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

Chapter 42 Turning the Tables?

The sound was neither too loud nor too soft, but it was loud enough to reach the ears of every guest present.

Jiang Jinshuang got her wish and saw a group of people frozen in place.

Jiang Biechen, in particular, even stopped in his tracks as he was about to enter the house, standing still without moving.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled with satisfaction, and then saw a group of people looking at her from the direction of the voice.

She changed her clothes, and the fiery red dress made her look even more beautiful and radiant.

Spring light burst forth, and countless rays of light flowed and swirled around her. She simply stood there, yet she commanded utmost respect.

Everyone stared at her in shock, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"Why are you here?"

From the farthest point, Jiang Biechen's voice sounded somewhat eerie.

Jiang Jinshuang blinked, looking bewildered: "I just went to the side hall to change my clothes. Your Majesty, where should I be if I'm not here?"

Jiang Biechen opened his mouth, his brows furrowed, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Immediately afterwards, a guard came out of the house and whispered in Jiang Biechen's ear, "Your Highness, the two inside are our men."

One was a maid who had just been put on guard, and the other was a male servant they had arranged beforehand.

Looking at the girl in front of him, Jiang Biechen took a deep breath, and a fierce aura suddenly appeared.

"These two have offended our guests at the palace banquet. Drag them away and beat them to death with sticks."

"Yes."

Immediately, everyone present fell silent, realizing the situation was turning against them.

In the crowd, Xia Yurong saw Jiang Jinshuang emerge unharmed from behind, and a fleeting emotion crossed her eyes.

Qing Shan clicked her tongue: "So they're just a pair of philandering servants. I thought they were Princess Zhaoming."

"Speaking of which, where is the Grand Secretary?"

Hearing Qingshan say this, Xia Yurong suddenly had a bad feeling.

Jiang Biechen looked at Jiang Jinshuang, his eyes clearly filled with coldness, but he still managed a slight smile: "It's nothing serious. You haven't been back to the palace banquet for a long time, and your brother thought something had happened to you."

Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow: "So, my brother brought so many people... to rescue me?"

Jiang Biechen maintained his smile but changed the subject: "Shuang'er, this dress is really beautiful. Who prepared it for you?"

Speaking of this, Jiang Jinshuang blinked: "Wasn't it prepared for me by my royal brother?"

"Me?" Jiang Biechen narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, the maid who led me to the side hall said that my brother saw that my clothes were dirty and prepared new clothes for me in the side hall."

After a pause, Jiang Jinshuang looked at him innocently: "Isn't it my imperial brother?"

Jiang Biechen straightened his expression and replied in a deep voice, "Of course not."

Upon seeing this, Jiang Jinshuang covered her mouth in astonishment and said, "That maid showed me her waist tag. I followed her because I believed she was my brother's maid."

"That maid initially wanted to bring me to this side hall, but then she suddenly disappeared for some reason."

Jiang Jinshuang didn't finish her sentence.

However, everyone present was shrewd, and upon hearing this, they exchanged glances, their eyes revealing intriguing expressions.

Could it be that His Highness the Crown Prince deliberately sent someone to frame Princess Zhaoming and try to smear her reputation?
However, that maid was foolish and clumsy, and in the end she messed things up and even got herself involved.

The guests didn't say a word, but their eyes conveyed a lot of meaning.

Jiang Biechen had obviously noticed this as well.

"Nonsense! I have never done such a thing!"

"Yes! Someone must be trying to frame me by impersonating my brother!"

Jiang Jinshuang was filled with righteous indignation: "I know my brother's character better than anyone. My brother and I are like brothers. He would never do such a thing!"

As she spoke, she declared righteously, "What happened today must have been an attempt by someone with ulterior motives to sabotage the relationship between my brother and me. I will definitely investigate this thoroughly!" Jiang Biechen frowned and looked at Jiang Jinshuang, wondering what she was really up to.

Just then, a sharp voice broke the eerie atmosphere.

"By imperial decree of the Empress Dowager."

Not far away, the chief eunuch appeared before everyone, holding a whisk.

Jiang Jinshuang's eyelids twitched, and she closed her eyes slightly.

—It seems she won't be able to do what she wanted to do today.

Upon hearing the imperial decree, everyone knelt before the chief eunuch, chanting, "Long live the Empress Dowager!"

The chief eunuch, Zhang, coughed lightly: "Today's palace banquet should have been a time for joyous gatherings and celebrations between the emperor and his subjects. I am deeply saddened by this scandalous incident."

“Those adulterous slaves shall be beaten to death. This matter shall not be mentioned again in the future.”

"The ministers obey the order."

Eunuch Zhang walked up to Jiang Jinshuang with a smile: "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager said that now that you have returned to the capital, you should behave yourself and know what you should and should not do."

Jiang Jinshuang understood that this was the Empress Dowager's reminder and threat to her.

A smile appeared on her face, and she nodded slightly to Eunuch Zhang: "Please convey to the Empress Dowager that I understand."

Eunuch Zhang then turned to Jiang Biechen beside him: "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager said that after the palace banquet, don't forget to pay your respects to her."

"My son, I obey."

Jiang Jinshuang's carefully prepared performance was abruptly ended due to the Empress Dowager's appearance.

Seeing this, the ministers and guests also stopped lingering and took their leave.

In an instant, only a handful of people remained in the vast courtyard.

Jiang Biechen walked up to Jiang Jinshuang and looked down at her: "Shuang'er, please make yourself at home. Your brother has gone to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager."

Watching Jiang Biechen's departing figure, Jiang Jinshuang pursed her lips slightly, her eyes turning cold.

Xia Yurong walked up to Jiang Jinshuang and said in a soft voice, "Sister, I'm so glad you're alright. I thought something had happened to you."

Jiang Jinshuang sneered and turned to look at her: "Xia Yurong, you should know better than I why I left the banquet."

Jiang Jinshuang wouldn't have been able to leave if Xia Yurong hadn't spilled the wine on her skirt.

Although Jiang Biechen should be the mastermind behind this, Xia Yurong is certainly not innocent.

Xia Yurong wanted to say something more, but in the distance, the man slowly walked over.

She bit her lip, tears streaming down her face: "Sister, I know you still won't forgive me, but I really didn't mean to..."

Jiang Jinshuang scoffed coldly, glanced at Pei Du who was walking towards them, said nothing, and turned to leave.

Xia Yurong's soft voice came from behind.

"Brother Pei, Father wants to invite you to the manor tomorrow to discuss some matters..."

The woman's voice was delicate, almost like she was being coquettish.

Jiang Jinshuang rolled her eyes and stormed off.
-
When he stepped out of the palace gate, Si Ning was already waiting in front of the carriage.

Upon seeing him, Jiang Jinshuang quickened her pace and approached him with a smile.

"Why weren't you here just now?" Jiang Jinshuang asked with a accusing expression.

Si Ning smiled helplessly: "Qian Yao came to report to me that the Empress Dowager had sent a message, and I knew that your request could not be fulfilled."

Speaking of this, Jiang Jinshuang frowned slightly, somewhat displeased: "When I was doing this, I was also aware that the Empress Dowager might cause trouble."

A breeze blew through her hair, and Jiang Jinshuang's long hair and hair ornaments became intertwined.

Seeing this, Si Ning stepped forward and whispered, "Your Highness, don't move."

(End of this chapter)