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

Chapter 218 As long as His Highness comes to help~
Jiang Jinshuang felt that she was probably hallucinating.

Otherwise, how could we have seen the newly crowned top scholar Lin Qingyan supporting the elegant and handsome chief minister outside the general's mansion?
Pei Du was indeed drunk.

But he has excellent manners when drunk; even when he's drunk, he never does anything out of line.

When Qing Beishan saw Lin Qingyan supporting Pei Du, his eyes widened, and he exclaimed "Oh dear!" before quickly having someone take the man from him.

The servant understood, nodded, and stepped forward to help Prime Minister Pei in place of Lin Qingyan.

But as soon as he reached out, the man with his head down and no words waved the person away, his handsome brows furrowing slightly, carrying a hint of coldness that kept strangers at bay.

The servant stood frozen in place, and Qing Beishan was also stunned.

The top scholar, who was trying his best to support her, twitched the corners of his mouth and looked at Jiang Jinshuang with some difficulty, his eyes wavering.

"Your Highness, Lord Pei just said that as long as you come to help, that's all that matters."

Jiang Jinshuang: "..."

Qingbeishan: "..."

There were quite a few people coming from both inside and outside the General's Mansion, and many maids, servants, and young men also turned their gazes over intentionally or unintentionally.

Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at Lin Qingyan: "Do you want me to help you up?"

Lin Qingyan's smile became even more troubled: "Yes, that's what Lord Pei just said."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang chuckled and took a few steps forward.

Jiang Jinshuang stretched out a hand and poked Pei Du's face.

"Lord Pei, I heard that you only need my support?"

Jiang Jinshuang gave a half-smile.

Pei Du's brows were originally lowered, but when he heard the familiar voice, he slowly raised his eyes and his gaze fell on Jiang Jinshuang's face.

It swayed and blurred, with multiple layers of shadows.

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Pei Du almost instinctively shook off Lin Qingyan, straightened his posture, walked up to Jiang Jinshuang, and grabbed her sleeve.

Very light.

Jiang Jinshuang couldn't even feel any weight.

It seems like nothing happened again.

Jiang Jinshuang frowned slightly, but didn't say anything. She just smiled at Lin Qingyan and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Lin."

Lin Qingyan was still wearing that bright red scholar's robe.

He bowed slightly to Jiang Jinshuang and said, "Your Highness, there is no need for thanks. I just happened to run into the Grand Secretary on the way and we exchanged a few words."

After a pause, as if deliberately concealing something, Lin Qingyan smiled and said, "This humble subject discovered that the Grand Secretary was drunk and said he was going to the General's Mansion, so I brought him here."

Tonight's family dinner, Qingbei Mountain invited Pei Du, which is actually quite understandable.

Changping King Jiang Zeyi plotted a rebellion, and Xia Yurong, a member of the Xia family, betrayed him and surrendered. In the end, the victor was king and the vanquished were bandits, and Xia Yurong was also implicated in the affair.

As Xia Yurong's close friend, it's impossible to say that the incident had no impact on Qingshan.

It was Pei Du who pleaded for Qing Shan, explaining that General Qing Beishan, the commander of Zhenyuan, only had Qing Shan as his daughter, and begged His Majesty to be lenient. Only then did the imperial family spare Qing Shan.

Therefore, Qing Beishan was very grateful to this Grand Secretary.

This is why Qing Beishan wanted to invite the Grand Secretary to this family banquet.

But I never expected things to turn out this way.

—This...this...the family banquet hasn't even started yet, and the Grand Secretary is already drunk!

Qingbeishan sighed and rubbed his forehead.

Jiang Jinshuang was somewhat interested in this newly crowned top scholar and had some things she wanted to discuss with him.

Thinking it over, Jiang Jinshuang smiled and said, "Lord Lin is kind-hearted, which I greatly admire. If Lord Lin doesn't mind, you can come to the Princess's residence for a drink another day."

Jiang Jinshuang didn't think there was anything wrong with what he said.

She did indeed have something she wanted to discuss with Lin Qingyan.

But as soon as she said that, she noticed the expressions on the faces of those around her changed, and their gazes towards Jiang Jinshuang became meaningful. Belatedly, Jiang Jinshuang realized what was happening.

Oh, I almost forgot.

In the eyes of others, she was a licentious princess who bullied women and men and was fond of men.

Before even leaving the general's mansion, she had already begun to flirt with the newly crowned top scholar right in front of everyone.

Jiang Jinshuang gave a bitter smile to herself, but didn't explain anything.

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyan bowed respectfully, without a trace of abruptness or surprise in his eyes, and smiled as he said to Jiang Jinshuang, "Your humble servant will definitely pay you a visit another day."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and nodded.

Lin Qingyan didn't linger any longer. After exchanging a few more words with Qing Beishan, she turned and took her leave.

After Lin Qingyan left, the entire General's Mansion fell into a moment of silence.

Looking at Lord Pei, who was still drunk but stood upright with his ears flushed, Qing Beishan was at a loss for words.

"How about... we take Lord Pei to a guest room to rest first, and have the servants prepare a hangover soup for him?"

Qingbeishan put forward an idea.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Pei Du, who had been standing next to Jiang Jinshuang, slightly raised his eyes and looked at Qing Beishan with a cold and indifferent gaze.

If Jiang Jinshuang hadn't said it, Qing Beishan would never have believed that the current Grand Secretary was actually drunk.
"We have already troubled the General greatly with today's banquet. Your Highness and I will not attend the family dinner tonight."

Ok?
Wait a minute.

Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow, her anger turning into a mocking smile as she looked at Pei Du, gritting her teeth: "If Lord Pei doesn't want to participate, he can return to his Wenshan Pavilion on his own. Why did you make the decision for me?"

She originally intended to stay and help Yanjue further improve the relationship with Qingbei Mountain.

Upon hearing this, Pei Du lowered his eyes and looked at Jiang Jinshuang: "Your Highness, it's getting late, it's time to return to the manor."

That's said way too naturally.

It was so natural, just like they were a married couple of many years, and she had lost track of time while playing, so he found her and wanted to take her home.

It's so natural.

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled lightly, even finding it somewhat absurd: "Lord Pei, when we return to the Princess's residence, should I not need to listen to you?"

Not right.

Something is very, very wrong.

It seemed that Pei Du had been acting strangely ever since he overheard her argument with Qing Shan earlier that day.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled enigmatically: "Lord Pei is so drunk, why don't we have a servant escort you back to Wenshan Pavilion?"

Pei Du's gaze remained fixed on her.

His dark pupils reflected his gaze, which fell directly on her.

Jiang Jinshuang met his gaze without flinching.

for a long time.

She felt the weight of Pei Du's fingers on her sleeve.

"Your Highness," the man's voice was cold and indifferent, but his eyes were wet, as if they were filled with some grievance, "this humble subject is injured."

The voice was so soft and low that only Jiang Jinshuang could hear it.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang's eyes sharpened, and she frowned slightly.

So?

What does it have to do with her?
A look of confusion flashed in Jiang Jinshuang's eyes.

Pei Du's Adam's apple bobbed, but he continued to whisper, "It was Lin Qingyan who did it."

In an instant, Jiang Jinshuang's eyes widened in surprise!
Lin Qingyan?
That newly crowned top scholar?
He hit Pei Du!?

How can it be?

Isn't Lin Qingyan just courting death?