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

Chapter 267 Second Bow to Parents.

Turn towards the main hall, the high place.

Jiang Jinshuang covered her head with a red veil and held a red silk ribbon in her hand, so all she could see was her toes.

In Wan Jin's wedding customs, the bride and groom must first pay homage to heaven and earth at the bride's home before riding in a sedan chair to the groom's home.

According to the Wan Jin Li Fa (a system of rites and laws), once a woman marries and leaves her home to become her husband's wife, the man should take on this important responsibility and pay respects to Heaven and Earth and his parents.

Jiang Jinshuang stood there, bowing a second time, but remained kneeling for a long time.

The sounds of wind instruments and drums rose and fell, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere.

Jiang Jinshuang tightened the red silk in her hands and looked down at her red-and-gold-threaded embroidered shoes.

What was she thinking?

Jiang Jinshuang herself didn't know either.

She knew perfectly well that she didn't regret anything.

She just felt somewhat lost.

Jiang Jinshuang is not someone who easily accepts "change".

She is actually quite rigid and lazy.

Therefore, rather than something that changes rapidly, she prefers everything in the world to remain unchanged.

Just like the kinship with Jiang Huayan, just like the uncle who was still alive in the past, just like... just like Pei Du who had not yet left the princess's mansion at that time.

This does not mean that Jiang Jinshuang is unable to adapt to changing relationships or environments.

On the contrary, Jiang Jinshuang seems to have a natural sensitivity to changes in the surrounding situation and environment, and is able to respond to these changes with the fastest reaction.

But this doesn't mean that Jiang Jinshuang likes change.

Jiang Jinshuang knew in her heart that bowing to the elders was like bidding farewell.

Yesterday, Jiang Jinshuang quietly made a decision for herself.

With today's formal greetings concluded, her relationship with Jiang Huayan will now be limited to that of "ruler and subject," and will no longer be considered "father and daughter."

Jiang Jinshuang had always known that the most suspicious person in the case of Prince Ruiyang was Emperor Jiang Huayan.

She told those around her that she knew what was going on, but she needed evidence, evidence that would leave Jiang Huayan speechless.

But in fact, Jiang Jinshuang knew in her heart that there were other reasons besides these.

—She still held onto some old feelings.

She remembered when she was young, she fell into the water and had a high fever that wouldn't go down all night. Jiang Huayan took care of her day and night by her bedside.

At that moment, Jiang Jinshuang groggily opened her eyes, and Jiang Huayan, weeping, held her in his arms, his voice trembling: "Shuang'er... my Shuang'er..."

What was Jiang Jinshuang like when she found out that Jiang Huayan loved her?

Therefore, she could clearly distinguish those who "did not love" her.

She was trapped by those warm memories of the past, so sometimes she even wanted to escape and would make excuses for him.

That's not right.

That's not good.

That's not how Uncle Wang taught her.

Uncle Wang once told her that if you're wrong, you're wrong, even if you're only wrong by one step or only by one thing.

If you make a mistake, you should be punished.

Therefore, when Jiang Jinshuang stood here today, facing the memorial tablet of Prince Ruiyang in the high hall, she was momentarily dazed.

Ah, so many years have passed.

Baiyujing is perpetually snowy and windy, with no distinction between seasons. When Jiang Jinshuang recalls those tender moments with Jiang Huayan, it's already been eight years since then.

Time is truly a ruthless thing.

It can wear down tenderness into doubt and fear, and it can also hone the majesty and demeanor of the imperial family into the coldest frost and snow of the Jade Capital.

There's really nothing to miss.

Actually, this isn't the first time they've been abandoned.

only……

But... but when the time really came, Jiang Jinshuang still paused for a moment.

Beside her, the man at the other end of the red silk did not urge her, but simply waited quietly for her to make a move.

The sounds of gongs and drums continued to rise and fall all around, as if even after observing that the "bride" had not bid farewell to her parents, the music and drumming continued.

The matchmaker, who was supporting Jiang Jinshuang, was stunned. She recited a line of lyrics, but Jiang Jinshuang did not move.

"Bride, it's time to pay respects to your parents!"

The matchmaker smiled and repeated herself, urging him softly.

Jiang Jinshuang didn't speak, but only responded softly.

Yes, it's time to pay respects.

The matchmaker coughed lightly, her voice rising a few decibels again: "Second bow—to the parents!"

Finally, Jiang Jinshuang, holding the red silk ribbon, bowed deeply towards the memorial tablet in the main seat and closed her eyes slightly.

"Father, Father! Your son will grow up to be the most beautiful princess in the entire capital!"

"Oh my, my Shuang'er is my most beautiful little princess!"

"Since Shuang'er is the most beautiful, the kite, rattle drum, and tiger-head doll that Shuang'er plays with must also be the most beautiful!"

"Good, what Father Emperor has prepared for Shuang'er will definitely be unique in the entire capital, the most beautiful and best-looking."

"Father, you must love Shuang'er the most. Your son wants to be Father's favorite child!"

"But, but, even if Shuang'er isn't the most beautiful little princess in the entire capital, and doesn't have the most beautiful kites and rattles, Father Emperor's favorite child has always been Shuang'er."

"..."

She never became her father's favorite child.

Just like she wasn't the most beautiful person in the entire capital.

At that time, in order for Jiang Huayan to be able to maintain his position in the court, she was willing to become the dark side of that "benevolent ruler" in the Wan Jin court.

When her reforms were blocked by her old ministers, she took drastic measures to eliminate them completely.

If an envoy intends to provoke trouble, she must strike first.

There were treacherous spies among the court officials, and the emperor was not in a position to take action. So she found a pretext and beheaded the official.

She was never the prettiest one; she was the one who was abandoned.

At first, her father said to her with guilt, "Shuang'er has suffered a lot of grievances, but for the sake of the court, I can only pretend to be distant from you. But don't be afraid, Shuang'er, I will never truly stop loving you."

In the end, the emperor, high above all others, sat firmly on the thousand-gold platform, his brows furrowed and his tone stern, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

"Zhaoming, you are truly beyond redemption."

She closed her eyes, and the deep bow still fell.

There's nothing to be resentful about.

She was the one who was willing to help Jiang Huayan in this way, and she was also the one who was despised by the people.

So, she was the one who accepted the loss.

Jiang Jinshuang is not someone who can't take a joke.

This time, she voluntarily gave up the "family affection" that came from the heavenly family, which was high and mighty.

Be more respectable.

He got up again.

The matchmaker beamed with joy and shouted out her final words.

"Husband and wife pay homage——"

Jiang Jinshuang slowly turned around and faced "Lin Qingyan" to the side.

It was probably because she and Lin Qingyan weren't really that familiar with each other that some misunderstandings arose.

She always felt that the Lin Qingyan she had met before didn't seem to have such a tall and imposing presence when standing in front of her.

The morning light shone on the couple's wedding attire, and even through the red veil, Jiang Jinshuang felt as if the groom's silhouette was reflected on her head.

Jiang Jinshuang took a step back and bowed again.

The instructor said that the husband is more important than the wife, so when the couple bows to each other, she should bend her waist a little more.