Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 165 Update 1

Chapter 165: Chapter 165 Update 1

Zheng Capital’s streets had not bustled this much in years. Hezheng Avenue, leading to the Imperial Palace as well as the most thriving alleys of the Zheng Capital, welcomed nobles from outside the city. Each aristocratic family’s procession occupied most of the street, with hundreds of servants and dozens of carriages for carrying gifts, drawing the attention of civilians and teahouse patrons alike, who peered outside eagerly.

This was just the beginning, with the Empress Dowager’s birthday still nearly a month away. The peak of arrivals had not yet been reached. These families had sent servants a month in advance to clean the courtyards and purchase necessities, all in preparation for their arrival, when they would reside in ancient mansions or villas within the Imperial City.

These families were once the meritorious supporters who helped Zheng State’s ancestors conquer the land. After enjoying the first wave of power, the wisest among them gracefully receded from public affairs, cleverly concealing their influence behind the scenes. Those less wise still managed to maintain a reputation for integrity.

The arrival most anticipated by the populace was that of the Four Great Families of Nanzheng. The Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family, the Shiping Aristocratic Family, the Wuxing Aristocratic Family, and the Hejian Aristocratic Family were ones whose descendants were now completely absent from politics or even local governance, keeping a very low profile without involving themselves in political matters.

However, as the Empress Dowager’s birthday approached, stories of the Four Great Families’ glorious past achievements and strategic exploits once again circulated in teahouses, becoming the talk of the town.

The Wuxing Aristocratic Family and the Hejian Aristocratic Family had already arrived in the Imperial City. Since the Hejian Aristocratic Family had marital ties with the Fu Feng Aristocratic Family, they did not stay in their own mansions but lived together in a separate residence arranged by the Ma Family of Fu Feng. Every detail was chosen with utmost care, showcasing their noble status.

"Back in the day, the Zhang Family of Hejian extended the northwest borders of Nanzheng State by a factor of two with their 500,000 strong cavalry. They even defeated the giants of the North Meng Tribe, and eleven small nations came forth to pay homage, bringing with them 10,000 oxen, what a sight... Tsk tsk tsk, so called ’When a nation prospers, hundreds will come to celebrate’, half of that was because of the Zhang Family of Hejian..."

"Brother Shen, as a Northwesterner, you must be very familiar with the affairs of the Zhang Family of Hejian," Lin Haosi said clasping his fists in a faux salute, showing great interest in the storyteller’s narrative. However, the storyteller was clearly about to end this segment and move on to the other three families. Lin Haosi quickly spoke up.

"The Zhang Family of Hejian keeps a very low profile in the Northwest, seldom making public appearances, and we, being men of no consequence, devote ourselves to studying instead," Shen Houmu said without taking pride in sharing his hometown with the famous Zhang Family nor engaging in exaggerated discussions like other locals in the teahouse.

"Brother Nanyi—," Luh Xingze saw Ju Nanyi walking up the stairs and immediately stood up to greet him.

Ju Nanyi saw Luh Xingze along with Mu Qingfeng and Shen Houmu; he moved past them with concealed emotion in his eyes and hurried towards Luh Xingze.

"Scholar Ju—"

"Scholar Ju—" Those at the table immediately stood up and greeted him.

"My colleagues, there’s no need for such formality." They were in a somewhat open private room in the teahouse, from which one could see outside the window, while one side was completely open to the bustling noise of the hall.

"Brother Nanyi, please take a seat," Luh Xingze immediately invited Ju Nanyi to sit at the head of the table.

Ju Nanyi pulled out a set of books from the cloth bag he carried and handed them to Luh Xingze, who clasped his fists in gratitude once again.

"Thank you, Brother Nanyi, you really got it?" Luh Xingze asked excitedly.

"It’s just a rubbing," said Ju Nanyi. "But it should suffice for tracing." He hadn’t expected Luh Xingze to meet him here; just sitting in this place, the four of them drew considerable attention.

"Is it Gu Zhenqing’s rubbing?" Lin Haosi’s eyes lit up, looking at Ju Nanyi with admiration. Even a rubbing was an item many collectors sought after.

"Scholar Ju, why don’t we have a drink together later? I have always admired your talent. Today, I shall host you, and you must honor me with your presence." Lin Haosi was no longer concerned about the procession of the Zhang Family of Hejian; before him stood the great talent who once shook the court and the fields, a man whose eloquence had battled three Grand Tutors alone. Since hearing the legends about Scholar Ju, he had been determined to follow the path of the imperial examinations.

"Brother Lin, to be honest, today Scholar Ju is here specifically to deliver this rubbing, among other matters; perhaps we could meet another time?" Luh Xingze had gone to find Nanyi when he had heard about the Crown Prince’s summons and was now rushing to deliver it, then he needed to go to the Crown Prince.

Upon hearing this, Lin Haosi felt a pang of disappointment.

"Brother Lin, today is indeed inconvenient; shall we choose another day?" Nanyi declined with an indifferent expression.

"That’s true, that’s true, Brother Lin, you’ve been confused. Brother Mu still needs to go to Prince Duan, and Prince Duan has matters to discuss with him," Luh Xingze immediately said, slapping his forehead.

"Yes, yes, yes, look at how confused I’ve been, completely forgetting about that."

No sooner had Luh Xingze finished speaking than Shen Houmu suddenly turned to look at Mu Qingfeng, and the look in his eyes was mysteriously caught by Nanyi directly across from him. Lowering his head, Nanyi picked up the tea Luh Xingze had poured for him and took a light sip.

"After all, Brother Mu is exceptional, even his handwriting evokes envy, not just from Prince Duan but from all of us," Luh Xingze said, shaking his head.

Nanyi, upon seeing Luh Xingze and Lin Haosi’s careless demeanor, and Shen Houmu’s thoughtful presence, instantly guessed what was going on.

Although Nanyi did not know exactly what had transpired that day, it was now apparent that the carefree Luh Xingze and Lin Haosi had been excluded, whereas the rivalry between Shen Houmu and Mu Qingfeng was clearly brewing in the shadows.

Prince Duan’s scheme was so obvious; a moment’s thought revealed hints about the day’s events. Thus, Nanyi was certain that both men had already privately declared their intentions to Prince Duan.

And now that Prince Duan had still not made a decision, it was presumably only to further test the two men.

Or perhaps, Prince Duan’s desired candidate was among these two.

Suddenly, Nanyi felt a reluctance to stay any longer, a lump in his throat, uncertain how to compose himself.

"Xingze, it’s getting late; I must be going," Nanyi said as he stood up, his expression unreadable, bidding farewell to everyone one by one.

Luh Xingze did not dare to keep him, and Lin Haosi was about to speak but was stopped by Luh Xingze. The other two men, clearly preoccupied, exchanged a few formalities, and Nanyi then descended from the building.

"Alas, just when I had the rare chance to meet Scholar Ju, he left so soon," Lin Haosi said, shaking his head with regret.

"It’s my fault I didn’t tell you; when I went to find Scholar Ju, it just so happened that the Crown Prince was about to summon him soon. He picked an interval because it was on his way, and that’s when he handled his affairs and conveniently brought the items to me," Luh Xingze explained.

"By the way, Brother Mu, you are now the favored one in Prince Duan’s eyes. I see that he looks at you with nothing but praise, ah, I must admit, it’s impressive—" Lin Haosi continued to chat idly.