Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 149 Update 1

Chapter 149: Chapter 149 Update 1

"Grandson is considering the Imperial Grandmother’s wishes," Zheng Congyuan stood up, his calm expression silently stating that his actions were the result of deep deliberation and not an unintentional error.

Empress Dowager Yan Ping furrowed her brows slightly but did not interrupt Zheng Congyuan’s words. Although young, Zheng Congyuan had always acted with a maturity beyond his years, never rashly.

If he did act, there would be a very good reason.

"Imperial Grandmother, grandson believes that, with Father Emperor’s frail health and inability to fulfill filial duties, Imperial Uncle is strong and diligent. His only concern has been the Commandery Princess. To Nanzheng, she is but a Commandery Princess. Grandson is considering the Imperial Grandmother’s comfort and wishes for her ease and joy."

Empress Dowager Yan Ping felt a stir in her heart. Fu Xun was sincere and, though crafty, good-hearted. She sighed softly. While she was aware of what Fu Xun meant, it was always a matter of who would speak first—it couldn’t be her initiating it.

"Fu Xun, your filial piety is a heavy burden," Empress Dowager Yan Ping looked at Zheng Congyuan before her. Over the years, as he gradually wrested power from her hands, she cared less about it. Growing old, being surrounded by her children and grandchildren was her dream. "Is this why you have made amends with your Imperial Uncle recently?"

Zheng Congyuan was not surprised.

"Grandson thought, Prince Duan is gentle and cannot bear to see his only child suffer. All these years, he has never let go. Grandson thinks it might be better to let go."

"To let go?" Empress Dowager Yan Ping repeated slowly, glancing at Zheng Congyuan standing quietly below, as if he had no self-interest at all.

"This matter naturally depends entirely on Imperial Grandmother’s decision. Grandson merely boldly voices his thoughts. As the saying goes, ’Observers see clearly,’ perhaps because the Imperial Grandmother is too demanding of Prince Duan, who cares deeply for Princess Chao Ren, she cannot see it clearly," Zheng Congyuan spoke slowly, handing the initiative back to Empress Dowager Yan Ping.

Empress Dowager Yan Ping did not believe Zheng Congyuan was without self-interest, but for many years, Boding had been a stubborn stone, impervious to her hard or soft approaches, never making his way into the heart of her most beloved son.

Zheng Congyuan’s suggestion might actually be worth trying. That person from Qishun Building, to Nanzheng, was just a Commandery Princess. Could she really turn the world upside down?

"Imperial Grandmother, grandson will not disturb your rest any longer." Zheng Congyuan did not continue to persuade. Knowing Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s suspicious nature, any further urging could backfire. He respectfully bowed.

"Nanny Deng, see the Crown Prince out," the Empress Dowager waved dismissively, needing time to think thoroughly.

...

Zheng Nianru, upon leaving Prince Duan’s Mansion, saw from afar that Zheng Haoyuan’s carriage was stopped there, the coachman being one of Lu Hu’s capable subordinates, appearing very thin and inconspicuous.

As Zheng Nianru approached, the guard set down the carriage step, and she boarded directly.

"Cousin—" Zheng Haoyuan immediately leaned in, his face alight with excitement.

"Are we going to the place you mentioned?" Zheng Nianru asked. She had casually agreed, not expecting Zheng Haoyuan to be so excited and to have arrangements made within two days, earnestly begging her to visit.

Zheng Nianru felt that the clothes she wore, originally tailored for Zheng Haoyuan, had significant differences between men’s and women’s attire. If Zheng Haoyuan couldn’t bring out the desired effect, she doubted the other could either.

Wen Zan paced nervously back and forth. He had ordered the special place to be cleaned thoroughly, inside and out. Knowing that the cloths Zheng Haoyuan procured were for Princess Chao Ren, he felt as if he’d been injected with chicken blood.

Originally, the extremely precious lotus-fiber woven silk fabric had no use in Zheng Haoyuan’s hands, and Wen Zan felt it was a waste of heaven’s gifts. However, upon seeing the garments Zheng Haoyuan brought yesterday, Wen Zan was utterly amazed by the fine and orderly stitching and the handling of the fabric.

"Call Qu Xiang over," Wen Zan decided that further training was necessary. The first attempt must be flawless; after all, to meet Princess Chao Ren, he suffered a severe beating from Prince Duan.

Wen Zan had never imagined he would have the opportunity to meet Princess Chao Ren and was even more astonished that, before meeting her, he would witness the exquisite needlework he had so long yearned to see.

The man who entered through the door bowed his head and body, his long robe a flush of blooming flowers that settled softly around him as he moved. Wen Zan turned and could not help but marvel at how truly treasured such a man was.

When he first chanced upon this man on the street, starving and barely alive, Wen Zan was only surprised that even in such a wretched state, the man could evoke such a unique aura.

Wen Zan was particularly adept at capturing such impressions, much like his near-mad quest for all things beautiful. The man’s beauty merged with his own natural charisma. Once the man had bathed and cleansed himself, Wen Zan was even more astounded by his own discernment.

But further discipline was needed because a Commandery Princess who could embroider such quality surely had higher aspirations.

"If you can stand here, you naturally know what must be sacrificed," said Wen Zan, looking at the man standing before him, his voice lofty.

"Yes," the man responded softly, his sense of indignation never stronger than when he realized he could truly die on the streets.

If he died like this, then who would know of the people who killed his family, forcibly took him away, tired of him like a dog tossed onto the streets? Who would know he once walked this earth, or the tragic fate that befell his family?

He also knew that Wen Zan was not a good person, and his purpose in saving him was not out of pity. From the clothes Wen Zan had made for him and the performances he was forced to give, he knew what Wen Zan intended.

What difference did it make? The Eldest Princess had never been easy to serve. Compared to her, the men and women he now faced were merely looking at him with scorn.

Qu Xiang knew that day would inevitably come. Since being saved, he had resolved to endure whatever filthy days lay ahead.

"Perform well today; I do not keep the useless," Wen Zan said coldly. Some people are born with an enviable beauty, regardless of gender.

"Yes," agreed Qu Xiang without hesitation, and he bowed before retreating.

"Young master, the Fourth Prince has arrived," a guard immediately reported to Wen Zan. Without a moment to spare for other thoughts, Wen Zan quickly adjusted his clothes to greet the arrival.

This private courtyard, hidden behind the busiest estate on East Main Street and ingeniously designed to be inconspicuous, possessed the air and attitude of ’great hidden within the marketplace.’

But this was not merely a private estate owned by Wen Zan. At the main entrance hung an unassuming sign—Tingquan Islet.

Inside Zheng Capital, those aware of this place were either the rich or the noble, and even so, securing a spot here was difficult.

Wen Zan walked briskly to the back door, arriving next to the carriage, and personally lifted the curtain. He saw only a corner of the carriage adorned with glimmering golden ribbons that filled his entire field of vision.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.