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

Chapter 241 Flowers at the Waist
After leaving the Imperial Observatory, Jiang Jinshuang went to arrange the palace banquet.

Three days is neither a long nor a short time.

For three consecutive days, Jiang Jinshuang spent almost all her time in the palace.

Oh, by the way, the palace where she used to live has been renovated under the supervision of that Grand Secretary.

However, no one has ever heard of any concubines or noble ladies moving in. The renovated palace just stands there, empty.

Jiang Jinshuang also took the time to visit that palace.

Although it was described as a renovation, Jiang Jinshuang felt it was more like a complete overhaul.

The furnishings and specifications are not much different from those before the renovation.

Of course, these things originally had nothing to do with Jiang Jinshuang.

Jiang Biechen visited once during the three days of the palace banquet.

He said it was her first time personally organizing a palace banquet, and as her elder brother, he was worried and came to check on her.

In reality, he just wanted to take the opportunity to cause trouble and make her uncomfortable.

However, Jiang Jinshuang was too lazy to pay attention to these things, and Jiang Biechen picked and chose but ultimately couldn't find anything wrong and returned empty-handed.

The Empress Dowager also sent people to see her.

It was less of a "visit" and more of a surveillance, as if they were afraid she would do something underhanded at the palace banquet.

In any case, after dealing with a lot of messy things, the Qixi Palace Banquet was finally held as scheduled three days later.

The palace banquet began in the evening, and Jiang Jinshuang, unusually, slept in late.

She had been overseeing the palace banquet proceedings for the past few days and hadn't had a full night's sleep.

Today, she finally had some free time, and Chun Tao wisely refrained from calling her.

Three poles in the sun.

Jiang Jinshuang finally got out of bed and called Chuntao to serve her.

While helping Jiang Jinshuang tie her hair, Chuntao told her about her experiences in Chang'an that day.

"Your Highness, you really should go out and see! This year for Qixi Festival, lanterns are hung everywhere along Chang'an Street. It's not even evening yet, and they look like flowers—so beautiful!"

"I heard there's no curfew tonight for Qixi Festival, and a lot of people are heading to the capital!"

"Oh, right, right! I also heard that many flowers have been prepared in the capital tonight. It is said that if you meet a man you like tonight, you can pin a bunch of flowers to his waist. The man who receives the most flowers tonight will go on stage to pray for everyone."

Jiang Jinshuang yawned and smiled, "I haven't celebrated Qixi Festival in the capital for several years, but it's getting more and more lively."

Chun Tao sighed with some regret: "It's a pity that Your Highness has to attend a banquet at the palace tonight, otherwise I really wanted to go for a stroll along Chang'an Street with Your Highness!"

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "Your Highness has important business tonight, but if you like, you can go for a stroll on Chang'an Street. I'll have two servants accompany you."

Chun Tao smiled along, but then, as if remembering something, asked, "By the way, Your Highness, where did Lord Yan Jue go? I haven't seen him since this morning."

Jiang Jinshuang shook her head: "I don't know. It's Qixi Festival today, so they're probably out buying some delicious pastries again."

Chun Tao nodded: "This servant was thinking that a few days ago when I went to Chang'an Street to buy things, I ran into Miss Qing Shan from the Qing family."

When Qingshan was mentioned, Chuntao pouted, looking displeased.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow slightly: "What? Did she bully you?"

“No, not at all,” Qing Shan snorted coldly. “She just grabbed my wrist and insisted on asking me about Lord Yan Jue.”

Jiang Jinshuang smiled slightly: "So what did you say?"

"Miss Qingshan asked, 'Did His Highness treat Lord Yanjue badly? Did he exploit him? What methods did His Highness use to keep Lord Yanjue by his side? Did His Highness also secretly keep Lord Yanjue's indenture?'"

After a pause, Chun Tao gave a mischievous smile: "I told you, our Lord Yan Jue willingly stays by His Highness's side. No matter how His Highness scolds or beats him, he can't be driven away no matter what!"

Jiang Jinshuang was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this: "Why are you getting angry with her?" "I just can't stand her bossy attitude!" Chuntao snorted.

"The tone of her voice made one think that Your Highness was some kind of kidnapper, while she acted all high and mighty, as if she were going to stand up for Lord Yanjue."

Taking over the host.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "I originally wanted Uncle Qing to take better care of Yanjue. If Yanjue can improve his relationship with Qingshan, it will be a good thing for him in the future."

However, this was only Jiang Jinshuang's own idea.

Jiang Jinshuang didn't want to interfere too much with Yanjue's choices. She just wanted to leave him a few options so that if something really happened to her in the future, he wouldn't be in danger as well.

Upon hearing this, Chun Tao wanted to say something more, but then she heard a clear knock on the door.

Jiang Jinshuang and Chuntao both looked towards the door.

Chuntao glanced at Jiang Jinshuang, walked to the door, and opened it.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Chun Tao's eyes lit up: "Master Yan Jue?"

Yan Jue was holding a large bag of beautiful and exquisite pastries.

—See, she said it herself, she must have gone somewhere to find some delicious pastries again!
Chun Tao and Jiang Jinshuang exchanged a smile and looked at Yan Jue. Only then did Jiang Jinshuang notice the flower branches tucked into his waistband.

Colorful and dazzling.

Chun Tao noticed this too, and smiled in surprise, "Lord Yan Jue, you've already received the flowers so early?"

Yan Jue pursed his lips and remained silent, his deep eyes looking at Jiang Jinshuang, seemingly carrying a hint of... grievance and confusion?

Jiang Jinshuang was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and said, "Chuntao, you can go down first. I'll have a chat with Yanjue."

Chun Tao smiled and nodded, bowed slightly to Jiang Jinshuang, and then withdrew.

Yan Jue was still holding a large bag of pastries wrapped in kraft paper in his arms.

Moreover, Jiang Jinshuang only discovered this upon getting closer—

Not only his waist, but even his head and the bag containing flower cakes were adorned with flower branches.

Jiang Jinshuang was both amused and exasperated: "Is our young master Yanjue so likable?"

Her beautiful lips pressed into a line, and Yan Jue's voice was slightly deep: "They used to only stuff pastries into my hands, but today they're stuffing flowers into my clothes."

Jiang Jinshuang nodded leisurely: "Yes, yes, how come Young Master Yanjue received so many flowers?"

Yan Jue explained earnestly, "I heard them say that today is Qixi Festival, and people should put flowers on the waist of the person they like."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "That's right, so Yan Jue is a likable man."

Yan Jue handed the flower cakes he had bought to Jiang Jinshuang, and then, as if by magic, took out a large bouquet of flowers from behind his back and was about to insert it into Jiang Jinshuang's waist.

"Wait a minute!"

Jiang Jinshuang was startled and stopped him, both amused and exasperated.

"Lord Yanjue, this huge bouquet of flowers doesn't seem big enough to fit into my belt, does it?"

Yan Jue pursed her lips, seemingly a little disappointed: "But I wanted to give it to you."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and took the bouquet from Yan Jue's hand: "Then just leave it to me like this, I will take good care of it."

Yan Jue was pleased. He smiled, his long eyelashes fluttering.

His head and waist were adorned with numerous brightly colored flowers.

Yan Jue was used to wearing black clothes, but now his ink robe was adorned with many flowers, which made him look a bit brighter.

“You should also give me a branch of flowers,” Yan Jue said, looking at Jiang Jinshuang.