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

Chapter 2: A show of force

Jiang Jinshuang scoffed coldly: "Three years ago, you were nothing but a powerless commoner. What right did you have to plead for me?"

Xia Yurong's hand, which was holding Jiang Jinshuang's, stiffened slightly. She looked up and gave a gentle smile: "Fortunately, my sister is back now."

"If you just apologize to His Majesty a little later, he might let you stay in the capital a few more days."

At this point, Xia Yurong's eyes reddened: "I haven't seen you for three years, sister. I have so much to say to you."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "Okay, we'll definitely get together sometime."

As she spoke, Jiang Jinshuang pulled her hand away from Xia Yurong's.

As if suddenly remembering something, Xia Yurong looked timidly at Jiang Jinshuang: "When you came, did you see Pei Lang?"

“Pei… Lang?” Jiang Jinshuang pondered the two words, looking at Xia Yurong with a half-smile.

Realizing she had misspoke, Xia Yurong quickly lowered her head and corrected herself, "Yes, it was Lord Pei..."

When Jiang Jinshuang lowered her eyes, she could just see Xia Yurong's reddened ear tips and the spring-like look in the corners of her eyes.

She looked away: "No."

"Ah... Brother Pei left very early today. I originally thought he was going to pick up your carriage..."

As if speaking to herself, Xia Yurong smiled and said, "After all, you and Brother Pei have known each other for so long, Brother Pei must miss you very much."

Jiang Jinshuang didn't like going back and forth with people like Xia Yurong.

She spent three years in this harsh and cold place, but her sharp edges were still not smoothed out.

“Xia Yurong, when it’s just the two of us, you don’t need to put on such a pitiful act.”

But to everyone's surprise, as soon as she said those words, Xia Yurong's eyes reddened.

"Sister, how could you think of me like that? I... I just didn't want your relationship with Brother Pei to be so strained..."

Jiang Jinshuang's patience ran out, and she chuckled: "You keep calling him 'Brother Pei' and 'Brother Pei,' Yu Rong, if you like Pei Du so much, why don't you kowtow and ask me for advice? A rigid and stubborn man like him is the easiest to handle."

"Your Highness, this humble subject greets you."

A cold male voice came from behind Jiang Jinshuang.

She didn't turn her head, but she saw a fleeting smile in Xia Yurong's eyes.

—She did it on purpose.

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled nonchalantly and slowly turned around.

It is the height of spring, the warbling of orioles has just ceased, and the warm sun shines brightly.

A long wind blew up Jiang Jinshuang's skirt and also lifted people's robes.

It was Pei Du.

The man wore a bright red official robe, with a white crane poised to take flight on the embroidered patch.

He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, with a refined and composed demeanor.

Pei Du's eyes were cold, like ice in winter. His bright red official robe did not make him look vulgar at all; on the contrary, it made him look even more noble and aloof.

With the graceful posture of a crane and a pine tree.

This word is perfectly suited to describe Pei Du.

Jiang Jinshuang narrowed her eyes, but couldn't help recalling how beautiful the tall, elegant, and aloof Lord Pei had been in bed with her back then...

Pei Du naturally had no idea what Jiang Jinshuang was thinking. He bowed slightly to Jiang Jinshuang as a sign of respect.

Before Jiang Jinshuang could say anything, Xia Yurong called out "Brother Pei" and ran to Pei Du's side in a sweet and soft voice.

Her eyes were still red, and it was obvious that she had been bullied. She bit her lip slightly and looked timidly at the person who came.

She said nothing, only her watery eyes looked at Pei Du with a pitiful expression.

But Pei Du was so rigid and old-fashioned that it was almost outrageous.

He didn't even glance at Xia Yurong, but instead looked coldly at Jiang Jinshuang, his lips pressed tightly together.

Jiang Jinshuang tilted her head slightly and smiled frankly: "Young Master Pei, oh no, now I should say Prime Minister Pei, it's been a long time, how have you been?"

The man's gaze was cold, and he remained silent.

Pei Du was a man of exceptional appearance, with a slender waist and dark hair, standing tall like a pine or bamboo on a mountain, with skin whiter than snow, and cascading black hair that was even smoother and shinier than a woman's.

However, he rarely spoke, and even in bed he would only exert himself and never utter a single sweet word.

She and Pei Du remained locked in this stalemate. Seeing this, Xia Yurong bit her lip and said, "Brother Pei, what my sister said was unintentional. Please don't blame her..."

Pei Du seemed to only then notice Xia Yurong beside him. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and he took a step back without making a sound. "Miss Xia, you should go back soon. Your father is already urging you outside the palace." Xia Yurong was taken aback for a moment before lowering her head and saying softly, "Thank you for informing me, Brother Pei. Then Rong'er will go back first."

As she spoke, Xia Yurong smiled at Pei Du again: "My lord, remember your promise to Rong'er tomorrow!"

Pei Du remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Xia Yurong glanced at Jiang Jinshuang again before turning and walking towards the palace gate.

The sun was a bit too strong. Jiang Jinshuang looked at Xia Yurong's back and a hint of annoyance flashed in her eyes: "So it wasn't her who led me to see His Majesty? I've been stuck here listening to her nagging for so long."

Jiang Jinshuang thought that the person the guard said would lead her to see the emperor was Xia Yurong!
If she had known it wasn't true, she should have left immediately.

—A waste of time.

Seemingly ignoring Jiang Jinshuang's complaints, Pei Du walked up to her and said calmly, "Your Highness, please come with me."

As he spoke, Pei Du walked half a step ahead of Jiang Jinshuang and led her toward the Weiyang Palace, which was located at a higher elevation.

Walking behind Pei Du, Jiang Jinshuang could only see Pei Du's back.

Three years had passed, and Pei Du's back seemed to have grown even more broad.

Three years ago, Pei Du was just a poor scholar. His family was poor, and he often went hungry.

Jiang Jinshuang then prepared medicinal meals for him every day and urged him to eat and take his medicine on time, which helped to improve his health.

Back then, Pei Du's shoulders seemed a bit thin, but now they look even more pleasing to the eye.

He looked really good in that bright red official robe; his broad shoulders and narrow waist, along with the jade belt around his waist, accentuated his elegant figure.

Jiang Jinshuang always felt that these officials in their red robes were all old-fashioned and had an old-fashioned air about them.

Unexpectedly, the clothes looked quite different on Pei Du.

Jiang Jinshuang couldn't help but think: If Pei Du knew that she was imagining these things about him, he would probably get angry and storm off!

Thinking of this, Jiang Jinshuang couldn't help but chuckle.

Jiang Jinshuang didn't notice Pei Du stopping in front of her and accidentally bumped into his back!

Jiang Jinshuang felt a lump in her throat, frowned, rubbed her nose, and took a few steps back.

"arrive."

Jiang Jinshuang then looked up and realized that she had unknowingly arrived outside the Weiyang Palace.

Pei Du ignored Jiang Jinshuang, and simply cupped his hands and announced loudly, "Your Majesty, Princess Zhaoming has arrived."

Seeing this, Jiang Jinshuang also curtsied tactfully: "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

I do not know how long it has been.

A palace attendant walked out of the hall.

Jiang Jinshuang recognized this person; he was Kang Gonggong, the emperor's personal eunuch.

Eunuch Kang, holding a whisk, walked to Jiang Jinshuang's side: "Your Highness, His Majesty is not feeling well today and said he will summon you again on another day."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang simply smiled and said, "Alright, then I'll trouble Eunuch Kang to take care of Father Emperor. I'll come to pay my respects another day."

"Your Highness, walk slowly."

Jiang Jinshuang nodded slightly, then turned and left.

“Oh dear, Lord Pei, please wait a moment,” Eunuch Kang hurriedly walked to Pei Du’s side. “His Majesty heard that you recently acquired a chess manual and is about to have a match with you. Please, go ahead.”

Jiang Jinshuang understood when she heard the voice behind her.

She asked no questions and left the palace alone.
-
"Oh? Your Majesty, why are you like this...?"

On the way back to the princess's residence, Jiang Jinshuang told Chuntao about the matter, and Chuntao looked indignant.

"He said he wanted to see you because he wasn't feeling well. You haven't even gone far yet, and he's already going to play chess with Lord Pei. Isn't that a clear indication that he doesn't like Your Highness?"

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled nonchalantly, "His Majesty was just putting on a show for me."

This was a show of force to intimidate her upon her return to Beijing.

His Majesty wanted to take this opportunity to curb her arrogance.

Chun Tao comforted her, "Your Highness, don't be sad. When I was waiting outside the palace, I actually saw Xia Yurong!"

"Hmph, years ago she was homeless and destitute. If it weren't for Your Highness's kindness in taking her back to the manor as a maid, she wouldn't be where she is today!"

(End of this chapter)