Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 138 Second Update

Chapter 138: Chapter 138 Second Update

Ju Nanyi was momentarily stunned but recovered his composure swiftly, his expression unchanging, as if discussing matters that did not concern him.

"I have no personal acquaintance with Lord Shen and do not understand him," Ju Nanyi immediately said, his comments impartial without any emotion, but sometimes derogatory remarks were not limited to what one says on the surface.

Zheng Congyuan fell silent for a moment, then passed over four books.

"I have another assignment for you," Ju Nanyi immediately bowed, leaning forward as if ready to undertake any task, obedient and attentive.

"It’s nothing difficult, just observe these four individuals’ behaviors and actions as usual. I trust your judgment."

Ju Nanyi respectfully accepted the papers, with Mu Qingfeng’s policy discussion boldly and decisively leading. Ju Nanyi, lost in thought, wondered if his own article, if included among these books, might catch Prince Duan’s eye?

"I shall obey," Ju Nanyi said unemotionally, or rather, might it also capture the Crown Prince’s eye?

When Ju Nanyi stepped out, he mounted his carriage and immediately instructed the coachman to head to Youchun Workshop.

As soon as he entered the carriage, Ju Nanyi opened the book instantly, then quickly closed it, as if fearing someone would see his foolish action.

Ju Nanyi took a deep breath, somewhat mockingly coming to his senses.

The carriage had already left through the main gate of the Crown Prince’s Mansion. Even if he had opened the paper inside the mansion, there was nothing suspicious about it.

Luh Xingze had said the same thing—the specific intent of these four going to Youchun Workshop was probably just so.

But why did Wen Zan go?

Ju Nanyi couldn’t figure it out, but then he remembered the rumors he had vaguely heard at the Traveling Palace.

So, Wen Zan was proactive, even appealing to the Empress Dowager, perhaps?

Ju Nanyi wanted to laugh. Although Prince Duan wanted someone easy to manipulate, without family backing and of humble origins, the background of the Wen Family was evident, ensuring the lifelong security of Princess Chao Ren. If Wen Zan insisted, if the Wen Family persisted, what was there to be impossible?

The so-called unrequited love, in the end, was likely just a battle of interests.

...

"Scholar Ju," Mu Qingfeng greeted him with a face of surprise. When he had heard about his candidacy for the Hanlin Academy, the first thing that came to his mind was the opportunity to meet this legendary man whose once sensational paper had shaken the court politics. The same style of official robe on this man gave a different impression of elegance, like misty grace. His tall but not bulky stature radiated a reserved and aloof charm, separating him from worldly influences without being overpowering.

"Scholar Mu, we will be colleagues from now on; no need for such formality," Ju Nanyi glanced towards Luh Xingze, Shen Houmu, and Lin Haosi who followed out, finding their youthful expressions varied yet equally dazzling, like pearls casting brilliant light.

"Scholar Ju."

"Scholar Ju—"

Wen Zan, walking last, disdainfully sidestepped a decayed flower petal on the stone steps and squinted against the glaring sun, reluctantly trailing behind everyone else.

Prince Duan was astute in selecting personnel, and Ju Nanyi, not wanting to waste time, especially with the energetic voices continuously surrounding him, found it hard to ignore.

"His Highness, the Crown Prince, instructed me to bring the ’Life-Sustaining Scripture’ and commanded that before copying it every day, one must bathe and burn incense, and not eat meat or fish."

"Yes—" The crowd quieted down and replied in unison.

Prince Duan was not present.

Ju Nanyi did not plan to stay long after issuing his instructions; he was not prepared to complete the Crown Prince’s task that day, especially since...

"Scholar Ju, please wait." Ju Nanyi had just stepped out of the Youchun Workshop when he heard someone calling from behind. As he turned around, he saw Wen Zan hurriedly catching up, not minding the dirt on the ground that might spoil his new shoes or the overly detailed hem of his robe.

"Scholar Ju, please wait." Wen Zan smiled warmly. Though he was wearing an official robe, it looked similar to the one Ju Nanyi was wearing, but upon closer inspection, you could see that Wen Zan’s robe was an imitation of an official robe, with much finer materials, embroidery threads, and even more delicately embroidered patterns.

To Ju Nanyi, Wen Zan was just a child spoilt to no end by the Wen Family, unaware of the harsh realities of life, not scheming in the bureaucracy, not particularly disliked but also not impressive.

"Lord Wen, is there something you need?" Ju Nanyi spoke calmly, even humbly, his expression stern, providing a comforting presence and a natural ability to earn your trust.

"I dare not, I dare not." Wen Zan knew how he had acquired his position and did not care much about it, the only thing that might have compelled him to compromise was his current place of employment.

Ju Nanyi did not rush him, just looking at Wen Zan who could not be described as handsome, overly effeminate, every inch the pampered offspring of an Aristocratic Family.

"I hear Scholar Ju is very skilled in fine brushwork?" Wen Zan was somewhat embarrassed to start speaking about the favor he was about to ask, knowing a hundred percent it would be refused.

"I am fond of it and have studied it a bit." In fact, Ju Nanyi’s fine brushwork was quite exceptional, with neat and proportionate lines, even having a unique artistic conception, which he regarded as a way to train his patience.

"Scholar Ju is being modest. Your painting has a unique style, quite characteristic." Wen Zan racked his brain for flattering words to say, though not much came to mind, it did not detract from his admiring gaze.

"You flatter me. Lord Wen, unless there’s something else..."

"There is, there is, there is something." Wen Zan was embarrassed to speak, but had to press on since Zheng Haoyuan had mentioned the day before that this task must be completed.

"Scholar Ju, I have a Floral Design, but my painting skills are poor, making it hard to depict." Wen Zan carefully took out a draft, its neat folding showing his cautious treatment, causing Ju Nanyi, who originally intended to refuse, to hesitate for a moment.

At that pause, Ju Nanyi took the draft, and as he unfolded it, a familiar faint scent reached his nose, tightening his heart suddenly as some memories surfaced, and the roughly drawn branches and vines on the paper slowly transformed before his eyes into the fluttering blossoms of a begonia.

"This really puts Scholar Ju in a difficult position." Wen Zan was even more embarrassed, the draft was very rough and incomplete, he wanted a complete set of Flower Vines. Much was missing.

"Is this for an embroidery pattern?" Ju Nanyi asked absentmindedly, not knowing why he asked, the familiar scent, and that style of entwined vines which he had seen only in one other place.

"Scholar Ju truly has wide knowledge and many talents, indeed it is for an embroidery pattern, but rest assured Scholar Ju, you won’t be drawing for free, I will buy it back according to the size of the draft you draw," Wen Zan immediately added, pleadingly.

Initially, Ju Nanyi had supported his family expenses through selling paintings, but that was no longer necessary.

"Lord Wen, I will try my best, just consider it part of our collegial camaraderie; no need to mention any compensation." Is it hers? How could it end up in Wen Zan’s hands?

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