Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 193: First Update

Chapter 193: Chapter 193: First Update

Mu Qingfeng at least felt that he was somewhat confident.

"Although I come from a poor family, I assure you here that I will do everything I can to ensure the Commandery Princess has a comfortable life," Mu Qingfeng immediately added, feeling an inexplicable sense of urgency.

"Qingfeng, to tell you the truth, I quite admire you, but I am not in a hurry to make a decision on this matter. After all, Nian Ru is still young," Zheng Boding waved his hand, "It’s too early to talk about these things right now. Why not wait and see?"

Mu Qingfeng froze, the light in his eyes extinguished in an instant. He thought...

Prince Duan had done so much; it was clear that he was eager to take action. Where exactly had things gone wrong?

But Mu Qingfeng knew, now was not the time to argue. He quickly composed himself and respectfully bowed to Prince Duan.

"My earlier words remain unchanged—I truly admire the Commandery Princess and mean it sincerely. I must take my leave now," Mu Qingfeng took a deep breath and turned to leave.

"Qingfeng, I cannot accept this item," Prince Duan immediately remembered the box that Mu Qingfeng had brought and personally handed it back to him.

Upon hearing this, Mu Qingfeng turned and knelt down.

"Qingfeng, there’s no need for that. I cannot let Nian Ru hold you back." He thought for a long while and still felt that he had been impulsive. Such a matter, how could it be decided just by meeting a few times?

"Prince, please allow me to say one thing—I will under no circumstances take this item back. I will wait, believing that one day, my sincerity will touch both you and the Commandery Princess," Mu Qingfeng said and respectfully bowed again.

"In that case, I shall pretend that you never came today," Prince Duan spoke, feeling a hint of hesitation. Mu Qingfeng’s earnestness had indeed caused him to waver. Prince Duan didn’t doubt his own judgment; on the contrary, over the years, he believed he had a unique ability to assess people. Yet, since this was Nian Ru’s only chance, extra caution seemed warranted.

Seeing this, Mu Qingfeng said no more and took his leave.

Housekeeper He personally carried in some pastries. Ju Nanyi, unable to retreat in time, remained close to the rectangular carving that stretched from the roof to the floor.

"Scholar Ju, what are you doing?" Housekeeper He was surprised.

Ju Nanyi concentrated on the exquisitely intricate carvings before him, nodding slowly as if he had just noticed Housekeeper He entering, and then stepped back.

"Forgive me, Housekeeper He, I was momentarily captivated by the exquisite and fluid design of these carvings," he apologized.

Housekeeper He suddenly nodded in understanding. Having been in Prince Duan’s Mansion for many years, he never found these carvings appealing, finding them rather troublesome to clean since it took two servants a whole day to do so.

"Scholar Ju may not know this, but this wood was taken from a 300-year-old sandalwood tree in the Southern Frontier, and these three panels are combined into this one piece of artwork. According to rumors, it is from the previous dynasty," Housekeeper He explained with a smile, placing the pastries on the table. Before he could leave, a servant walked in.

"Lord Ju, our Prince requests your presence..."

...

When Ju Nanyi left Prince Duan’s Mansion, Mu Qingfeng was disoriented and had not strayed far, his steps erratic, until Ju Nanyi approached and noticed this.

Mu Qingfeng gathered his senses and bowed to Ju Nanyi.

Ju Nanyi had no desire to continue the conversation, so he returned the bow and briskly walked away.

Mu Qingfeng, likewise, had no desire to speak, somewhat perplexed as to why things had suddenly become so complicated within a few days.

Mu Qingfeng thought it over and over again, and the only possibility could be the Commandery Princess. Prince Duan cherished her very much and naturally would heed her advice. Thus, his focus had always been on Prince Duan; it was this he had neglected.

Ju Nanyi suddenly stopped. He did not know why he stopped.

"Lord Ju?" Mu Qingfeng was startled, yet he spoke.

"Lord Mu, you seem to look unwell... Is it?" Ju Nanyi turned around, his expression calm and his voice cold. As expected, he clearly saw Prince Duan hesitate. Why hesitate? Was it because of Mu Qingfeng’s excellence? Was it worth risking his beloved daughter’s latter part of life for a trial?

Mu Qingfeng forced himself to keep his spirits up.

"Thank you for your concern, my lord. I am not seriously troubled and dare not bother you." At this moment, Mu Qingfeng only wanted to find a secluded, uninhabited place to properly contemplate his next course.

However, as the Commandery Princess had been long residing in the palace, how could he catch her attention? This was indeed beyond Mu Qingfeng.

"Lord Mu, we are both Subordinate to the Crown Prince and emerged through the same competitive exams. We ought to look out for each other. Should you encounter any difficulties, perhaps I could offer some advice." Although Ju Nanyi was unwilling to converse with the present Mu Qingfeng, he still suppressed a bit of his disposition.

Mu Qingfeng, upon hearing these words, felt moved and realized that his rash actions had already been partly guessed by the present Ju Nanyi, prompting him to bow once again immediately.

"Lord Ju, I must confess, today I acted hastily. The world often sees cases of unrequited endeavors..." Mu Qingfeng gave a bitter smile and shook his head, but he had no intention of giving up; he simply had no other alternatives at the moment.

"If it regards the Commandery Princess, I would advise Lord Mu to discard that thought sooner rather than later." Ju Nanyi suddenly spoke up, irritated and not wanting to mince words.

Mu Qingfeng was startled by these words and looked at Ju Nanyi with a puzzled expression.

"My lord, what do you mean by that?"

"Perhaps Prince Duan originally entertained that intention, but why change his mind suddenly? Did Lord Mu not see that people from various aristocratic families have gathered in the Imperial City? Think about it. Why did Prince Duan suddenly change his mind? Naturally, some agreements must have been reached behind the scenes." Ju Nanyi gave Mu Qingfeng a cold look, watching as his thoughts transitioned from shock to contemplation; yes, it was as you thought.

Mu Qingfeng was about to speak anxiously again when Ju Nanyi interrupted him.

"That is the Commandery Princess, Prince Duan is a Prince, an offspring of an aristocratic family would provide a more secure option for the Commandery Princess, wouldn’t it?"

Mu Qingfeng did not want to believe it, but at this moment, he could only give a bitter smile, unable to deny the words of Ju Nanyi. Mu Qingfeng gratefully bowed to Ju Nanyi once more.

"Thank you, Lord Ju." Had it not been for Lord Ju’s enlightening words, he might still be wracking his brains on this issue, engaging in futile efforts. After all, how could he compare with the status and background of an aristocratic family?

Upon reflecting, if he were Prince Duan, he would not choose himself either.

"I take my leave." Ju Nanyi bowed slightly and left without turning back.

Mu Qingfeng let go of his despondency, his eyes gradually becoming resolute as he let go of this idea; those ambitious aspirations from the past gradually found their way back into his heart.

Watching Ju Nanyi walk away, Mu Qingfeng saw in him a worthy example to emulate, someone admirable. One day, he too would, like Scholar Ju, become a favorite of the Crown Prince, a well-regarded talent of the imperial court.

As for other matters, Mu Qingfeng could only seal them away; for now, his mere word could not secure the latter part of life that she desired.

Mu Qingfeng walked resolutely, knowing he must first become like Scholar Ju before entertaining any thoughts about the future.

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