Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 196 Second Update

Chapter 196: Chapter 196 Second Update

Zong Yunqian was slightly startled upon hearing this; he never expected to hear such a thing at this time.

Although he didn’t make a habit of eavesdropping on others’ private affairs, the scene from that day still involuntarily surfaced in Zong Yunqian’s mind.

"Haven’t you heard? The Commandery Princess, whom the Empress Dowager detests greatly, has been the target of her murderous intent several times, only spared because of Prince Duan’s staunch protection." Zong Yunqian was somewhat stunned; if his memory served him right, she was Prince Duan’s only offspring. Even if Prince Duan had once harbored disloyal intentions, so many years had passed, and he was Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s favorite son.

"It is said that the mother of the Commandery Princess was a courtesan. With such a disreputable background, which son of an aristocratic family would fancy her?" The voices under the tree moved on, as if having shared a secret, their relationship seemed to grow closer as they engaged in the discussion of the various exotic flowers in the garden.

"Princely Heir—" Gu Dao and Xi Feng, seizing the moment when the others had left, immediately caught up with their own Princely Heir, seeing Zong Yunqian in a daze.

"Let’s go—" Zong Yunqian snapped back to reality. After all, she was just someone with whom he had some connections, but was not of great importance. He immediately leaped out of the courtyard.

...

Zheng Haoyuan endured for two days, and on the third day, he stealthily made his way towards Qishun Building. Along the way, the palace was bedecked with lanterns and streamers, with all arrangements being checked and rechecked, drawing close to an end.

Xing Yu sat by the well, lost in thought, and did not notice Zheng Haoyuan, who had already approached.

Zheng Haoyuan was most familiar with Xing Yu; she was bold and liked all sorts of odd things, which was very much like Zheng Haoyuan.

Zheng Haoyuan quietly walked up to her, and when he reached behind Xing Yu, he slapped her shoulder with the palm of his hand.

"Hey, silly girl, what are you doing?" Lu Hu was startled. Xing Yu had terrifying strength, and if she got startled and failed to recognize the Fourth Prince in her shock, she could easily crush Zheng Haoyuan’s bones with a single grasp.

Just as Lu Hu was about to rush out, Xing Yu already yelped, slapping her hand towards Zheng Haoyuan, but having recognized him, her slap was not gentle, and Zheng Haoyuan cried out in pain.

"Xing Yu, you almost broke my hand." Lu Hu stopped in his tracks; the Fourth Prince could still shout so loudly, which meant he was fine.

Xing Yu panicked, and seeing Zheng Haoyuan waving his hand, clearly not looking like his hand was broken at all.

"Fourth Prince, it serves you right for scaring a servant." Xing Yu said with a sense of grievance.

"Why are you sitting here?" Zheng Haoyuan dropped the act. It truly hurt, but he knew Xing Yu’s strength; this was already her being gentle.

Xing Yu did not speak, turning away. Her apricot-green outfit, from sitting casually by the wellside, had become wrinkled, yet the fabric was of excellent quality, shimmering with a soft glow.

Zheng Haoyuan looked into the well. There were three wells around Qishun Building, and this well was the one directly at the back. Those who knew the story of this well wouldn’t dare come near, but Xing Yu sat right by it.

"Did you throw something into the well?" Zheng Haoyuan didn’t see anything he shouldn’t have, and there were no traces around the well either.

"I didn’t throw anything. I’m not the type who enjoys throwing things. I was just looking to see if anyone would throw Master Yin He into it." Xing Yu immediately protested anxiously, then realized she had been tricked by Zheng Haoyuan and immediately became cross, ready to leave.

"Don’t go, don’t go. Are you worried about Master Yin He?" Zheng Haoyuan immediately grabbed Xing Yu, and the two of them sat down by the well again.

Lu Hu watched his prince be uncharacteristically affectionate. He did not dare to accept such an honor, for he at least did not have the courage to sit by the well.

Zheng Haoyuan looked at Xing Yu, quite pleased with himself for having guessed her thoughts correctly. Just as he was about to express his pride with a few words, he noticed Xing Yu didn’t seem very enthusiastic?

Are you truly worried about that Yin He? Zheng Haoyuan felt somewhat displeased by this guess.

What’s there to worry about such a fool? Even if he died, it would be because he died of stupidity.

"Don’t worry, I reckon those who caught him would find him use, and won’t let him go that easily." Zheng Congyuan couldn’t find other words of comfort, and spoke somewhat guiltily, looking uneasily at Xing Yu, only to be stunned by her bowed head and the sight of her somewhat melancholic demeanor.

He got along with Xing Yu, but he had never paid attention to the appearance of a servant before. Now, looking at her, Zheng Haoyuan suddenly felt that Xing Yu’s profile resembled his cousin especially that high, straight nose—the shadow it cast was exactly the same.

Zheng Haoyuan was stunned, feeling as though something had been stirred within him. Slowly, he reached out, with only one thought in his mind—he wanted to touch that nose, and once this thought took root, it scratched at his heart like a demon.

"Do you understand any of the things Master Yin He taught?" Suddenly, Xing Yu turned her head, and Zheng Haoyuan’s hand, which had been stretching out, quickly retracted, almost as if he had been caught in the act, promptly averting his eyes.

"Last time, those people were looking for Yin He, and it wasn’t for anything bad. At least your Commandery Princess successfully got rid of him." Zheng Haoyuan clapped his hands, knowing his cousin had wanted to get rid of Yin He.

Xing Yu stopped talking, but her mind kept wondering, what did those people want with Yin He? Weren’t those people already dead? Could it be that they had accomplices?

"Fourth Prince, Master Yin He once taught me a few things, and now that he’s gone, I don’t know how to..." Xing Yu hesitated as she spoke, seizing a rare opportunity, she had wanted to tell Zheng Haoyuan and wondered whether to approach him, but as a mere servant, she didn’t dare to seek him out.

Zheng Haoyuan was taken aback, looking at Xing Yu in surprise.

"What did he teach you?"

"I don’t understand it myself, he said it was to repay me for once saving his life." Xing Yu said, not knowing how to explain it; those things were, to her, utterly useless, and she hadn’t felt any change.

So Xing Yu gave a demonstration herself, but she didn’t understand what it was supposed to be. Nothing happened as a result, and Zheng Haoyuan laughed when he saw it.

"I say you’re foolish and you don’t believe it. That guy Yin He doesn’t even know who he is, how could what he teaches be of any use?" Zheng Haoyuan got up and pulled Xing Yu.

"Fourth Prince, don’t do this, it’s not good for people to see you pulling and tugging at a servant like this." Xing Yu hurriedly pushed Zheng Haoyuan away, and he quickly stepped aside.

"Hurry on, take me to see my cousin. But I can send someone to inquire around and see if any news can be found." Zheng Haoyuan urged Xing Yu on.

"The Commandery Princess said she’s unwell and isn’t seeing anyone." Xing Yu didn’t lie; Zheng Nianru really was not feeling well.

Who wouldn’t feel unwell after such a fright and being soaked in water for so long? Moreover, Zheng Nianru’s body wasn’t as resilient as her mind at the moment.

"Has the Imperial Physician seen her?" Zheng Haoyuan carefully asked, while racking his brain for any good medicinal herbs in their stores.

"He has, there’s no serious issue, just some shock and cold."

"Should I come another day?" At least I should first find some medicinal herbs to bring over.

"Then why did you come today?" Xing Yu turned back to ask.

"It’s nothing important, just that Wen Zan came to say the business at the store is almost settled, and the first batch of embroidered goods has come out. I’ll just come by again tomorrow..."

"Don’t. The Commandery Princess is interested in these matters; it might distract her, and perhaps she’ll stop dwelling on the incident in the water."

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