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

Chapter 61 Where is there any mismatch between us?

When marquises and princes came to the capital from their fiefdoms, they rarely encountered a shortage of supplies.

If such an event were to actually occur, even if it were merely a random passing through a town, and the cause and effect were explained, the county magistrate and assistant magistrate would rush to replenish their food and water supplies.

Changping King Jiang Ze wanted Jiang Jinshuang to greet his entourage, but he couldn't even be bothered to come up with a decent excuse.

As for what they're planning...

Without even thinking, I knew it was a tiger tally.

"What do you think about this?" Jiang Huayan asked her for her opinion.

Although it was called an inquiry, Jiang Jinshuang knew that Jiang Huayan was determined to make her go.

After all, the imperial family also wanted to know the clues about the tiger tally.

Now that such an opportunity has arisen, he only needs to remain on the sidelines and not take any action; he will naturally facilitate it all.

Jiang Jinshuang lowered her head: "Your subject has not seen Uncle Changping for a long time, so naturally I want to go and see him."

Jiang Huayan glanced at Jiang Jinshuang.

After a long silence, he said calmly, "In that case, make your preparations and set off with Minister Pei tomorrow."

Jiang Jinshuang paused for a second, then looked up at him: "Pei...Prime Minister, are you going too?"

Jiang Huayan responded in a deep voice: "He came to the Imperial Study earlier today to request permission to go with you."

Jiang Jinshuang lowered her eyes, said nothing more, only responded with a sound, and then got up to take her leave.
-
Jiang Jinshuang thought Pei Du was sick.

It seems that no matter what happens, he always stands in her way, hindering her plans.

Tomorrow we are to leave the capital to welcome Prince Changping. Who knows what we will encounter? Pei Du just has to interfere!
Jiang Jinshuang was in a bad mood and came to Wenshan Pavilion alone.

Outside Wenshan Pavilion, Jingmo was waiting at the door.

Their eyes lit up when they saw Jiang Jinshuang!
"Your Highness, you've arrived! Please come in!"

Jiang Jinshuang: "..."

A completely different attitude from last time.

Jiang Jinshuang frowned, her tone unpleasant: "Is Pei Du at home?"

"Yes, yes," Jingmo replied hastily. "The master is waiting in the study... uh, reading. Your Highness, please come in. Please allow me to inform him!"

Jiang Jinshuang lifted her skirt and stepped into Wenshan Pavilion.

Come to think of it, Jiang Jinshuang seems to have never been here before.

Before leaving the capital, Pei Du was not yet the chief minister of the country, wielding immense power, and naturally did not have such a residence.

After returning to the capital, she intentionally or unintentionally avoided him, and even rarely passed by Wenshan Pavilion.

If it weren't for what happened today, Jiang Jinshuang might never have come here in her entire life.

After passing through the secluded and tranquil corridor, Jiang Jinshuang saw the courtyard of the mansion.

The scenery in the courtyard was pleasant, but like him, it was somewhat desolate.

The morning light, like gold, dyed the red walls of the courtyard golden-red. A peach tree was planted in the courtyard, its blossoms falling like snow.

Beneath the peach tree, dappled sunlight and shadows divide and fragment the shade, leaving behind dots of varying sizes, creating an exceptionally tranquil atmosphere.

She remembered that Pei Du didn't really like peach blossoms.

Jingmo ran over and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Jiang Jinshuang under the peach tree.

"Your Highness, you're here. I thought you had left." He scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled lightly and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Didn't Lord Jingmo say before that he would never allow me to set foot in Wenshan Pavilion?"

Mentioning the past, Jingmo blushed and lowered his head to admit his mistake: "Your Highness, please forgive me. It was my rudeness that displeased Your Highness."

Jiang Jinshuang waved her hand dismissively: "It's not that I'm unhappy, after all, I didn't really want to come to Wenshan Pavilion."

—It's as if you begged her to come here.

Jingmo chuckled twice and led Jiang Jinshuang toward the study: "Your Highness, please come with me. The Lord is already waiting in the study."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang yawned and said lazily, "As a princess, I have come to Wenshan Pavilion. It's one thing if he doesn't come to kneel and greet me, but do I have to go and find him?"

"Huh?" Jingmo was stunned for a moment before he reacted. "Then... Your Highness, please wait here for a moment. I will go and ask the master for instructions."

With that, Jingmo quickly left. Jiang Jinshuang remained unhurried.

She walked back to the peach tree.

A stone table and bench were placed under the tree. Jiang Jinshuang sat on the bench and saw the chess lines carved on the stone table.

Jiang Jinshuang picked up a few chess pieces at random and started playing against herself.

She plays chess very quickly, rarely hesitates, and makes decisive moves.

By the forty-seventh move, the black pieces were starting to falter.

Jiang Jinshuang picked up another black piece and was about to place it.

The next second—

A long, slender, fair finger held a black stone and slowly lowered it.

That hand was very beautiful, holding the black jade chess piece, making it appear even more elegant.

The fragrance of peach blossoms is mixed with a hint of sandalwood.

Jiang Jinshuang frowned slightly, threw away the black pieces in her hand, and instead took the white pieces to attack.

"Tap, tap, tap—"

Both players made their moves very quickly, and in less than a quarter of an hour, Jiang Jinshuang placed a white piece.

She chuckled softly and glanced at the newcomer casually.

"Your Excellency, I have won."

Pei Du put the black piece back into the chess jar and simply hummed in agreement.

Jiang Jinshuang toyed with a white jade chess piece in her hand: "Go and inform His Majesty that you are unwilling to accompany me to welcome Prince Changping tomorrow."

The man was wearing a long robe in ink-wash style today.

He lowered his eyes to look at the chessboard in front of him, his tone indifferent: "A gentleman lives by his word."

Jiang Jinshuang laughed in anger: "Lord Pei, can't you see that this is a trap set by the Prince of Changping for me?"

Pei Du did not answer, but began to gather the white pieces.

"Pei Du, what exactly do you want to do?"

Jiang Jinshuang narrowed her eyes and looked at him with a leisurely air.

The man in front of me sat upright on the stone bench, with handsome features, an otherworldly air, and a calm demeanor.

That refined and noble immortal seemed to be born to be the radiant moon, worthy of our utmost admiration.

His eyes moved slightly.

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled softly, answering her own question: "To take revenge on me?"

The man paused slightly as he gathered the chess pieces, then lowered his eyes and remained silent.

"How does Lord Pei intend to retaliate against me?" Jiang Jinshuang's tone rose slightly, carrying a hint of nonchalance. "With your current power, you can easily crush me into the mud with a flick of your finger, so that I can never rise again."

Seemingly puzzled, Jiang Jinshuang frowned: "Pei Du, just how much do you hate me?"

All the white pieces were collected and placed into the chess jar.

“The Si family of Jiangnan has achieved great merit and is a threat to the emperor. You are not a good match for him in marriage.”

For no apparent reason, he suddenly started talking about something completely unrelated.

Jiang Jinshuang scoffed lightly: "So what?"

She said, "Back then, we were even less of a match, but didn't I still force you for three years?"

I don't know what's wrong with that statement.

The man stopped collecting the black pieces, slightly raised his eyes, and looked at her with a serious yet aloof expression.

"What's wrong with us, you and I?"

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled: "They don't match at all."

“I was not worthy before, and I am not worthy now,” Jiang Jinshuang paused, tilting her head with a smile, “Most importantly, Your Excellency, I have no interest in you now, so you can rest assured.”

(End of this chapter)