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

Chapter 57 Pretending to be a couple in love!

It was already past midnight when they returned to the princess's residence.

Jiang Jinshuang handed the fox fur coat to Chuntao and followed Si Ning to the main hall.

Jiang Jinshuang's expression darkened slightly. Si Ning, sitting next to her, handed her a cup of tea.

"Is Your Highness still thinking about the Prince of Changping?" Si Ning asked softly.

Jiang Jinshuang pursed her lips slightly, feeling that there were some things she hadn't considered.

"Even though I was the last person to see Uncle Ruiyang back then, why do they all believe so strongly that the tiger tally is on me?"

Jiang Jinshuang couldn't understand this point.

Even if those people had doubts about her, they shouldn't have been so persistent.

Moreover, three years have passed, and she has remained secluded in Baiyujing, rarely causing any disturbance.

Logically speaking, since she's been so obedient, those people should have shifted their attention.

But the truth is, no matter how long she lay low, everyone seemed to believe that the Tiger Tally was in her hands, and assassination attempts continued for three years.

Now that they've arrived in the capital, even more forces from all sides are flocking to the city.

That's so strange.

Si Ning picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

He lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes fluttering: "Has Your Highness considered... whether someone deliberately spread some news?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang suddenly looked up.

She frowned and looked at Si Ning: "You mean, someone is secretly spreading information, telling all the various factions that the Tiger Seal is on me?"

Si Ning looked at Jiang Jinshuang with a clear and shallow gaze.

Jiang Jinshuang leaned back in her chair, still feeling uneasy.

“Those people aren’t stupid. They wouldn’t all believe I had the tiger tally if there were no clues or evidence.”

Therefore, the person in the shadows must know other secrets of Prince Ruiyang.

Jiang Jinshuang drew a conclusion.

It seems she needs to find a way to expose the person behind this.

She squinted and glanced at the sky outside.

"It's too late today, you should go back and rest early," Jiang Jinshuang said, rubbing her head wearily. "Tomorrow's court will probably be in complete chaos."

Si Ning smiled nonchalantly.

He slowly stood up, intending to take his leave, but standing next to Jiang Jinshuang, Si Ning suddenly remembered something.

His face was slightly stiff.

"what happened?"

Sensing that something was wrong with Si Ning, Jiang Jinshuang slightly raised her eyes and looked at him.

Si Ning made a fist with one hand and coughed lightly, pressing it to her lips.

"Your Highness, I have a matter I would like to ask for your help with."

Jiang Jinshuang blinked: "Just tell me directly, why do you look so troubled?"

Si Ning smiled helplessly: "My father came to the capital this time not only on the occasion of His Majesty's secret decree, but also for another reason."

After pausing for a moment, Si Ning carefully chose his words and said, "My father wishes to find me a marriage partner."

Jiang Jinshuang was stunned for a moment, then her eyes widened: "Looking for a marriage partner?"

Si Ning smiled helplessly and explained softly, "My father's intention is to see me settle down and start a family as soon as possible, so that the Si family can continue its lineage."

Jiang Jinshuang asked in bewilderment, "But since the late emperor passed away, the Si family of Jiangnan has had little contact with the capital. Why are they now so determined to find a marriage partner in the capital?"

Si Ning lowered his eyes, standing there with his posture upright, yet he appeared somewhat embarrassed.

"To be honest, Your Highness, when we were in Jiangnan, my father also hosted many banquets for me, inviting women of similar age from Jiangnan to attend. However... I had no interest in matters of children, so the matter was put aside."

"My father seems to think that I do not like women from Jiangnan, so he is thinking of finding a marriage partner in the capital."

Jiang Jinshuang: "..."

She knew that Si Beihuan, the head of the Si family, doted on Si Ning, but she never expected it to be to this extent. Back then, the Si family in Jiangnan was extremely powerful and prosperous. Si Beihuan knew the principle of "the rabbit is killed after the hunt" and "the bow is put away after the birds are gone." He had spent a lot of effort to get rid of the royal family.

Now, he has returned to the capital for Si Ning's marriage.

"So, Mr. Si Ning, what kind of help do you want me to do?" Jiang Jinshuang asked with a smile.

Si Ning hesitated for a moment before speaking softly: "Your Highness is also aware that the situation in the capital is dire. My father is getting old and should not be involved in the court intrigues, where his life is in constant danger."

"Therefore, I thought that if my father knew that I had a deep affection for him, he could leave the capital with peace of mind and spend his old age in peace."

After a pause, Si Ning said, "My father's arrival in the capital was completely unexpected, and now, His Majesty seems to be considering giving him an important position. I can't just sit idly by..."

“Alright, I understand,” Jiang Jinshuang interrupted Si Ning with a smile, raising her eyebrows and letting her clear eyes sparkle. “Si Ning, you want me to team up with you to fool Uncle Si?”

Si Ning smiled gently: "Would Your Highness be willing to do me this favor?"

Jiang Jinshuang's eyes darted around: "Si Ning, if Uncle Si ever finds out I'm lying to him, your father will tear me in two!"

Si Ning pursed her lips slightly, as if she had seriously considered the question.

With gentle, refined features, he said, "If it really comes to that, I will have no choice but to kneel down and weep, begging my father to show mercy."

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled and waved her hand dismissively: "It's nothing, it's just pretending to be a couple in love in front of Uncle Si, I'll help you!"

Si Ning's smile deepened: "Thank you, Your Highness. Your Highness need not worry. I will tell my father the truth after he returns to Jiangnan."

"It's just that Your Highness will have to work hard during Father's stay in the capital."

Jiang Jinshuang yawned and slowly stood up: "Alright, go back and rest early."

"Your Highness should also rest early."
-
The next day.

Just as Jiang Jinshuang had said, the head of the Si family in Jiangnan came to the capital, and soon after, the Prince of Changping was also preparing to return to the capital. This morning, the court was in an uproar, with much discussion.

With the royal sacrificial ceremony approaching, it was only natural for the marquises of the fiefdoms to return to the capital to offer sacrifices. Even though the timing of the Prince of Changping's return to the capital was somewhat sudden, no one could say anything about it.

As for Si Beihuan, the head of the Si family, he was summoned to the capital by a secret imperial edict, so the ministers had no grounds for objection.

However, the court officials discussed the matter and pointed the finger at Princess Zhaoming, who had returned to the capital from her fiefdom.

"Hey, hey, hey! Have you noticed? It seems like there hasn't been a moment of peace in the capital since Princess Zhaoming returned!"

"That's right! Princess Zhaoming made such a mess of the Ruiyang Prince case three years ago, and now that she's back in the capital, she's stirred up a whole bunch of trouble again..."

"A few days ago, I went to the Imperial Observatory to see the Grand Preceptor. Guess what I heard?"

"What did you hear?"

"The Imperial Advisor observed the celestial phenomena last night and said that a white rainbow was about to pierce the sun, and a harbinger of disaster was about to strike the moon!"

"Huh? Then isn't Princess Zhaoming a disaster—"

"My lords."

A cold, calm voice came from not far away.

The courtiers who were whispering fell silent instantly and looked in the direction of the sound.

The morning court session had just ended, and the officials had not yet left Weiyang Palace.

The Grand Secretary was dressed in a bright red official robe and wore a long-winged hat. He was dignified, composed, aloof, and noble.

Upon seeing this, all the ministers bowed to the newcomer.

The scepter the man held in his hand was made of ivory and looked quite old.

—It is said to have been used by Xu Kaishan, the first Grand Secretary a hundred years ago.

He stepped forward, his gaze calm and unwavering: "In the imperial court, one must not speak recklessly about imperial relatives, lest one sow discord among the ministers."

He spoke in a measured and clear manner, enunciating each word precisely.

Knowing they were in the wrong, the ministers simply bowed again and slunk away.

His fingertips habitually rubbed the scepter, which, after years of caressing, had developed a soft and lustrous sheen.

"Your Excellency, I am going to the Princess's residence for a meeting. Would you like to come with me?"

Not far away, Shen Huaihe noticed Pei Du's direction and bowed slightly to him to inquire.

(End of this chapter)