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

Chapter 74 He Favors Her!

Jiang Jinshuang's rebellious nature has surfaced.

Before saying this, she originally intended to pay homage to His Majesty, but after Jiang Huayan finished speaking, she stood straight in the court.

Today she wore a long, light green dress with a wide hem. The faint light of dawn fell on the hem of her dress, making it sway gracefully.

Shen Huaihe knelt in the imperial court, his posture upright, his eyes fixed ahead.

Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyes, looking at the emperor's glaring and majestic face before her, and slightly raised her eyebrows: "Your subject does not know what he has done to make Father so angry?"

"Minister Pei accompanied you to welcome Prince Changping, and was assassinated on the way. He risked his life to protect you, and you still won't admit your mistake?!"

"It is true that the Grand Secretary was injured while saving me, but those assassins were not sent by me, and there were too many of them for the Emperor to send enough guards. That is why the Grand Secretary was injured while protecting the Emperor. What wrong have I done?!"

"Snapped--"

Jiang Huayan slammed his fist on the table and stood up!

"You dare talk back?! If you hadn't failed to detect the ambush in time, how could Minister Pei have been injured?!"

"What does Father Emperor think I am?" Jiang Jinshuang retorted. "I am but a weak woman who grew up in the inner chambers of the palace. How could I possibly know about the ambush in advance?"

"you--"

"Shuang'er! Your father is furious right now, how dare you talk back to him!?"

Jiang Biechen stepped out from the leftmost position and sternly stopped them.

"Father is furious, and now my brother is going to blame me too?" Jiang Jinshuang said coldly. "Not to mention that I was terrified and still have lingering fears about yesterday's assassination attempt on Zhaoming, even if the Grand Secretary holds the highest position and is the most powerful minister in the country, he is still a subject after all!"

"As a princess of a nation, it is only right and proper for a subject to save a member of the royal family. I do not know where Zhaoming has gone wrong!"

She is still the same as she was three years ago.

They are sharp and uncompromising, never yielding an inch.

"Zhaoming, even if you say that, the Grand Secretary's injury was caused by you. As the person in charge of welcoming the Prince of Changping, you should bear this responsibility!"

Before Jiang Jinshuang could speak again, the surrounding court officials, standing behind Jiang Biechen, began to criticize him.

"The Grand Secretary is a pillar of our court, a noble and respected official. Now that His Highness's life is in danger, shouldn't His Highness take responsibility?"

"Yes, yes! If it weren't for saving His Highness, the Grand Secretary wouldn't have been injured!"

"Your Highness still shows no remorse and deserves some punishment!"

"Severe punishment! They deserve severe punishment!"

"..."

The discussions were initially quiet, but as the voices of the courtiers rose, they grew louder and clearer.

Jiang Jinshuang took a deep breath and closed her eyes slightly.

Today, she came to the court prepared for His Majesty to punish and reprimand her.

However, being condemned by everyone and becoming the target of public criticism, Jiang Jinshuang still felt irritable.

Beside her, Shen Huaihe, who had been kneeling on the ground, spoke in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I believe that the most important thing at this time is to find the assassins of the assassination team. Her Highness the Princess was attacked yesterday and must still be in shock. Your Majesty should not punish her severely."

—Shen Huaihe stood on the opposite side of the court officials.

Stand behind her and speak up for her.

Such a situation was truly rare, and a hint of surprise flashed in Jiang Jinshuang's eyes.

The minister opposite him snorted coldly, "When did you, Lord Shaoqing, ever speak up for Her Highness the Princess?"

"Yes, back then, when Her Highness the Princess made a mistake, the Junior Minister was the one who submitted the most memorials impeaching her!"

Sarcasm and contempt.

Shen Huaihe's features were sharp and clear, and his tone was solemn and righteous: "Your humble servant only helps those who are righteous and does not show favoritism."

He paused, then looked fearlessly at the assembled officials: "Could it be that you gentlemen are targeting Princess Zhaoming with ulterior motives?"

With just one sentence, the group of ministers looked at each other, speechless.

"Enough!" Jiang Huayan said coldly from the dragon throne.

The entire court fell silent.

The emperor, dressed in a bright yellow robe, looked down at Jiang Jinshuang, who was in the prince's harem.

"Then, according to the opinions of my ministers, how should Zhaoming be punished?" "Your Majesty—" Shen Huaihe frowned, about to speak!
"Your Excellency Shaoqing!" Jiang Huayan coldly interrupted, "Today, for the sake of Zhaoming, you have repeatedly defied me. I hereby punish you by confining you to your quarters for three days to reflect on your actions. Come back to court only after you have thought things through!"

Hearing that the emperor was backing them up, the ministers who had long harbored resentment towards Jiang Jinshuang straightened their backs even more and began to talk loudly!

"His title should be stripped, he should be banished back to Baiyujing, and he should never be allowed to enter the capital again!"

"Princess Zhaoming has committed heinous crimes time and again. His Majesty, in his mercy, summoned her back to the capital, but she has shown no remorse and has committed this calamity once more!"

"In my humble opinion, Princess Zhaoming should be demoted to a commoner and banished from Chang'an!"

"..."

There was much discussion and chatter.

The morning light brought a touch of warmth, shining on Jiang Jinshuang's back, making it feel scorching hot.

Jiang Jinshuang was extremely annoyed.

From his seat, the emperor spoke coldly: "Bie Chen, what are your thoughts?"

Jiang Biechen seemed surprised that His Majesty would mention him.

He straightened his posture, coughed lightly, and cupped his hands toward the emperor on the dragon throne: "Your subject believes that Your Majesty is kind and benevolent, and summoned Shuang'er back from that bitter and cold land, but Shuang'er... is ultimately hard to change and does not know how to repent."

"Perhaps... we should send Shuang'er back to her fiefdom to reflect on her actions."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang's eyelids twitched.

Jiang Biechen still couldn't keep his temper in check.

On the dragon throne, the emperor's expression was obscured by the twelve-tasseled crown, making his face unreadable.

I do not know how long it has been.

"Shuang'er, is there anything else you want to say?"

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled softly, about to speak.

The next second, a flustered report came from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty, the Grand Secretary outside the hall requests an audience!"

Upon hearing this, all the court officials were taken aback!
In the main hall, Jiang Huayan frowned slightly: "Quickly, please invite him in!"

"Yes!"

Actually, it didn't take long.

Pei Du, dressed in a bright red official robe, walked into the main hall with a pale face and a weak expression.

His steps were dignified and elegant, but today his pace seemed slightly hurried.

Even though he was physically weak, the man still maintained an upright posture, like a tall pine tree, exuding a noble and aloof air.

"I am here to see you, Your Majesty."

The man wanted to pay homage to the emperor, but Jiang Huayan quickly stopped him, saying, "Alright, alright, Minister Pei, your injuries haven't healed yet, why are you here?"

Pei Du stood in front of Jiang Jinshuang, shielding her with half a body length behind him.

They were so close that Jiang Jinshuang could even smell the medicinal scent and blood on him.

—It must have been because we arrived too hastily that the wound reopened.

"Your Majesty, I have come to report this matter and request that Your Majesty punish me."

"Punish you?" Jiang Huayan frowned. "Minister Pei has rendered meritorious service in protecting the Emperor. What crime has he committed?"

Pei Du bowed: "Your Majesty, I am terrified. Before I left, I swore an oath to protect Princess Zhaoming and Prince Changping, but I have broken my promise."

"Oh?" Jiang Huayan said coldly, "Minister Pei protected Zhaoming's life, and Prince Changping returned to the capital safely. How could you have broken your promise?"

"Your Majesty, I had already received word of the assassins' ambush on the way back to the capital. I knew they would be lying in wait, but I wanted to eliminate them all in one fell swoop, so I took the risk and put Your Highnesses in danger. I was arrogant and deserve to be punished!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole hall was in an uproar.

The ministers looked at each other, discussing amongst themselves.

Jiang Huayan's expression also turned grim: "Minister Pei, is what you're saying true?"

“Your Majesty is wise. I dare not deceive Your Majesty. It was my own selfish interests that caused the two princes to suffer this undeserved calamity. I am filled with fear and humbly request Your Majesty to punish me.”

(End of this chapter)