Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 166 Two more

Chapter 166: Chapter 166 Two more

Ju Nanyi left the teahouse and made straight for the Crown Prince’s Mansion without delay.

Luh Xingze was right, the Crown Prince had sent word for him to leave his position and make a trip to the Crown Prince’s Mansion. He hadn’t specified the matter, so Ju Nanyi sorted through his recent affairs in his mind, realizing that all the major events had been appropriately arranged and already reported in writing. Moreover, the Crown Prince had been reviewing memorials in the Crown Prince’s Mansion for several days and must have seen them by now.

Furthermore, Ju Nanyi believed that these issues wouldn’t have major oversights, so the Crown Prince’s summons must be for some other matter. That left only one possibility.

That day, Zheng Congyuan had tasked him with assessing the character of Luh Xingze and his three comrades. Ju Nanyi had not acted immediately because the profiles of these four men were already in the Crown Prince’s hands, and had been thoroughly investigated. As for anything else that might be uncovered, that was work for the Hidden Guard, not within his capability.

Ju Nanyi waited in the front courtyard of the Crown Prince’s Mansion. Outside the window, the surface of Siyan Lake was covered with blooming lotus flowers, bringing waves of their refreshing fragrance and the rustling of lotus leaves.

"Scholar Ju, please——" The one who came out was Qi Zhu, one of the Four Great Protectors by the Crown Prince’s side. Qi Ling was low-key and composed, Qi Zhu meticulous, Qi Yu possessed strong martial arts skills, and Qi Jin was remarkably fast. Of course, all four were top-notch experts, yet Ju Nanyi had never seen Qi Ling or Qi Zhu fight.

Distracted by these thoughts, Ju Nanyi then recalled Mu Qingfeng’s expression at that moment—evidently, he hadn’t expected Luh Xingze to speak out, and the slight panic he caught in his eyes was but a fleeting moment.

He was someone who could keep his composure. It seemed he wanted to settle the matter quietly without fuss.

"I pay my respects to the Crown Prince——" Ju Nanyi greeted with a respectful and composed bow, his demeanor flawless. Among those of high status who were accustomed to seeing all kinds of people, one could easily discern levels of superiority, and Ju Nanyi’s behavior was notably commendable.

"No need for formalities, Nanyi, have a seat——" Zheng Congyuan, sitting at his desk, didn’t look up. Qi Ling, who stood by, also did not move and continued putting away the inkstone, indicating the pile of memorials in front of him had been completed. Those few books stacked beside Zheng Congyuan were probably the most important, and perhaps he was going through them for the second or third time.

Time ticked away gradually, and though Ju Nanyi remained silent, Zheng Congyuan continued to peruse the memorial in his hands.

Qi Ling tidied up what could be put away on the desk and glanced at Ju Nanyi.

Qi Ling couldn’t quite understand. After mulling things over for two days, the Crown Prince had suddenly perked up. This revival differed from the previous ones.

Usually, if he had a falling out with the Commandery Princess, he wouldn’t be well until she had calmed her anger and had happily caused a stir in the Crown Prince’s Mansion. Only then would the Crown Prince get better.

But this time, the Crown Prince had inexplicably gotten better, beyond his expectation. Just this morning, after momentarily dozing off, Qi Ling woke up to find the Crown Prince had also lain down to rest. Upon waking up, he had efficiently and decisively processed a batch of memorials and then summoned several important officials. His behavior was no different from usual.

However, how did the Crown Prince recover? Could it be that during the moment he dozed off, the Commandery Princess had already visited?

Harboring this doubt, Qi Ling wanted to ask but dared not; he thought of having Qi Zhu go to Qishun Building to probe, but Qi Zhu, stubborn as he was, refused.

Zheng Congyuan finally looked up. Ju Nanyi was still sitting upright, as if he had just sat down.

"Nanyi, have you found anything on the four from Youchun Workshop?" asked Zheng Congyuan straightforwardly, in a way Ju Nanyi hadn’t anticipated.

"Your subordinate has found nothing. They are all young scholars who have passed the central examination, with clean backgrounds and reputable characters. There is no issue with any of them," Ju Nanyi rose as he spoke, having prepared his response well ahead of time and now delivering it with utter calm.

Even without his investigation, these people would have such backgrounds; otherwise, they would not have made it to Prince Duan’s side, let alone before the Crown Prince.

Zheng Congyuan glanced at Ju Nanyi but did not speak.

Clearly, this answer was not what he desired.

Ju Nanyi paused ever so slightly, sensing that something was amiss, yet what was it? His response should have been impeccable. Even if Ju Nanyi wished to report something unfavorable, that would require evidence.

Ju Nanyi heard a soft chuckle from the desk, carrying a hint of disagreement.

"Ju Nanyi, this palace once thought that you were different from others, having an ability to see through appearances and understand the essence."

Qi Ling was slightly startled and saw Qi Zhu bringing over tea. He hurried to receive the tray.

Ju Nanyi was already kneeling on the ground.

"This official has failed to live up to the Crown Prince’s high expectations, and I am truly ashamed."

"Nanyi, do you know the purpose of my asking you to investigate these people?" Zheng Congyuan asked calmly, while Qi Ling sneakily glanced at his own master.

He felt that...

"This palace wanted the person by the Commandery Princess’s side to be one of my own," Zheng Congyuan continued speaking.

Qi Ling’s hands trembled, and the tea rolled directly onto the ground. Qi Ling immediately knelt down.

"This subordinate has neglected his duty—"

Zheng Congyuan glanced at Qi Ling without speaking. Ju Nanyi was kneeling even closer to Qi Ling, which of course did not leave any room for him to speak up.

Qi Ling wiped off the water stains on his hands and picked up the tea cup from the ground. He had lost his composure just now, and the last two words had not come out. He had almost bitten his own tongue.

Qi Zhu looked strangely at the bewildered Qi Ling and quickly took the broken tea cup, soon bringing over another bowl.

Upon hearing these words, Ju Nanyi was taken aback and subconsciously wanted to lift his head to look at Zheng Congyuan, who had spoken. But at the same moment, he realized his lapse and immediately lowered his head again.

"This official has understood," Ju Nanyi said, not knowing why, this unexpected outcome somehow did not repel him as he thought it would.

"Leave this matter to you. If there is anything, you can contact Qi Zhu directly."

Ju Nanyi was taken aback again. This was nearly giving him too much authority.

"Yes, this official will do his best to try."

Zheng Congyuan suddenly felt his mood lighten. When he made this decision, the frustration that had been clogging his heart was not because of those words, but because of the mere existence of these four people.

He wanted to do something, something impulsive, not wanting to consider reason.

Perhaps one day he would be able to come to terms with it, be calm when he heard of her engagement, her marriage, but certainly not now, not with these four people.

At this moment, Qi Ling seemed to have realized what his master was about to do. He felt a mix of despair and some unspoken anticipation, promptly slapping his own face. What was he thinking?

...

Qishun Building welcomed a special person at dusk that day.

Although Steward Hu was quite familiar with the name Qishun Building, this was the first time he had entered. He hadn’t expected that within the Crown Prince’s Mansion, the Commandery Princess, who seemed as fresh and divine as a fairy descending from the heavens, would live in such a place.