Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 129: The Thoughts of Prince Duan

Chapter 129: Chapter 129: The Thoughts of Prince Duan

Prince Duan had taken Song Gao and Song Yuan to a secluded manor, which, though a property in the hands of Prince Duan, had suffered from a flood disaster three years ago. The ordinary land had been breached by mountain torrents, followed by a year of drought. The crops they had planted did not even recoup the costs of the seeds, and the barren soil was slowly but surely becoming completely barren.

Prince Duan stood on the vast, crop-less hillside, his face filled with a bold spirit, gazing at the vast expanse cracked like a spider web, as if he were watching the grandeur of his thousands of troops under his command.

"How about this?" Prince Duan pointed at a large patch of land in front of them.

Song Gao and Song Yuan wanted to offer praise, but in the entire suburbs of the Zheng capital, they could not find a second plot of land as barren as this. They wanted to commend it, but their minds lacked the eloquence, and they simply could not find the words.

"Prince, this land is very high," said Song Gao cautiously, besides being high, it had not even a single blade of grass, "It could enclose a horse track."

"It is high," Prince Duan agreed, nodding. Song Gao weirdly felt he had hit the nail on the head? "However, I have no plans to make a horse track."

Song Gao and Song Yuan were utterly perplexed, but nodding seemed always safe.

"Prince has considered deeply," they said.

"I plan to excavate a paddy field—" Song Gao and Song Yuan froze midway, not daring to nod, they hadn’t misheard, creating a paddy field on such a high slope? Song Gao uncertainly sneaked a glance at Prince Duan, about to speak, when Song Yuan immediately looked at Song Gao.

If the Prince said it was a paddy field, then it was a paddy field.

"A paddy field would be good, exactly as the Prince said," Song Yuan hastily concurred.

Prince Duan’s expression remained calm, the nearest river was also two miles away, he would not want this piece of sky if not for the divination prior, suggesting it contained the spirit of wood, capable of nurturing a woman.

"But those servants in my mansion just don’t have the capability, it seems I can only rely on the two of you." Prince Duan spoke with utmost seriousness, "This has been my wish for many years."

Song Gao and Song Yuan were taken aback, slowly realizing that this was a trap, the Prince meant that they—

"Since you both are so capable, I will entrust this important task to you both. I want this entire high slope turned into paddy fields. Master He Lin said that water nourishes everything and will surely ensure a lifetime of peace for Nian Ru."

Song Gao and Song Yuan, upon hearing this, wanted to say something else but knowing fully well it was a trap and involving Commandery Princess Chao Ren, they dare not say that this high slope could simply not become a paddy field, wouldn’t they imply the Commandery Princess lacked divine favor?

"Grateful for the Prince’s high regard, we servants will definitely try our best," Song Gao and Song Yuan could only agree, watching helplessly as Prince Duan left them in this godforsaken place.

Finally, Prince Duan shook off the two men and immediately hastened back to Prince Duan’s Mansion.

If these two men were to stay in Prince Duan’s Mansion, how could he possibly eat and sleep in peace? Going to Nian Ru’s place, he trusted even less. It was Housekeeper He who had come up with such a good idea, just let those two slowly endure in the manor.

...

Zheng Congyuan was somewhat surprised when he received the news.

Prince Duan was cautious, knowing well the suspicious nature of the Empress Dowager, and on ordinary days, if there were no extremely important matters, he would not see Zheng Nianru, and if he did see her, he would choose a very discreet place, not in Prince Duan’s Mansion.

Moreover, with the Empress Dowager’s birthday approaching, Prince Duan’s plans were just for Nian Ru to be able to leave the palace and come home. At this time, he should be even more cautious, gaining the trust of the Empress Dowager might give Nian Ru a chance to leave the palace.

But at this moment, Nanmen Yu had already left, other matters were trivial compared to this.

However, the Hidden Guard who came out with Zheng Nianru did not leave; after waiting for a moment, Qi Ling entered and said a few words to Zheng Congyuan.

"Let him come in." The two people left with Nian Ru were added after Zheng Congyuan was assassinated; they were not Hidden Guards and had never shown their faces in front of Zheng Nianru, nor were they always guarding Qishun Building.

Only in times of danger would they appear at the right moment, and this danger referred to life-threatening situations.

Zheng Nianru did not like others interfering with her life. Zheng Congyuan could feel that the eunuch outside the Qishun Building had not made any move to this day, always staying in the outer court, thus many things remained unknown.

The Hidden Guard quickly entered the study.

The events of today had happened suddenly. Although they were hidden, from the conflict to the end, there was no opportunity for them to think of seeking external help to resolve the crisis; however, it was not their turn to take action.

When they realized that the Nanny accompanying Talented Lady Jing was skilled, they had considered appearing. But then, the young man acted first, which was the main point they needed to report.

Zheng Congyuan frowned.

Nian Ru saved him? Zheng Congyuan knew about Noble Consort Wen seeking Master Yin He. Yet the young man’s movements were mysterious, continuously staying by Zheng Muyuan’s side; Zheng Congyuan had also seen him previously when returning from the Traveling Palace.

"Your Highness, neither of the two of us is a match for this person," the Hidden Guard reported. This matter could be big or small. Such a master by the Commandery Princess’s side could easily detect their presence, and that might backfire.

"Withdraw for now," Zheng Congyuan spoke, but he did not take Master Yin He to heart; he knew somewhat about Master Yin He’s matters. Once Master Huo Yi knew he was still in the Imperial Palace, he would surely take him away; it was only a matter of time.

Zheng Congyuan was also considering another possibility. If they had Master Yin He on their side, how great would the chances of Zheng Nianru leaving the Imperial Palace be?

"Qi Ling—"

Qi Ling entered promptly as the Hidden Guard had already left without a trace.

"Go and check it out." Zheng Congyuan was still a bit uneasy. What was Nian Ru up to, keeping such a person by her side; was it really so amusing?

...

"What are all these?" Zheng Nianru asked as she looked at the list, her tone indifferent.

"All of these." Prince Duan felt he could not keep this matter from Zheng Nianru; he was more eager to test what attitude Nian Ru really held toward Nanmen Yu.

"What does Father plan to do?" Zheng Nianru continued to ask indifferently, not that there weren’t many items on the gift list—indeed, there were quite a few—but none particularly suited her taste. When she ascended to the position of Empress Dowager, Nanzheng State had indeed prospered for a few years, at least judging from the contents of her Imperial Treasury.

"We cannot accept these gifts; Father doesn’t want you to go to Nanmen State," Prince Duan said directly, which was the most important reason. If Nian Ru went to Nanmen State, he would completely lose his daughter.

"Okay, everything is up to Father," Zheng Nianru nodded obediently.

Prince Duan breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, he felt something was amiss—exactly where, he could not articulate. Looking at Nian Ru’s indifferent demeanor, how could Nanmen Yu be so obstinate and relentless?

Before Prince Duan could finish his thoughts, his attention was drawn to a young eunuch by Nian Ru’s side.

Why was there another eunuch?