Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 198 Second Update

Chapter 198: Chapter 198 Second Update

Zong Yunqian returned to the mansion late in the evening, and could hardly say he achieved anything all day, feeling somewhat disheartened, though it could just be his own misjudgment.

After all, according to his master, those people had not shown themselves for many years.

Zong Yunqian lowered his head in thought, and the companions Gu Dao and Xi Feng who were with him were also exhausted from the day’s efforts.

"Heir, I’ll go to the kitchen to see if there is any food, and prepare some..."

Xi Feng hadn’t finished speaking when he suddenly knelt down with a thud.

"Eldest Madam, it is so late—"

Gu Dao promptly and astutely knelt down as well.

"Mother, it is so late, why are you not asleep?"

Zong Yunqian quickly put on a smile, ready to minimize today’s events as he had done in the past by pleading and sweet-talking, instantly signaling Lin Xiang with his eyes.

Lin Xiang quickly shook his head.

"Where have you been?" The Eldest Madam Zong, who had been sitting in the room, had already waited for a shichen, and had also endured a shichen’s scolding from the Old Madam earlier. At this point, if she had a sword in her hand, she could have killed someone.

But it was her son in front of her, whom she couldn’t harm.

The gaze of the Eldest Madam Zong immediately fell on Gu Dao and Xi Feng standing aside. Though she couldn’t harm Yunqian, one of these two useless servants must die today.

"First, take these two servants who led the master astray outside and beat them a hundred times with a paddle," Eldest Madam Zong said, pointing at the servants, her fingers trembling. After seeing so many people today, the Old Madam had given her a scolding, making it difficult for her to face other noble ladies in the future.

"Mother, it’s not their fault. Today’s fault is my own. Mother, it is indeed an urgent matter, a major one," Zong Yunqian immediately knelt in front of the Eldest Madam, ingratiatingly holding his mother’s hand, while quickly motioning to his two servants to slip away.

Where would Gu Dao and Xi Feng dare to slip away? They were not the masters. Moreover, the Eldest Madam Zong had been displeased with them not just for a day or two. Now, it seemed better to simply endure the beating.

Immediately, someone came to drag Gu Dao and Xi Feng away.

"Mother, Mother, you are a greatly compassionate person. Gu Dao and Xi Feng, these two lads, though they are servants in our mansion, have been refined under my care since childhood at Qiandao Temple, Mother, you can’t—"

Eldest Madam Zong immediately looked at the speaking Zong Yunqian.

"Yunqian, you are not only a disciple of Qiandao Temple, but you are also the heir to our Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family, the sole heir. You are to inherit the title of Duke," Eldest Madam Zong said sternly.

Under her gaze, those around were unsure whether to proceed with dragging the two men away or not.

"Mother, rest assured, how could I forget that I am from the Zong Family," Zong Yunqian immediately said, "I always remember the great responsibilities I carry. The future of the Zong Family rests on me. I will surely double my efforts to ensure our family’s prosperity..."

"Have a son first before you talk," Eldest Madam Zong coldly said, rolling her eyes at her son.

Zong Yunqian knew this all too well and immediately grinned as he held his mother’s hand.

"I certainly intend to, I was indeed looking today, but there were so many people, it was dizzying to choose someone..."

"Didn’t I tell you about those two, Heir Chen’s sister and Princess Helin. Today, you need to give me an answer about whom you favor, otherwise, I will stay here with you."

Zong Yunqian was distressed.

"No, Mother, there’s still some time left, no need to decide so soon..."

"I see that you really aren’t even interested, are you?" Eldest Madam Zong, knowing her son’s character too well, scoffed coldly at Zong Yunqian, whose answers were necessary today.

...

Prince Duan glanced at the darkening sky outside the room and asked Housekeeper He, who had been waiting at the door.

"They haven’t left yet? Still kneeling at the door?"

"Yes, my lord, I’ve tried to send them away several times," Housekeeper He immediately replied with a distressed face.

"Well, they can kneel, I’ve experienced that long ago."

"My lord, this might not look good, besides, the Commandery Princess has grown up and it’s time to consider marriage prospects..." Housekeeper He immediately added.

Upon hearing this, Prince Duan sighed inwardly, waved his hand, and thought seeing them wouldn’t kill anyone.

"Call those two servants in. I want to hear what tricks they’ve come up with now." Housekeeper He immediately scurried out, and shortly after, two individuals dressed as peasants knelt before Prince Duan, whom Zheng Boding initially didn’t recognize.

Were these the two guards of Nanmen Yu whom he had sent to the farm two months ago? They really had gotten into their roles.

"Song Gao, Song Yuan—" Prince Duan thought for a while, finally recalling their names, primarily because these two had made a profound impression on him, making them hard to forget.

Both men were startled and immediately moved, hurriedly kowtowing several times.

"My lord still remembers us, we are deeply grateful," the two said, choking up.

Prince Duan immediately wanted to slap himself. He could have used the wrong names; why be so honest?

"I’ve forgotten much, why are you seeking me out this late?" Prince Duan quickly changed the subject, eager to get the meeting over with so he could fulfill his duties.

One of them lifted his head, wanting to say they had come early, but didn’t meet him because he didn’t want to see them until now.

"My lord, we have come up with a good business, which can revive that piece of land," Song Gao confidently stated, raising his head.

"Oh? Which piece of land? That godforsaken place?"

Seeing Prince Duan’s interest, both men became confident, feeling they had finally fulfilled their mission and made a good impression on him.

"My lord, in these two months, we’ve planted thirty kinds of grains, vegetables, and fruits. Although none succeeded, we discovered that these two estates can grow grass."

Prince Duan scoffed. Growing grass, this is your grand business plan?

"Yes, growing grass, we can raise sheep," Song Yuan quickly continued, eyes shining with excitement as he pulled a ram’s horn from his sleeve.

"Prince Duan, the purpose of raising sheep is for these pair of ram’s horns," Song Gao continued.

Prince Duan listened but didn’t care much; just raising sheep? And they had to see him so late for this approval. Fine, he saw them, he approved, and that settled it.

"Fine, I leave this estate in your charge. You two make the decisions, no need to consult me again."

"My lord, we haven’t yet mentioned the most important part," Song Gao said, somewhat disheartened, sensing Prince Duan’s perfunctory attitude but still confident, hoping to regain his favor.

"Yes, my lord, what comes next is crucial, and also key to ensuring the Commandery Princess’s everlasting prosperity," Song Yuan added.

Prince Duan blinked, slightly stunned. Seeing the serious expressions on their faces, could raising sheep really lead to everlasting prosperity?

"Please follow us to the courtyard, and you will understand," Song Gao said, bowing again.

Housekeeper He curiously eyed a squarely wrapped item that the two had placed at the door.

"Fine, I’ll accompany you to see what surprises you can pull out on my estate."