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

Chapter 216 The Scholar's Robe

What to say.

Jiang Jinshuang stared at the newly crowned top scholar, slightly stunned.

Before meeting him, Jiang Jinshuang had heard many rumors about this top scholar.

A genius of extraordinary talent, able to compose a poem in seven steps, personally selected by the emperor, and adored by all.

But the one mentioned most often is Lin Qingyan, the top scholar in the imperial examination. He looks very much like that powerful minister and chief minister, with an extraordinary appearance and a natural demeanor.

Holding the wine glass in her hand, Jiang Jinshuang was slightly distracted, and emotions flashed in her eyes.

He is a very handsome man.

To be honest, if a person in the world could resemble that Chief Minister Pei even slightly, he would already be considered a handsome man.

The newly crowned top scholar's cold and aloof demeanor in his eyes resembled that of Pei Du by a significant degree.

That alone is enough to make it unparalleled.

He was wearing a bright red robe today.

—It seems to be the outfit he wore when he was paraded through the streets on horseback on the day he was selected as the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Jiang Jinshuang didn't think that this newly crowned top scholar bore much resemblance to Pei Du.

But his bright red robe inexplicably reminded Jiang Jinshuang of—

If she had stayed in the capital back then, she would have been able to see Pei Du in his scholar's robe.

hiss.

I can't quite put my finger on what kind of emotion it is.

I just feel a little unwilling.

Saying she was unwilling wouldn't be entirely accurate, since she no longer had any attachment to Pei Du.

But then she suddenly realized that she had taken good care of Pei Du for many years, but in the end, he achieved great success while Jiang Jinshuang fell from grace and left the capital overnight for a desolate place.

Yes, there should be some... discrepancy.

—At least Jiang Jinshuang believed that she could see the day Pei Du wore the top scholar's robe.

No.

Didn't see it.

Some regrets.

After three years of meticulous care, even if it's just a flowering tree, shouldn't it at least bloom for her to see?

But Jiang Jinshuang didn't live to see the flowers bloom.

It doesn't feel quite perfect.

But now, at this very moment.

The regret and disappointment that had been building up in my heart vanished the moment I saw Lin Qingyan.

Oh.

So this is what Pei Du must have looked like and what his demeanor must have been like when he donned the scholar's robe.

good looking.

Jiang Jinshuang wasn't a nostalgic person, nor did she like to dwell on things. But seeing Lin Qingyan was like seeing the flowering tree she had personally cared for years in full bloom, its branches covering the sky.

It turned out to be the case.

That's how it should be.

Jiang Jinshuang was stunned for a long time before looking at the newly crowned top scholar.

The cup of sake on the table must have been offered by him.

From afar, one could see Lin Qingyan raising his wine glass.

The surroundings were bustling with noise, clinking glasses, and a cacophony of voices.

Amidst a gathering of guests, separated from countless ministers and self-interest, he raised his glass to her, his features refined and elegant.

Actually, it doesn't seem like it.

It doesn't resemble it at all.

Everyone said that this newly crowned top scholar was not only exceptionally talented in literature, but also bore an uncanny resemblance to Lord Pei.

But Jiang Jinshuang felt that apart from the slight nobility in his eyes and brows, the rest of them were not similar.

Pei Du would not toast her like that, nor would he smile so warmly.

Pei Du was inherently arrogant and indifferent; in some ways, he was even colder than her.

He wouldn't laugh like that.

They are hardly similar.

Lost in thought, Jiang Jinshuang watched as Lin Qingyan raised his cup to her. Coming back to her senses, she chuckled softly, raised her own cup of sake, and clinked it against his in the air.

Drink it all in one gulp.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, deciphering the shape of Lin Qingyan's lips.

"Thank you for gracing me with your presence, Your Highness."

Really interesting.

Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyebrows slightly, having gained some understanding of this newly crowned top scholar who had become her husband candidate.

The next seat is where Pei Du is located.

They were just here a moment ago, but I don't know when, they've already left and disappeared.

Jiang Jinshuang glanced at it casually, not paying any attention.

When she first met Pei Du, she could smell the alcohol on him. He must have drunk quite a bit, and he should have already been taken back to the manor by Jing Mo.

Anyway, as the current Grand Secretary, no one would say anything even if he left the meeting early.

On the other side, Qing Shan had also left her seat. According to the conversation among the people at the table, it seemed that Miss Qing Shan had caught a cold and had gone back to her room to recuperate.

The General Zhenyuan was talking to the others, calm and collected, his voice booming like a bell.

The banquet ended very late.

After seeing off the guests, Jiang Jinshuang took the inkstone and walked up to General Zhenyuan.

"Zhaoming greets General Zhenyuan."

This was her first private meeting with Qing Beishan since returning to Beijing.

As Qingbeishan grew older, he rarely concerned himself with matters of the court, and he had almost completely relinquished his military power and personnel. He was widely regarded as a virtuous and wise man in the court.

The fact that the imperial family sent the Crown Prince to the birthday banquet also demonstrates their respect for this old general from Zhenyuan.

General Qingbeishan of Zhenyuan had no sons, only one daughter, Qingshan.

The Qing family only had one son, so naturally everyone in the family cherished him like the apple of their eye.

This also shaped Qing Shan's outspoken and willful personality.

It's not surprising.

Although Qingbeishan rarely intervenes in court affairs now and has little military power left, Wan Jin lacks capable generals and soldiers, so Qingbeishan still holds the title of commander. If there is any danger in the capital, Qingbeishan will represent the military strength of Wan Jin.

This is why the imperial family still values ​​Qingbei Mountain so highly.

Upon seeing Jiang Jinshuang, tears welled up in Qing Beishan's clear eyes: "Just call me Uncle Qing, as before."

Jiang Jinshuang felt a warmth in her heart and smiled as she looked at Qing Beishan: "Uncle Qing."

Upon hearing this, Qing Beishan felt a lump in his throat, wiped away a tear, and his eyes reddened.

“After your uncle’s accident, I have been wanting to go to Baiyujing to see you, but His Majesty’s anger has not subsided, and I am worried about implicating the other soldiers under my command, so I dare not go.”

After a pause, Qing Beishan looked at Jiang Jinshuang: "Your Highness, please don't take offense."

Jiang Jinshuang understood.

In that situation, everyone has their own concerns and choices.

Back then, in the case of Prince Ruiyang, Qing Beishan also requested His Majesty to retry the case, but after only mentioning it once, the imperial family cut his army's food and pay in half. During that period, Qing Beishan did not have a good time either.

She had no intention of blaming him, nor did she feel that not visiting Baiyujing was a crime.

He just smiled and said, "Uncle Qing, it's all in the past."

Upon hearing this, Qing Beishan's eyes reddened even more. He didn't know what to say, but he could only keep patting Jiang Jinshuang's shoulder.

"You are a good child. Uncle Qing has always known that you are a good child."

"You've been wronged, you've been wronged..."

Since Jiang Jinshuang returned to the capital, the princess's residence has been under constant surveillance by spies, who all seem to believe that the tiger tally of the Black Armor Cavalry is in her hands.

Even though Qingbeishan wanted to find a reason to visit him, he never had the chance.

At today's banquet, with so many people around, Qing Beishan dared not show much affection towards her, and simply pretended not to know her.

Now that all the guests had left, Qing Beishan, with tears in his eyes, patted Jiang Jinshuang on the shoulder.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "Uncle Qing, don't feel wronged."

There's nothing to be aggrieved about.

Jiang Jinshuang understands everyone's choices.

She understood that Qing Beishan cared more about his soldiers and army than about his uncle, Ruiyang Wangshu, and was also worried about his own life and safety. He had a daughter and a happy family. After weighing the options, he chose not to take any risks, which Jiang Jinshuang completely understood.

But she can't just understand.

—She wanted to use Qingbeishan's "guilt" to pave a way out for Yanjue.