Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 187 First Update

Chapter 187: Chapter 187 First Update

"Heir Zong, given the special circumstances today, I shall visit to express my gratitude another day." Prince Duan bowed, indisputably ushering Zheng Nianru into the carriage first before turning to Zong Yunqian to speak.

Zong Yunqian hurriedly clasped his fists in response; he certainly did not deserve such a gesture from Prince Duan.

"Prince Duan overstates the matter. We haven’t been of any real assistance," Zong Yunqian said solemnly.

"Yes, yes, we merely happened upon the Commandery Princess in a patch of reeds and the Princely Heir tasked us with delivering a message..." Gu Dao hastily interjected, some things only he could express.

Prince Duan was startled, the surprise was entirely unexpected, so that meant—?

"Oh, I see, even so, I thank the Princely Heir for the small effort." Prince Duan immediately had even less desire to linger, "Qi Zhu, let’s go."

The carriage quickly turned around to leave, leaving Zong Yunqian and his servant standing there.

"Princely Heir, this..." just like that, they left? They could at least have given them a ride for part of the way instead of just leaving them here.

Zong Yunqian didn’t know what to say, feeling somewhat confused, surprised, and ironically, as if nothing had happened. Wasn’t her manner of doing things—?

However, judging by the look on Prince Duan’s face, which resembled someone avoiding snakes, it was clear that he had no intentions whatsoever.

"Princely Heir, are we still going to attend the third round of—?"

"Let’s return," Zong Yunqian shot Gu Dao a glare, how could they return looking like this?

...

The folks at Qishun Building had just received news that the Commandery Princess was returning, and the next moment, Zheng Haoyuan had already brought along two Imperial Physicians, startling Nanny Yun, Nian Xia, and the others, who had no clue what major event had occurred.

Nanny Yun was about to ask when, all of a sudden, she saw Fu Dong and Xing Yu supporting the Commandery Princess as they entered. The three of them were cloaked in capes, and all of their garments had been changed. Nanny Yun’s lips trembled in shock—what on earth had happened?

But Nanny Yun also knew that now was not the time for questions. She promptly went to assist Zheng Nianru into the room, throwing a glance to Fu Dong and Xing Yu, who were pale and disheveled. Despite having changed their clothing, the hair beneath their cloak hoods was in disarray.

"Prepare some hot water; I will bathe first." Zheng Nianru commanded in a calm tone after looking at everyone present in the room before turning towards the inner hall. Nanny Yun entrusted the others to Nian Xia and Xue Liu before turning to leave herself.

Zheng Haoyuan was anxious to follow but was immediately stopped by Nanny Yun.

"Your Highness, the Commandery Princess wishes to bathe first. Perhaps, we should ask the Imperial Physicians to leave for now?" Wouldn’t it be improper to keep the Imperial Physicians waiting? Moreover, with this much commotion—

"Don’t worry, all these men are mine; let them wait," Zheng Haoyuan said while wringing his hands, longing for just a glimpse.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Nanny Yun knew it was useless to say more, and besides, the concern between Zheng Haoyuan and Zheng Nianru was genuine—a kind so profound that even Nanny Yun couldn’t comprehend it.

At first, Nanny Yun had thought Zheng Haoyuan harbored a naïve young man’s affection, which she had observed carefully and thought about deeply. However, it wasn’t the case; Zheng Haoyuan’s eyes were pure when looking at the Commandery Princess, his expression like one viewing a family member with a sibling’s affection.

Nanny Yun quickly pulled Fu Dong and Xing Yu aside; she needed to find a secluded spot to inquire about what exactly had happened.

"Someone tried to harm the Commandery Princess?" Nanny Yun nearly jumped in alarm after hearing just a few words, "Who wants to harm the Commandery Princess?" The Empress Dowager hadn’t made a move for several years; was it because they had been too conspicuous these days?

"Nanny Yun, I think it was the Eldest Princess’s people," Xing Yu suddenly spoke up. The only recent offense was against the Eldest Princess. Xing Yu knew some details about that night’s event that others didn’t—Yin He had taken the Commandery Princess out, surely seeking revenge against the Eldest Princess.

Nanny Yun immediately went to cover Xing Yu’s mouth.

"Don’t speak nonsense, and don’t make wild guesses, this matter cannot be spoken of." Nanny Yun cautiously glanced around. The Eldest Princess, who is she? She is the Crown Prince’s own sister. Even if the Crown Prince found out, it’s uncertain whose side he would take.

Moreover, there are so many of the Crown Prince’s people in Qishun Building. It would be even more difficult to handle if someone inadvertently overheard.

Zheng Nianru lay with her eyes closed, carefully recalling the day’s events in her mind. Ultimately, the target was still Zheng Tianxin. Those two had exceptional skills, even Xing Yu couldn’t deal with them. In Zheng Capital, as far as Zheng Nianru knew, aside from the Eldest Princess, there was no one else who could have such skilled female secret guards.

What Zheng Nianru couldn’t figure out was how the other party could counterattack so swiftly.

Nian Xia and Xue Liu carefully wiped Zheng Nianru’s body. Seeing the bruises, they gasped with shock. Although they didn’t know what had happened, they knew it definitely wasn’t something good.

"Commandery Princess, why didn’t you bring Yin He with you?" Nian Xia couldn’t help but murmur. If Yin He had been there, Yin He would have surely been able to protect the Commandery Princess.

Zheng Nianru was slightly startled and suddenly turned to look at Nian Xia.

"Yin He hasn’t come back?" She had seen Zheng Haoyuan, and if Zheng Haoyuan’s people had returned, there was no reason for Yin He not to.

Nian Xia was also taken aback. The situation had happened so suddenly that no one had thought of Yin He. Where had Yin He gone?

Zheng Nianru snatched the cloth from Nian Xia’s hands and wiped herself, then quickly put on her outer garment. Nian Xia immediately went to dry her hair, which was as dense as algae and reached her waist. Seeing Zheng Nianru in a hurry to leave, Xue Liu hurriedly wrapped the long hair with a dry towel.

The curtains had already been drawn in the great hall, and the Imperial Physician waiting outside did not dare to look around carelessly. Although curious, they had been in the palace for a long time and had never known of the existence of such a bedchamber, which was somewhat peculiar.

"Cousin—" Zheng Haoyuan watched as Zheng Nianru came out. Zheng Nianru sat on the couch, draped in a long peony-pink silk cloak that covered the undergarment beneath.

The Imperial Physician outside the curtain hesitated, wondering if standing there showed insufficient diligence. Hearing the Fourth Prince call the other ’cousin’, they knew this was not someone they could afford to offend.

Another shook his head slightly. Better to wait and see; it seemed inconvenient to intervene now.

Xue Liu had already walked out.

"My lords, please come in." The two bowed and entered, not daring to look around, only catching a whiff of a faint fragrance—deep, sweet, penetrating the heart and spleen, no ordinary scent.

Zheng Haoyuan sat on the edge of the couch, holding Zheng Nianru’s hand.

"Cousin, don’t worry, I will find that person and avenge you."

The Imperial Physician’s hand shook. The more they heard of these secrets, the more endangered their lives became.

"Your Highness, the Commandery Princess has no serious injuries, just a bit startled. She will recover with some rest," the Imperial Physician stated clearly without hesitation.

"Thank you both, Imperial Physicians. Fu Gong, have your people escort them out properly," Zheng Nianru said calmly. The two expressed their assent and withdrew.

"Fu Gong, has Yin He not come looking for you?" Only after the outsiders had left the Inner Hall did Zheng Nianru ask Zheng Haoyuan. Zheng Haoyuan shook his head puzzledly upon hearing this. He had then just remembered there was still this person to consider.

Could she be with Zheng Congyuan? Zheng Nianru thought.

"Cousin, we’ve searched Lake Heart Island several times and haven’t found Yin He," Zheng Haoyuan suddenly said. "Cousin, don’t be anxious, I will send people to look for her right now."