Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 436 - 415: One More Update

Chapter 436: Chapter 415: One More Update

Prince Duan dropped his chopsticks onto the table with a clatter, then watched as they fell to the floor, but he didn’t bother to pick them up and instead, he grabbed Zheng Nianru’s arm next to him. However, Zheng Nianru quickly took hold of Prince Duan’s hand instead.

"Father, let the palace maid bring a new pair of chopsticks," Zheng Nianru said softly, her voice carrying the unique tenderness of a young girl in the otherwise silent space, providing a significant buffer against the previous, piercing scream, instantly calming everyone’s nerves.

Prince Duan was stunned for a moment before nodding his head. The palace maid had already brought a new pair of chopsticks, and by this time, Prince Duan had regained his composure. Even amidst the tension, he knew he could not afford to show even the slightest bit of it and thus picked up a dish in front of him.

"Nian Ru, you should eat more."

Empress Dowager Yan Ping had been somewhat satisfied with Zheng Nianru before, but her approval had increased at this point, especially in such a situation where she had timely intercepted Prince Duan’s reaction.

"Nian Ru, you’ve been in the palace for over a decade. Although you’ve returned to Prince Duan’s Mansion now, you should still come and visit often, keep this old lady company with some conversation," Empress Dowager Yan Ping said.

"Mother is absolutely right. Even though it’s winter, the scenery in the palace is still quite pleasant. Once the snow falls and the plum blossoms bloom, then..."

"Your Majesty, your son offers you a toast," Zheng Congyuan interrupted Emperor Jingzhi’s words, raising his glass without any hint of inappropriateness, despite cutting the emperor off.

"Very well, very well," Emperor Jingzhi said, lifting his glass as the music outside the window slowly resumed, adding a touch of lingering melancholy, with the sun now behind the clouds.

Zheng Nianru naturally didn’t foolishly respond to Emperor Jingzhi’s words and kept her head down to eat, as if she hadn’t heard anything.

"Your Majesty, your servant also offers you a toast," Prince Duan, not to be outdone, promptly raised his glass for another toast.

"Grandmother, your grandson offers you a toast," Zheng Congyuan raised his glass again, and Prince Duan, as if suddenly enlightened, followed suit, toasting the Empress Dowager together with Nian Ru.

Then, Emperor Jingzhi put down his chopsticks, and everyone at the table followed suit, thankfully concluding the meal without any mistakes.

Although Empress Dowager Yan Ping could not say she was completely satisfied with the outcome of the meal, it was indeed a good start. Subsequently, she retained Prince Duan for a while longer, and Zheng Nianru naturally stayed by their side. When Prince Duan eventually emerged from Xingqing Hall, a whole Shichen had already passed.

Prince Duan let out a breath of relief. Since Zheng Congyuan was nearby, he refrained from speaking his mind, but Prince Duan felt that it was best to avoid coming to the palace whenever possible.

"Imperial Uncle," Zheng Congyuan stepped forward.

"Are you also heading back, Fu Xun?" Prince Duan asked, glancing at the road that approached the East Gate, recalling that the Emperor had asked Zheng Congyuan to stay behind just moments ago.

Zheng Nianru looked up at Zheng Congyuan and smiled faintly, grateful for his assistance earlier. Zheng Congyuan, without looking aside, bowed to Prince Duan.

"Imperial Uncle, that’s not it. My people happen to be heading back, so I told them to go together with you," Zheng Congyuan said, pointing toward the orderly troops at the palace gate where Ju Nanyi stood at the forefront, showing no sign of having waited for a long time.

"Fine then," Prince Duan agreed without further thought, but Zheng Nianru gave Zheng Congyuan a glance, wondering what he meant.

Zheng Congyuan did not give Zheng Nianru any specific look since he himself did not know what he was worried about. It could only be attributed to caution or perhaps because Zheng Congyuan was simply not at ease, especially at this critical moment when Empress Dowager Yan Ping had made such a move.

"Your Highness, Your Highness," among those waiting at the palace gate was Eunuch He Chen from Chenyuan Hall who, along with a group of Little Eunuchs, approached Prince Duan as soon as they saw him, having clearly waited there for quite some time.

"Eunuch He Chen," Prince Duan said, looking at the eunuchs holding boxes behind him. For a moment, he did not understand the meaning behind their actions.

"These are all the Emperor’s benevolent thoughts, all meticulously selected by His Majesty, bestowed upon Princess Chao Ren," Eunuch He Chen flicked the horsetail whisk in his hand. Although he dared not look randomly, the glance he had taken of Prince Duan earlier had left him astounded by the dazzling sight.

Was this Princess Chao Ren? Eunuch He Chen was certainly not a newcomer; he had heard the name of Princess Chao Ren before, but this was his first time seeing her.

"Many thanks to the Emperor—"

"Many thanks to the Emperor—" Zheng Nianru, following behind Prince Duan, expressed her gratitude. The gifts from Emperor Jingzhi were naturally not something to be returned.

"Would the Prince and Commandery Princess like me to have these items loaded onto the carriage?" Eunuch He Chen asked very respectfully and, without waiting for Prince Duan to reply, gave instructions to his subordinates.

"Hurry up now, load these items onto the Commandery Princess’s carriage."

Zheng Nianru glanced over and noticed that the sedan chair that had come to pick them up was dispatched by Empress Dowager Yan Ping. Clearly, the change to a carriage now was not the Empress Dowager’s idea; it must be Emperor Jingzhi’s. Indeed, upon arrival, it was necessary to let others recognize their status, but such was not needed anymore.

Nanny Yun and Fu Dong assisted Nianru onto the carriage. The carriages, one leading and one following, slowly began to move forward. Ju Nanyi watched the procession of carriages, now nearly a hundred meters ahead, before allowing his men to catch up, maintaining a distance as they followed.

Nanny Yun looked at the items taking up half of the carriage space. Even Prince Duan had to ride in a separate carriage. Nanny Yun glanced at her Commandery Princess. Were they really going to take all these items back with them?

Although Nanny Yun couldn’t go inside, when the Commandery Princess emerged, she caught a brief glimpse of Emperor Jingzhi’s gaze towards Zheng Nianru, a look that gave her an ominous feeling. And she knew Emperor Jingzhi’s temper better than Zheng Nianru did—the past absurdities he was involved in were enough to astonish anyone.

"Commandery Princess, these items—" Nanny Yun thought it over but still decided to speak up. At the very least, she had to warn her Commandery Princess that it was best to avoid Emperor Jingzhi wherever possible.

Zheng Nianru glanced at Nanny Yun. She did not understand Emperor Jingzhi well, for he had died early. However, Zheng Nianru could clearly discern the gaze of a man, especially one filled with intent.

"Do you think I could refuse these items just because I do not want them?" Zheng Nianru spoke. Fu Dong watched her Commandery Princess and Nanny Yun carefully, sensing that the atmosphere was off, and did not dare to say a word.

"The Commandery Princess is right, but Emperor Jingzhi’s actions..."

"Nanny Yun, I understand. Father has also warned me; it is best to avoid seeing him if possible," said Zheng Nianru. She spoke not because of anything else, but because she noticed a figure approaching from outside the window—it should be one of Ju Nanyi’s men.

Zheng Nianru glanced outside the carriage and pulled back the window curtain. As she had guessed, Ju Nanyi was already riding beside the carriage.

Zheng Nianru looked at Ju Nanyi, wondering whose idea this was. What exactly was Zheng Congyuan worried about?

"Lord Ju, there’s no need for a special escort; you’ve already arrived," Zheng Nianru spoke out.

Ju Nanyi had been paying attention ever since the carriage window opened, and although he did not turn his head, the side of Ju Nanyi’s face that was being watched felt hot.

Ju Nanyi tightened the reins and then turned his head, sunlight streaming from behind him, spilling onto the carriage. The girl peeking out appeared like a sprite entering the mortal realm, a fairy amongst the flowers, so unreal in her beauty.