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

Chapter 212 The Grand Secretary is drinking!
It is said that this newly appointed top scholar declined many visits from court officials.

Most of the officials and ministers wanted to marry their daughters to him.

He politely declined all opportunities for rapid advancement.

During the imperial examination, the emperor praised this top scholar highly and placed great hopes on him.

The civil and military officials in the court also knew this and all wanted to win him over, but they never had the opportunity.

Now that this top scholar has come to attend General Qing's birthday banquet, it is also a good opportunity to make friends.

The courtiers at the banquet, in twos and threes, seemed to be surrounding the two people at the table.

Jiang Jinshuang's gaze lingered on Pei Du for only a moment before turning its interest to Lin Qingyan's group of people.

She really wanted to see what this person looked like.

Jiang Biechen raised an eyebrow slightly and chuckled, "Another outstanding son has emerged from a humble family. Does Zhaoming like this?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang turned to look at Jiang Biechen: "What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

"Shuang'er should have heard that recently the Emperor has sent a catalog of paintings to the Hanlin Academy to select a husband for you."

After a pause, Jiang Biechen said meaningfully, "Your Majesty, you looked at that picture album for Shuang'er, and this top scholar is among them."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang narrowed her eyes slightly, a smile playing on her lips.

"Is that so?" Jiang Jinshuang licked her upper palate with her tongue, a smile playing on her lips. "Then Zhaoming will be even more curious..."

At Pei Du's seat.

The principle of never drinking alcohol at banquets is known to all the guests.

So, what is called "toasting" is actually just the guests drinking themselves. If they can chat with the Grand Secretary for a few minutes, it is considered a great honor.

Pei Du sat upright in his seat, a wine cup beside him.

The surrounding guests and courtiers smiled and toasted him one after another.

"Your Excellency, your words in court yesterday were like a thunderclap, truly enlightening me!"

"This toast is to His Excellency the Grand Secretary!"

"I'll drink this cup in one gulp, but you may drink as you please, sir!"

"I have long heard that you, sir, went to the border of Wan Jin alone and led the Black Armor Cavalry to repel the Bei Huai army. You are truly a young talent, proficient in both literature and martial arts!"

"Yes, yes! It is Wan Jin's good fortune to have such a great man!"

"..."

He had heard many compliments.

Pei Du was not a cynical scholar; he was already used to the praise, flattery, and sycophancy in officialdom and dealt with them with ease.

He never accepted toasts from these officials and courtiers; at most, he would return the toast with tea instead of wine.

But today is different.

Not the same.

Pei Du's gaze passed through the smiling faces and the crowd, landing on Jiang Jinshuang's face high above.

Her gaze did not fall on him.

His eyes held a curious and playful look, gleaming with a clear, bright light.

Pei Du was very familiar with that kind of look.

Or rather, in the past, that kind of look was how Jiang Jinshuang looked at him.

But now, those eyes are fixed on someone else.

This realization made Pei Du's throat tighten.

—It shouldn't be like this.

"Your Excellency, this cup of wine is offered to you by your humble servant. May your career be smooth and your beloved be by your side."

Then another guest offered a toast.

Pei Du looked away.

He lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze falling on the wine cup beside him.

The wine glass was filled with wine, its golden hues shimmering and rippling.

Pei Du had a very low alcohol tolerance.

He knew he had a low alcohol tolerance.

—She knew it too. Finally, he reached out, picked up the wine cup on the octagonal table, and drank it all in one gulp.

The minister, who hadn't yet drunk the wine, froze, his eyes widening, his jaw nearly dropping to the ground!

The group exchanged bewildered glances, each seeing the surprise in the other's eyes!

A moment of silence.

Just when everyone thought someone had displeased the Prime Minister, they waited for a long time but the Prime Minister did not lose his temper.

A bolder courtier stepped forward, trembling, and offered another cup of wine: "Your Excellency, this cup is my toast—"

He didn't even wait for the person to finish speaking.

Pei Du poured himself another cup of wine and drank it all in one gulp.

Everyone's eyes widened as they realized what was happening!

In an instant, as if scrambling to be the first, they crowded in front of Pei Du, vying to offer this chief minister a toast!

The commotion finally caught Jiang Jinshuang's attention.

Her gaze fell on the crowd, and she frowned slightly.

Why is Pei Du drinking?
Well, it's probably because it's General Qing's birthday today, so he's in a good mood.

Jiang Jinshuang didn't think much of it, withdrew her gaze, and her eyes darted around a few times before finally looking at Jiang Biechen.

"Your Majesty, I, Zhaoming, would also like to offer you a toast."

Jiang Biechen held his wine cup, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Why are you toasting me?"

"I respect our long-standing sibling relationship, and I respect my imperial brother's care for Zhaoming over the years."

Jiang Jinshuang could lie without batting an eye.

Jiang Biechen chuckled, but readily picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Jiang Jinshuang also finished her drink.

I poured another cup.

"With this cup of wine, Zhaoming also wishes that Your Majesty will soon find your true love and grow old together."

Jiang Biechen drank it all again.

After downing three or five cups of wine, Jiang Biechen remained calm and chuckled lightly, "Shuang'er doesn't think that a few cups of wine can sway my mind, does she?"

Jiang Jinshuang also laughed and said, "Shuang'er has never thought of it that way. I grew up with my brother, and Zhaoming knows his drinking capacity well."

Jiang Biechen narrowed his eyes: "So what exactly do you want to do?"

"Your Majesty, what you're saying is really unnecessary. Zhaoming just felt that it had been a long time since we siblings had caught up and reconnected, so I wanted to have a few more drinks with you."

"Jiang Jinshuang, what affection can there be between us?"

With those words, Jiang Jinshuang's smile faded slightly.

She raised her eyebrows and slightly lifted her chin: "Brother, did Uncle Changping say anything to you?"

Jiang Biechen raised an eyebrow at her.

After a long silence, he chuckled softly, his tone icy: "Whether I said it or not is none of your business."

Jiang Jinshuang blinked: "Has Your Majesty ever thought about what Father would think if he knew that Uncle Changping had spoken with you in private?"

Jiang Biechen's smile was chilling: "Shuang'er, you don't think that your father will believe you based on just your word, do you?"

"Your Majesty has been immersed in the palace for many years and should know best that evidence is the easiest thing to forge."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Biechen's smile gradually disappeared, and he narrowed his eyes dangerously: "Jiang Jinshuang, do you dare to threaten me?"

Jiang Jinshuang looked directly at Jiang Biechen: "I'm not afraid of my father, so why wouldn't I dare to threaten my elder brother?"

……

Qingshan left the banquet in a daze and walked towards the backyard.

She didn't sleep a wink last night, her mind constantly filled with thoughts of the young man she had met on Chang'an Street.

Early this morning, she sent her maid to look for it.

We simply don't know their names, ages, or even whether they're from Beijing, and we don't know how to find them.

The guests at the banquet mostly toasted each other and discussed matters of the court.

Qingshan didn't want to hear any of this, so she simply left her seat to get some fresh air.

Upon reaching the side courtyard, Qing Shan noticed a man standing beside the artificial hill, holding a sword, seemingly waiting for someone.