Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 141: Comparison

Chapter 141: Chapter 141: Comparison

The four who had just bowed down were inwardly groaning with dismay. The Fourth Prince? On second thought, wasn’t it obvious? Noble Consort Wen was from the Wen Family, and Wen Zan, as the only nephew of the Wen Family staying in the capital, frequently associated with the Fourth Prince, which seemed perfectly normal.

However, they were completely unprepared for the temperament of the Fourth Prince, who was rumored to be difficult to get along with.

"You may rise—" Zheng Haoyuan’s voice carried a resonant tone. Wen Zan, hearing this, was slightly startled. What’s wrong? Did he seem to be in a bad mood today?

Wen Zan stood up and approached Zheng Haoyuan, his eyes seeking answers. He hadn’t heard of anything upsetting happening today. Hadn’t everything started off well?

Zheng Haoyuan glanced coldly at the four youths standing in a row and snorted inwardly. He had only learned today about these young men’s exceptional talents and how they had ended up in Prince Duan’s Youchun Workshop—apparently Prince Duan was considering them for a cousin.

If he hadn’t accidentally spoken in front of his cousin and preemptively tried to take credit by laying the groundwork, how would he have known the significant roles these strikingly handsome men could play?

Zheng Haoyuan remembered Zheng Nianru describing these four as young talents, as distinctly handsome, and despite their plain clothes, their imposing demeanor could not be concealed. A fire seemed to burn inside him, scorched through his organs.

He had initially wanted to get to know these young talents, to show his face in front of Prince Duan so that Prince Duan wouldn’t dislike him anymore, naturally allowing his cousin to circle in his company.

Seeing Zheng Haoyuan’s displeased expression, Wen Zan dared not ask further and instead led him to the foremost table, just about to sit next to him.

Zheng Haoyuan had already begun to speak.

"These colleagues of Second Brother Wen are indeed charming and attractive."

Wen Zan almost laughed. It seemed he had been startled needlessly. Although Fourth Prince’s moods were somewhat unpredictable, his nature was still agreeable. Wen Zan was about to praise his colleagues, wait, ’charming and attractive,’ was this really an accolade given to extraordinary young talents from a civil examination? It sounded more like an insult than a compliment.

The people standing behind him were even more silent, not daring to breathe too loudly, caught between sitting and standing by the Imperial Forest Guards, not even knowing where to place their hands.

Wen Zan immediately hid the smile on his face and whispered into Zheng Haoyuan’s ear.

"Fourth Prince, are these few enough to amaze you? Compared to the one we will meet soon, they are merely dust on the ground," Wen Zan whispered. Zheng Haoyuan rolled his eyes and glanced at Wen Zan, hoping that would be the case.

"Enough of the small talk, bring out whatever new plaything you have today," Zheng Haoyuan said impatiently.

Having heard this, Wen Zan finally breathed a sigh of relief, his mind filled with doubts. When had these four offended Zheng Haoyuan? But hadn’t it been Zheng Haoyuan’s idea initially to invite his four colleagues along?

"So, Fourth Prince, what would you like to see first?" Wen Zan said mysteriously as he stepped forward.

"Of course, I prioritize what I like," Zheng Haoyuan’s anger flared up again. Was Wen Zan really so clueless? Why else would he have come? Did he truly expect me to take interest in the beautiful man he mentioned? I have no such tastes. Moreover, why must men always discuss women when together, and if not women, then men?"

"Yes, yes, yes," Wen Zan said, glancing helplessly at his colleagues behind him, his gaze apologetic, indicating this was a decision made out of necessity.

Shen Houmu and Mu Qingfeng managed to keep composed, while Luh Xingze and Lin Haosi were already very nervous, daring not to look around loosely, the once appealing delicacies no longer seemed tasty.

Wen Zan gave his guard a look. Suddenly, a quiet click from the wooden platform was heard as the wall behind it revealed its mobility, slowly opening up. The semi-circular platform was surrounded by four tall candle holders, each bearing scores of candles that brightly illuminated the platform. In comparison, the candlelight atop the tables and chairs seemed much dimmer, barely revealing Zheng Haoyuan’s inscrutable expression devoid of pleasure. Wen Zan was trepid and unsure if this object he found was what Zheng Haoyuan wanted.

Luh Xingze was somewhat hungry, eyeing the elegant pastries in front of him, his stomach groaned even more. As everyone’s eyes were on the platform, he stealthily reached for a piece, just as he was about to eat it, suddenly, a massive creature charged out. The pastry in Luh Xingze’s hand fell to the ground in fright, and the piece in his mouth got stuck in his throat, almost choking him.

Lin Haosi was not so lucky. Only hearing a clatter of the chair, the young man fell to the ground, landing heavily on the stone floor, nearly splitting in two.

However, Zheng Haoyuan, at the appearance of someone on the platform, while others moved out of the way, stood up, staring at the massive form on the platform.

Although Wen Zan had seen it in a cage, he still took a sharp intake of breath and instinctively moved aside.

The massive form was a person. Despite the initial horror and fright, it was clear it was a person. But this person was different from those seen on any normal day; calling him a massive form was no exaggeration.

Zheng Haoyuan stared intently at this "person" in front of him. This person stood two meters tall, with a build broad as a bear, limbs like pillars, muscles bulging. With every step, the centuries-old ebony wood underfoot trembled, giving a sense of an earthquake.

Shen Houmu and Mu Qingfeng were also pale, gripping the arms of their chairs tightly, daring not make a move. For the massive form was restrained by only a thick iron chain, which, under the contrast of the giant on the platform, seemed like it could snap at any moment.

Wen Zan’s heart raced, but he dared not leave. This creature had just arrived the day before, personally requested by Zheng Haoyuan. He had thought it impossible to find, yet their men truly found this giant in North Meng, even Old Master Wen Kang was shocked.

But after all, it was the Royal Family; there were secrets unknown to them, inaccessible to outsiders.

Zheng Haoyuan fixated on this giant, repeatedly recalling the words Zheng Nianru had said—eight-feet tall, immense strength, capable of tearing apart tigers and leopards with his bare hands.

This was the Savage from the North Meng Tribe that his cousin had spoken of. A strange feeling slowly rose in Zheng Haoyuan’s heart, much like the satisfaction a child gets from acquiring a new toy. He wanted this Savage; from now on, this Savage would be his.

The Savage from the North Meng Tribe, caged all the way to Zheng Capital, had gone from violently resisting to now watching warily the much smaller people in front of him, as if he could snap their necks with one finger. Yet, he did not act rashly. The iron chain was nothing special. It was the group of people, possibly shooting their crossbows to pierce his flesh, that kept him from acting, capable of wounding him severely.

"How strong is he?" Zheng Haoyuan asked impatiently, even wanting to reach out and touch the Savage, thinking how the view from sitting on this Savage’s shoulders would surely differ from sitting on those eunuchs, full of dominance and majesty, able to disdain everything.