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

Chapter 201 Your Highness, you are injured.

Jiang Huayan chuckled softly, sat down at his desk, and looked at the official documents and memorials in front of him without moving.

He simply said, "At least she has some filial piety."

Eunuch Kang chuckled twice and continued, "No matter what, Your Highness was raised by you, so she certainly knows these etiquette rules."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huayan sneered, "If she knew the rules, she wouldn't have caused such a big mess."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Kang chuckled dryly twice, but didn't dare to reply.

Jiang Huayan continued, "Pei Du was influenced by her, and actually did such a rebellious thing, and even dared to force me."

Eunuch Kang said cautiously, "Lord Pei... also wants to ensure the legitimacy of the royal family and allow the royal bloodline to return to its roots."

Jiang Huayan snorted again: "Let her in."

Eunuch Kang finally smiled: "Yes, this servant will invite Her Highness the Princess in."

……

Outside the Imperial Study Room.

The sun is shining brightly.

Jiang Jinshuang did not face the direction of the Imperial Study, but instead stood on the steps, looking down into the distance.

His gaze fell upon the open space outside the Imperial Study, upon the scorching gold bricks.

It was noon.

The scorching sun beat down on the ground, melting stones and turning them to gold.

Jiang Jinshuang could even hear the crackling sound of the gold bricks being burned.

It is already the height of summer.

Because the emperor often stayed in the Imperial Study, which was surrounded by tall trees, it was considered a relatively cool place within the entire palace.

Elsewhere, it will only be hotter.

Jiang Jinshuang narrowed her eyes, inexplicably recalling the scorching heat outside the palace that seemed capable of melting the scenery.

—It should be even harder to endure.

Three days and three nights.

Jiang Jinshuang smacked her lips and muttered a sentence.

Perhaps because she had stayed in Baiyujing for so long, she actually disliked the sweltering heat more than the cold.

If she were made to kneel outside the palace gates, exposed to the scorching sun, for three days and three nights...

Tsk.

It seems she can't kneel for more than three days.

Pei Du is truly persistent.

Jiang Jinshuang smacked her lips, then suddenly felt inexplicably confused.

It wasn't that she was unaware of kindness or incapable of repaying it; it was just that she couldn't treat Pei Du the same way she would treat a "benefactor."

She felt completely bewildered.

Pei Du was said to be upright and honest, and dedicated to the country and its people.

But apart from that, he has always been alone and rarely takes on trouble for himself.

Jiang Jinshuang still remembers that year, she risked her life to save a candidate who was framed by the examiner. Although she eventually cleared the candidate's name, she also suffered some hardship and minor injuries.

For Jiang Jinshuang, this minor injury was nothing.

Such a small injury saved a life and also brought down a corrupt official for Wan Jin—a win-win situation.

But that time, Pei Du ignored her for many days.

Several days later, when the imperial physician was about to change the dressing on her arm, Pei Du appeared and said he would change it for her.

He saw the shallow wound on her arm.

—It's only about half a finger joint deep.

Moreover, when Pei Du came to see him, the wound had already improved considerably.

He simply lowered his head to apply medicine and bandage her wound.

Jiang Jinshuang tried to tease him easily, but he ignored her completely, his face so cold and sullen it looked like it could seep water.

Finally, Jiang Jinshuang lost her patience, snatched the ointment from his hand, applied the medicine herself, and bandaged the wound herself.

"Pei Du, I saved someone."

She said this to him, her eyes fixed on him.

She did nothing wrong; she saved a student's life.

Pei Du raised his eyes, his dark pupils returning her gaze silently. He did not speak.

Just when Jiang Jinshuang thought he wouldn't say anything more, the man finally spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Your Highness, you are injured."

She said she saved someone.

He said she was injured.

Jiang Jinshuang was unaware of any connection at the time.

Looking back now, Jiang Jinshuang could roughly guess that at the time, he must have regarded her as his... "companion," which involved his own interests.

Pei Du didn't like to get involved in the affairs of people who weren't involved.

Although nowadays in the capital, everyone praises that Grand Secretary for his benevolence and concern for the common people.

But in Pei Du's view, these were just his duties.

There's really nothing to boast about or praise.

If one day he is no longer in his position, he will not hesitate to relinquish this responsibility that belongs to him and hand it over to others to "serve the country and the people".

In other words, after three years of getting along with Pei Du, Jiang Jinshuang discovered that Pei Du was actually quite indifferent to emotions.

He was simply able to fulfill his duties and obligations admirably, based on the content and teachings in the books.

Putting all that aside, Pei Du is actually incredibly cold-hearted.

That's why Jiang Jinshuang felt even more confused.

He would kneel for three days and three nights in front of the palace gates for "Prince Ruiyang," who was not even related to him.

My thoughts drifted far away.

Until I heard the door open behind me.

Jiang Jinshuang then turned around and saw Eunuch Kang walking towards her with a smile on his face, holding a whisk.

“Your Highness,” Eunuch Kang bowed and said with a smile, “His Majesty invites you in.”

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Kang."

"Your Highness, please come inside."

Jiang Jinshuang entered the Imperial Study.

Jiang Huayan was looking down as he flipped through the memorials.

Jiang Jinshuang walked to Jiang Huayan's desk and gave a slight curtsy: "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Jiang Huayan did not look up.

He glanced at the memorials on the table and simply gave a deep reply.

It seems they are waiting for Jiang Jinshuang to continue.

Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow slightly, her gaze sweeping across the imperial study.

She had also heard some news these days: Crown Prince Jiang Biechen seemed to have suddenly become determined to improve himself again and had not left the Eastern Palace for a long time.

He said he was studying and wanted to share his father's burdens.

That's what they say on the surface, but Jiang Jinshuang could guess that it was because Pei Du's reputation had soared during this incident that Jiang Biechen felt threatened.

If someone's achievements overshadow the emperor's, not only will his subjects be wary of them, but even princes and marquises will be feared.

"I was unable to pay my respects to Your Majesty for some time due to my injuries. I am feeling better today and have come to see you."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled perfectly, without missing a single flaw.

Jiang Huayan finally put down his calligraphy brush.

A pair of extremely dignified eyes slowly rose and fell on Jiang Jinshuang.

Jiang Jinshuang was still smiling, her eyes clear and bright, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

Jiang Huayan narrowed his eyes.

The girl wore a dark green dress embroidered with several sprigs of winter plum blossoms, which were bright and lively.

"Escape from the dungeon without permission, though there may be some extenuating circumstances, is still a serious breach of the rules."

The emperor spoke, his tone cold and somber.

Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyebrows slightly, and even blinked in a somewhat bewildered manner.

—So, Jiang Huayan also felt that she had come here today to apologize?
Jiang Jinshuang chuckled softly, still looking at Jiang Huayan with a sharp gaze, her words perfectly accurate: "Father's reprimand is correct, but there is one thing I do not understand, and I would appreciate your guidance."

"explain."

Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyebrows: "Since Father Emperor knows that I was released from prison without imperial decree, he should also know that it was the Grand Secretary who brought me out."

After a pause, Jiang Jinshuang smiled faintly, "Father has bestowed official titles and honors upon the Grand Secretary, and given him ten thousand taels of gold. Why doesn't Father punish the Grand Secretary? Instead, he comes to question me?"