Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 206 Part 2

Chapter 206: Chapter 206 Part 2

Zong Yunqian had just gotten into the carriage when Eldest Madam Zong wished she could hammer the person in front of her to half-death. However, before leaving the house, Old Madam Zong had instructed, again and again, that she must not lose her temper again as she still had to enter the palace later, and moreover, she had been whipped the night before. Her hand was raised mid-air, yet she let it fall again.

Gu Dao and Xi Feng, who were carrying gifts, also arrived in front of the carriage, intending to squeeze in and return with it. Before they could load the things into the carriage, they were kicked out by Eldest Madam Zong, two worthless servants following their master’s reckless antics.

Gu Dao and Xi Feng fell on their backsides on the ground and did not dare to approach again. Two guards gave them a look that said they were on their own and had already raised their whips; the carriage arrived at Zong Sheng Residence where servants waiting with fresh clothes, incense, headdresses, jade belts, and sachets had already gathered.

As soon as Zong Yunqian stepped down from the carriage, he saw Old Madam Zong personally standing at the entrance. Just as he was about to go forward and greet her, Eldest Madam Zong, without even glancing at Zong Yuanqian, directly instructed the waiting servants.

"Are you not hurrying to change the Princely Heir’s clothes? Is the carriage ready? What about the people accompanying him?"

Gasping for breath, Gu Dao and Xi Feng had just arrived and quickly moved forward to pay respects. Eldest Madam Zong was just about to say something—how could these two accompany them—but she was stopped by a stern look from Old Madam Zong.

Eldest Madam Zong sheepishly knew that Old Madam Zong was seriously angry this time; she hadn’t paid attention to Yunqian until now and was somewhat worried for him.

"What are you standing around for? Change your clothes and follow your master to the palace," Eldest Madam Zong said to Gu Dao and Xi Feng, as others had already fully prepared their clothes. Eldest Madam Zong, worried about her son, went inside.

"Mother," Zong Yunqian greeted, without the defiant and rebellious attitude of someone who had done something wrong, but rather in a gentle manner. Eldest Madam Zong’s nose tingled, wanting to blame but not daring to, she poked her son’s forehead angrily.

"Silly boy, are you trying to kill Old Madam and your mother with anger? We will settle this matter later; first go to the palace and properly report back to the Empress Dowager, then we’ll settle our accounts when you return."

"Mother, I’ve caused you worry," Zong Yunqian said, not unaware of the consequences of his actions, but sometimes, he considered things far beyond everyone else.

Today’s Nanzheng State is like a dying beast that has yet to succumb. One day, pus will ooze from within, piercing the superficial calm that exists now, leading to internal strife, factional conflicts, and crises both internal and external.

Eldest Madam Zong opened her mouth as if to say something but then said nothing, instead urging the servants to be more nimble.

...

Yan Xia personally carried some clothes into the side chamber of Princess Hall where the young man sitting there, with eyes clear as spring water, watched her approach step by step.

Her face flushed under his gaze, those eyes as flawless as snow and as clear as spring water. Inside his innocent unawareness of good and evil, he sat there like a soft lamb that could easily be bullied.

Such a gaze was unbearable for most, and only when she diverted her eyes did Yan Xia lower the clothes.

"Young Master, these are clothes specially prepared for you by the Princess," Yan Xia said, her voice unintentionally gentle as if everything in the room softened because of the young man’s presence, like a gentle breeze soothing the soul.

The large, white, floor-length-curtain danced subtly, and Yan Xia looked bewildered for a moment, as if she heard the young man’s voice but then again as if she hadn’t.

"Thank you, sister—" Yan Xia then heard the young man’s reply, her heart softening as well.

Yan Xia had to admit, their Princess had a top-notch eye for picking people. The person who had returned was unimpressive, wrapped in black clothes from head to toe, but now changed into a plain white robe he seemed like a different person entirely.

Suddenly, Yan Xia felt that Lord Lan Xing’s words were somewhat exaggerated. How could such an outwardly gentle and harmless young man, who even spoke gently and harmlessly, be dangerous, she wondered what there was to be cautious about?

"Don’t be afraid, the Eldest Princess is very kind," Yan Xia said with a smile. This wasn’t entirely a lie; when the Eldest Princess took a liking to someone, she was genuinely kind, without a trace of falsehood.

The youth slightly lifted his head, neither interrupting nor objecting to her words.

Yan Xia suddenly felt both guilty and sinful. The Eldest Princess was like a butcher slaughtering sheep, and she herself was the knife in the butcher’s hand, sharpening itself for the youth before her.

"The Eldest Princess said to let you start as a guard, to stay by her side and get some training," Yan Xia continued. "These are your new clothes. Once you change, come with me to the hall to see the Eldest Princess."

"Okay." Yin He, upon hearing that he could meet Zheng Tianxin, finally moved. Although he didn’t like white, he didn’t know what color he preferred, so he decided not to fret over it.

Yan Xia led the way directly towards the Princess Hall. When this hall was constructed, Emperor Jingzhi was still able to get out of bed from time to time, partially involved in the affairs of the court, and even personally inspected the construction of the Eldest Princess Mansion. Therefore, even the future Crown Prince’s Mansion would not enjoy such a privilege.

The entire expanse of Han white jade led straight to the grand hall of the Eldest Princess Mansion, grand and majestic.

Yin He was curious, observing the architecture slightly similar to that of the palace, and felt certain he was not mistaken. The Eldest Princess must know about the Commandery Princess’s affairs; he could learn much, which he was eager to know, from her.

Yan Xia suddenly stopped, glanced at the guards standing outside the grand hall, who were not from the Princess Mansion but from the Crown Prince’s Mansion.

Was the Crown Prince there to meet the Princess?

Yan Xia, keeping her composure, intuited that the Crown Prince did not relish these matters concerning the Eldest Princess.

"Young Master, the Princess is currently occupied with some matters. May we wait here for a moment?"

Yin He didn’t mind and nodded his head.

Yan Xia glanced at the obedient youth standing there, wondering where else one could find such a well-behaved and kind youth. She then confidently went inside to gather some information first.

Yin He looked around. He didn’t understand why this Princess had gone through so much trouble to bring him here. He felt somewhat aggrieved; he thought the Commandery Princess should treat him the same way. Fu Dong, Nian Xia, Xue Liu, and Xing Yu should also smile at him kindly; he felt that would make him happier.

Lan Xing immediately noticed the youth in the white robe, no different from the usual trinkets of the Eldest Princess, very eye-catching yet not at the same time.

The peculiar man in black beside him, however, was somewhat unhappy. Although he wasn’t yet sure of the youth’s identity, this youth was the closest they had found to the one they were looking for.

The man in black felt used. The Eldest Princess had no intention of releasing people, nor even giving him a chance to test the waters himself.

But Lan Xing didn’t think so. He believed that after ten years, this opportunity was exceedingly slim. Rather than letting the man in black test the waters, why not take the opportunity to leave quickly? That way, both the Eldest Princess and the man in black would be satisfied.

"Now is the chance. You need to act quickly and not blow your cover."

The man in black huffed coldly. Although he had his complaints, he didn’t argue further. Since Lan Xing was still one of their own, the man in black immediately headed towards Yin He.