Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 251: One More

Chapter 251: Chapter 251: One More

The sky was clear and bright, with scattered clouds shielding the fierce sun. A horse-drawn carriage made its way slowly along the footpath at the base of Weixing Mountain. The road that Zong Yunqian took was not the bustling official road; it seemed narrow enough for only one carriage to pass through.

Zheng Nianru gazed out the carriage window, curiously surveying the scenery. She watched the mountain rise gradually before her, the lush trees on both sides. The mountain range extended from her line of sight, the fragrance of the trees filled her nostrils, involuntarily prompting her to take a deep breath.

Xing Yu leaned on the carriage window alongside her, pointing at the trees passing by quickly outside the carriage, asking for their names.

Zheng Nianru did not know either. Truthfully, she did not, as the trees here were completely different from those in the gardens of the Imperial Palace. Those delicate winding branches and curves, each tree seemed to proclaim its own worth. But those before her eyes grew wildly, effortlessly conveying a sense of vigorous strength.

Nanny Yun seemed to be affected as well, having not viewed such scenery freely in many years, reminiscent of outings with young ladies her age, where their vibrant dresses so easily caught men’s gaze, whether it was disdainful, contemptuous or intentional—but no matter.

"Commandery Princess, we’ve arrived." The carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain. Gu Dao and Xi Feng immediately took out the picnic food and belongings. Gu Dao nudged Xi Feng, indicating him to carry something, but Yin He paid no attention to the two; he stood beside the carriage, eyes only on Zheng Nianru, who was descending from the carriage.

Xi Feng cast a glance at Gu Dao, the latter looking as if he didn’t have an ounce of flesh on his body to carry anything—better not to bother.

Zheng Nianru stepped down from the carriage, Nanny Yun hopped down first, wanting to assist, but Zong Yunqian had already taken a step ahead of her. His height advantage blocked Nanny Yun, and as Zheng Nianru was about to extend her hand, Yin He had already stepped forward, kneeling in front of the carriage; Zheng Nianru stepped on his back to alight.

Gu Dao and Xi Feng exchanged puzzled glances and, carrying the things, followed.

Xing Yu had already grabbed Yin He off the ground, helping him to pat off the dust on his body, and then pointed at the trees around for him to see.

Zong Yunqian walked ahead, not quickly, with Nanny Yun following Zheng Nianru, speaking in soft whispers, the occasional quiet laughter reaching the air.

Gu Dao and Xi Feng, burdened with belongings, felt that this mountain climb seemed no different from previous ones, yet there was something different about it.

"Commandery Princess, look at that bird," Xing Yu rushed up, pointing out the bird on the tree to Zheng Nianru, who stopped in awe. The bird’s emerald feathers perched on the top of the branch.

Zong Yunqian stood still, watching the servant girls admiring the bird. Although the species wasn’t anything new, in the eyes of these few, it seemed as novel as any rare species.

Zong Yunqian’s gaze fell on the young woman before him. The maiden’s figure was slender and graceful. Her brocade dress, though not brightly colored amid the greenery, was like the only flower blooming in a serene pond, stunning and vibrant, as if it absorbed all the essence of heaven and earth.

For years, he had traveled with Gu Dao and Xi Feng through many places—Nanzheng State, Nanyu, Beiyu—yet he’d never imagined that one day he would be with a woman on such a journey.

Gu Dao put down the things he was carrying, signaling to Xi Feng who indeed seemed like an eunuch, not fit for lifting or carrying, and now a woman was left carrying the parcels.

Though Xing Yu’s pack appeared large, seeing her walk with ease and observing her slightly plump but altogether childlike demeanor, it was clear that she couldn’t be carrying anything too heavy.

"Commandery Princess, shall I catch it?" Xing Yu asked eagerly, ready to give it a try, but Nanny Yun shot her a warning glance—don’t be playful, best to leave a good impression in front of the Princely Heir.

Nanny Yun fantasized that this betrothal could become real; after all, in her heart, the Zheng Nianru she had raised over the years deserved a fulfilling conclusion.

Xing Yu immediately looked at Zheng Nianru with hopeful eyes, but Zheng Nianru offered a slight smile and shook her head.

"We didn’t bring a cage, we can’t take it back," Zheng Nianru said.

Zong Yunqian did not urge the party to hasten forward impatiently. Zheng Nianru remained fixated on the bird perched on the branch, which was not a species she had ever seen. Thus, it must not be a particularly famous one. After assuming the role of Empress Dowager, though she had birds kept in the Imperial Palace, it was merely for amusement.

Zheng Nianru diverted her gaze, taking in the distant scenery. The Imperial Palace looked so tiny within her line of sight. The procession continued to march forward, with Xing Yu hopping and leaping around, causing the package that covered her entire back to bounce along.

Nanny Yun was kept busy, fretting that Xing Yu’s exuberance might leave a bad impression on the Princely Heir, afraid that her own Commandery Princess might grow tired from the walk and petulantly sit on the ground refusing to move on. Moreover, all the while, Heir Zong seemed to have no intention to converse with the Commandery Princess, speaking only a few simple sentences when he did speak.

"Rest for a while?"

"Have some food?"

After refusing each suggestion, Zheng Nianru continued on her way.

Zheng Nianru was not without fatigue—if it had been her at this age, she would have grown tired already. Now, however, she viewed things differently, especially since the profound pain she experienced before her death made this little tiredness seem trivial compared to the comfort of climbing the mountain.

Nanny Yun was also quite astonished that the Commandery Princess hadn’t complained of weariness after such a lengthy journey. Even Gu Dao and Xi Feng began to look at her differently. Compared to those uncles and sisters at Zong Sheng Residence, who grew petulant after a few steps and couldn’t proceed, this Commandery Princess Chao Ren seemed much improved. Yet this favorable impression didn’t last a second, for in the next moment, she witnessed the Little Eunuch approach with a handkerchief to wipe sweat, instantly feeling that her momentary approval had been in vain.

Finally, the group stopped for a rest on a flat area midway up the mountain.

"Commandery Princess, have some water." Yin He offered a water flask, and also carefully extended a porcelain cup adorned with a floral pattern.

Zheng Nianru drank some water, while Nanny Yun fanned her. Yin He then took the water flask out from Xing Yu’s package, which was for the three of them,

"Commandery Princess, please sit—" Yin He brought out a folding stool, leaving Gu Dao and Xi Feng gaping in astonishment, as they glanced at the small girl’s large bundle on her back.

But to their surprise, Yin He pulled out a folding table and set it up, followed by an array of various pastries from the packages, laid out on the table.

"Heir Zong, would you like some pastries?" Nanny Yun invited respectfully, while Xing Yu was already waving to Gu Dao and Xi Feng.

"Gu Dao, Xi Feng brothers, come and rest as well," she said.

Gu Dao and Xi Feng exchanged glances before heading over, driven mostly by curiosity about how much that package could hold.

"Many thanks—," Nanny Yun personally poured a cup of tea for Zong Yunqian and expressed gratitude. Gu Dao and Xi Feng had already come over, sneakily examining Xing Yu’s package.

Fidgety, Xing Yu could not sit still. Having taken a sip of water, she soon wandered midway up the hillside to look down the mountain.

"Commandery Princess, look!" Xing Yu suddenly exclaimed with excitement. Nanny Yun was about to scold her when Zheng Nianru had already looked over and spotted a very rare orchid growing on the rock face below.

Zheng Nianru glanced at it and nodded in agreement, indeed it was a rare orchid.

"Commandery Princess, I will dig it up." As soon as Xing Yu finished speaking, she immediately went to her package, and to the amazement of Gu Dao and Xi Feng, she took out a small iron spade from it.

Though the spade was small, from the iron handle to its head, it was all made of solid iron, a sight that clearly conveyed its substantial weight.