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

Chapter 233 Your Highness, please be silent.

Is there anything wrong with showing favoritism?

Everyone has selfish motives.

She and Lin Qingyan are now on the same side, so Jiang Jinshuang naturally favors Lin Qingyan more.

This is a very common occurrence.

Jiang Jinshuang didn't think anything of it.

She looked up at Pei Du and said calmly, "Yes, Lord Pei, I will side with him."

She spoke frankly.

What's so hard about admitting that?

Just like she once showed no hesitation in favoring Pei Du.

That was her obvious thought; there was nothing to hide.

"Lin Qingyan's answer to the imperial examination essay contained 4,725 characters, while my essay contained 6,321 characters."

Ok?
Jiang Jinshuang was stunned for a moment, wondering why Pei Du was saying these things out of the blue.

She frowned slightly, still looking at him: "So what?"

"This year's imperial examination essay topic is filial piety and rites, while my essay topic back then was reform and innovation."

Jiang Jinshuang still didn't understand: "Lord Pei, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Pei Du's Adam's apple bobbed a few times, then he lowered his eyes, his gaze dark and unfathomable.

"Jiang Jinshuang, he is not as good as me."

"His talent is inferior to mine."

Jiang Jinshuang was slightly taken aback, then realized what she meant and chuckled, "For a high-minded and virtuous prime minister to secretly discuss other officials like this is hardly the behavior of a gentleman."

Pei Du said in a hoarse voice, "I would say the same thing in front of him."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "Perhaps. Perhaps Lord Pei is right. Lin Qingyan's talent is not as good as that of the Grand Secretary."

“But Pei Du, I don’t care about these things.”

Pei Du pursed his lips and remained silent, simply watching her.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled faintly, raising an eyebrow slightly: "I just find him interesting, amusing, and to my liking."

"I don't care about anything else besides that."

People were coming and going on Chang'an Avenue.

It seemed that the two of them had been talking for too long, and many people stopped and looked over without any attempt to hide it.

Jiang Jinshuang frowned.

—The rumors I've worked so hard to build with Lin Qingyan can't be ruined by spending too much time with Pei Du.

"If there is nothing else, then I will return to my residence."

Jiang Jinshuang lifted her foot to leave.

Before she could make a move, a hand grabbed Jiang Jinshuang's wrist from the side.

Jiang Jinshuang frowned subconsciously, her body reacting even before her thoughts.

She deftly shook off the man's hand, then took a few steps back and turned to face Pei Du.

The man's eyes were brimming with emotion.

"It hasn't been explained clearly yet."

Is there anything that wasn't explained clearly?

Jiang Jinshuang frowned and looked around.

The surrounding people looked at the two of them as if they had seen a ghost!
Without lingering any longer, Jiang Jinshuang glared at Pei Du and turned to leave first.

She walked very fast.

Until they left Chang'an Street, they followed the small road towards the Princess's Mansion.

The path was quiet with few people and surrounded by alleyways.

We walked to the corner at the end of the alley.

One hand grabbed her waist and abdomen, and the next second, she was pinned against the wall!

The cool, green wall touched her skin. Just as Jiang Jinshuang was about to twist back, a weight landed on her shoulder.

Pei Du rested his head on her shoulder.

The cool sandalwood scent drifted into her nose on the breeze, and Jiang Jinshuang froze for a moment, rooted to the spot.

His forehead rested against her shoulder.

When she calmed down a bit, she could even feel the man's warm breath on her neck.

It aroused her itch.

"Pei Du," Jiang Jinshuang called out to him in a stiff voice.

This posture was a bit too ambiguous. And it wasn't just ambiguous; it made Jiang Jinshuang quite uncomfortable.

In the past, Pei Du rarely had physical contact with her; more often than not, it was as if she was "forcing herself on him," trying to get something out of him.

Pei Du probably knew what she was thinking, but he rarely called her out on it. Even if she really went too far, he would only gently remind her, "Your Highness, this is against etiquette."

He always seemed to be the one who was very clear-headed.

Understand the boundary between her and him.

Outside of this boundary, he let her run wild, not minding that she was like a cat trying to steal fish, always trying to take advantage of him.

But this line cannot be crossed.

If it goes too far, he will speak up to stop it.

Sometimes, Jiang Jinshuang would resist. It was one thing if she couldn't have him, but there had to be a limit to how much he could touch and pinch her.
She was as rigid as the tutor who used to teach her in the palace.

“Pei Du, a full stomach breeds lust,” she said to him, smacking her lips.

At this moment, she was sitting next to Pei Du, one hand supporting her chin, the other idly playing with his long hair that hung down to his lower back.

She always liked to braid his hair into various styles, and sometimes she would insert tiny flowers into his hair. With the slightest movement, all the little flowers would fall down like frost and snow.

At this moment, Pei Du was holding a book in both hands, reading it attentively.

Upon hearing her say that, Pei Du simply turned the page calmly and hummed in response.

It seems we're waiting for her to continue.

Jiang Jinshuang seized the opportunity to continue, saying, "I'm well-fed and clothed, and I'm bored, so can't I even take advantage of you a little?"

She spoke about it so frankly.

If others had heard these words, they would have pointed at her and cursed her for being "licentious and unrestrained".

But Pei Du had probably heard her say this many times before, so when he heard these "heretical" remarks, he simply said, "To let lust run rampant is to be a beast."

hiss.

Call her.

Jiang Jinshuang pouted unhappily and retorted, "That's not true. I just feel more relaxed when I'm with you. Even if I've encountered something unpleasant before, I feel much calmer when I'm with you."

After a pause, Jiang Jinshuang said with a grin, "I've encountered some troubles today, so let me touch you to soothe my worries."

She's shameless, and she even makes taking advantage of others sound perfectly legitimate.

Upon hearing this, Pei Du finally shifted his gaze from the book and slowly fell upon her face.

His dark pupils narrowed slightly, and his eyes, in the daylight, resembled translucent amber.

How to comfort them?

Pei Du is actually quite easy to talk to.

Sometimes, if she just acts cute and complains a little, he can be more patient.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and moved a few steps toward Pei Du, their shoulders touching.

She then tilted her head slightly and rested it on his shoulder.

Jiang Jinshuang could even clearly sense that Pei Du's body had stiffened.

His shoulders were hunched, and he was even breathing very softly.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "I'm not in a good mood today, so you have to let me lean on your shoulder like this, understand?"

Pei Du remained silent, but instead placed the book he was holding on the table and lowered his head to read.

Jiang Jinshuang shifted uncomfortably, clicked her tongue, and feigned displeasure: "Pei Du, relax a bit, your shoulders are so stiff."

He remained silent, but did as she instructed, relaxing his shoulders slightly and leaning his body slightly towards her to make her more comfortable.

Jiang Jinshuang, having gained an advantage, feigned innocence: "That's more like it! If you encounter anything unpleasant later, I can comfort you in the same way~"

Above him, a man's voice, clear yet slightly tense, said: "Your Highness, there is still much homework to be done today. Please be quiet."

"Good~"

After a few seconds.

"Pei Du, Pei Du, you smell so good! Did you secretly bathe in flower petals behind my back?"

"none."

"How come you have no fat on your waist? Have you been taking your medicinal diet properly?"

"……Have."

"..."

"Your Highness, take your hand out."

"Cheapskate."

"Pei Du, Pei Du—"

"Your Highness, please be quiet."

"..."