Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 148 Second Update

Chapter 148: Chapter 148 Second Update

Even if Zheng Nianru was reluctant, Prince Duan, in his previous life, had turned his hair white with worry for her and lived half a lifetime in constant fear, never knowing a moment’s ease. Yet, even so, every time there was a crisis, Prince Duan always protected her, to the point of disregarding right and wrong, black and white.

As Zheng Nianru entered Prince Duan’s Mansion, that forlorn feeling from her memories grew even stronger. If she felt she owed the most to anyone in her final moments, it was her father; the only one she was worried about was also her father. However, when the sword thrust toward her, she suddenly felt a sense of release and "bravely" impaled herself on its tip, as if that were the best solution to end all her suffering, all her loss, and the muddled confusion that ensnared her.

"Nian Ru." Prince Duan had already come out to greet her, his face showing signs of concern at the people accompanying her.

"How come Nanny Yun didn’t come with you?" Prince Duan frowned. Nanny Yun often took liberties due to her advanced age and senior status, growing a bit sluggish.

"Father is wronging Nanny Yun again, she is busy preparing a birthday gift for the Empress Dowager and couldn’t come." Her father wasn’t aware of Nanny Yun’s true identity, and Zheng Nianru herself only learned of it later on.

Prince Duan only knew that Nanny Yun was a maid devoted to Nian Ru’s mother and was entirely loyal. After the death of Nian Ru’s mother, Nanny Yun knelt before Prince Duan and said that her princess’s grievances could only be redressed by having her accompany Nian Ru as she grew up, otherwise, she would not rest easy.

"Follow me," Prince Duan said, still unsatisfied.

"Father, is there an urgent matter?" As Zheng Nianru crossed the threshold of Prince Duan’s Mansion and passed a centuries-old cedar tree, parrots hanging from the branches squawked. Reaching out, she shook the birdcage, and the parrots immediately fluttered their wings and took flight before settling back down on top of the cage.

Prince Duan had no interest in these distractions and felt that Zheng Nianru was not aware of the gravity of their current situation, which was why she could find amusement in teasing the parrots.

"Nian Ru, don’t keep that eunuch with you all the time; leave him in the outer courtyard and find an opportunity to send him away." Prince Duan was still worried. Even if the boy had some capabilities, fortune and misfortune go hand in hand, and that could be dangerous when the time comes.

"Mm, when there’s a chance," Zheng Nianru nodded obediently, not objecting. Prince Duan was unaware of what was going on, and she had no intention of telling him, for he would lose sleep over it.

"I called you here today about the matter I mentioned last time. I have looked over several new candidates and selected four from the Youchun Workshop. I think they are all quite suitable, but ultimately, it’s about who you like. What do you think?" Prince Duan asked tentatively, feeling that there was more to the situation than appeared.

Indeed, it was not simple. Prince Duan had not taken action because for this matter to succeed, what he most cared about was Nian Ru’s thoughts and willingness. If they could no longer choose the most satisfactory match based on status, background, or family heritage, then the person’s character and appearance had to be satisfying to Nian Ru.

Afterward, how to get Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s agreement, how and when to leave the palace, each step was extremely difficult. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made no progress for over a decade.

However, Nian Ru was already thirteen, and delaying further would only be a matter of a year or two. By then, the Empress Dowager would still arrange a marriage for her. To avoid compromising their mother and son relationship for the sake of this year or two, Prince Duan believed the Empress Dowager would consider these aspects.

"Whichever Father thinks is good, I will look closely at that time," Zheng Nianru said as she touched the vase on the curio shelf, a fine piece of porcelain that still stood intact amongst the rare treasures there.

Prince Duan favored fine porcelain and ancient inkstones.

"I think they are all good, especially Mu Qingfeng and Shen Houmu who stand out a bit more. But the final decision is yours. Their families are comparable, and the individuals are all exemplary in conduct and learning. Although they may not hold high official positions in the future, there’s no need to worry about food and clothing." Moreover, he had some private wealth, and together with what Nian Ru herself owned, they would not need to be dependent on others and could live a comfortable life.

"Tomorrow, I will host a banquet for them. At that time, you can take a look from behind the screen in the side room. If you find someone agreeable, just tell me. Does that sound good?"

"That’s fine," Zheng Nianru nodded obediently, "Father, does this mean I can leave the palace?"

Zheng Nianru remembered that it had taken quite an effort for her to marry Ju Nanyi, and she didn’t know why Empress Dowager Yan Ping suddenly agreed in the end. Prince Duan had knelt outside Xingqing Hall for two days and two nights without getting Empress Dowager Yan Ping to relent.

"Hmm." Prince Duan’s nose soured, and he silently resolved to surely make Zheng Nianru leave that cruel and ferocious place.

...

The entire Zheng State Royal Palace had already been newly decorated, including Xingqing Hall. All its inner and outer curtains and gauze were replaced, and the flowers and trees were tied with red ribbons featuring longevity patterns. Two tortoises, each weighing a hundred pounds, were placed in the lotus tank at the entrance of Xingqing Hall, symbolizing boundless longevity.

The items needed for the banquet flowed into Xingqing Hall like water, for the Empress Dowager to review one by one.

When Zheng Congyuan stepped into Xingqing Hall, Empress Dowager Yan Ping frowned at the guest list that was handed over, somewhat dissatisfied.

Zheng Congyuan ordered two man-high corals to be carried into the hall.

"Is Fu Xun here?" Empress Dowager Yan Ping dropped the guest list in her hand and smilingly glanced at the corals on the floor.

"Why did you move this pair here? They were originally awarded to you by your Imperial Grandfather, and such a complete pair is hard to find nowadays."

"It’s only right for a grandson to honor Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. I’ve long thought to present this coral pair to Her Majesty for her birthday," Zheng Congyuan said calmly. These corals were originally a possession of the Xiao Family, a private treasure of the Empress Dowager which the Former King had bestowed upon Zheng Congyuan. However, Zheng Congyuan knew the Empress Dowager had always cherished this pair of corals, "Besides, it’s like offering Buddha a borrowed flower, which I dare not take credit for. So, I sent them early, and on Her Majesty’s birthday, I’ll have another surprise for her."

After hearing this, Empress Dowager Yan Ping laughed and beckoned, Zheng Congyuan stepped forward.

"Why isn’t someone offering Fu Xun a seat? Why should he stand?"

Zheng Congyuan sat down, and Empress Dowager Yan Ping seemed to remember something and asked Nanny Deng who was standing by.

"How is the lady from Qishun Building these days?"

Zheng Congyuan lowered his head as if what the Empress Dowager was talking about had nothing to do with him.

"To report to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, she has been well-behaved these days, causing no trouble. Only two meals a day are served for the three meals, and everyone in the room is thin and yellow in complexion, lacking the strength to make any fuss," Nanny Deng said.

Empress Dowager Yan Ping nodded. So, who placed Princess Chao Ren next to Prince Duan on the seating list?

"Whose idea was this list?" Empress Dowager Yan Ping asked again. Who in the palace, besides Noble Consort Wen and the Empress, was aware of that person’s existence? Did neither of these two have a brain?

"To report to the Imperial Grandmother, it was my idea," Zheng Congyuan stood up, apparently both surprised and not surprised, his expression calm, as if he was reporting a very ordinary matter.

Empress Dowager Yan Ping looked at Zheng Congyuan, waiting for his answer.