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

Chapter 247 She is no ordinary person.

Jiang Jinshuang's voice was neither too loud nor too soft.

That's enough for all the guests present to hear.

Jiang Huayan's smile faded, and he narrowed his eyes slightly, his imposing and cold gaze falling on Jiang Jinshuang.

Seated at the table.

Jiang Jinshuang sat rather undignifiedly, still holding the half-full wine cup in her hand, her eyes shimmering like moonlight splashing across a galaxy.

The bright moon hangs high overhead.

It was as if she had been draped in a layer of silvery-white gauze.

Her fiery red dress, even with the magnificent peonies and peonies behind her, could not overshadow her radiant beauty.

From the high vantage point, not only the imperial family and guests, but also Pei Du's gaze slowly fell upon her.

With a touch of aloofness and self-restraint.

He showed no sign of embarrassment whatsoever.

He wouldn't have felt embarrassed in the first place.

After all, it was his intention to force the imperial family into this predicament.

He wanted her to "help him out".

The man, dressed in a dark green robe, sat upright with a clear and indifferent gaze.

He lowered his eyes and saw the glass of wine beside him that he hadn't tasted.

The bright moon reflected in the night sky seemed almost within reach.

Golden waves rippled, and the moon's reflection, too, spread out in concentric circles of ripples.

He doesn't really mind using some less-than-honorable methods.

Even if she could guess such a method.

It was as if they were relying on something with a sense of smug confidence.

He admitted that he had indeed been spoiled too much by Jiang Jinshuang.

She was like a guardian deity to him; whenever and wherever he encountered trouble, she would appear before him as if by divine inspiration and rescue him.

—It has always been like this.

This is Pei Du's reliance.

Therefore, he allowed the officials to press him step by step and verbally challenge him, finally asking, "Have you already found someone you like?"

People pursue profit.

Yet they also seek advantage and avoid harm.

In times of glory, one is surrounded by admirers and the center of attention.

Countless courtiers surrounded and praised him, lifting him high, and the room was filled with guests.

At this moment, the emperor's majesty was so great that all the ministers remained silent and bowed their heads, fearing that they might have any connection with him.

It is human nature to seek advantage and avoid harm, and to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune. Pei Du was used to this and did not find anything wrong with it.

Just like many years ago, he had debated with a group of young men from the capital at a poetry gathering, about whether people should seek advantage and avoid harm, or face difficulties head-on.

He understands what people think, and he doesn't want to be harsh on anyone.

But he bet on Jiang Jinshuang, not on ordinary people.

She is Jiang Jinshuang.

Princess Zhaoming once charged into the residence of an old minister with her sword, just to demand an explanation for him.

Her preference was obvious.

Even someone as rigid and dull as him could sense it.

Just like now, all the thousands of elegantly dressed guests were silent, except for her, who stood out with her fiery red dress and radiant smile, drawing everyone's attention.

Pei Du lowered his eyes.

The finger bones were half-hidden by the cuffs of the sleeves, and were slightly whitish.

He was waiting for her answer.

Even if it was just to "get him out of a tight spot," that was the answer that was half-true and half-false.

He went around in circles, taking detours and meanders, all just to hear her answer.

The silver moon hangs like a hook.

"Why doesn't Father ask me if I have someone I like?"

Jiang Jinshuang laughed smugly, tilting her head slightly, exuding an air of unrestrained arrogance.

The smile on Jiang Huayan's face vanished the moment he looked at Jiang Jinshuang.

The surrounding guests seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, glancing at Jiang Jinshuang with either caution or amusement. The man Princess Zhaoming admired?
That's easy to guess.

Someone glanced at the Grand Secretary on the high place and understood.

—Look, this Princess Zhaoming is deliberately trying to get involved with the Grand Secretary at this time.

The pursuit back then was so intense and well-known.

Even now, many years later, no one would guess that Princess Zhaoming's beloved was anyone other than the Grand Secretary.

The favoritism back then was quite obvious.

Now that His Majesty is pressing Lord Pei for answers, Princess Zhaoming suddenly speaks up, "interrupting" the conversation, simply to take this opportunity to acknowledge the "person of affection" mentioned by the Grand Secretary.

That's really vicious and scheming.

A hint of disdain flashed in the eyes of one of the ministers.

Jiang Jinshuang didn't care about those stares and drank the remaining half glass of wine in one gulp.

The alcohol went down my throat.

Jiang Jinshuang had actually thought about many things.

For some reason, she recalled that three years ago, in the spring, she had held several beautiful peach blossom branches and stuffed them into Pei Du's arms, smiling as she asked him to help her take care of them.

Then she thought of that year when the heavy snow fell, and she knelt outside the palace for three days, only to return empty-handed.

Upon hearing that Pei Du had been drugged at the banquet, she disregarded the bruises on her knees and went to his rescue.

At that time, the emperor was furious and issued an edict banishing her back to her fiefdom, forbidding her from ever entering the capital again without an imperial decree.

Therefore, the guests and officials who had long harbored resentment all mocked and despised her, and even refused to let her take Pei Du away.

She drew her longsword.

They chopped off the hands of the troublemakers.

Her face was cold and her tone was unruly: "Pei Du is my man. I am taking him away now. Anyone who dares to obstruct me will be killed."

She really doesn't have much patience for other people.

Amidst screams, wails, and curses from the crowd, Jiang Jinshuang helped Pei Du, who was already under the influence of the drug, leave the room.

later.

later……

Later, he pinned her to the bed, his voice low and husky: "Isn't this what Your Highness has been trying so hard to obtain?"

What does she want?

What could she possibly want?

She doesn't know it herself.

All she knew was that when Pei Du was pinning her down, she thought that before she left the capital, she should leave Pei Du with some money and valuables.

—His health hasn't fully recovered yet, and he's very pampered; he can't stop taking medicinal diets.

Oh, and we also need to leave him some money to buy books and writing materials. Pei Du has beautiful handwriting, and he doesn't like using inferior ink sticks.

Apart from that, she didn't seem to be thinking about anything else.

He pressed against her, biting her shoulder, as if trying to shatter all her voices.

Not gentle at all.

Countless memories flashed through Jiang Jinshuang's mind.

After swallowing half a cup of wine, Jiang Jinshuang put down the cup. Perhaps the alcohol had burned her throat, because her eyes welled up with tears.

"Oh? I almost forgot, Zhaoming, you're not young anymore. Have you found a man you like recently?"

After a pause, Jiang Huayan's face regained its loving smile, but his words carried a hint of warning: "Tonight is the night of Qixi Festival. Shuang'er, why don't you tell your father? If you are a good match, I will approve your marriage. It will be a joyous occasion!"

Jiang Huayan emphasized the phrase "a good match in terms of social status".

It was a warning to her.

Jiang Jinshuang understood.

For some reason, Jiang Jinshuang glanced sideways and her gaze fell on Pei Du, who was sitting on the throne.

Separated by countless guests and court officials.

The man's gaze seemed to be fixed on her without fail.

Her beautiful, thin lips were pursed into a line, and her fingertips rubbed against the jade pendant at her waist.

—That was a little gesture he often made when he was uneasy.

—It seemed everyone knew the answer she was about to give.

Everyone seemed to assume that she would say his name.

with no doubt.