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

Chapter 203 Waiting for You.

To be honest, Jiang Huayan was not a bad emperor.

When they were young, Jiang Jinshuang and Jiang Biechen studied together. There were quite a few royal children, but in reality, only she and Jiang Biechen could stay by Jiang Huayan's side.

Jiang Huayan would sometimes test their studies. Jiang Biechen answered fluently, while Jiang Jinshuang would dodge questions and give only half-baked answers.

Whenever this happened, Jiang Huayan would smile and gently pinch her nose, asking her softly, "Shuang'er, what did you learn today? Tell your father."

Jiang Jinshuang was a serious truant and didn't really understand what the Grand Tutor was talking about.

When Jiang Huayan asked her questions, she started chatting about all sorts of things, making up random conversations.

Sometimes, Jiang Huayan would teach her some things.

Some officials also offered advice and remonstrance, but their words were too harsh. Jiang Jinshuang found them grating and her face darkened.

"Father, that Lord Li is just being arrogant because you are favored. He makes a big deal out of things you clearly didn't do!"

That was the first sentence Jiang Huayan taught her.

He smiled and said, "If something is inappropriate, it needs to be clearly stated to correct it."

"Shuang'er, the reason why the officials dare to speak so frankly is because in their eyes, the Emperor is reasonable and benevolent, and will not be biased or arbitrarily abusive."

"Shuang'er, that's good. Your father wants to be a wise ruler."

……

Years have passed.

Jiang Jinshuang looked at Jiang Huayan in front of her once again.

Compared to the past, the current emperor, Jiang Huayan, is no longer the inexperienced new emperor who has just ascended the throne.

Deep wrinkles etched around his eyes; his posture was dignified, and his expression solemn.

Even just standing there, he could command the submission of officials and the submission of the masses.

Upon hearing Jiang Jinshuang's words, Jiang Huayan's brows furrowed slightly.

Jiang Jinshuang's expression remained unchanged; she simply smiled slightly and looked up at Jiang Huayan: "Father, this is what you taught me."

At that time, the relationship between the two of them... was at least not at this point of tension.

Speaking of this, Jiang Jinshuang herself was actually a little dazed.

When was it?
When did things become nothing more than a battle of wits between her and Jiang Huayan?
It seemed to be a flood control strategy that she blurted out without thinking.

His expression turned cold, and he said in a deep voice, "From today onwards, Princess Zhaoming will no longer need to study with the Crown Prince."

But that's not actually correct either.

At that time, their relationship, while not exactly close, was certainly not at the point of such tension.

after that……

Later, it was rumored that Princess Zhaoming was raised to be increasingly arrogant, rude, and vicious.

She disregarded human life, bullied women and oppressed men; she was hated by everyone and everyone wanted to kill her.

At first, when she was cursed and ridiculed by the people, Jiang Huayan felt sorry for her.

He would say to her, "Shuang'er, wait a few more years. When the situation in the court is stable, your father will personally clear your name and bestow upon you countless honors."

But later, as the scorn and insults grew louder and louder, it seemed as if they could drown her in their spittle.

Jiang Huayan then stopped talking about these things.

It seems she had indeed committed those heinous crimes.

It seems she was meant to be that damned Princess Zhaoming.

In fact, Jiang Jinshuang never resented him for this.

This was not Jiang Huayan's idea; it was her own choice.

She chose to be the first shield, the evil of this dynasty, and the raised butcher's knife.

It's not a big deal actually.

Jiang Jinshuang has lived like this for so many years, enduring both open and covert ridicule, and facing assassination attempts and insults.

It's not a big deal.

However, she would sometimes think back to those days when her father looked at her with a pained expression, hesitant to speak.

"Shuang'er, you've suffered so much, my child."

Jiang Jinshuang is actually quite unambitious.

Even though I knew it probably wasn't a heartfelt word of comfort, my eyes still welled up with tears.

It seems that it was around that time that she donned that wolf's skin and became the target of everyone's hatred.

Jiang Huayan also responded coldly, gradually distancing himself from her, eventually leading to a confrontational situation. Oh.

I remembered.

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled softly, raised her eyebrows slightly, and looked at Jiang Huayan in front of her.

My nose still feels a little sore.

But it doesn't matter anymore.

She's been through so much over the years, it's nothing serious.

Very few people are on her side.

This time, because Shen Huaihe spoke a few words for her in court, Jiang Jinshuang didn't want to owe him a favor, so she came to Jiang Huayan to ask for it back.

That's it.

……

When Jiang Jinshuang came out of the Imperial Study, the sky was clear and the sun was no longer too bright.

Grandpa Kang saw her out of the room, his forehead still damp with sweat.

He spoke in a high-pitched voice to Jiang Jinshuang, "Your Highness, you've scared this old servant to death."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled slightly: "What is Eunuch Kang afraid of?"

"Oh, Your Highness, how can you still laugh? Just now, the way you and His Majesty were acting, this old servant was almost scared out of his wits!"

After a pause, Eunuch Kang sighed and said, "Your Highness, please don't always hold grudges against His Majesty. His Majesty has too many things to consider while sitting in this position. He is doing this for your own good."

It's for her own good.

Jiang Jinshuang had heard these words many times, and now, hearing them again, they no longer sounded particularly jarring.

—Into the left ear, out to the right.

She smiled nonchalantly and said, "Eunuch Kang, I'll be going now."

"Farewell to Your Highness."

Jiang Jinshuang walked towards the palace gate.

On the way to the palace gate, Jiang Jinshuang even took a moment to reflect.

A person like her represents the dark side of Wan Jin.

Every decision made by a monarch has both advantages and disadvantages.

When one person is in charge of the entire country, it is impossible for everyone to be happy when a decision is made.

Therefore, Jiang Jinshuang took over the many inconveniences in the imperial court.

Therefore, she will become the knife used to eliminate the conservatives during the emperor's reforms, and the powerful and wealthy who will kill at will during the imperial examinations when there is cheating.

For someone in her position, killing someone would be incredibly easy.

The emperor of Wan Jin was wise, upright, reasonable, and benevolent.

Princess Wanjin was utterly wicked and hated by everyone.

It has always been like this.

At least for Jiang Jinshuang, this has been the case for the past twenty years, ever since she chose this path.

No one accompanied her.

—Or rather, she didn't want anyone to accompany her.

That's not good.

With these thoughts in mind, Jiang Jinshuang stopped outside the palace gate.

Red walls and green tiles.

Jiang Jinshuang looked up and gazed into the distance, only to see a man in a bright red official robe standing straight not far from the palace gate. He had a refined and elegant appearance and a handsome and refined demeanor.

A breeze blew through his dark hair and robes.

As if sensing something, the man turned around, his gaze falling squarely on her.

The man slightly cupped his hands and bowed to Jiang Jinshuang, his voice clear and upright.

"Your humble servant Pei Du greets Your Highness the Princess."

Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "Lord Pei, what are you still waiting for here?"

"Wait for you."

"What are you waiting for me to do?"

"Come with us."