Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 161 Update 1

Chapter 161: Chapter 161 Update 1

By the time of Emperor Jingzhi of Nanzheng State, there was, for the first time, a precedent for founding household establishments for princesses, specifically established for Eldest Princess Zheng Tianxin. As the first child born after Emperor Jingzhi’s ascension, Zheng Tianxin was the only child to receive Emperor Jingzhi’s affection, but shortly after her birth, Emperor Jingzhi’s health started to decline.

Emperor Jingzhi had been ill since childhood with a frail body and chronic sickness. By then, many already favored the robust and strategically gifted Prince Duan, who temporarily stayed his hand because it seemed Emperor Jingzhi wouldn’t live long and as the eldest son, he had the orderly progression of inheritance on his side. Moreover, Emperor Jingzhi had no male heir after many years of marriage to Empress Xiao without news of childbirth.

However, three years after Emperor Jingzhi’s ascension, his health unexpectedly improved, and he became energetically revitalized. From that time onward, he fathered two princesses and four princes. Eldest Princess Zheng Tianxin was the long-awaited heir of the entire Nanzheng State. It was also then that Qiandao Temple and the Mage gained unprecedented reverence from the People of Nanzheng, holding an absolute and esteemed status as their faith.

Nanzheng State even greatly expanded the construction of Xiongji Hall. Thereafter, Emperor Jingzhi had two more princesses and four more princes. Just as everyone thought Emperor Jingzhi was overcoming his illness and improving, his health plunged drastically overnight, as if all his vitality had been drained. As robust as he was before, he was now equally frail.

Zheng Tianxin’s estate occupied the most expansive and feng shui-compliant site on Qisu Mountain in Zheng Capital City, with mountains behind and water in front, long water corridors, and artificial rocks and stones that surpassed even the Other Palaces of the Royal Family in grandeur. Even the large stone lions at the entrance were personally carved by Emperor Jingzhi.

Preparations for Zheng Tianxin’s estate began when she was five years old. Over ten years, every detail was perfected. By the time the Eldest Princess invited the Prince Consort to move in, Empress Xiao moved almost half of the treasury there.

By this time, the number of days Emperor Jingzhi could rise from bed each month could be counted on one hand, and the unsupervised Zheng Tianxin had already developed a character of extreme luxury and desire.

The female servant Jin Luo hurried along the long corridor of the Eldest Princess’s main hall, her skirt wrapped around her legs. As she ran with great speed, she turned left towards a nearby courtyard after crossing the corridor.

This courtyard was located just next to the princess’s main hall and was also exquisitely designed. Jin Luo had no time to admire the finely engraved patterns on the brick and stone cornices. Upon reaching the courtyard entrance, two guards spotted Jin Luo and immediately became nervous. One quickly turned to report, while the other approached.

"Sister Jin Luo, why have you come?" Jin Luo looked up, "San Shi, is the Prince Consort here?"

San Shi turned pale upon hearing this, but nodded nonetheless.

"San Shi, quickly take me to the Prince Consort. The princess is angry," Jin Luo said urgently. It was already late, and it might not end without bloodshed.

"Sister Jin Luo, our master has been drinking today. I’m afraid—" San Shi was reluctant, thinking it was a summon from the princess. Since there was no summon, why bother approaching?

Upon hearing this, Jin Luo immediately became anxious. No, she must see the Prince Consort. She then hurried inside.

San Sheng blocked the door, his demeanor stern, unlike San Shi’s hesitation.

"San Sheng, good San Sheng, just go in and announce it. It’s late, and we’re about to suffer," Jin Luo pleaded with a crying voice. Having finally come out, how could she not bring back a lifesaver?

"Why should we humiliate our master to save you?" San Sheng refused. How could the princess, after all her outrageous deeds, have the cheek to set foot in their courtyard?

If it weren’t for the Emperor’s decree, their Prince Consort would not even have a place to speak, let alone seek justice, and they would not have endured such indignity.

"San Sheng, consider it a life owed by us," Jin Luo insisted on not leaving. This was the final straw to clutch at. How could she leave?

San Sheng was cold-hearted; who would sympathize with their Prince Consort?

"San Sheng, let her in," finally, a deep and somber voice came from inside the room, making Jin Luo forget her tears as she hurried into the room.

"I deserve to die, I deserve to die, I deserve to die—" the maid on the ground harshly slapped her own face, her mouth already smeared with blood.

"Drag her out—" Zheng Tianxin waved her hand.

"Princess, spare my life, Princess, spare my life—" the maid on the ground immediately begged desperately, struggling in vain as two guards promptly carried her out; just as they exited the door, they were stopped by a figure entering the hall.

The two guards dropped the maid to bow; it seemed she saw a glimmer of hope for survival.

"Prince Consort, save me, Prince Consort, save me—"

Zheng Tianxin was slightly startled, as she had not expected this name to surface at this moment; turning her head, she saw a tall silhouette in the afterglow of the sunset, standing majestically without needing any extra adornment, blending with the splendor of the earth and sky.

Zheng Tianxin momentarily didn’t know why she was angry and slightly bowed her head, unwilling to face him.

The man possessed an innate dignity, not as delicate as ordinary scholars, and his towering height impossible to ignore.

"Get up, take her away, and call a physician," the voice of the Prince Consort carried a calming depth, prompting the Zheng Tianxin inside the room to step forward.

"I am also ill," Zheng Tianxin voiced her discontent, questioning why a physician should be called for a mere servant when it should be for her.

The guards on the ground, hearing this, instantly relaxed, helped the maid up, and quietly retreated.

In an instant, the servants scattered from the hall like smoke, leaving only Yan Xia, the one closest to Zheng Tianxin, who hurried forward to clear the fallen cups and plates from the table and quickly replaced them with new ones.

"Is the Princess having a meal?" The Prince Consort turned around; now that he was here, he naturally could not leave again. As he spoke, the affection in his expression cooled by a degree, his even usual tenderness toward the guards and servants absent.

"I’ve said, I am ill, how could I possibly eat?" Zheng Tianxin softly complained, though it sounded more like coquetry than complaint, Yan Xia felt this was the perfect moment, as the Princess and the Prince Consort were loving and harmonious.

The man glanced at Zheng Tianxin, who displayed her coquetry completely. The woman was well-maintained and in the bloom of youth, and even her coquetry did not cause aversion.

Thus, when he finally succeeded after years of study and was chosen as Prince Consort, losing his official career but gaining the companionship of such a gentle and charming Princess, He Jin had no regrets.

However, this naive and gentle demeanor was not exclusive to him; it could be directed at anyone. One moment, she could be tender and gentle toward you, and the next, she might do the same with another man.

He still couldn’t make the most appropriate judgment about Zheng Tianxin because, when she looked at you, it really felt like her eyes were filled with only you, offering her heart and soul, lowering herself without any trace of princessly airs, even willing to give her heart to you. Such sincere devotion couldn’t be fabricated, easily making you feel her full range of emotions.

As it was now, Zheng Tianxin had already clung to He Jin’s sleeve.

"In such hot weather, why did you come here? Doesn’t the manor employ enough servants, even those who can carry litter? Where is the ice that accompanies you? How would you manage if you suffered heatstroke?"

"It doesn’t matter, it’s not too hot," responded He Jin, still in a cold tone, stark against the overly warm voice.