Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 192 Second Update

Chapter 192: Chapter 192 Second Update

When Mu Qingfeng received the purple jade bangle personally bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, he only contemplated it for one night before making a decision.

The purpose and final outcome of the poetry gathering no longer mattered at this moment. The jade bangle had already fulfilled its mission, and even if he had declined it, it certainly would have led people to speculate about the generosity of the Royal Family.

Moreover, even if the jade bangle was returned, it could never be offered to the Crown Princess Consort again.

Mu Qingfeng’s original target was the second prize given out by the Empress, a phoenix hairpin, which would save face for him and was not more than he could accept.

Early the next morning, Mu Qingfeng, carrying the items, was already outside Prince Duan’s Mansion. Although he couldn’t say he was completely confident, Mu Qingfeng was quite pleased with his performance.

Mu Qingfeng straightened the clothes on his body, while the servant by his side waited with a cheerful expression, accompanying him.

"Lord Mu, please wait a moment, our Prince will summon you in shortly," the servant said when he saw Mu Qingfeng looking at him. The servant recognized Mu Qingfeng, as he had visited Prince Duan’s Mansion before. Also, since Prince Duan greatly admired Lord Mu, the servant dared not neglect him.

"Thank you, young man," Mu Qingfeng said very humbly to the servant, feeling even more reassured.

"What is he doing here?" Prince Duan frowned, still personally directing his subordinates in the final mounting of the Life-Sustaining Scripture, and nodded at Ju Nanyi standing by his side.

"Please wait a moment longer, Scholar Ju. I planned to see you today, but was delayed by some matters yesterday," Zheng Boding said, slightly apologetic.

"Your Highness need not rush; I am not busy today," Ju Nanyi said, glancing at Housekeeper He who had come in to report.

"Just say I’m busy and don’t have time today," Prince Duan waved his hand, his eyes showing undisguised impatience. Housekeeper He was surprised, as usually the Prince valued Lord Mu greatly—why today...

Housekeeper He, after all, dared not ask further and withdrew.

Sometime later, Housekeeper He hesitated at the door, unsure whether he should make the trip again.

"What now?" Prince Duan was not in a good mood, particularly since Nian Ru had fallen into the water yesterday, which had been gnawing at his heart. Didn’t he want to investigate thoroughly? But he knew that if he did, the superficially maintained calm might be irrevocably disrupted.

Nian Ru suffered grievances and could only endure them, and moreover, he had to pretend as if nothing happened. Thinking of this, Prince Duan felt like a fishbone was stuck in his throat.

"Your Highness, Lord Mu said he insists on waiting and added that today’s matter is very important and hopes Your Highness will meet him after you’re done," Housekeeper He found Mu Qingfeng’s behavior today somewhat odd, "Your Highness, the servant sees that Lord Mu seems to have important business; he also holds something in his hand and is dressed differently from usual."

Hearing this, Prince Duan immediately knew what Mu Qingfeng intended to do and snorted coldly. What, the ladies from prominent families out of his reach, and now he remembers Nian Ru?

He watched yesterday; they seemed to be having a delightful conversation!

"Let him in," Prince Duan waved his hand. This matter should be resolved and the sooner, the better. Fortunately, Nian Ru was indifferent toward these people and did not care.

When Mu Qingfeng saw Housekeeper He come out, he immediately straightened his clothes and respectfully thanked Housekeeper He before following the person into the Prince’s Mansion.

Mu Qingfeng walked with firm steps, being someone skilled at planning his life,. He never regretted his choices and knew well that people like him, who followed the route of examination, generally lacked a background and had no foundation in the imperial court.

To establish a foothold in the imperial court, one needed to rely on some powers. However, this power should not be overly prominent—it should be inconspicuous yet capable of securing a stable position in Nanzheng for at least the next ten years.

Thus, Mu Qingfeng knew well that Prince Duan was not the best choice, and neither was Princess Chao Ren’s unique identity.

Yet, in the life that Mu Qingfeng had already planned for himself, he had not anticipated encountering a situation where someone’s appearance would make none of this seem important anymore, and a simple life also appeared to be quite pleasant.

"This official pays respect to the Prince." Therefore, Mu Qingfeng did not regret his choice. His father was a travelling merchant, and his mother had passed away early. His stepmother, though diligent and managing the household well, had given birth to two sons and two daughters, making him even more invisible at home.

Only with the insistence of the family elders was he able to study, so he had never yearned so dearly for his own family, a couple leading a simple but harmonious life. Mu Qingfeng felt that only she could make everything in this future household look forward to.

"Qingfeng, why have you come?" Zheng Boding’s tone was not good. Remembering there were others present, he scowled, but Scholar Ju was there on behalf of the Crown Prince to retrieve something.

"Scholar Ju, please wait in the Inner Hall for a moment."

Ju Nanyi immediately bowed in agreement as Housekeeper He, carrying his master’s apologies, brought another cup of tea.

"Lord Ju, please wait a moment."

"By all means, Housekeeper He, please proceed." Ju Nanyi’s expression was indifferent, and even Housekeeper He couldn’t help but marvel at such a composed and talented young man.

Ju Nanyi, standing upright like jade, quickly moved forward two steps the moment Housekeeper He left, and got close to the heavy hollow-carved wooden lattice that separated the outer hall. Although the sounds from the outer hall were not very clear, most of them reached Ju Nanyi’s ears.

"Prince Duan, my visit today might seem abrupt, but I believe the Prince is not bound by worldly prejudices. I come with utmost sincerity and earnestly request the Prince to marry the Commandery Princess to this junior." Mu Qingfeng respectfully placed the wooden box on the ground; although the jade bracelet could not compare with a prominent family’s status and strength, it was originally intended by the Empress Dowager for the Crown Princess Consort.

With just this jade bracelet, Mu Qingfeng might have a chance of marrying a lady from a prominent family.

Prince Duan glanced at the wooden box, knowing what was inside without opening it, and looked at Mu Qingfeng, who was kneeling before him and offering grand salutations. Truthfully, Prince Duan had previously thought highly of Mu Qingfeng.

However, what Zheng Congyuan said was not without reason. What did Mu Qingfeng see in Nian Ru? Or was he using Nian Ru as a stepping stone so that if he succeeded in the official circles later, what could Nian Ru hold onto him with? Judging by his demeanor when conversing with ladies from other prominent families, if he secured a position in the imperial court in the future, it was likely that Nian Ru would not have a place in his back house.

Furthermore, he did not wish for Nian Ru to suffer living with others.

The Mu Qingfeng before him was clearly not someone who could be easily controlled; he was decisive and meticulous in thinking. Therefore, Prince Duan felt that someone mindless, who only saw Nian Ru’s beauty, would allow Nian Ru to live a more comfortable life in the future.

Mu Qingfeng was slightly stunned, feeling a strange sensation in his heart as if something was amiss, but distinctly, during his first expression of feelings, Prince Duan had been very pleased.