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

Chapter 210 Like a puppy.

Seeing this, Jiang Jinshuang couldn't help but chuckle.

She couldn't help but recall that Uncle Wang used to keep a small dog by his side.

The puppy was really obedient and lovable, and very loyal to Uncle Wang.

It always liked to bring fun, delicious, and shiny things to Uncle Wang, wagging its tail and looking at him with wet eyes.

It's like wanting to share your most treasured possession with your owner.

For some reason, Jiang Jinshuang felt that Yan Jue and that little dog looked very similar.
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The Zhenyuan General's Mansion was filled with guests.

Jiang Jinshuang arrived not late, but quite a few officials and ministers had already arrived.

After presenting the birthday gifts, Jiang Jinshuang stepped into the mansion.

In fact, Jiang Jinshuang didn't need to consciously notice it; she could easily sense that the moment she entered the mansion and arrived at the banquet, all the guests were silent for a moment before belatedly rising to kneel before her.

"Your Highness, we have come to pay our respects."

"Your Highness Chitose!"

Feigning affection, putting on an act.

Jiang Jinshuang had seen it all before and didn't take it seriously.

"My lords, please do not stand on ceremony. I am also a guest today, just like you. Please make yourselves at home."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Since Jiang Jinshuang's release from prison, she could sense that the civil and military officials in the court were somewhat wary of her.

Since her return from Baiyujing, everyone knows that she, Princess Zhaoming, is nothing more than a figurehead. She has long lost the emperor's favor, and even if she is lucky enough to return to the capital, she will never regain her former glory.

Many stand idly by, while even more kick someone when they're down.

But Jiang Jinshuang could clearly sense that after her release from prison, these ministers treated her with more respect.

She could probably guess that it was because of Pei Du.

The court officials were not fools, especially given the tense situation in the court. They wished they had eight pairs of eyes to see every little thing that happened.

In the past, Lord Pei knelt outside the palace for three days and three nights. Soon after, the emperor issued a new decree to place the body of Prince Ruiyang, Jiang Buhuo, in the ancestral temple.

Why did Grand Secretary Pei Du do this? Whom was he trying to vindicate, and whom was he trying to support?
The answer is self-evident.

The court officials were clearly aware of this, though they were unsure why the Grand Secretary would do such a thing.

But given the current situation, it would be absolutely not bad to be a little more wary and respectful towards Princess Zhaoming.

Jiang Jinshuang is not a pretentious person.

She knew that the respect the ministers showed her nowadays mostly came from that Grand Secretary.

Since that was the case, she accepted the insincere concern and inquiries with equanimity, remaining respectful and humble.

—A fool wouldn't take advantage of a good deal.

Jiang Jinshuang isn't stupid.

After greeting the guests, Jiang Jinshuang walked towards the corridor not far away.

The banquet hadn't even started yet. The birthday feast was being held in the courtyard behind the mountain, and General Qing Beishan, the Zhenyuan General, was still outside the mansion gate greeting guests and couldn't attend to this part of the feast.

The ministers at the banquet mostly avoided her; a single glance from her was enough to silence them.

Very boring.

Jiang Biechen hasn't arrived yet.

Jiang Jinshuang simply walked to the distant corridor to enjoy the scenery.

The General's Mansion was bestowed by the Emperor. Although the backyard could not compare to the beauty of the Cold Spring Mountain behind the Princess's Mansion, it had its own unique charm.

It was the height of summer, and cicadas chirped incessantly in the trees of the courtyard. The morning sun was damp, as if covered by a soft veil, and rested on Jiang Jinshuang's head.

It was foggy.

Jiang Jinshuang walked along the corridor and unknowingly arrived at a deserted secluded courtyard.

A small bridge spans a flowing stream, and lotus flowers bloom in the lotus pond, creating a beautiful scene.

There was no one around. Jiang Jinshuang then stopped.

She chuckled softly and called out to someone who was alone, "Yan Jue."

The treetops sway in the wind.

The leaves rustled softly.

The next second, a tall and straight figure appeared in front of Jiang Jinshuang.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled helplessly and looked up at the person who had come.

Yan Jue, dressed in a black robe, moved alone, his figure swept by the wind.

Jiang Jinshuang crossed her arms and looked at him with a leisurely air.

Completely unaware that he had been discovered, Yan Jue lowered his eyes slightly and pursed his beautiful lips.

He paused for a moment, then said somewhat stiffly, "I bought a lot of snacks."

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled: "Yan Jue, don't try to change the subject."

Inkstone Secret: "..."

With his head drooping and one hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist, Yan Jue said in a muffled voice, "Chun Tao said that someone might bully you."

Jiang Jinshuang said helplessly, "So you and Chuntao had already discussed it and decided to come with me to the General's Mansion to secretly protect me?"

Yan Jue thought about it carefully for a moment, then explained, "Chun Tao said I shouldn't betray her."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang was both amused and exasperated: "Then why did you say it?"

Yan Jue: "I can't lie to you."

Lying is wrong.

Jiang Jinshuang was almost laughing in anger.

—They all followed us here quietly, and now they're saying "I can't lie to you"? Is that too much to ask?
Scratching his forehead helplessly, Jiang Jinshuang sighed, "Since you're here, don't hide anymore. Stay by my side and we'll meet General Qingbei Mountain in a bit."

Upon hearing this, Yan Jue frowned slightly: "I hid it very well; no one but you could tell."

The implication was that he wouldn't cause Jiang Jinshuang any trouble.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled helplessly: "I know, what I mean is that it's reasonable for me to have a guard with me when I enter or leave other people's residences, as long as you don't take the initiative to use force, there won't be any problem."

She said this to Yanjue.

In fact, Jiang Jinshuang also had other plans in mind.

She didn't know what her fate would be, but since she had promised to take care of Yan Jue, Jiang Jinshuang had to leave him a way out.

Jiang Jinshuang trusted Qingbeishan's character. If one day she were to encounter misfortune, and Si Ning was not in the capital, Yanjue would need someone to protect her.

Qingbeishan would be a good candidate.

Jiang Jinshuang had been hesitant about whether or not to let Yan Jue meet with Qing Beishan.

Now that Yan Jue has arrived, why not take this opportunity to act as a go-between and pave a way out for him?

Yan Jue, of course, had no idea what Jiang Jinshuang was thinking. Hearing her say that she didn't need to hide it, he nodded seriously and said, "I will listen and won't use force."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and patted Yan Jue on the shoulder: "I'll take you to greet General Qingbei Mountain in a bit. You must be polite and speak to elders first, understand?"

Yan Jue didn't understand, but he obediently nodded and said "Okay".

After giving these instructions, Jiang Jinshuang felt relieved.

The side courtyard where they were was not far from the banquet area, and Jiang Jinshuang heard the commotion coming from the front courtyard.

"The Grand Secretary has arrived!"

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived too!"

"Greetings, Your Highness! Long live Your Highness!"

"Greetings, Your Excellency the Grand Secretary—"

"Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Excellency the Grand Secretary."