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

Chapter 246 Does Minister Pei have someone he admires?
Let's start with the knife Jiang Biechen used.

Jiang Biechen seemed to have been prepared for this question.

He bowed respectfully to Jiang Huayan with a smile on his face: "Father, as the Crown Prince, my most important task right now is to share your burdens. As for matters of love and affection, I... haven't thought about them yet."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huayan smiled and said, "Although one should not neglect studies or official duties, it is good to find someone you like in your spare time to chat and confide in."

Jiang Biechen smiled and said respectfully, "Your Majesty's words are etched in my mind."

After a pause, Jiang Jinshuang noticed that Jiang Biechen seemed to have glanced at her.

He then said, "If we're really talking about age, the Grand Secretary seems to be a year older than me. Father should also show some concern for Lord Pei."

With a slightly teasing tone, Jiang Biechen shifted the focus of the conversation to Pei Du.

Beside Jiang Huayan stood a tall, handsome man with a cool and composed expression.

Following Jiang Biechen's words, Jiang Huayan looked at Pei Du and said with a smile, "That's true. Minister Pei has worked so hard for me for so many years, he should find a woman he likes and settle down as soon as possible."

Pei Du bowed slightly, his tone as calm and indifferent as ever: "Your Majesty works tirelessly day and night, which I have witnessed. I dare not shirk my duty. As for the matter of starting a family, I am not in a hurry."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huayan smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Settling down and establishing a career complement each other. Minister Pei is a man of great talent and appearance. I have heard that the young ladies who want to marry you are eagerly waiting and thinking about it day and night."

After a pause, Jiang Huayan's gaze swept over the ministers at the banquet, and then he smiled and said, "I have heard that Qing Shan, the only daughter of General Zhenyuan Qingbeishan, is beautiful and brave, and is still unmarried. If Minister Pei is interested, I can issue an imperial decree to grant you a marriage."

Pei Du said calmly, "Your Majesty is too kind to me. General Qingbei Mountain is a fine general of our dynasty, and his daughter is brave and skilled in battle. If she is confined to her chambers, then I am truly incompetent."

Jiang Huayan's smile paused for a moment, then he smiled again and said, "My beloved daughter, Li Zifang, of the Censorate, is now in the prime of her life. She is exceptionally talented in literature, singing and dancing. Would you be interested, Minister Pei?"

Pei Du: "Imperial Censor Li cherishes his daughter like a precious jewel. I am not as meticulous as Imperial Censor Li, and I fear that I may offend your trust."

"Zhang, the second daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue?"

"The Grand Tutor's adopted daughter, Lady Wei?"

"..."

Several more candidates were nominated.

Pei Du politely declined each of his offers.

Jiang Huayan's smile faded, and finally, he chuckled softly, half-jokingly and half-seriously asking, "Does Minister Pei have no time for romantic matters, or does he already have someone he admires?"

Pei Du lowered his eyes and did not answer immediately.

Jiang Huayan's gaze swept over Pei Du.

His tone deepened, but his voice carried a hint of amusement: "I heard that Minister Pei came to the palace from Chang'an Street today without even a single flower in his hair. It's impossible for the most outstanding man in our dynasty to be so disliked by women."

The last part of his words even carried a hint of cold interrogation.

Pei Du stood upright, neither humble nor arrogant.

His tone was clear and cold, without any emotion: "Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you. I have someone I admire, and I cannot accept the affections of others."

He paused, then added, "I'm afraid the person I admire might misunderstand and feel disgusted."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huayan sneered: "A man of such extraordinary appearance as Minister Pei has such worries. I wonder who Minister Pei admires? Why not tell me? If it is suitable, I will immediately bestow a marriage upon the two of you."

Look, he's been put up there.

Jiang Jinshuang drank another glass of wine.

She propped her head up with one hand, watching the drama unfold before her with nonchalant interest.

Rather than the imperial family's "thoughtful" intention to bestow a marriage upon Pei Du, it would be more accurate to say they wanted to use this opportunity to embarrass him.

Asking these questions in public was undoubtedly an attempt to push Pei Du into a corner.

It doesn't matter who Pei Du's beloved is; what matters is that no matter which family's young lady he says she is today, that family will never again be valued by the imperial family.

The reasoning was so simple that all the court officials and guests present understood it. Therefore, when Jiang Huayan asked Pei Du who his beloved was, all the officials were trembling with fear, lest they be affected by the emperor's authority.

Actually, this kind of thing is very subtle.

If, in private, this Grand Secretary really took a liking to one of his daughters or sisters, the officials would be overjoyed.

—This is none other than Pei Du, the powerful and influential chief minister, whose position is comparable to that of a prince!
If one could establish a kinship with this Grand Secretary, wouldn't one be able to thrive in the court and rise rapidly through the ranks?

But this kind of thing can't be brought up in the open or discussed before the imperial court.

Everyone knows that Jiang Huayan relies on Lord Pei, but he also fears his power.

If the "person of interest" mentioned by the Grand Secretary today is related to their family, then after today, their entire family will have no chance of being promoted.

Therefore, at this moment, all the ministers retreated and wished they could bury their heads under the table and pretend to be dead.

Humans are naturally inclined to seek advantage and avoid harm.

This is normal.

Pei Du was the kind of "gentleman" who wouldn't implicate others, so naturally he couldn't possibly reveal his "person of affection."

Whether it's true or false, the imperial family will not tolerate it.

But in fact, Pei Du is also very clever.

He would not be easily driven to a dead end by anyone.

If someone could truly push him to the brink, it would likely be because—

That was intentional; he deliberately put himself in a desperate situation by others, leaving him there.

In other words, being forced by the imperial family and being held there by Jiang Huayan to ask about the person he admires is the result he wanted.

Why do we want this result?

Jiang Jinshuang could probably guess.

He wanted someone to "save" him and help him out of his predicament.

Yes, that's her.

He wanted her to help him out of this predicament.

Jiang Jinshuang could guess the answer, but she didn't really care.

Pei Du knew better than anyone else that Jiang Jinshuang cared about the Wan Jin dynasty, its people, and its inhabitants.

Pei Du was also aware of his own importance, knowing that he was a crucial advisor to Wan Jin.

This is his bargaining chip.

He gambled that Jiang Jinshuang, for the sake of the people of Wan Jin, would help him out of this predicament and agree to something.

Pei Du understood her.

—Just as she understood Pei Du.

In fact, Pei Du's guess was correct. She did care about the Wan Jin dynasty, and by extension, she also cared about Pei Du's life, death, and position.

But her "rescue" was probably not what Pei Du thought.

"Father keeps asking Lord Pei, but never asks me if I have someone I like. It's so unfair."

At the table, the girl's voice was clear and melodious, remarkably clear and forceful in the quiet banquet.

Jiang Huayan narrowed his eyes and his gaze fell on Jiang Jinshuang.

Instantly, everyone at the banquet turned their attention to her.