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

Chapter 223 Would you marry a man you don't like?

It's actually a win-win situation.

Jiang Jinshuang and Lin Qingyan were also aware of this.

Lin Qingyan needs a powerful backer, while Jiang Jinshuang needs a husband.

They both knew that the other was the best choice for them.

Hearing Jiang Jinshuang say this, Lin Qingyan's lips curled into a gentle smile.

He bowed respectfully to Jiang Jinshuang and said, "If Your Highness ever needs my help, please feel free to ask."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "In a few days, it will be the Qixi Festival. At that time, the palace will hold a banquet, and I will mention our marriage to His Majesty then."

Lin Qingyan nodded slightly, but then, as if remembering something, raised his eyebrows slightly: "Forgive my impertinence, but the Grand Secretary and His Highness..."

Before Lin Qingyan could finish speaking, Jiang Jinshuang casually interrupted, "Don't worry, Lord Lin. I am well aware of the vast difference between myself and the Grand Secretary."

After a pause, Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "Moreover, the Grand Secretary is of noble and aloof character. Since our fate with him has ended, there will be no future for us."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyan smiled and said, "Your Highness misunderstands. This humble subject is not worried that Your Highness still cannot let go of the Grand Secretary."

"Your Highness, I merely feel that... compared to the Grand Secretary, I am but a firefly, daring not to compete with the sun and moon. I am simply curious as to why Your Highness chose me instead of the Grand Secretary."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang chuckled and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Six years ago, Pei Du came to the capital and shocked Chang'an with a conversation."

"Later, because he missed the imperial examination that year, I took him to the princess's residence, where he studied diligently for three years."

At this point, Jiang Jinshuang smiled and looked at Lin Qingyan: "Lin Qingyan, Pei Du may indeed be exceptionally talented and possess unparalleled literary skills."

“But with me here, you will not be much worse than him.”

This is Jiang Jinshuang's guarantee to Lin Qingyan.

"Therefore, whether someone is worthy or not, and who should be chosen as the consort, is up to me, and has nothing to do with Pei Du."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyan was taken aback at first, then smiled and bowed to Jiang Jinshuang to express his gratitude: "I have learned a lot from you."
-
Princess House.

Finally back at the princess's residence, Jiang Jinshuang instructed Chuntao to help her wash up before lying down on the bed and closing her eyes to think.

A lot happened today.

First, he paved a way out for Yanjue with Qingbo, then sent Peidu back to Wenshan Pavilion, and then encountered Lin Qingyan.

Jiang Jinshuang gently exhaled a breath of stale air and opened her eyes again.

To be honest, Jiang Jinshuang didn't really have any concept of marriage.

She had once hoped for marriage. She had thought that if she had the chance to grow old with Pei Du and live a harmonious life together, her later years would not be too difficult.

However, after the death of her uncle, Prince Ruiyang, Jiang Jinshuang knelt down outside Weiyang Palace and gave up that idea.

She knew that doing so would incur the emperor's wrath.

Therefore, she, with her limited kindness and compassion, thought that she should not implicate Pei Du any further.

She stopped thinking about marriage altogether.

Now that Lin Qingyan has brought this matter to the forefront again tonight, Jiang Jinshuang blinked, her mind somewhat dazed.

She was truly not good at matters of the heart, and all her intense emotions were exhausted during those three years of relentless pursuit.

In the end, it didn't end well.

Therefore, Jiang Jinshuang is actually quite open-minded about marriage now.

—Find an ally.

An ally who won't be a burden to her, won't spy on her, and can even benefit her in some ways as a spouse.

That was all she asked for.

Lin Qingyan is indeed suitable. However, this matter should not be rushed.

The Tian family hasn't received any news yet. If Jiang Huayan finds out that she's inexplicably gotten together with Lin Qingyan, the Tian family will definitely realize there's a problem.

Just like the feelings between men and women, it would be rather shallow to insist on asking His Majesty for marriage simply because one says "love at first sight".

Therefore, she needs to spend more time with Lin Qingyan these next few days, at least to ensure that the news reaches the ears of the imperial family.

Having made up her mind, Jiang Jinshuang decided to go to Lin Qingyan's place tomorrow and invite him to go boating.

When enough people see it, someone will eventually bring the news to Jiang Huayan's attention.

After gathering her thoughts, Jiang Jinshuang yawned and prepared to rest.

A knock came at the door: "Your Highness, are you asleep?"

It was Chuntao's voice.

Jiang Jinshuang lay on the bed: "No, what's wrong?"

Chun Tao smiled sheepishly, "This servant... had a nightmare..."

Jiang Jinshuang understood.

She smiled, got up from the bed, opened the bedroom door, and led Chun Tao into the inner room.

Jiang Jinshuang glanced at the bed and smiled, "Want to sleep with me?"

Chun Tao chuckled, saying, "This is against the rules," and then jumped onto the bed, moving inside like a little silkworm.

Chun Tao was petite, and Jiang Jinshuang's bed was large, so she didn't take up much space when she lay on it.

Jiang Jinshuang shook her head helplessly and lay back down on the bed.

Chun Tao hugged Jiang Jinshuang's arm with a grin, her voice soft: "Your Highness, it's been so long since we slept together."

Jiang Jinshuang patted Chun Tao's hand gently, her voice soft: "Did you dream about your parents again?"

Chun Tao's smile faded slightly as she leaned closer to Jiang Jinshuang: "I dreamt again that they were lying in a pile of corpses, protecting me beneath them. Even as they died, their eyes were wide open, telling me not to make a sound."

Jiang Jinshuang felt the grip on her arm tighten.

She gently patted Chun Tao's hand, her voice soft: "It's alright, it's all over now. His Highness killed all those people for you, didn't he?"

Chun Tao nodded slightly: "Yes, at that time, His Highness held a long sword and killed all the bandits who had kidnapped and killed the village of slaves. He also cut off their heads and placed them in front of the villagers' graves as an offering."

At this point, Chun Tao's nose tingled, and she buried her head in Jiang Jinshuang's arms: "Your Highness, thank you."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "There's nothing to thank me for. Over the years, you've been through thick and thin with me. Even in the harsh environment of Baiyujing, you never complained. If I really have to say something, it's me who should be sorry to you."

Jiang Jinshuang felt the dampness on her clothes; Chun Tao was crying quietly.

She shook her head vigorously: "No, it's because His Highness took in Chun Tao that Chun Tao has been able to live until now. It's only right that Chun Tao risked her life for His Highness."

"Don't talk about death," Jiang Jinshuang laughed. "Don't worry, once things in the capital are settled, your prince will take you to travel the country and see all the world."

Chun Tao laughed along, "Wherever Your Highness goes, Chun Tao will go too."

Chun Tao was a child that Jiang Jinshuang rescued from the knives of those mountain bandits. At that time, having witnessed the death of her parents, her eyes were empty, and she was like a frightened hedgehog, biting and kicking at everyone.

Jiang Jinshuang then abandoned his longsword, walked up to her, and extended a hand.

"This warm spring has brought peach blossoms for miles around."

"You shall be called Chuntao."

That was the name Jiang Jinshuang gave her.

Seeing that Chun Tao's emotions were gradually calming down, Jiang Jinshuang murmured and asked softly, "Chun Tao, would you marry a man you don't like?"