Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 410 - 389: First Update

Chapter 410: Chapter 389: First Update

Zheng Congyuan remained silent, lifting his head from the unfinished characters flowing smoothly in front of him and looking towards the young girl almost draping herself over him. His eyes deepened a shade but he was helpless nonetheless.

He knew all too well how smart she had become, speaking without any filter.

"Not saying anything? Was I right?" Zheng Nianru was neither happy nor unhappy. It was the best strategy, though she had died once before and her identity and such matters had become less significant to her. In her previous life, she had proposed this, and Zheng Congyuan had been unwilling. Zheng Nianru felt that this life would likely be the same.

Zheng Congyuan turned his head, his right hand holding a brush, rarely in the mood for calligraphy, hoping to finish. However, the presence beside him was like a clingy kitten. Zheng Congyuan extended his left hand, gently tapping the girl’s forehead with his index finger.

"Doing this would mean that Prince Duan has lost his only daughter," stated Zheng Congyuan, disagreeing but without revealing his own plans. These matters didn’t require her little head to worry over. As the world changes in the blink of an eye, he had no intention to tell anyone under all the immature conditions.

"Perhaps he could accept it..." sighed Zheng Nianru. Using death as coercion seemed too cruel, but it was better than losing a daughter.

Zheng Congyuan watched Zheng Nianru, observing the troubled look on the young girl’s face, which brought a unique charm to her expression, enlivening her like the joys and sorrows of life that tenderly soften one’s heart.

"This matter requires careful planning and cannot be rushed," said Zheng Congyuan, even though he was reluctant to speak. He couldn’t help but console her and was even more tempted to pinch that face so close at hand.

"Mhm, I know—" Zheng Nianru was moderately reassured. Her probing wasn’t about getting a definitive answer; her fear was that Zheng Congyuan might go back on his word, becoming as indecisive as he had been in the previous life.

At least now it was much better than before; he hadn’t flatly refused her and even gave her some patience.

Zheng Nianru was somewhat sleepy, having the habit of taking a nap after lunch. Seeing this, Fu Dong stepped forward, carefully ready to assist her Commandery Princess.

"Miss Fu Dong, the brazier in the side room has been lighted early, without a trace of cold air," stated Qi Ling, who had prepared everything in advance. The mattress and bedding in the side room had been neatly arranged.

Although the Commandery Princess rarely slept there these days, Steward Hu had already considered this before today’s meal.

"I don’t want to; I’ll sleep here," insisted Zheng Nianru, unwilling to move. She glanced at the bedchamber behind the study, belonging to Zheng Congyuan, and started walking towards the room.

"Commandery Princess—" This wasn’t appropriate, Fu Dong cautiously remarked, as that was the Crown Prince’s bed.

"I’ll sleep here—" Zheng Nianru said as Qi Ling carefully looked at their master. With Zheng Congyuan offering no objection, it seemed he tacitly agreed. Qi Ling quickly led the way, rearranging the prepared items yet again.

Everyone fell silent, the mosquito net slowly lowered, and the brazier’s vent was fully open. Zheng Nianru fell into a deep sleep, and only then did Qi Ling quietly retreat to the study, with Zheng Congyuan still practicing his calligraphy.

He had heard some of the earlier conversation and, while shocked, he felt this day was inevitable. Moreover, ever since he made his decision, his mood had been very good, like a tranquil tiger lying in wait, enjoying the feeling of freely orchestrating his plans.

Qi Ling thought about the troop movements, were they related to the Commandery Princess’s matters? He dared not guess wildly, nor could he decipher the key connection. Qi Ling only knew to do whatever his master commanded.

The faint dark fragrance calmed the entire room, and Qi Ling, having some rare leisure time, waited in the study. From the smooth, flowing movements of his lordship practicing calligraphy, Qi Ling could tell that the Crown Prince was in a good mood. Qi Ling thought the only time his lordship seemed like a normal person was when the Commandery Princess visited, toiling tirelessly for Nanzheng State.

The Crown Prince would get angry or happy, which others might not perceive, but Qi Ling could feel it even with his eyes closed—the air itself was filled with a relaxing pleasure. He took a deep breath, feeling utterly refreshed.

The Commandery Princess’s fragrance was even better, carrying the warmth of the heated bed; the cold study seemed completely transformed. Qi Ling looked incredulously at the study he knew so well, as if in a blink it was no longer his main arena.

Nian Xia and Xue Liu, bored, began to doze off on the wide, low chairs outside the Warm Pavilion.

Qi Ling felt that if the study were to be like this from now on, it would indeed be... quite... nice.

Qi Ling started to space out, thinking what if the Crown Prince wanted to sleep? Although he didn’t have the habit of taking an afternoon nap, with today being idle, he would still take a brief rest as usual.

Qi Ling signalled to Qi Zhu outside, who pointed toward the side room, and Qi Ling nodded; Qi Zhu went quietly to tidy up the side room.

As expected, Zheng Congyuan put down his brush, having finally written a couplet that he was reasonably satisfied with, then glanced at the partition.

Just as Qi Ling prepared to step forward, Zheng Congyuan had already walked out.

Qi Ling immediately followed; Zheng Congyuan, aware that the partitioned room was ready, turned from the study toward the side room. Qi Zhu, with a pillow in hand, preparing to replace it with a new one, saw Zheng Congyuan enter.

"Your Highness, I’ll have it changed right away—" Qi Zhu immediately sped up his movements. Although everything here was new, it was all arranged to the Commandery Princess’s liking, with pale pink silk duvet covers and embroidery of her favorite climbing vines and floral branches.

"There’s no need to tidy up," Zheng Congyuan said, spreading his hand. Without thinking further, Qi Ling naturally didn’t dare to think more and stepped forward to help him out of his robes as Qi Zhu discreetly withdrew.

When Qi Ling came out again, he saw Qi Zhu still standing at the door, with a somewhat strange expression on his face.

"What are you dawdling here for?" Qi Ling’s voice was very low as he glanced inside. Qi Zhu opened his mouth—what could he say? His lordship was principle-less in front of the Commandery Princess.

Qi Zhu shrugged his shoulders. The jade bead curtains made a crisp sound, and Qi Ling snatched them, ready to swing it open. What if he made noise and disturbed His Highness’s rest?

Qi Zhu carefully made his exit, but right as he left the side room, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes gazing at someone who had appeared before them, his surprise tinged with alarm.

"Commandery Princess, Commandery Princess, you’ve awakened," Qi Zhu’s voice trembled. The Crown Prince had just lain down, and the Commandery Princess had already woken up. "Commandery Princess, the chrysanthemums in the courtyard are in full bloom deep in autumn. Would you like to go see them?"

Zheng Nianru had just woken up, with some of the irritability that comes upon waking. She hadn’t seen Zheng Congyuan and hadn’t been able to linger on him as she had wished, which of course made her even less happy.