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

Chapter 231 They just keep saying it's worthless!
Jiang Jinshuang's rash is indeed quite severe today.

She was picky before and insisted that Qianyao cook for her.

Qianyao indulged her, and even though he knew she ate little, he would still satisfy her appetite every time.

Jiang Jinshuang did eat quite a lot today.

—I couldn't resist.

Red rashes appeared on my neck and arms.

"Don't scratch."

Seeing Jiang Jinshuang reach out to scratch her arm, Si Ning grabbed her arm and looked at her seriously.

Jiang Jinshuang pouted and shrugged uncomfortably: "Itchy."

Si Ning sighed, but gently rubbed her skin through her sleeve.

The fabric brushed against Jiang Jinshuang's skin, but that little bit of wiping was like drinking poison to quench thirst; it couldn't relieve the deep-seated itch.

"Si Ning, I feel unwell."

Jiang Jinshuang looked at Si Ning with teary eyes.

She wanted to scratch it with her fingernails.

Although she had eaten fish a few times before, it had never been this bad. The rash came and went quickly, and she just had to bear with it.

This won't work.

This time it's really itchy.

With a sigh, Si Ning shook her head helplessly: "It's no use Your Highness looking at me like that, I can't scratch you."

After thinking for a moment, he took out a medicine bottle from his sleeve, poured out a pill, and handed it to Jiang Jinshuang: "Take it."

Jiang Jinshuang had no suspicions and ate it without asking any questions.

"These are pills that Mr. He Weijing prepared for me before. They have the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. Your Highness, please bear with it a little longer."

The ship docked.

Without making any inquiries, Jiang Jinshuang could guess that the rumors of her, Princess Zhaoming, boating on the lake with the newly appointed top scholar had already spread throughout the streets and alleys.

Si Ning understood Jiang Jinshuang's intention. He glanced at Lin Qingyan, who was dozing off not far away, and said in a low voice, "This young master Lin does not yet have an official position bestowed by the imperial family. If His Majesty finds out about the matter between young master Lin and His Highness, I believe he will be wary and will not give young master Lin a high official rank."

This was also within Jiang Jinshuang's expectations.

She nodded, trying to ignore the itching on her body: "I know, there's nothing I can do about it. Since Lin Qingyan has chosen to rely on me, he still has that much self-awareness."

Si Ning nodded in agreement: "I just wanted to say that Your Highness and Young Master Lin's 'affection' came a bit too abruptly, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain to His Majesty."

Jiang Jinshuang stroked her chin and nodded seriously: "I've also considered this matter. I've been spending the last few days with Lin Qingyan. If all else fails, when His Majesty asks, I'll just say that we've already secretly made our vows and pledged our lives to each other."

Upon hearing this, Si Ning's eyes widened slightly, and she was momentarily stunned.

After a long pause, Si Ning lowered his eyes and smiled helplessly, his gaze flickering: "Your Highness... such a statement is against etiquette and would damage Your Highness's reputation and integrity."

Jiang Jinshuang: "Stop talking about worthless things. As long as the plan works, that's enough."

Si Ning wanted to say something more after hearing this, but Jiang Jinshuang waved her hand with her back to him and walked towards Lin Qingyan.

"Young Master Lin, let's go."

Just as Lin Qingyan was awakened, the boat docked.

Lin Qingyan had just woken up, but didn't say anything and just stayed quietly to the side.

When Jiang Jinshuang called him, he stood up, first bowing in farewell to Si Ning, then followed Jiang Jinshuang and turned to leave.

Behind her, Si Ning watched Jiang Jinshuang's departing figure and couldn't help but chuckle as she reminded her, "Don't grab my arm!"

Jiang Jinshuang waved her hand again, and before the boat had come to a complete stop, she jumped off the boat.

……

On the way back home.

Jiang Jinshuang deliberately took the main road with Lin Qingyan.

The man was radiant and handsome, while the young woman was stunningly beautiful and incredibly precious.

Most of the people on Chang'an Street knew Princess Zhaoming, who had committed countless evil deeds. Now, seeing Princess Zhaoming walking with the newly appointed top scholar, they were even more talkative and looked at each other in dismay.

"Look, look! The rumors are true! Princess Zhaoming has taken a fancy to another handsome man!"

"Haha, speaking of which, since Princess Zhaoming brought the Grand Secretary back to the Princess's residence three years ago, you haven't sought out any other handsome men, have you?"

"That's right! Although there was some entanglement with that young master Su Xiu from Nanfeng Pavilion a few days ago, it didn't come to this point of being so oblivious to others, did it?"

"Hehe, there were rumors before that the eldest son of the Si family in Jiangnan wanted to marry Princess Zhaoming, that's utter nonsense!"

"Judging from this, Princess Zhaoming intends to make this top scholar the Grand Secretary, and settle for second best?"

"Hahahaha, Lord Pei is now the head of all officials, a powerful and noble minister. How could a princess with no favor possibly dare to dream of him?"

"I suppose he still harbors feelings for the Grand Secretary, but knows he can't have him, which is why he's forcing this Scholar Lin to serve him!"

"Guess how long it will take Princess Zhaoming to get tired of this time?"

"Half a month, I guess? It was nothing more than a fleeting affair with that young master Su Xiu."

"I think I'll get tired of it in three days at most!"

"..."

The passersby thronged around, their gazes towards Jiang Jinshuang carrying a mocking and sarcastic tone, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

They talked and whispered among themselves, looking at her as if they were assessing the stakes at some gambling den.

Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow slightly and glanced at Lin Qingyan, who was walking beside her.

Lin Qingyan remained expressionless, gazing straight ahead with his usual gentle smile on his lips.

Even if some commoners accidentally make eye contact with Lin Qingyan, he can nod and smile, displaying impeccable manners.

Jiang Jinshuang was somewhat surprised.

"Don't you feel uncomfortable?" Jiang Jinshuang asked lazily.

Lin Qingyan smiled gently and said honestly, "There are some, but in the end they are just some unsavory discussions. Just ignore them."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "Then it would be best if Lord Lin cut off his ear. Such gossip will only increase after we get married."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyan's eyes softened, and his smile became warm: "Your Highness may hear these discussions, and so may I."

"If we become husband and wife in the future, and if you talk about me more often, it might alleviate some of Your Highness's troubles, which would be good."

Why is this person like a rabbit, without any temper at all?

Jiang Jinshuang clicked her tongue and looked Lin Qingyan up and down: "Did you hear what they said? They're betting on how long it will take for me to get tired of you."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyan's eyes crinkled into a smile: "Then may I ask Your Highness, how long will it take before you tire of me?"

Jiang Jinshuang smiled silently: "I don't know, but at least I'm quite interested in you right now."

She thought Lin Qingyan was a really fun person.

She has a gentle temper and can't get angry with anyone.

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyan's eyes flickered slightly: "Then I hope that I can keep Your Highness interested for a while longer."

Jiang Jinshuang and Lin Qingyan walked and talked, while whispers continued to circulate around them.

I'm getting a little annoyed by it.

She's actually alright; after hearing these things so many times, she can just let them go in one ear and out the other.

But Lin Qingyan was, after all, a scholar and a man of letters, who had grown up following the rules and etiquette since childhood.

If such words were heard by these scholars, it would be an insult to their noble character.

Otherwise, we could make an example of someone to shut them up.

Thinking this, before Jiang Jinshuang could even lock onto something, the discussions and mockery abruptly ceased the next second.

Frowning slightly.

As if sensing something, Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyes and looked straight ahead.

Before they knew it, Pei Du, dressed in a blue robe, stood before them.