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

Chapter 83 Pei Du, I've spoiled you rotten, haven't I?

What to say?

Jiang Jinshuang inexplicably recalled a small incident from years ago.

When she was seventeen, the imperial family had already arranged a marriage for her.

The man being examined was indeed quite impressive; broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, with handsome features, he was a promising young commander of the Imperial Guard.

She was well aware of the imperial family's intentions. If she could marry into the Imperial Guard, the imperial family would no longer worry that she harbored any improper thoughts or coveted a position that did not belong to her.

Jiang Jinshuang also knew that if she wanted a peaceful and smooth life for the rest of her days, marrying that young commander was indeed the best choice.

But on that day, after Jiang Jinshuang had talked with the young commander, she turned around and saw Pei Du, a young man holding an oil-paper umbrella, outside the palace gate.

Pei Du, dressed in a green robe and white fur coat, stood amidst the snow-covered landscape, more beautiful than heaven and earth.

Without a second thought, Jiang Jinshuang lifted her skirt and ran towards him with a smile.

The unwilling voice of the Imperial Guard commander came from behind: "Your Highness, have you thought this through? If you choose that poor scholar, your future path will be fraught with difficulties."

Jiang Jinshuang barely paid any attention to the words of the young commander behind her.

Without hesitation, she rushed to Pei Du's side and hid under his umbrella.

It's snowing heavily.

She wore a red fur coat, which was even more vibrant than the red plum blossoms in winter.

"Pei Du, are you here to take me back to the manor?"

The young Pei Du's eyes were cold and his tone sharp: "Whom does Your Highness choose?"

A nonsensical sentence.

Jiang Jinshuang was stunned for a moment before she realized what was happening.

She smiled and grabbed Pei Du's arm, her slightly frostbitten cheeks radiating a lively charm: "Pei Du, you were never one of my choices."

Any option involving Pei Du is never really a choice.

Because she would run to him again and again, without hesitation or thought.

That was in the past.

People's hearts change rapidly.

Jiang Jinshuang was no exception.

For three years, Baiyujing was shrouded in wind and snow.

—She was much older than when he came to pick her up that day.

Jiang Jinshuang remained silent.

She frowned slightly, turned around, and looked at the elegant and peerless nobleman.

Oh, she understands.

Pei Du's words gave her a strange, indescribable feeling.

—It was as if her love for him was common knowledge and an established fact in Chang'an.

But now, she has broken this "rule".

Something was wrong.

He said, "You have not used my scriptures."

It was less of a question and more of an inexplicable accusation.

—It seemed as if she was the one who had broken her promise.

Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyebrows slightly.

"Can't I do this?"

She asked this with a hint of provocative incomprehension.

She herself was somewhat bewildered: Couldn't she do this?

Does she absolutely have to use his scriptures?

Does she have to obey his wishes and make him have his way?

No way.

Jiang Jinshuang's voice rose a few decibels: "Lord Pei, can't I do this?"

After returning to the capital, Jiang Jinshuang felt that Pei Du was much more "vibrant" than before.

In the past, Pei Du seemed to only wear black robes or white clothes; a third color rarely appeared on him.

But ever since Jiang Jinshuang returned to the capital, she has noticed that Pei Du's clothes come in a wide variety of colors.

Those colors would look either gaudy or old-fashioned on someone else.

However, his tall and slender figure, broad shoulders and narrow waist made those clothes look incredibly elegant and understated.

Pei Du rarely wore the other colors of clothes that Jiang Jinshuang had bought for him before.

Sure enough, he disliked her to this extent.

But this was just Jiang Jinshuang's thought; she felt nothing and it didn't stir any waves in her heart.

She didn't care anymore.

At this moment, Pei Du was dressed in a dark blue robe, with a silver sash around his waist. His black hair was tied up with a jade crown inlaid with jasper and gold. His posture was upright, like a pine tree that stands proudly against frost and snow.

He stood in that world.

With its white bricks, green tiles, and red walls, the majestic Forbidden City paled in comparison to him.

It's really beautiful.

She spent three years cultivating his refined and noble air, while he himself spent three years becoming more composed, mature, and immaculate. "You only choose me."

He spoke, his voice low and hoarse, carrying an emotion that Jiang Jinshuang couldn't discern.

He said, "You only choose mine."

Is it an accusation?

It doesn't really look like it.

—It's more like a cat that didn't get its treat, complaining with grievance.

Jiang Jinshuang frowned and took a step back.

He then took a few steps forward and stood three steps away from her.

"That was in the past, Lord Pei."

Jiang Jinshuang's expression was indifferent, showing no emotion.

People's hearts are changeable.

Jiang Jinshuang is no saint.

"Jiang Jinshuang, you're talking nonsense."

Whether it was Jiang Jinshuang's imagination or not, she seemed to hear a tremor in Pei Du's voice.

Jiang Jinshuang narrowed her eyes, feeling more confusion than anger.

Why is this so?
Why doesn't even Pei Du believe that she really doesn't care anymore?

What's past is past.

What's past is past; it means the chapter is over.

The people of Chang'an did not believe it, the civil and military officials did not believe it, the imperial family did not believe it, Xia Yurong did not believe it, and even Pei Du did not believe it.

This made her feel annoyed and confused.

She finally realized just how crazy her pursuit had been for those three years, to make the world believe that she would be forever entangled with Pei Du.

We will not give up.

but.

Something's still wrong.

Jiang Jinshuang frowned.

She could understand why the world didn't believe her.

After all, even an outsider wouldn't believe such a three-year pursuit.

But why was Pei Du so certain?

She had been trying her best to avoid him ever since she returned to Beijing, hadn't she?

Jiang Jinshuang is a very reflective person.

Just like now.

She rubbed her finger bones, pondering for a moment.

The next second, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyes to look at the man in front of her.

Ah, she understood.

She chuckled, tilted her head to look at him, and her eyes held a hint of scrutiny.

"Pei Du, I've spoiled you, haven't I?"

She got it.

—She finally understood.

She had always known that she had spoiled Xia Yurong.

Therefore, Xia Yurong always believed that she should have a wealthy and happy life.

She herself had forgotten that if it weren't for Jiang Jinshuang, she would have been turned into several bowls of meat soup by those refugees.

Jiang Jinshuang had almost forgotten that, compared to Xia Yurong, Pei Du was the person she truly cherished and pampered for three years.

suddenly see the light.

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled softly: "Pei Du, I've spoiled you, haven't I?"

Of all the choices she had, she would choose him without hesitation.

It has always been like this for so many years.

Perhaps Pei Du also thought that these things were a matter of course.

As soon as Jiang Jinshuang asked her question, the man in front of her looked at her with a slightly sharp gaze.

She still had a nonchalant smile on her lips, but she spoke seriously: "Pei Du, then I take it back."

She spoke slowly and softly: "Pei Du, right now, you are just one of countless choices for me."

She once said, "Pei Du, you were never one of my choices."

She once said, "Pei Du, you are the best."

She once said, "Pei Du, I can't bear to see you suffer."

But now, she says, "Pei Du, I take it back."

She said, "Pei Du, now you are just an option to me."

—She doesn't have to choose him anymore.

(End of this chapter)