City.

The carriage stopped.

As Jiang Jinshuang stepped down from the carriage, she saw officials dressed in red robes filing out of the palace gates in twos and threes.

The morning court session has just ended.

It was a very opportune time.

Jiang Jinshuang stood beside the carriage, wanting to wait until all the court officials had left before going inside.

Unexpectedly, even though she was just standing there waiting, she was noticed by the court officials.

Among the court officials, groups of two or three ministers walked together, and many of them looked toward Jiang Jinshuang.

At the very center of the crowd, intentionally or unintentionally surrounded, was that now-noble minister.

Your Excellency, the Grand Secretary, Pei Du.

Surrounded by stars like the moon, they were even more revered than powerful ministers.

After leaving the palace, Pei Du's gaze fell on Jiang Jinshuang.

Beside him, a minister also noticed Princess Zhaoming in the distance and hurriedly said to Pei Du, "Lord Pei, look at that person in the distance, isn't that...?"

Pei Du remained silent.

His steps were leisurely and measured, but he slowed his pace slightly when he looked at Jiang Jinshuang.

Hearing the minister's voice beside him, the man's eyes flickered slightly, and his gaze on Jiang Jinshuang became more open.

Those who can gain a foothold in the imperial court are not fools.

Although the exact relationship between the current Grand Secretary and Princess Zhaoming is unclear, the fact that the Grand Secretary was willing to kneel outside the palace for three days for His Highness Prince Ruiyang speaks volumes.

This also shows that, at least for now, the Grand Secretary still attaches great importance to Princess Zhaoming.

That's easy to say.

Among the crowd, some ministers exchanged glances.

"It seems Princess Zhaoming is waiting for someone here?"

"It seems so!"

"Your Highness... are you waiting for the Prime Minister?"

The minister who spoke glanced tentatively at the powerful official as he spoke.

Seeing that Pei Du did not show any disgust or annoyance, and even had a slight smile on his lips, the sharp-eyed ministers were immediately relieved and began to flatter him.

"Hahaha, need I say more? It seems Her Highness has been waiting here for quite some time!"

"It seems that no matter how much time has passed, Her Highness still has deep feelings for the Prime Minister!"

"Who can argue with that! Apart from the Grand Secretary, I have never seen Her Highness the Princess condescend to wait for anyone else!"

"They must be waiting for the Grand Secretary!"

"Yeah yeah!"

"It must be so!"

"..."

Pei Du's fingers, hidden in his sleeve, paused slightly. He didn't show it on his face, but the corners of his mouth tightened even more.

—He seemed a little nervous.

Jiang Jinshuang was standing a bit far away and didn't quite hear the group of ministers' discussion.

Just look at the smile on his lips and the faint, almost imperceptible gaze he casts your way.

Jiang Jinshuang felt something was off.

In the distance, Pei Du finally emerged from the crowd.

Tall and elegant, dressed in brocade robes.

Walk towards her.