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

Chapter 90: I thought it was a betrothal ceremony!
The smile faded from his lips.

Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow slightly, but did not turn her head; she still looked up at Si Ning.

Si Ning smiled gently, turned around, and nodded slightly to the man: "Prime Minister, it's been a long time."

Pei Du wore a moon-white robe, with silver thread embroidered auspicious cloud patterns on the collar and cuffs. Under the lamplight, he looked like a deity ascending to immortality.

The man glanced at Si Ning and nodded, "Long time no see."

Jiang Jinshuang still held the wine glass in her hand, narrowed her eyes, and looked at the two men in front of her.

good looking.

Eye candy.

It is really pleasing to the eye.

Not only did Jiang Jinshuang think this way, but many people also looked over, their eyes filled with admiration and envy as they gazed at the two of them.

He rose to prominence in his youth, reaching the highest ranks of officialdom, with everyone bowing before him.

This is a height they can never reach in their entire lives.

Jiang Jinshuang sighed for the umpteenth time, realizing how good her judgment had been back then.

The man had a slender and upright figure, a handsome face, and an innate air of nobility and pride.

After greeting Si Ning, his gaze passed through Si Ning and landed on Jiang Jinshuang.

Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow and glanced at Pei Du without any emotion.

Pei Du bowed slightly, his tone as always: "Your Highness, this humble subject greets you."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "Your Excellency, there's no need to be so polite."

It was clearly just an ordinary conversation.

The civil and military officials watching from the sidelines always felt that there was a hint of gunpowder in the air.

After paying his respects to Jiang Jinshuang, Pei Du took his seat.

Pei Du was positioned next to Jiang Jinshuang, while Si Ning was positioned opposite her.

Si Ning didn't rush to sit down.

He turned around again, glanced at the man beside him sipping tea with his eyes down, and then smiled at Jiang Jinshuang: "Your Highness, this outfit... was it sent by Father?"

Speaking of this, Jiang Jinshuang still felt lingering fear: "That's right, they prepared several boxes of jewelry and clothes. At first, I thought it was Uncle Si who was going to propose marriage!"

Upon hearing this, Si Ning's eyes flickered a few times before returning to their own as the candlelight in the hall flickered.

Pei Du and Jiang Jinshuang were seated only a few steps apart.

The man put down his teacup and simply stared at the tea leaves bobbing in the cup.

Not a word.

Si Ning simply smiled, moved her eyes, and replied, "Your Highness misunderstands. If it were truly a betrothal gift, those things would be far too meager and hardly presentable."

These words are exactly the same as what Qian Yao said.

Jiang Jinshuang had no suspicions, but simply clicked her tongue in amazement: "Mr. Si Ning, just how rich is your Si family in Jiangnan?"

Si Ning pressed the knuckles in her sleeve and glanced at Pei Du without making a sound.

He laughed again: "When Your Highness goes to Jiangnan, you will know."

Jiang Jinshuang didn't realize there was anything wrong with what she said.

Over the past three years, Jiang Jinshuang has frequently traveled to Jiangnan, and Si Ning has always treated her with great hospitality.

She smiled and nodded: "Okay, there's plenty of time in the future."

Jiang Jinshuang admitted that she was genuinely happy when she said those words.

—The fact that Si Ning's heart disease could be cured was like a huge boulder being lifted off her shoulders.

She finally stopped worrying about Si Ning's condition. He was so young; he deserved to live a longer and more fulfilling life.

She didn't think there was anything wrong with what she said.

Si Ning didn't seem to think so either.

He smiled and then said, "The banquet is about to begin, I will take my seat first."

Jiang Jinshuang nodded.

Si Ning sat down opposite Jiang Jinshuang.

He had barely sat down when a group of ministers surrounded him and began to chat with him eagerly.

She pulled her cloak tighter around herself, making herself even more secure.

Before long, Jiang Biechen also arrived at the banquet, and the welcoming feast became more and more lively.

A moment later, a sharp announcement rang out: "His Majesty has arrived—"

In an instant, everyone present knelt down and shouted, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

In the crowd, the emperor, dressed in a bright yellow robe, walked with a composed and majestic gait to the main seat in the hall and gracefully took his seat.

"Everyone loves you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Jiang Huayan seemed to be in better spirits.

Before arriving in the capital, Jiang Jinshuang knew that His Majesty was unwell and was indeed seriously ill.

It seems that his condition has improved a lot now.

Jiang Huayan looked around and saw the two empty seats next to him.

Frowning, Jiang Huayan asked in a deep voice, "The Prince of Changping and the head of the Si family have not yet arrived?"

For a moment, everyone lowered their heads, not daring to say a word.

This is clearly a welcome banquet prepared for Prince Changping. Even the emperor himself is here, yet Prince Changping has not arrived.

Isn't this disrespecting the imperial family?
The group looked at each other, trembling with fear.

Jiang Huayan pursed his lips and looked cold. Just as he was about to say something, he heard the laughter of the Prince of Changping coming from outside the door.

"Your Majesty, I am late."

Jiang Huayan narrowed his eyes, a flicker of emotion passing through them, but his face adopted a kind and gentle expression.

Changping Prince Jiang Zeyi, dressed in a four-clawed python robe, walked into the Hall of Supreme Harmony with a smile on his face.

He bowed to Jiang Huayan, who was seated in the main seat, and smiled apologetically: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I have only recently recovered from my illness and am still a little inconvenient to move around, so I am a little late."

Jiang Huayan raised his chin slightly, but a smile appeared on his face: "Changping, what are you saying? You and I, even your own brothers, don't care about these formalities."

"Sit down quickly, I have a lot to say to you!"

Jiang Zeyi smiled and swaggered to the guest seat.

"Wow? It's so lively here?"

It was almost as soon as Jiang Zeyi sat down.

A loud voice came from outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

Si Beihuan, dressed in a scholar's robe, walked with a composed gait and an air of nonchalance to the center of the main hall.

His right sleeve was empty, but that did not diminish his imposing presence in the slightest. Just by standing there, he was enough to make everyone bow their heads in submission.

Looking at Jiang Huayan in the main seat, Si Beihuan simply nodded slightly as a greeting: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Jiang Huayan smiled and said, "Head of the Si family, please have a seat."

The late emperor granted Si Beihuan a special pardon, allowing him to remain silent before him. Now that he has met Jiang Huayan, there is even less reason for him to kneel before him.

Jiang Huayan also showed great respect to Si Beihuan. He personally stood up to greet him, and only sat down again after Si Beihuan had taken his seat.

At this point, all the guests who had come to attend the welcome banquet had arrived.

At the head of the table, Eunuch Kang stepped forward and announced loudly, "The guests have arrived, let the banquet begin!"

The voice just fell.

The drums beat, the music begins.

Dancers, as graceful as water, poured in, dressed in beautiful and revealing gowns, their long sleeves swaying gently, captivating the heart and mesmerizing the eyes.

"Today's banquet is to welcome my brother, the Prince of Changping, to the capital. My dear ministers, please do not be reserved and enjoy yourselves to the fullest!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The banquet then became lively!

Inside the magnificent Hall of Supreme Harmony, candlelight shone brightly, and toasts were exchanged.

Maids poured wine and served dishes in a continuous stream, the aroma of wine wafting from the clinking cups and spreading among the noisy and bustling courtiers.

The music was soothing and melodious, like celestial music, echoing in the spacious and deep hall. The dancers were dressed in gorgeous costumes, their eyes alluring, like fairies.

Jiang Jinshuang didn't dare to drink.

He had a maid pour him some tea, which he sipped listlessly.

The dancers' movements were truly graceful and pleasing to the eye.

Sitting next to Pei Du, Jiang Jinshuang noticed something interesting.

—The banquet had only been going on for less than a quarter of an hour when seven or eight maids carrying wine and drinks had almost "accidentally" fallen into Pei Du's arms.

(End of this chapter)