Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 152 Second Update

Chapter 152: Chapter 152 Second Update

The news came quickly, a guard found out that it was Second Young Master Wen who found Qu Xiang, critically injured on the street. It is unclear whether it was a sudden stroke of conscience or because Second Young Master Wen was in an exceptionally good mood that day, but he actually took Qu Xiang back with him.

Qu Xiang was indeed fortunate to be alive. The thirty heavy strikes ordered were intended to shatter the bones from his coccyx downward. Even if he were to survive, he would never be able to stand and walk again.

However, the place of execution wasn’t in the palace. They randomly selected a chair from a teahouse. The chair was made of brittle, unseasoned paulownia wood because the teahouse owner wanted to cut costs by using inferior materials. Naturally, the worst ones were chosen for such purposes.

The paulownia wood, being soft, had already given way after twenty strikes. Seeing that Qu Xiang was at death’s door and yearning for death, the guards simply lifted him up and carried him out directly.

Although Qu Xiang was beaten to a bloody pulp, looking horrendously miserable, these were just superficial wounds. Also, because Zheng Nianru appeared just in time, among Nanmen Yu’s Death Warriors, there were some who were extremely skilled at treating external injuries.

The guard detailed every tiny piece of information and placed it before Zheng Tianxin, focusing on Qu Xiang’s rescue by Wen Zan and every single detail of his daily activities, including the people he met and what he did during Wen Zan’s social interactions.

Initially furious, Zheng Tianxin’s heart gradually calmed down upon hearing this and pondered thoughtfully. It seemed that although Qu Xiang was saved by Wen Zan, Wen Zan was clearly setting a high value on him, tantalizing everyone’s taste before planning a big move.

Zheng Tianxin certainly believed that Wen Zan was capable of these maneuvers, even inviting Zheng Haoyuan to boost the reputation of this new favorite, which indicated Wen Zan’s ambitious plans.

Zheng Tianxin sneered, this was for the best; her people should not fall into others’ hands.

...

Prince Duan was busy with the arrangements, and after considering a few places, he finally decided to set up a small gathering at Prince Duan’s Mansion under the guise of a casual family dinner, to thank everyone for their hard work over the past few days.

Doing so reduced the risk of Zheng Nianru being discovered when going out. Besides, the matter of their meeting could not yet be made public, and nowhere was safer than at Prince Duan’s Mansion at this time.

Prince Duan specifically arranged for chefs and had two chefs transferred from an inn.

When the inn’s manager came to dispatch the chefs, Lin Da hesitated for a moment but decided to stay instead of rushing off, especially after Prince Duan noticed him outside again somewhat unexpectedly.

"Lin Da, is there something else?" Lin Da is the head manager’s eldest son, who grew up in Prince Duan’s Mansion and was now over forty, usually very cautious in his dealings.

"Prince, there is a matter that is not particularly urgent, but I thought it best to report to you," Lin Da slowly began, recalling the day he had reported to Prince Duan about someone missing from the inn. Prince Duan had said nothing and simply waved him away.

However, since it involved the Commandery Princess, Lin Da took extra care, had someone inquire about it on the streets, and given the person had disappeared without money, it naturally left traces. Within two days, Lin Da found the whereabouts of the missing young man. As it involved the Wen Family, Lin Da did not dare delay.

"Prince, do you remember the young man who disappeared from the inn?" The inn was already running smoothly, and there weren’t many busy affairs, Lin Da, having learned about the Commandery Princess’s temperament from his father, carefully speculated, partly due to the young man’s exceedingly handsome features.

"What young man?" Prince Duan turned, that Mage Yin He, wasn’t Nian Ru always with him? He had seen him more than once, and besides, Nian Ru always had him around when meeting him; why wouldn’t he bring him along to other places?

"The young man whom the Commandery Princess saved, extremely handsome, has now disappeared from the inn and was taken away by Second Young Master Wen," Lin Da said straightforwardly, having uncovered some other information as well, but he didn’t use it as some of it seemed too incredible.

Only then did Prince Duan catch on to Lin Da’s words, frowning as he asked.

"There’s such a person?" How did he get involved with Wen Zan again?

"This young man was originally picked up on the road by the Commandery Princess and left in an inn, and he has been there ever since. I also asked the people in the inn. Since the first time the Commandery Princess brought him, they have never seen this young man again. Perhaps, the Commandery Princess merely had a moment of compassion and then forgot about him..."

"Humph—" Prince Duan did not believe it. If it were one or two incidents, he might believe such a story.

However, from Nanmen Yu to Wen Zan, to this unfamiliar young man, and then to Zheng Haoyuan and that mage, Prince Duan faintly realized that his daughter was somewhat different from others, and dangerously so.

He too had carefully observed Zheng Nianru to see if she was getting older and had developed thoughts of her own as a young girl.

But gradually, Prince Duan discovered that Zheng Nianru’s extremely indifferent attitude, casual to the point of detachment, seemed to treat everything as a mere trifle. There were times when she would entertain, but when displeased, the thought to kill had crossed her mind more than once.

These were not the thoughts a normal daughter should have.

"Prince, perhaps this servant is being overcautious, but it’s all in the name of prudence. Just in case that young man has something on him and he is in the hands of others, it won’t be good for our Prince’s Mansion or for the Commandery Princess."

Prince Duan pondered for a moment.

"Let me think thoroughly about this matter. You’ve done well; I feel reassured having you handle these matters. Continue to investigate and report directly to me," Prince Duan said, suddenly recalling something as he spoke.

At that moment, Wen Zan was also in the Youchun Workshop. Regarding tomorrow’s family banquet, he originally had no intention of inviting Wen Zan, and still did not, but this young man’s case...

"Lin Da, come here..." Prince Duan gestured to Lin Da and whispered a few words into Lin Da’s ear.

Lin Da bowed and retreated. Prince Duan still had someone send invitations to the four individuals including Lu Xingzhou.

Wen Zan also received the invitation. How could the news of Prince Duan inviting four people be hidden from him? However, this Prince Duan, he dared not provoke, especially due to Princess Chao Ren’s relationship, he did not wish to provoke either.

Receiving Prince Duan’s invitation out of the blue, Wen Zan found it hard to accept, his hands trembling as he opened the invitation.

After reading only two lines, Wen Zan’s face turned pale; unable to read further, Wen Zan suddenly looked up.

"Someone come."

Qing Wu immediately entered the room. As soon as Qing Wu entered, Wen Zan immediately threw the penholder on the desk at him.

"What great deed have you done? You were supposed to check on the news about character sounds, have you found anything?" On hearing that, Qing Wu immediately knelt down.

"As for master’s joy and anger, this servant hasn’t found anything noteworthy." It was just a servant who slipped out from the inn, lacking any significant identity.

Wen Zan immediately swept the ink brushes off the table as well.

"What good news, when they’re practically stepping over our heads." Wen Zan threw the letter at Qing Wu’s face.