Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 109: Don’t Go Back

Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Don’t Go Back

"Nian Ru, I will handle the matters of Nanmen State as quickly as possible and then come for you," Nanmen Yu said from the bottom of his heart. Only by completing this great task could he and Nian Ru have a future.

Prince Duan was not wrong about one thing, the current him really couldn’t make any promises to Nian Ru.

"Don’t, I don’t want you to go back." Zheng Nianru reached out to climb the man’s neck, wishing she could get even closer, her voice right next to Nanmen Yu’s ear, pleading, "I don’t want anything, I just want you by my side."

That cry in her voice came from her throat, expressing her grievances as if it held a fatal charm, making Nanmen Yu’s blood rush, wishing he could tear himself to pieces and present himself to the woman in his arms to be kneaded and shaped to her liking, to find comfort, to feel at peace.

"Nian Ru, listen to me, I’m doing this for our future too," Nanmen Yu choked up, empathizing with Zheng Nianru’s reluctance. He too could abandon everything, no matter how hard or tired he became, even if he had to remain a hostage in Nanzheng State for a lifetime.

But he couldn’t let Nian Ru suffer, he couldn’t allow her to be reckless for his sake. She deserved the best things in the world, to enjoy the finest.

Zheng Nianru lifted her head, her eyes brimming with tears, making Nanmen Yu’s heart tremble fiercely, blood rushing uncontrollably as he kissed her without heed, his restraint exploding in an instant. Nanmen Yu felt he could die just like this, and he would do so willingly.

"Nian Ru—" Nanmen Yu gasped heavily, the taste of blood spreading in his mouth, his eyes clouded, his returning sanity wavering again at the sight of the young man. Half of his body already sinking into the mire, Nanmen Yu found no desire to struggle, even willing to slide further into it.

Zheng Nianru smiled, her reddened cheeks silently telling of all that had just transpired, her youthfully rumpled clothing.

Nanmen Yu joined in with an embarrassed low laugh, chagrined at his own inexperience, his disarray.

"Don’t go, this journey is too dangerous, you could die," Zheng Nianru protested, not letting it go, her reluctance mixed with plaintiveness. But Zheng Nianru had confidence, the Nanmen Yu before her seemed like prey already ensnared in her trap, prepared to agree to anything she asked, heedlessly consenting to all her demands.

Nanmen Yu’s eyes slowly cleared, the pain at the tip of his tongue painfully striking his conscience, like a sharp sword, opening up the guilt at the bottom of his heart, leaving it on display for all to see.

What was he doing? He had nearly committed an error beyond redemption, and Zheng Nianru’s words were a reminder of just how much of a bastard he truly was. The journey was fraught with danger, even Nian Ru knew it. What if something happened to him, what would Nian Ru do?

Everything he was doing now could doom the woman before him to a fate from which there was no returning, his selfishness keeping her in constant fear and anxiety. His actions wronged Nian Ru who was wholeheartedly devoted to him.

Nanmen Yu wanted to slap himself awake.

"Nian Ru, you deserve all that is wonderful, and I will return as fast as I can," Nanmen Yu said with a hoarse voice. He had almost caused an unforgivable disaster, nearly destroying Nian Ru’s sincere heart.

Nanmen Yu propped himself up and slowly straightened Zheng Nianru’s clothes, desperately suppressing the volcanic eruption of thoughts in his heart.

The emotions in Zheng Nianru’s eyes slowly faded.

"Is it absolutely necessary for you to go?" So, she had overestimated her charm again? Even Nanmen Yu was not swayed by it.

"Nian Ru, this brief separation is for us to be together for a long and lasting future, for me to give you a better future. You hold the token of the Queen of Nanmen State; once I succeed, you will be the Queen of Nanmen State," Nanmen Yu said gravely as he held Zheng Nianru’s hands.

He couldn’t indulge in momentary pleasure; he wanted a lasting future, to have this person be his forever.

Zheng Nianru glanced at the sincere youth. Although things had not developed in the direction she had guided, at least there was no enmity, right? So the conflicts between the two states should disappear.

Zheng Nianru nodded reluctantly.

"Nian Ru, rest assured, apart from you, I will never lay eyes on another woman again," Nanmen Yu vowed solemnly, desperate for the disheartened woman before him to believe every word he said.

"I know," Zheng Nianru lifted her head, her soft and fragile nodding affirming her earnest demeanor as if she was trying hard to believe Nanmen Yu’s words.

A fire seemed to shoot straight to Nanmen Yu’s throat, searing every nerve.

The next moment, he steeled his heart and stood up firmly.

"I will write to you," Nanmen Yu added, looking back at her.

"Okay, I got it," Zheng Nianru responded.

Nanmen Yu opened the door to find Nanny Yun sitting under the porch eaves, unmoved, her gaze lifted just once to meet his eyes, filled with complex emotions that instantly made Nanmen Yu feel guilty, propelling him to leave in an awkward hurry.

Fu Dong quickly bowed his head to go inside, and moments later, he was out again in a hurry, bowing as he brought in hot water.

...

Zheng Haoyuan caressed the Black Jade Ring in his hand. These past few days, he had worn this ring at all times. It seemed to have its own spirit, absorbing the strange voices and shadows that lingered around him.

Yet Zheng Haoyuan had also tried to distance himself from the ring, and without it, that familiar feeling returned.

This meant that the ring could only suppress the strange presence within him but couldn’t eliminate it. To get rid of it completely, he would have to find the person who had set this all up in the first place—Master Yin He.

Yan Cheng entered the grand hall noiselessly, from the initial trepidation to his present role embrace, he had always been dutifully loyal.

"What have you found?" Zheng Haoyuan asked the newly-arrived Yan Cheng.

"My men followed Master Ling Yi from Xiongji Hall to Yanchi Mountain. The dark shadow is not Master Yin He."

Zheng Haoyuan looked up, not Master Yin He?

Then who else could possess such ability? And with a feeling so similar?

Zheng Haoyuan gripped the jade ring tighter, his thoughts never as clear as in these recent days. Things once unclear to him now made sense with just a slight ponder.

For example, why Nanmen Yu had given him this thing.

It was because he was fond of the elder cousin, trying to win him over with this gift to add a bargaining chip for marrying her in the future.

Zheng Haoyuan snorted coldly. Well, if that was the case, he wouldn’t refuse such benefits, but forget about his cousin entertaining such thoughts.

"Your Highness, should we pull back our men?" If discovered, it would be disrespectful to the mages of Qiandao Temple, and they could not bear such a sin.

"No, continue following," Zheng Haoyuan immediately said, refusing to believe Master Yin He wouldn’t return to Qiandao Temple because apart from there, he simply had nowhere else to go.