Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 184 Second Update

Chapter 184: Chapter 184 Second Update

"Don’t come any closer. If you don’t want him to die, just stop where you are." Xing Yu tightly clutched Gu Dao, who was dizzy from the assault but ultimately did not faint.

"Let him go." Zong Yunqian’s expression turned cold, but he did not move, instead he simply watched the woman before him.

"Princely Heir, you should leave quickly, don’t worry about me." Once Gu Dao came to, he urgently shouted when he saw his own Princely Heir standing before him.

Zheng Nianru heard this, glanced at Gu Dao, and then looked toward the man before her.

Zong Yunqian looked at Zheng Nianru. The familiarity in his eyes had come back, realizing that he had seen this lady from a prominent family earlier on the painted boat.

Zheng Nianru slowly recalled, considering the identity of the man before her.

The ones who could be called Princely Heirs were only those from a few aristocratic families that had been granted a dukedom. Other lords did not qualify. So, which aristocratic family was this man from?

"Miss, there might be some misunderstandings between us. We had no intention of harming anyone; there’s no need for such undue fear," Zong Yunqian reasoned, noticing their tension and recalling the assassination attempt on them.

However, Zheng Nianru kept silent, looking at Zong Yunqian, whose tall stature and appearance were rare... She had to admit, this Princely Heir had exceptionally good features, simply perfect, their combination was something people would envy as a sign of heavenly favor.

So, why had she not seen such a memorable aristocratic family in her previous life?

Zheng Nianru remembered that, in her past life, she had not met Princely Heirs from either the Zhang Family of Hejian or the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family. No matter which it was, Zheng Nianru suddenly had another idea.

"It would be trouble for you, sir, but perhaps you could first find someone with a token, then we can release him," Zheng Nianru finally spoke up, not rushing to escape.

"No, our Princely Heir cannot be sent to do that," Gu Dao immediately panicked. "What kind of status does our lord have? What would that make him if he went?"

"Enough of your nonsense. Speak again, and I’ll punch you one more time," Xing Yu raised her hand to strike, causing Gu Dao to instinctively dodge. Xing Yu kicking him twice had already left a mark on his heart, and he immediately shut his mouth.

"What if I don’t send it?" Zong Yunqian countered, his voice turning colder, as the blood slowly dripped from the cut on Gu Dao’s forehead down onto the ground — it was not his fault now.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Nianru suddenly looked up at the man, her hair disheveled, her makeup-free face pale yet strikingly white, as if all the malice and ingratitude could not find a foothold in her innocent, almond-like eyes, leaving only doubts about the man.

All she wanted was a small favor to send a token, why wouldn’t he help?

Zong Yunqian’s hand in his sleeve suddenly paused; he usually did not act out at places outside of Qiandao Temple. Gu Dao instantly became anxious, seeing his Princely Heir’s hesitation.

"Miss, it’s not that our Princely Heir refuses to help in the face of death, but it’s really inappropriate. Think about it; with us being alone, if our Princely Heir really were to deliver messages for you, such a matter getting out would undoubtedly link your reputation with that of our Princely Heir..."

Gu Dao glanced at his own Princely Heir, "Our Princely Heir’s reputation would also be..."

Gu Dao suddenly paused, biting his tongue in the process, and the next moment, Xing Yu had already covered Gu Dao’s eyes. Gu Dao had completely forgotten to struggle, what had he just seen...

Zong Yunqian stiffened, his gaze even forgot to shift, his blood rushing to his forehead in an instant.

Zheng Nianru bowed her head, slowly pulling her clothes back into order, neatening herself up.

"There, your concerns are now alleviated. Can you go and call someone now?" Zheng Nianru said calmly, as if the shocking behavior exhibited moments ago were not by the same person.

Zong Yunqian’s hands were frozen, unsure of what to say.

Gu Dao’s mind was blank; even when Xing Yu took her hands away, it felt like his eyes weren’t his own.

"Is there no misunderstanding now?" Zheng Nianru smiled slightly, looking at Zong Yunqian as she handed over the token.

Zong Yunqian didn’t know why he accepted it, why he obediently turned around...

In Zong Yunqian’s mind was still the shocking scene from earlier, he, he had seen it... Zong Yunqian swallowed hard, as if realizing for the first time his own despicableness, his mind was filled with that very scene from earlier.

He even obediently went back to deliver the message...

He...

...

Zheng Congyuan stood inside the Lake Heart Pavilion, somewhat disbelieving the news he had just heard.

Qi Zhu had personally searched once, then immediately teamed up with Qi Jin to search again, suddenly realizing something, their backs were already covered in cold sweat.

Zheng Haoyuan couldn’t sit still anymore, he returned from the Listening Maple Pavilion and the first person he sought was Zheng Congyuan.

Qi Jin and Qi Zhu were immediately called back. They had already searched the women’s area three times, and the people from the women’s area were slowly heading towards the Listening Maple Pavilion at the summit; finding the Commandery Princess shouldn’t be difficult.

Zheng Congyuan didn’t say a word. It took him a long time to believe what Zheng Haoyuan said; what did it mean not receiving Zheng Nianru? Nian Ru didn’t like it here, the only place she liked was the Hundred Flower Garden, she should have been among the first batch of people who reached Listening Maple Pavilion, he still thought of taking advantage of the early time...

"I’ll go search again—" Qi Jin and Qi Zhu said immediately, not daring to delay.

The next moment, Zheng Congyuan suddenly moved his leg and walked straight outside.

"Bring all the Hidden Guards here, and summon Ling Ge immediately," Zheng Congyuan immediately issued two orders, and at the same time stomped his foot, "Call Ju Nanyi here too."

Qi Jin and Qi Zhu immediately went to carry out the orders. Ling Ge arrived very quickly, fearing that the Crown Prince would blame him for incompetence. At this moment, they indeed found some clues in the lake.

"Crown Prince, we found this in the lake." Ling Ge immediately handed over the belt he had retrieved.

Zheng Congyuan initially glanced at it nonchalantly, but the next moment, his pupils sharply narrowed, and he rushed at Ling Ge, snatching the belt from his hands.

This, isn’t it...

Qi Zhu’s face turned pale, how could it be, even if someone fell into the water, how could it be...

"Lead the way." Zheng Congyuan, not having time to think about anything else, said immediately.

Ling Ge was taken aback, clearly feeling the oppressive atmosphere, and didn’t dare to say much, immediately turning and leading Zheng Congyuan toward the lake.

Qi Zhu quickly instructed a Hidden Guard to call for a painted boat.

"Why haven’t the results of the third poem come out yet?"

Gradually, more and more people asked this question. Mu Qingfeng glanced at Listening Maple Pavilion, surrounded by people in the middle; the final results would be announced here. Although he didn’t expect to win the first or second place, a conservative third place would earn him a reward directly bestowed by the Empress. With that, he could bring up the matter of engagement with Prince Duan.

Although Prince Duan didn’t care about these matters, Mu Qingfen insisted on it; he wanted her to see him.