Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 145 Another Update

Chapter 145: Chapter 145 Another Update

As the carriage disappeared from Ju Nanyi’s sight in an instant, Ju Nanyi suddenly went limp, and if it weren’t for his quick reaction to brace his falling body, a numb and dull pain in his arms washed over all his senses.

The next moment, Ju Nanyi quickly raised his head, looking towards the now traceless carriage, seemingly deep in thought.

That boy...

Ju Nanyi had encountered such people before and knew that in Nanzheng, the most noticeable was Master Yin He.

However, Master Yin He disappeared after Zheng Muyuan died, and besides, if Master Yin He wasn’t Mage Huo Yi, he wouldn’t stay in Zheng Capital.

Then, who was this boy beside her, and what relation did she have with the Eldest Princess?

Ju Nanyi couldn’t figure it out and decided not to dwell on these thoughts anymore. With no one around, the last glimmers of the sunset faded, and the sky quickly darkened to the visible speed.

Ju Nanyi walked on foot, the acidic swelling and numbness in his arms never subsided, but the feeling of his chest rubbing against his clothes incessantly filled his thoughts, despite being unable to move, he still felt it.

Those hands explored in front of his chest, the fingers were soft, and the fingertips even warmer, mindlessly poking at his chest; just thinking about that sensation, Ju Nanyi felt a warmth surge through his abdomen, the tingling in his arms swiftly spreading throughout his body.

What was he thinking about?

Ju Nanyi unconsciously started to rethink everything from the beginning, starting with that boy...

No, from why did she know he would carry the sketch with him?

Had she noticed him?

"Nanyi, you’re back—" Mother Ju came out to the courtyard, suddenly seeing her son unlike his usual self, she paused, not having a chance to speak before Ju Nanyi bowed respectfully.

"Mother—" he then turned and walked towards the courtyard.

"Nanyi, what happened? Did you fall?" Seeing her son, who was always neatly dressed, now in wrinkled clothes, Mother Ju worried more even though she was amazed, but now, her son was growing up but seemed even more distant from her.

"Mother, don’t worry, I just went to the river." Ju Nanyi said calmly, not slowing his pace.

Mother Ju panicked and grabbed Ju Nanyi; she could see that her son was beside himself.

"Nanyi, were you bullied, who bullied you?" Mother Ju asked anxiously, guessing by his appearance that there might be a layer of dirt under his back robe.

Ju Nanyi didn’t want to explain and didn’t know how to explain but just as he was trying to be patient, Mother Ju spoke again.

"How many times have I told you, you need to endure, in the face of issues you must endure. We are without money or power, and we are just a mother and son on our own, we must bear with it, don’t try to stand out."

"Mother, don’t worry needlessly, there’s really nothing wrong." Ju Nanyi was irritable inside and stubbornly refused to turn around, the phrase, a mother and son on their own, had haunted him all his life.

"Nanyi, why aren’t you obedient anymore, you are all grown up now, even an official, why are you still so rash? Look at you, your clothes are untidy, how can I not worry. How do I usually teach you, we are poor, but even if our clothes are torn, they should still be clean and neat."

Ju Nanyi suddenly turned around, and the moment his gaze lifted, it immediately dropped again.

"Mother worries too much. Today, the river channel was busy, and there were some tricky situations. By the time I went down to the river, I was very tired. Also, the carriage in the courtyard had a sudden issue, so I walked back, which is why I got mud from the river on me," Ju Nanyi spoke calmly, defusing an impending flare-up from Mother Ju in an instant.

Although Mother Ju didn’t believe him, the exhausted expression on her son’s face didn’t seem fake.

"Really?" Why did she feel...

"It’s my fault for making mother worry, but I truly am quite tired today. I will explain everything to mother tomorrow in detail." Ju Nanyi couldn’t even bother to keep up the pretense any longer and turned to enter the house.

Mother Ju wanted to say something else, but eventually she held her tongue, yet she couldn’t help wanting to ask if he would eat dinner.

Is he not eating then?

Ju Nanyi took off his dirty outer clothes and lay on the bed, emptying all his thoughts, not wanting to ponder any issues, just wanting to relive the feeling of those fingers touching his chest over and over.

...

Zheng Haoyuan watched as Zheng Nianru, Fu Dong, Xue Liu, and Nian Xia meticulously sewed together materials cut into different shapes. Slowly, the garment began to take a rough shape under their hands.

"Cousin, is it really for me?" Zheng Haoyuan’s eyes gleamed as he wanted to urge Fu Dong and the others but didn’t dare to rush them. One moment he asked Cang Er to fetch some fruits, the next he asked someone to fan the air.

Zheng Nianru glanced at Zheng Haoyuan, holding up a piece of the cut garment for comparison.

"Hmm." Just a sample for now. This fabric wasn’t like the usual ones; it wasn’t as soft and vibrant as silk, nor was it as stiff and properly shaped like cotton and hemp. The color was lotus root pink, which was very suitable for summer. Zheng Nianru considered several styles but decided to first use Zheng Haoyuan as a test. If it was successful, then she would see.

Zheng Haoyuan’s eyes curved into smiles; he knew that his cousin always thought of him first, but he wasn’t foolish. Even if his cousin wanted to see if this material would look good as a long gown, he was delighted nonetheless.

Zheng Haoyuan wasn’t in a hurry, just hanging around at Qishun Building each day was his most relaxed moment. He only waited until the next day in the afternoon when the garment was finally made. Although it had little embroidery, the few spots of lotus pods and leaves added were very fitting for the occasion.

Zheng Haoyuan excitedly put it on, and it fitted perfectly. Nanzheng State was not particularly passionate about fashion, and it was the first time Zheng Haoyuan had watched the entire process of making a garment, and now this garment was on him, giving him a feeling he had never had before.

It was different from those made by court maidens.

Yet, his cousin was not happy. Why? Zheng Haoyuan couldn’t figure it out; the garment fit well, but his cousin seemed dissatisfied.

Zheng Nianru truly was not satisfied; the garment hadn’t achieved the ethereal and free effect she wanted. Although Zheng Haoyuan’s crimson lips and white teeth were gradually getting taller, matching her expectations quite closely, this lotus pink gown, though fitting and showing the figure, still lacked that certain feeling; she wondered what was wrong.

"Your Highness looks really handsome in it," Fu Dong and Nian Xia sincerely complimented him. Compared to the Fourth Prince’s usual plain black, white, gray, and blue robes, Zheng Haoyuan seemed much more approachable now, smiling like a child who had yet to grow up.

"It is handsome. Our Fu Gong is naturally very handsome," Zheng Nianru agreed wholeheartedly.

Zheng Haoyuan’s face slightly reddened. Was it the garment’s problem that it didn’t achieve the effect his cousin wanted? Then it must be the fabric.

"Cousin, I think there’s one person who can really bring out the effect of this garment," Zheng Haoyuan’s eyes curved into a smile as he sat down in front of Zheng Nianru’s couch, "Cousin, he is a beautifully distinguished man that I have never seen before."