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

Mr. 34 said he would take responsibility.

Behind the screen, Qian Yao stood upright, his figure as straight as a pine tree.

Upon hearing this, Qing Shan's eyes flashed with joy. She raised her eyebrows triumphantly at Jiang Jinshuang: "Your Highness, did you hear that? Mr. Si Ning isn't on your side!"

Even Mr. Si Ning, who had declared that he would "fully support" Princess Zhaoming, did not support her, and Qing Shan instantly gained confidence!

Before Qing Shan could finish speaking, Qian Yao's voice came again through the light gauze screen: "Our master's meaning is that if anyone displeases His Highness or says something His Highness does not like to hear, just cut out their tongue. His Highness does not need to waste his breath."

After a pause, Qian Yao's voice was as cold as iron: "The master also said that if anyone dares to look down on Your Highness, he will have his subordinates gouge out their eyes. Your Highness should not be displeased."

The man's tone was cold and indifferent, not at all like he was joking.

The women present had never heard such bloody and chilling words before. Their eyes widened in shock, and they trembled with fear.

Qing Shan also froze on the spot, her kneeling motion extremely stiff.

Xia Yurong, who was standing to the side, lowered her eyes, making it impossible to see her expression.

Jiang Jinshuang glanced around and smiled casually: "Your husband is too cruel."

Qian Yao bowed respectfully: "The master also said that Your Highness, you can make a scene as you please, but please don't hold it in. If you get sick from anger, he is worried that Your Highness will take it out on him when you get back."

Inside the screen, there was complete silence.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled lazily and casually, even consulting with Qian Yao outside: "What if someone dies?"

"The gentleman said he would take responsibility."

“He paid money to buy it back after someone died.”

Jiang Jinshuang nodded seriously: "With his words, I can rest assured."

Qian Yao nodded slightly, then turned and left.

Once the man left, the already quiet female seating area became so quiet you could almost hear someone's heartbeat.

Jiang Jinshuang's gaze swept casually over the women, who didn't even dare to meet her eyes, quickly looking away and remaining silent.

The lively and noisy atmosphere just moments ago vanished in an instant.

Jiang Jinshuang's final gaze fell upon Qing Shan and Xia Yurong.

Qing Shan straightened her back, frowned, and stared at Jiang Jinshuang, her eyes still filled with resentment.

Xia Yurong, on the other hand, knelt quietly beside Qingshan. Anyone who didn't know the situation would think that she had nothing to do with the whole thing.

Qing Shan is a fool; she was used as a tool and even stood up for others.

Out of respect for General Zhenyuan, Jiang Jinshuang had just given Qingshan a few words of advice. Since she was so stubborn, she couldn't be blamed for it.

"Miss Qingshan, Miss Xia, what are you two still kneeling for? The banquet is about to begin."

As she spoke, Jiang Jinshuang paused, her eyebrows curving into a smile, her beautiful eyes captivating: "Or do you two really want me to rip out your tongues?"

Qing Shan held her breath, but could only silently thank her, and got up with Xia Yurong to sit back in their original seats.

After Si Ning's reprimand, Xia Yurong and Qing Shan stopped causing trouble for a while.

Jiang Jinshuang looked thoughtfully at the tea leaves floating on the table.

Having not seen His Majesty for three years, Jiang Jinshuang seemed to have almost forgotten what her father looked like.

I wonder what kind of disgust he will show when he sees His Majesty.
-
Men's seats.

After Qianyao returned, he quietly walked behind Si Ning and whispered a few words to him.

Upon hearing this, Si Ning smiled, a hint of indulgence in her eyes: "Let her be. His Highness has always known his limits."

Although the Si family of Jiangnan did not have a rank, as a distinguished guest at the palace banquet, Si Ning was arranged to sit in the most honored seat, opposite Crown Prince Jiang Biechen.

Beside Si Ning stood the powerful and influential Prime Minister Pei. Si Ning didn't lower his voice when he spoke, and Pei Du, standing beside him, lowered his eyes slightly and put down his teacup.

The blue-and-white porcelain teacup was fired very thin; when the man put the teacup down, he could even see the tea line on the cup wall from the outside.

Si Ning is very good at perceiving emotions.

Even though the Grand Secretary beside him remained silent and his expression was as cold as ever, he could still sense it—

Prime Minister Pei was in a bad mood as soon as he sat down.

Si Ning lowered her long eyelashes, and a fleeting emotion flashed in her eyes.

He smiled and tilted his head slightly: "Prime Minister, we parted hastily at the last Yichun banquet, and I haven't had a chance to properly thank you."

Pei Du is a terrifying person.

Even when he is in a very bad mood, he can control all his emotions, treat everyone with official business, and not show any additional feelings.

Like now.

He bowed slightly to Si Ning: "Your humble servant is ignorant and does not know what Mr. Si Ning wishes to thank me for."

Si Ning continued in his usual gentle tone, "At the last Yichun Banquet, if it weren't for the Grand Secretary going to the banquet first to stabilize the situation, Your Highness might have been ridiculed."

After a pause, Si Ning smiled and said, "I was delayed by some matters at the time, and I am very grateful that the Grand Secretary was able to attend the Yichun Banquet."

The man before me had gentle and kind eyes, a faint smile on his lips, and the gratitude in his eyes seemed genuine.

Pei Du pursed his lips almost imperceptibly.

This is a very subtle opposition.

Si Ning easily categorized himself as being on the same side as her, and he became the "outsider" who needed to be thanked.

Pei Du's gaze darkened.

“If this is the kind of gratitude you’re referring to, then there’s no need for that,” Pei Du said in a rather cold tone. “Your Highness and I have known each other for a long time. It is only right and proper for me to attend Your Highness’s banquet upon returning to the capital.”

“The Grand Secretary is absolutely right,” Si Ning said with a gentle smile. “His Highness has a good nature and a good temper. He can make friends with anyone and exchange a few words with them.”

After a pause, as if suddenly remembering something, Si Ning smiled helplessly: "It's just that Your Highness has a bad memory. Back in Jiangnan, although I often dined with Your Highness, Your Highness rarely mentioned the Grand Secretary."

As he spoke, Si Ning shook his head indulgently and sighed, "It seems that His Highness cannot remember."

Pei Du lightly touched the rim of the teacup with his fingertips, his voice devoid of emotion: "She's been to Jiangnan?"

Si Ning nodded: "Yes, Your Highness spent some time in Jiangnan, and that's when I met her."

"She doesn't like rainy days. It's rainy in Jiangnan, and she can't get used to it."

Si Ning's smile remained unchanged, and she spoke at a steady pace: "Is that so? But Her Highness told me that Jiangnan is a very nice place, and if given the opportunity, she would like to spend the rest of her life there."

Pei Du picked up the teacup and drank the lukewarm tea in one gulp.

“That is indeed a pity,” Pei Du composed himself and glanced at Si Ning. “Now that Your Highness has returned to the capital, you will probably have to stay in Chang’an from now on.”

Si Ning smiled indifferently: "His Majesty's attitude towards His Highness is unclear right now. Perhaps it won't be long before His Highness leaves the capital again."

"She can't leave." The man looked down at his teacup and said softly, emphasizing each word.

Si Ning looked at Pei Du, a flicker of emotion in her eyes.

He didn't say anything more and sat up straight.

Before long, the sharp voice of a palace attendant came from outside the Imperial Garden.

"Your Majesty has arrived——"

(End of this chapter)