Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 160 Second Update

Chapter 160: Chapter 160 Second Update

Qi Zhu waited for a while, but Zheng Congyuan showed no sign of responding. He merely stood silently in the darkness, his back to the Qishun Building as his final act of defiance. At this moment, Zheng Congyuan suddenly understood what was meant by the fear that grips one when approaching home. All the way back from the Qiandao Temple, he had consciously sped up, hoping to return before dark so perhaps they could share a meal together.

Only...

He could not ferret out any information from Prince Duan. Prince Duan had painstakingly chosen these four people and placed them under his direct supervision for testing. Now, they had reached the step of mutual observation.

He had thought that before he took action, it certainly wouldn’t happen so soon.

Zheng Congyuan let out a bitter laugh, realizing that his current predicament was as ridiculous as his actions at this moment. Standing outside the Qishun Building, debating whether to go in or not, hesitating over whether to see her or not, struggling whether to let go or throw caution to the wind.

Yet, not everything in the world goes as one desires. Clearly knowing what is right and what is wrong, but the soul still desperately flirts with the edge, stirred with malice nestled within the human heart.

...

Yin He suddenly grabbed Zheng Nianru’s sleeve and pointed into the darkness.

Following the direction of Yin He’s finger, Zheng Nianru looked over. The moonlight cast a silver glow, and there the man stood silently, his slender figure like jade enveloped in a thin layer of radiance from the stars. Gazing at this silhouette, the thoughts within Zheng Nianru slowly fermented.

There are some things that she might have forgotten had they not appeared before her eyes, forgotten to actively bring to mind. But such forgetfulness is in vain; once remembered, it comes sweeping in, fermenting and churning manifold.

Zheng Nianru kept telling herself, she could choose another way. She had a grasp on destiny’s wheel, so why couldn’t she stride away?

"Let’s go," Zheng Congyuan sighed. The night was deep, and she usually preferred to go to bed early and rise early to practice. It was so late; if he were to wake her, she’d only throw a tantrum and insist on being coaxed back to sleep before he could leave.

Finally, Qi Zhu breathed a sigh of relief.

Zheng Congyuan turned around, his robe tracing the arc of a gentle breeze as he stepped forward, only for a figure to suddenly rush out and throw itself onto him.

Zheng Congyuan instinctively caught her. Without looking, without distinguishing, guided solely by feeling, solely by impulse.

Zheng Nianru clung tightly to Zheng Congyuan’s waist, her small head resolutely pressed against his solid, warm chest. She thought, don’t blame her. She had hesitated, was ready to leave, but as Zheng Congyuan turned, her heart suddenly felt empty, as if the bird in her hand suddenly struggled to escape. It was instinct to catch it, instinct to rush out.

Don’t blame her, blame Zheng Congyuan.

"Why did you come out?" Zheng Congyuan’s voice was hoarse, as if unable to find its proper tone after a long silence.

Zheng Nianru did not speak. Feeling Zheng Congyuan’s slight attempt to pull away, she tightened her grip on his sash, not allowing him to break free.

"Are you upset?" Zheng Congyuan didn’t move, trying to soothe the person in his arms. Tianxin had been spoiled since childhood, her actions petulant, yet she was the person closest to their mother’s heart. Naturally, Nianru must be upset.

Zheng Nianru didn’t say a word, feeling the man’s heartbeat, strong and forceful, resonating with all her nerves. Without answering, she just nuzzled against his chest.

Qi Zhu immediately bowed his head in confusion, then hesitated slightly. Was there someone else?

And so, Qi Zhu saw Yin He, also standing to the side, dressed impeccably in an eunuch’s attire, showing no sign of any fault.

However, having a eunuch by the Commandery Princess’s side was a mistake.

Qi Zhu immediately looked up at Yin He, only to find the other’s eyes fixed on him intently, like a fierce beast eying its prey about to be captured. An involuntary shiver ran through Qi Zhu, and his scalp tingled with apprehension.

The next moment, Yin He had casually turned his head to look at Zheng Nianru in Zheng Congyuan’s embrace.

"Nian Ru, let go first. I know about this afternoon," Zheng Congyuan sighed, his reasoning fully returning as he began to deal with the situation swiftly and adeptly.

Zheng Nianru suddenly lifted her head, stubbornly raised it and reached out to pull at Zheng Congyuan’s neck, not hesitating even to step on his foot, her soft lips seeking his in an undeniable demand.

Qi Zhu was startled and froze, icy chills replacing any concern for the additional eunuch present, as the scene before him made his body feel as if it had plunged into an ice cellar, breaking out in cold sweat despite the sweltering heat.

Qi Zhu didn’t even know what to think. Who was he? Where was he? He should just shut down, just like a wooden mannequin.

And yet, Yin He’s gaze became confused for an instant, mulling over what exactly she wanted and why. Although he was right beside her, the closest to her, in a way that allowed for the most intimacy...

But why didn’t it feel right?

Zheng Nianru’s fingernails dug into her clothing, aching, yet she never got the softness she desired, as she wished for in her heart.

"Nian Ru, calm down. If you dislike those few men, just speak to Prince Duan," Zheng Congyuan said, his heart trembling, uncomfortable all over, as reason and malice wrestled violently within him.

Zheng Nianru suddenly quieted down, always unable to obtain what she wanted, whether she demanded it forcefully, or entreated with soft, aggrieved pleading, or even tried to entice with her charm.

"I know. I’ve always known," Zheng Nianru said quietly, decisively, without a glance back. Suddenly, it was as if glass shattered inside her heart, scattering into fragments and droplets—tears she couldn’t cry out.

So, when she actively seduced Ju Nanyi, he reciprocated by purposefully sending one after another person to ruin her relationship with Ju Nanyi. In her past life, she simply hadn’t wanted to believe it.

Zheng Congyuan was momentarily stunned, innately understanding the meaning behind the girl’s words in his arms—every nuance unraveling into clear emotions, as moonlight poured down, leaving no room for pretense.

Zheng Congyuan opened his mouth wanting to say something. What could he say? Should he confess the demon deep in his heart, his selfishness, the desires he should not harbor?

Sometimes, he wished that Nian Ru was just an ordinary woman, even a courtesan from the Art House—without hesitation, he would take her back, hide her in his place, inside his heart, in his own sea.

But was he to personally destroy the most precious flower he had painstakingly nurtured?

Zheng Nianru gave a sorrowful laugh. What was there she did not understand, was there anything left unclear?

"But do you dare, do you have the courage?" Zheng Nianru backed away a step, her expression desolate, memorizing Zheng Congyuan’s features before her—the light of her life, the light she saw before drowning.

"Nian Ru—" Zheng Congyuan stepped forward.

Zheng Nianru turned and left without looking back, so the closer she got, the more she rejected him. Zheng Congyuan was like the hourglass she could never hold in her hand, consuming all her energy.