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

Chapter 33 Kneel down.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Biechen's previously gentle smile instantly turned cold.

He stared at Jiang Jinshuang like a wolf, his tone cold and menacing: "Such treasonous words, Shuang'er, aren't you afraid that if Father Emperor finds out, he will banish you back to Baiyujing?"

Jiang Jinshuang narrowed her eyes: "Royal brother, are you scared?"

"Nonsense!" As if he could no longer wear that mask of hypocrisy, Jiang Biechen's eyes widened in fury as he stared intently at Jiang Jinshuang. "I am the Crown Prince, the Heir Apparent, how could I be afraid!?"

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "Then you wait and see, brother, whether 200,000 black-armored cavalry can raze the capital to the ground."

"Jiang Jinshuang," Jiang Biechen said again, his tone cold and sinister, filled with a chilling malevolence, "what exactly do you intend to do upon returning to the capital this time?"

Jiang Jinshuang smiled slightly: "Brother, you're so clever, why don't you guess again?"

After saying that, Jiang Jinshuang ignored Jiang Biechen and turned to leave.
-
As Jiang Biechen said, Jiang Jinshuang knew that His Majesty's repeated tests and warnings were not only because of the case of Prince Ruiyang back then, but also because he was wary of the "Tiger Tally" that did not actually exist in her possession.

She was the last person that Prince Ruiyang saw before he left.

Later, Jiang Biechen led the Imperial Guards to search the Prince Ruiyang's residence, ostensibly claiming that they had found the Tiger Tally and brought it back to the palace.

However, when assassins later broke into the palace with the intention of stealing the tiger tally, they found that the box containing the tally was empty.

After that, the emperor announced that the tiger tally had been stolen and its whereabouts were still unknown.

But which of those ministers who were able to establish themselves in the officialdom wasn't cunning and meticulous?

Anyone with a little common sense would guess that when they searched the Prince Ruiyang's residence, they probably didn't find the tiger tally at all!
Everyone knows that the last person Prince Ruiyang saw before his death was Jiang Jinshuang.

Therefore, those with ulterior motives and treacherous intentions set their sights on her.

Jiang Jinshuang's expression turned slightly cold as she crossed the long bridge and returned to the women's seating area.

The palace banquet was about to begin, and the ladies of the house were arriving one after another. Through the screen in front of her, Jiang Jinshuang could even vaguely see the male guests opposite her.

Among the many court officials, the high-ranking Grand Secretary and Mr. Si Ning were so handsome that the women of the court blushed and whispered among themselves behind the screen.

"That must be Mr. Si Ning, the eldest son of the Si family in Jiangnan."

"He truly possesses outstanding temperament and extraordinary appearance. Even sitting next to the Grand Secretary, he was not overshadowed!"

"Haha, didn't you just say a few days ago that the Grand Secretary is the most beautiful woman in Wan Jin?"

"Oh dear, the Prime Minister is handsome, but... he has such a cold demeanor, I wouldn't dare to approach him and strike up a conversation..."

"Indeed, the Prime Minister, so pure and untainted, seems to ignore everyone except Miss Xia Yurong."

"..."

The words weren't quiet, and they reached Jiang Jinshuang's ears, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Jiang Jinshuang lowered her head and took a sip of tea.

"Yu Rong, Yu Rong, you have a close relationship with Lord Pei. Is Lord Pei always this cold when he speaks to you?"

Among the women, someone asked Xia Yurong a question, seemingly also intended for Jiang Jinshuang to hear.

Upon hearing this, Xia Yurong blushed all the way to the tips of her ears. She lowered her head and said in a soft, sweet voice, "Brother Pei... he's actually quite gentle in private..."

Upon hearing this, the women all cheered and made a fuss, their faces full of ambiguous expressions.

Xia Yurong was so embarrassed: "You, you guys shouldn't talk about Brother Pei like that, he'll blame me if he hears it..."

Although it was meant to be a reproach, the tone sounded more like a playful complaint.

The women were filled with envy and couldn't help but ask, "I heard that you and the Grand Secretary have known each other for a long time. When did you two develop feelings for each other?"

Oh ho?

Jiang Jinshuang was also very curious about this question.

She put down her teacup, rested her chin on her hand, and lazily looked in Xia Yurong's direction.

Xia Yurong's ears burned, and she bit her lip.

She first glanced furtively at Jiang Jinshuang, as if afraid that she might get angry.

She then whispered, "I... before I was recognized by the Xia family, I didn't have a good life. It was Brother Pei who always helped me and made me get through it." The women present all knew that Xia Yurong had lived in the Princess's Mansion for a period of time before she was recognized by Xia Wenbin of the Xia family.

Hearing her say this, everyone sighed and looked at Jiang Jinshuang with more reproach.

Jiang Jinshuang sneered and rolled her eyes.

I thought Xia Yurong would come up with something interesting, but all she did was throw mud at her.

Qing Shan had always stood up for Xia Yurong, and upon hearing Xia Yurong's words, she snorted coldly and turned her attention back to Jiang Jinshuang.

"Someone is a princess of a country, yet she is so petty."

"The two of them were just in love, but I never expected someone to be so angry and take it out on Yu Rong."

Upon hearing this, the women also chimed in with sarcastic remarks.

Jiang Jinshuang tapped the table rhythmically with her finger bones.

General Zhenyuan was a loyal and brave general who fought alongside Prince Ruiyang in the past. As a result, Jiang Jinshuang repeatedly indulged his only daughter, Qingshan.

However, she discovered that some people don't know when to stop; they only push their luck.

"I never knew that the daughter of General Zhenyuan was such a veiled and gossipy person."

Jiang Jinshuang spoke calmly, her tone devoid of emotion.

Upon hearing this, Qing Shan jumped up from her seat and glared at Jiang Jinshuang: "What does Your Highness mean by this?"

“Literal meaning,” Jiang Jinshuang said casually, “Miss Qingshan, your father has killed countless enemies on the battlefield and has made great achievements. Didn’t he teach you that the nail that sticks out gets hammered down first, and that you shouldn’t become someone else’s scapegoat?”

Qing Shan was even more furious: "My father only taught me that those who use their power to oppress others will be punished!"

Jiang Jinshuang nodded in deep agreement: "Using power to oppress people?"

"Yes! Back then, Your Highness used your power to force others to do things they didn't want to do. Wasn't that abusing your power to oppress people?"

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "Miss Qingshan, what you said makes it sound like I can't force anyone else right now."

As she spoke, Jiang Jinshuang's smile vanished, and her tone turned icy: "Kneel down."

In an instant, Jiang Jinshuang's killing intent suddenly appeared, and even Qing Shan, who had grown up in the martial arts arena, was stunned.

Everyone was clearly intimidated by Jiang Jinshuang's imposing aura!
They all returned to their seats, barely daring to breathe.

Qing Shan realized what was happening, frowned, and said coldly, "Does Your Highness still think you are Princess Zhaoming from back then, able to command the wind and rain and have everyone obey your every command?!"

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled coldly: "I don't need to summon wind and rain or command hundreds of followers to make you kneel before me."

After a pause, Jiang Jinshuang's voice was cold and stern: "You kneel because I am your superior and you are your subject, so you should kneel."

Even if she is not favored, she is still a princess of the country, the only daughter of the emperor, and of royal blood.

Qing Shan gritted her teeth, knowing that Jiang Jinshuang was right.

She is a subject's daughter, she is a princess. It is only natural for her to kneel before her; there is no need to use power to oppress her.

She frowned coldly and knelt down reluctantly.

His expression remained contemptuous and unpleasant, tinged with resentment.

Seeing this, Xia Yurong hurriedly knelt down beside Qingshan, just about to say something.

"Tuk-tuk-"

Outside the screen, someone knocked on the wooden frame, and a figure stood respectfully behind the screen, not coming in.

"Your Highness, Mr. Si Ning asked me to remind you not to go too far."

It was Qian Yao's voice.

(End of this chapter)