Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 168 Second Update

Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Second Update

"That Glass Type of Purple Jade Bracelet?" Zheng Nianru repeated, "Have all the aristocratic families from outside arrived?"

As for that bracelet, Zheng Nianru was deeply impressed. The first time she saw this Jade Bracelet, known as the "Light and Shadow of Nanzheng State," she couldn’t move her feet, captivated by the intertwining purple light, its profound and unpredictable light, mottled with the marks of time. She liked it very much.

But, in her past life, the Empress Dowager never would have given it to her.

"Everyone who should be here has arrived; those who haven’t can be disregarded," Zheng Haoyuan flipped over, propped up his arm and placed his hand under his head, looking at Zheng Nianru.

"Cousin sister, that Purple Jade Bracelet is really beautiful, don’t feel too bad about it." Zheng Haoyuan followed the purple light, which fell on the face of the young woman pretending to sleep before him.

Her eyelashes cast a shadow, and her face was fair and flawless, with lips as pink as flower petals, clear and pure like the most delicate petals.

Suddenly, Zheng Haoyuan thought of a poem: Fit to be admired from afar, not to be profaned by vulgar hands. He lightly lowered his gaze and subtly reached out to hook another palace tassel, fiddling with it in his hand.

"You are writing poetry, or am I writing poetry?" Zheng Nianru had not fallen asleep, although the summer afternoon brought drowsiness. Hearing about the bracelet snapped her out of it, and she didn’t wish to rise.

Even as Empress Dowager, Zheng Nianru had received many bracelets but always remembered this one.

That was because Empress Dowager Yan Ping had given that bracelet to another person—Ximen Yuyan.

But she couldn’t write poetry, nor did she have the poet Ju Nanyi. Even if she had Ju Nanyi, it would not be enough; the bracelet was meant to be a deliberate gift from Empress Dowager Yan Ping to Ximen Yuyan, to declare her stance before all and raise a banner for the future Crown Princess Consort.

"Cousin sister, we don’t do poetry, but that’s not a problem, I have someone who does," Zheng Haoyuan’s eyes shone brightly as he sat up, nearly able to smell the faint fragrance of the girl before him, a scent that made him momentarily want to bury his head in it, sniffing deeply until satisfied.

Yet Zheng Haoyuan didn’t dare; the only thing he dared to do was to poke Zheng Nianru’s waist with the tip of his finger, feeling the softness.

"I’ve not only hired the best poet, but I’ve also locked up all the other poets in the Imperial City, not letting a single one attend."

Zheng Nianru immediately opened her eyes; how had she not thought of this method.

"Cousin sister, do you think it will work?" Zheng Haoyuan seemed encouraged.

"You sly thing, quick-witted, aren’t you—" Zheng Nianru also reached out to poke Zheng Haoyuan’s forehead, "Sit further away; don’t you feel hot?"

When Xing Yu entered, she saw Zheng Haoyuan reluctantly move away, holding Zheng Nianru’s arm and acting spoiled.

"Commandery Princess, this is from Lin Da from outside the palace," Xing Yu handed over what she had brought.

Zheng Nianru was somewhat puzzled; Lin Da? The innkeeper, her father’s man.

"Right, Fu Gong, how are things going with Wen Zan?" Although puzzled, Zheng Nianru still took the item, her gaze fixed on Zheng Haoyuan.

"Are you sure your man can win first place?" Zheng Nianru was still thinking about the Jade Bracelet.

"Cousin sister, it’s sure to work this time," Zheng Haoyuan clutched Zheng Nianru’s arm.

In the moment Zheng Nianru turned back, she had already seen the content on the paper in her hand and was immediately captivated by it.

There she saw the graceful, flowing Floral Design on the paper that left Zheng Nianru momentarily stupefied. Once she read the small characters beside it, she suddenly burst into laughter.

Zheng Haoyuan was instantly drawn in, although he only saw a corner, and even glimpsing the Floral Design, he immediately understood.

Zheng Nianru’s mood lifted instantly; she had been thinking for days, feeling something was missing, and then she realized it was the material. Instead of silk thread, which was too warm and did not give the cold luster she was seeking.

Zheng Nianru hadn’t expected Ju Nanyi to have Lin Da deliver such a complete draft to her. Did this mean that last time, she had misunderstood him?

Zheng Nianru didn’t think that what she had asked for that day was merely the floral design, and what Ju Nanyi had drawn was indeed a detailed floral design. The consideration of colors and accessories was only after the design had been finalized, which she had not asked Ju Nanyi to do.

Therefore, Ju Nanyi’s character was such that he would never admit he was wrong; even if he sent something more thought-out, he would never confess that he had deliberately withheld it from her.

In the next moment, Zheng Nianru tossed aside the draft in her hands. Some things were immediately understood; now that she had seen it, Zheng Nianru already knew how to proceed.

"Cousin, shall I come to pick you up the day after tomorrow to go together?"

Zheng Nianru turned her head.

"Fu Gong, you didn’t invite Ju Nanyi, did you?"

"Cousin, of course not him. However, I asked, and he’s not going," Zheng Haoyuan immediately said.

Only then did Zheng Nianru breathe a sigh of relief.

...

The security at the Eldest Princess Mansion was extremely tight, with a squad of Hidden Guards belonging solely to the Eldest Princess, all of them undercourt to Zhu Wen, and each one a top-notch expert.

"Ah— Ah—" Just after nodding off beside the bed, He Jin was again startled awake by Zheng Tianxin’s cries.

"Assassins, there are assassins—"

A group of guards surged into the room from outside, and He Jin, who was half-holding the curled-up Zheng Tianxin, clinging desperately to him, extended his other hand to wave the incoming guards away.

The guards silently withdrew again; they had already surrounded the main hall tightly, not even a mosquito could get in. It’s unlikely that anything could enter under their watchful eyes.

Lan Xing hurried toward the main hall with his people.

The guards around shared a glance, with a flicker of disdain in their eyes, but since those were men of the Eldest Princess, none dared to stop them openly.

San Sheng brought some soup to his master, with San Shi also standing by to assist.

"Princess, please eat something. The area is secure with guards outside," He Jin patiently said, but Zheng Tianxin wouldn’t listen and clung tightly to the waist of the man in front of her, her face pressed against his chest, being soothed only by the steady beat of his heart.

Lan Xing led a very peculiar man into the room.

He Jin’s gaze immediately landed on the stranger who entered, but due to his wariness of Lan Xing, He Jin refrained from saying anything.

"Princess, the person you requested is here," Lan Xing immediately said.

Zheng Tianxin still had her head buried and showed no sign of looking up.

Lan Xing glanced at the person next to him, who walked forward to the window; He Jin immediately noticed a very pungent odor, which made him frown as if he had just smelled a strong whiff of sulfur.

He Jin watched the man with suspicion, his dark skin, short stature, thin and bony hand extending towards Zheng Tianxin.

He Jin stood still, and the moment the peculiar man touched Zheng Tianxin, he immediately closed his eyes. As soon as his eyes shut, his previously messy hair suddenly stood on end, stiff as steel needles thrusting up from his head.

"How is it?" Lan Xing stepped forward with concern.