Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 153 Update 1

Chapter 153: Chapter 153 Update 1

Wen Zan’s investigations had progressed even faster; within a few moments, he had already clarified the truth. This person indeed belonged to Prince Duan. Prince Duan had happened to save Qu Xiang, leaving him at the inn, yet had not expected Qu Xiang to disappear without saying goodbye after falling ill.

Whether his departure without goodbye was real or feigned, there were enough people in the inn whose statements could prove this point.

Yet, yesterday, Princess Chao Ren seemed to show no emotion upon seeing Qu Xiang.

Wen Zan was somewhat puzzled; logically, leaving such a person at the inn would make ignoring him difficult. Yet, the person was lost, and Princess Chao Ren did not send anyone to look for him, and even to him, she appeared as a stranger.

However, Wen Zan soon found the answer. Princess Chao Ren had truly not noticed Qu Xiang. According to Qu Xiang’s own account, Princess Chao Ren had seen him destitute and dying on the streets and had taken him to the inn.

Qu Xiang had no idea of the Princess’s identity, nor did he know the origin of the inn. It was only after the inn changed its innkeeper that he thought he no longer had a place to stay and decided to leave on his own.

Wen Zan highly doubted how pitiful Qu Xiang must have appeared when he was destitute on the streets to be ignored. But regardless, now that Prince Duan’s people had found him, even with any advantages Qu Xiang had, he could not stay.

The next day, Wen Zan arrived a quarter of an hour earlier than scheduled, personally accompanying Qu Xiang to Prince Duan’s Mansion, who, unlike his usual attire of fine clothes, wore ordinary coarse garments.

Nobody had told him what to do, but after Second Young Master Wen had asked about the inn affairs yesterday, it must be related to today’s trip. Seeing the Princess again yesterday, it was highly probable that she recognized him, which was why he was asked to return.

Qu Xiang did not know what lay ahead, nor did he lament his difficult fate. For people like them, discussing fate or possessing it was not befitting; in the hands of the powerful, they were no different than grasshoppers.

Wen Zan felt somewhat anxious. Prince Duan sending this note meant he must have uncovered some information and probably knew what he intended to do with Qu Xiang, a matter that Wen Zan feared might leave a bad impression in Prince Duan’s mind.

"Young Master Wen—" Just as Wen Zan got off the carriage, he encountered Luh Xingze and Lin Haosi coming together. Lin Haosi warmly greeted Wen Zan upon seeing him.

"Young Master Wen." Luh Xingze followed with a bow.

"You’re both quite early." Seeing this, Wen Zan knew that hiding was futile. Prince Duan’s Mansion was right before his eyes; why did he have to get off the carriage early if not to show his respect for Prince Duan? With the current status of the Wen Family, it would have been acceptable for him to get off at the main entrance of Prince Duan’s Mansion.

"Lord Wen is earlier." Lin Haosi glanced at the man behind Wen Zan, an attendant perhaps? An attendant would be too...

Lin Haosi and Luh Xingze immediately noticed the person Wen Zan had brought; it was hard for anyone not to. Wasn’t this...

Initially, Lin Haosi and Luh Xingze had not dared to look too closely, but the appearance of Ziyin was indeed too striking, making them unable to forget.

But why had Second Young Master Wen brought this person to Prince Duan’s Mansion?

Although Lin Haosi and Luh Xingze had not seen much of the world, they vaguely guessed who Ziyin was, and his appearance at Prince Duan’s Mansion at this time was not appropriate.

"Lord Wen, shall we go inside together?" Luh Xingze spoke up, vaguely thinking of some rumors and words from Mother Ju, could it really be...?

Is this really Prince Duan? Did Brother Nanyi know Prince Duan?

Is such a climate prevalent in Zheng Capital?

"Brother Lin, Brother Luh, please go ahead. I still have some..."

"That’s perfect, Brother Wen, we were also planning to wait for Brother Mu and Brother Shen to go in together; they should be arriving soon." Lin Haosi immediately responded, thinking Prince Duan had only invited the four of them.

How could it be? Even though Young Master Wen was not an official test taker, he was selected for Youchun Workshop and indeed had his own unique insights.

Upon hearing this, Wen Zan almost rolled his eyes. Just say it earlier.

"Then in that case, I just remembered I have some matters to report to Prince Duan, so I’ll take my leave first," Wen Zan immediately said.

Lin Haosi was taken aback, somewhat troubled. Aren’t we waiting for Brother Mu and Brother Shen? But it seems like going ahead isn’t a big deal.

"That’s fine, Brother Wen, we’ll just go ahead..."

Luh Xingze pulled Lin Haosi aside.

"Please go ahead, Brother Wen , we’ll follow shortly," Luh Xingze immediately responded.

Wen Zan, without further delay, hurried off with his men. This matter was definitely something Prince Duan wouldn’t want others to know about.

...

Zheng Nianru arrived quite early. At that time, Nanzheng State had already embraced the custom of men and women making their own choices in marriage, which added a personal element compared to sticking strictly to parental arrangements. Especially among the aristocratic families of Nanzheng State, mutual attraction was important, though the external rituals were still meticulously observed.

Nevertheless, Prince Duan, still worried, reiterated his instruction: Look for compatibility and follow your heart. Ignore the rest.

Zheng Nianru obediently agreed. Prince Duan, observing her lack of typical maidenly shyness—her expression more indifferent than bashful—felt somewhat uncertain whether this was due to youthful ignorance or a maturity beyond her age.

Prince Duan gently patted Zheng Nianru’s shoulder. Housekeeper He then came to report that Second Young Master Wen had already arrived in the front hall.

Upon hearing this, Prince Duan fell into deep thought.

"Have him wait for me in the study," wondered Prince Duan. Had Wen Zan really sent someone over?

Prince Duan felt he might be overthinking. From the time Zheng Nianru brought back that assassin from Pinghu Village, and then found Master Yin He, Prince Duan couldn’t easily believe that this similarly handsome man picked up by chance was just a random find.

The reason why Prince Duan had Wen Zan send the man over was more about testing Wen Zan. Nian Ru might not know the man’s identity, but Wen Zan definitely would.

To his surprise, Wen Zan actually did send the man over, which was unexpected for Prince Duan.

"Prince Duan—" Wen Zan immediately bowed apologetically, "The man has been brought here. It was my neglect for not realizing he was one of Prince Duan’s people. I am here to apologize."

Prince Duan glanced at the man following behind and felt a headache coming on. Why did he bring this person back? Didn’t he think Nian Ru was already entangled enough with these troublesome people? It looked like Nian Ru was about to find a suitable match, and these people would only cause more trouble.

But now that the man had been sent back, it would be awkward to refuse him. This was all self-inflicted trouble by Prince Duan.

"This prince thanks Second Young Master Wen. Let the man stay in the mansion then. Second Young Master Wen, please go to the main hall and wait a moment; the banquet is about to start."

"Yes, yes, as you wish, Prince Duan. It’s an honor to disturb you, your Highness. I’ve brought a modest gift, a small token of my sincerity," Wen Zan said as he retrieved a neatly wrapped square object from his sleeve and respectfully handed it over.

Prince Duan casually accepted the gift without intending to open it right away and handed it over to Housekeeper He. Wen Zan’s face immediately showed a look of disappointment; he had spent a long time in the warehouse choosing the gift and had inquired about the prince’s preferences from many people.

Not daring to linger, Wen Zan followed Housekeeper He out.

"Take this man with you and settle him somewhere in the mansion for now," Prince Duan said with a slight headache, signaling to an attendant nearby.

From the initial shock to now, Qu Xiang still couldn’t believe that Wen Zan had just handed him over to the Prince Duan before him.

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