Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 173: Three in the Morning

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Three in the Morning

Zheng Nianru showed faint interest; she had always disliked riding in boats, particularly the dampness over the lake. Even sitting on this seemingly safe painted boat, Zheng Nianru always felt as if she could at any moment fall into the water, with weeds tightly entangling her feet, suffocating her.

Zheng Nianru simply disliked it, so much so that she didn’t even want to sit by the window to view the lake scenery.

Fu Dong followed Zheng Nianru, also disregarding the scenery outside the window. Xing Yu, lively in nature and experiencing her first boat ride, looked around curiously.

Zheng Haoyuan called out to Yin He, giving a look to Eunuch Cang Er, who, although afraid of Yin He the "fake eunuch", feared his own Master even more.

"Eunuch Yin," Eunuch Cang Er called out to Yin He, "This cabin is small and we brought not much ice. We servants are all crammed here pointlessly; the ice has long melted. It’s better to endure and stand at the bow."

Yin He glanced inside the cabin, where Fu Dong and Xing Yu were present, but he didn’t dare compare with these two. It was said that the most important thing while staying beside their masters was to respect seniority.

Yin He pulled back the foot he was about to step in with and stood outside the cabin door, where he could always see the people inside.

Zheng Haoyuan disliked this lad, but he wasn’t idling during these times, and it wasn’t without reward. It took Lu Hu’s men a lot of time to discover that this "fake eunuch" not only had lost his memory but also had intermittent abilities and some mental issues, allowing a Little Eunuch to boss him around easily.

Zheng Nianru still felt uncomfortable as the boat swayed, and Fu Dong promptly called over Yin He. Over time, they quite accepted the fact that Yin He was particularly good at massages.

Yin He entered without a moment’s hesitation; Zheng Nianru closed her eyes and lay on the wooden bed.

Yin He had become proficient and figured out some techniques. Technique was one thing, but the preferences of the Commandery Princess mattered more. The woman on the bed disliked strong pressure; she preferred a slow and gentle touch. His fingers, carrying the pressure from his entire palm, slowly pushed from her waist, up her spine to her neck.

Zheng Nianru comfortably changed her position, lying belly on the bed, and Fu Dong immediately added a pillow under her neck. Yin He’s hands on the back of the young lady on the bed controlled the pressure to perfection, pushing up to the back of her neck.

A comfortable sound came from Zheng Nianru’s throat; it hummed lightly, like a kitten that had just woken up. Zheng Haoyuan turned his head, his heart softened in an instant, and he glanced at Yin He.

All of Yin He’s attention was on his hands, and Zheng Haoyuan’s gaze also moved slowly with those hands, watching how audaciously they moved.

Zheng Haoyuan’s expression grew colder, filled with a mix of grievance and inexplicable anger.

Why were the female servants around his cousin so inept, not learning even such simple things, such that someone newly taught was surpassing them? It was utterly foolish.

Zheng Haoyuan desperately wanted to kick this fake eunuch out, even to kick him to death. But seeing how comfortable Zheng Nianru looked on the bed, he dared not harbor thoughts of killing again.

The time passed slowly, the boat swayed gently, and the clamor from other boats came over the water. Zheng Nianru felt that the trip was not entirely without rewards; at least Yin He’s massages were much more comfortable than those on the bed.

Yin He’s hands slowly retracted to her waistline, in tune with the woman sitting up on the bed, moving to her shoulders.

Yin He was ready to press once more with the same pressure; he could do it all day without issue. Suddenly, however, Zheng Nianru stretched out her hand and abruptly grabbed Yin He’s hand.

Yin He was slightly shocked; the feeling of the young lady’s fingertips through a layer of clothing on his skin was not the same as any mental guard he might have had.

Yet Zheng Nianru was intently observing his hands, her fingertips slender yet not bony, fair and translucent, very beautiful to look at.

Zheng Nianru rubbed the slightly calloused fingertips gingerly, as if all her attention was on this hand she was seeing before her; her gaze was undistracted, void of any other expression, and this indeed was the most lethal kind.

Yin He felt as if something had collapsed in his mind, a bizarre memory abruptly burst into his brain, leaving him helpless and causing the young man’s body to stiffen momentarily.

The corners of Zheng Nianru’s mouth slightly lifted, the things taught by Nanny Yun needed time to mature to slowly bring out their flavor. Dealing with a boy who was completely naïve was merely a matter of beckoning with a finger, a simple task.

The next moment, Zheng Nianru had already let go of Yin He’s hand and looked up slightly.

"Well done, go rest for a while," Zheng Nianru said calmly, his satisfaction hovering between languor and indifference, yet not fully reaching his eyes.

Yin He seemed to relax instantly, no longer able to maintain his outward composure, and quickly dashed out.

Fu Dong glanced at his Commandery Princess with some resentment.

Zheng Nianru gave Fu Dong a look, knowing he was still useful. As for why Yin He remained here and what Yin He was thinking, Zheng Nianru knew better than anyone else.

A tool that presented itself, handy to use, why not use it?

Zheng Haoyuan’s face was cold. Seeing Yin He going out, he wished his gaze could transform into a sword and directly poke countless holes.

"Cousin, is Eunuch Yin’s skill really that good? Can he massage me as well?" Before Yin He had reached the door, he immediately quickened his pace and flew out.

"Of course, Yin He, give the Fourth Prince a massage."

Yin He stiffened, wanting to refuse, but knowing he had no right to refuse, so he silently walked over and started massaging Zheng Haoyuan with a calm expression.

Zheng Nianru was comfortable, and his mood greatly improved. He glanced outside the window where a gentle breeze was blowing over the lake, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees.

"Let’s go, let’s go out and see—" Xing Yu immediately followed happily.

...

The lake’s surface was much livelier, the weather clear and sunny, and the light shimmering on the water.

From time to time, there were gentlemen from prominent families greeting from afar across the painted boats, and shy ladies from prominent families bowing remotely across the painted boats.

Zheng Congyuan’s gaze slightly hardened, and just then he spotted a familiar silhouette in his view. His heart momentarily faltered; that familiar voice immediately changed his expression, filled with resentment, anger, and unwillingness, still asking him if he dared

Zheng Congyuan clenched his fists tightly, knowing well that after going around in such a big circle and using that purple jade bracelet to finally deceive her to come out, it was supposed to be a surprise, but it had to be under a different pretext.

"Your Highness—" Qi Ling suddenly entered, before he could speak, another figure had already followed Qi Ling in.

"Fu Xun, I will take your boat," Zheng Tianxin stated without asking, directly sitting in the chief seat, "The Empress does not feel at ease, so she sent me to assist you."

Zheng Congyuan glanced at Qi Ling, and the matter continued.

Qi Ling bowed and exited, while Qi Jin had already taken a boat to the shore, heading directly for Lake Heart Island.