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

Chapter 207 The Grand Secretary's Words Are Ruthless~
So, while it's called "suitable age," it's actually a "selection" that everyone knows is going to do.

Now, Beihuai intends to re-ally with Wanjin. The ruler of Beihuai claims that the previous invasion was the result of his generals disobeying orders and acting without authorization.

Now they say that the leading general has been dealt with, as a testament to the alliance with Wan Jin.

History is written by the victors.

Wan Jin emerged victorious in this battle, so Bei Huai began to make amends.

Therefore, at least in the short term, Wan Jin no longer needs to "condescend" to consider the possibility of a marriage alliance with Bei Huai.

Jiang Jinshuang was therefore spared the trouble of traveling thousands of miles to Beihuai for a marriage alliance.

However, Jiang Jinshuang's marriage has always been a hidden danger in the hearts of the imperial family.

After the incident of the Prince of Changping's rebellion, Jiang Huayan became even more certain.

Jiang Huayan didn't actually care that Jiang Jinshuang was fickle and had a large number of male lovers.

That was before I met Pei Du.

Before meeting Pei Du, Princess Zhaoming Jiang Jinshuang's palace had also provided assistance to many beautiful women and men.

Of course, the common people didn't think that this so-called "aid" could have any real purpose.

Many lone men and women would spend the night at the princess's residence.

Before she met Pei Du, the people of the capital had a widespread rumor that Princess Zhaoming was promiscuous and disrespectful to both men and women.

However, compared to women, their stories with men were naturally more widely circulated and more well-known.

Those women who were "helped" by the princess's mansion would eventually be given new identities and residences by Jiang Jinshuang and disappear without a trace.

Jiang Jinshuang was happy to help those women in distress with these things.

For her, women are already lonely and it is inherently more difficult for them to walk in the world. She doesn't mind helping them a little more, and she won't ruin their reputation or honor.

Therefore, over time, the rumors circulating among the people of the capital became that Princess Zhaoming was wicked and bullied women and men.

Of course, regardless of the rumors, helping those men and women was something that happened before she met Pei Du.

Later, Jiang Jinshuang took a liking to Pei Du and pursued him relentlessly.

Later, Jiang Jinshuang brought Pei Du back to the princess's residence. In order not to anger him, even when she later helped the people in distress outside the residence, she often avoided him to prevent him from overthinking.

That was Jiang Jinshuang from before.

Emperor Jiang Huayan never minded that Jiang Jinshuang was fickle and had many male lovers.

Just like before, even though her reputation for promiscuity was unpleasant, the officials didn't interfere much.

He didn't care that Jiang Jinshuang had become like that.

—Or rather, he hoped Jiang Jinshuang would become like that.

But later, things changed.

Pei Du was different.

Pei Du was unlike any other man she had ever met before.

Jiang Jinshuang is said to be a fickle person, but when she really falls in love with someone, she is very devoted.

If it were three years ago, Pei Du would still be a scholar who had not yet passed the imperial examination, with only a few poems and writing skills.

Jiang Huayan turned a blind eye and let the two of them do as they pleased.

But not now.

Absolutely not now.

Pei Du is now the Prime Minister, above all others, the head of all civil and military officials, and the most sought-after person in Wan Jin.

Even Jiang Huayan, who sat high on the throne, secretly feared this Grand Secretary. A powerful minister, holding an important position.

If Jiang Jinshuang were to marry such a person, it would be the most deadly threat to Jiang Huayan.

Such concerns existed before, but they were not as intense.

Everyone knows that it was Princess Zhaoming Jiang Jinshuang who forced Pei Du, a nobleman from a humble background, to be with her.

Pei Du has always been aloof and arrogant. Given his past, one would expect him to harbor resentment towards Jiang Jinshuang and avoid her at all costs.

But the truth is, Jiang Huayan sensed something during the Changping Prince's rebellion.

Alarm bells rang in my heart.

Jiang Jinshuang's marriage was thus becoming increasingly urgent.

In fact, Pei Du could roughly guess why the Emperor was in such a hurry to find a husband for Jiang Jinshuang.

In fact, if he had acted more indifferently and nonchalantly in the case of the Prince of Changping's rebellion, the Emperor might not have been so anxious.

He couldn't resist.

It's because he lacks self-control.

Thinking of this, Pei Du lowered his head slightly and pursed his lips, his eyes swirling with emotions.

Even His Majesty's summons today to help Jiang Jinshuang choose a husband is a test.

But it was clear that Pei Du didn't bother to hide his thoughts.

He criticized all the men in those picture books as utterly worthless and rotten inside.

Hearing Pei Du's cold words, Eunuch Kang chuckled dryly and lowered his head to rearrange and put away the picture albums.

“Your Excellency is wiser than this old servant. Even if His Majesty doesn’t say it, Your Excellency has already considered some things in your heart.”

Eunuch Kang smiled and continued, "This old servant asked the Imperial Household Department to relax the conditions a bit, sir, these are indeed the only ones we can find."

This was the bottom line that Kang Gonggong had laid out; there wasn't much he could do, and that was all.

Pei Du chuckled softly, his gaze slightly narrowing as he looked at the portraits.

"The second young master of the Li family is ignorant and incompetent, and even the concubines in the mansion can easily manipulate him. Isn't His Majesty afraid that His Highness will be bullied after marrying into such a foolish family?"

"Zhao's son, born out of wedlock, is away from the capital for many years and is bullied by his mistress. Now he can't even read the Four Books and Five Classics properly. He's a complete fool."

"This man from the Qi family is ten years older than Your Highness, has many wives and concubines, and his children are only five or six years younger than Your Highness."

"Lord Sun has been suffering from a serious illness for many years, surviving only on a bowl of ginseng soup. Does His Majesty intend for Your Highness to marry into his family and live a life of widowhood?"

"..."

Eunuch Kang had served the imperial family for many years and had worked with Lord Pei for many years as well.

But it seemed to be the first time he had ever seen the Grand Secretary speak so bluntly, criticizing the people in the picture book as worthless.

The Grand Secretary is a man who is not easy to get along with in ordinary times, but because of his gentlemanly demeanor and his extensive knowledge of Confucian classics, even officials who do not get along with him rarely break off relations or cause an ugly scene.

He is self-disciplined and courteous in his speech and actions, and rarely finds fault with others; he simply corrects himself.

Such "vicious" words coming from the Grand Secretary really startled Eunuch Kang.

Eunuch Kang smiled and hurriedly handed over a picture album, saying, "Sir, what do you think of this one?"

Pei Du frowned slightly, and when he saw the man in the portrait, his thin lips pressed into a line.

Seeing that Pei Du did not immediately "belittle" him, Eunuch Kang hurriedly said, "This is the newly crowned top scholar in this year's imperial examination. He is handsome and has an extraordinary way of speaking. His Majesty was also impressed by his talent when he took the palace examination with this top scholar."

Pei Du gripped the corner of the portrait, his fingers tightening slightly.

Unaware of the resemblance, Eunuch Kang chuckled and remarked, "Looking at this top scholar's portrait now, his features... do seem somewhat similar to the Grand Secretary?"