Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 209: One More Update

Chapter 209: Chapter 209: One More Update

Zheng Nianru lowered her gaze; the news brought by Nanny Yun was not good. She had acted impulsively, thinking that maybe this Heir of the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family could be an opportunity for her.

But now, upon reflection, Zheng Nianru felt she had thought too simplistically.

The Old Madam of the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family was formidable, shrewd to the core. Even in Nanyi’s hands, they managed to rescue Zong Yunqian, and moreover, they had already chosen a bride for Heir Zong Yunqian.

Thus, Zheng Nianru felt it was difficult and did not want to waste time on an endeavor with slim chances of success.

Xue Liu caught the look in her own Commandery Princess’s eyes, stepped forward, glanced at the three people on top of the wall, and stood in front of Zheng Nianru.

"Who are you? Outsiders are forbidden from entering here. Leave immediately, or we will call for people," Xue Liu’s voice carried anger as her own Commandery Princess was displeased.

Zong Yunqian had not expected Zheng Nianru to send him away after seeing him—Gu Dao and Xi Feng looked tense.

"Heir, we should leave quickly, this is inside the palace," Gu Dao feared that the maid in front might really call for people.

"Sorry, we have gone to the wrong place," Gu Dao quickly said, then looked at the Heir. See? That Commandery Princess doesn’t care about your affections at all. She has completely forgotten you.

Zong Yunqian hadn’t moved; from the initial surprise to now, he faintly guessed that perhaps Prince Duan had said something to her, and from the scene of their first encounter, this Princess Chao Ren was very obedient to her father.

Zheng Nianru saw the man had not moved and directly got up to return inside. Nanny Yun rushed over and glanced at the boundary wall. Although she said nothing, she also vaguely guessed the man’s identity.

"Princess Chao Ren, I have a good strategy that could not only allow you to leave the Imperial Palace but also let you live freely outside," Zong Yunqian suddenly spoke up.

From the moment he had stepped into this courtyard today, he felt something was off. Clearly, Princess Chao Ren’s days in the palace were not pleasant, yet she was not the type to suffer silently.

Even if these exquisite furniture pieces and decor were secretly arranged by Prince Duan, the visibly dilapidated building also indicated that all of these were meant to be hidden, constantly at risk of being discovered, thus, these all indicated Princess Chao Ren wanted to go out, urgently wanting to leave.

Zheng Nianru’s step faltered, and, intrigued, she turned to look at Zong Yunqian standing on the boundary wall.

White roses bloomed all over the wall, and the man stood atop the rose branches, pleasing to the eye. Zheng Nianru suddenly became interested. Even though she was confident in her own charms, she felt it was unexpected of Zong Yunqian to appear here.

"What did you say?" Zheng Nianru took a step forward, her smoke ash purple long dress flaring with the movement of the girl like a blooming exotic camellia in summer, her hair black as clouds.

Zog Yunqian awkwardly looked away.

Upon seeing this, Zheng Nianru could not resist a mocking smile. What? You still want to negotiate like this?

"Princess Chao Ren, I once went to the mansion to ask Prince Duan for your hand in marriage, but Prince Duan flatly refused, truly squandering my good intentions," Zong Yunqian instantly regained his composure. He had traveled north to south for many years, seen mountains and rivers, and met all kinds of people, so in a moment, he was unmoved.

Nanny Yun instantly looked at her own princess. Heir Zong seeking marriage? Just because of that meeting in the reeds? Impossible?

Nanny Yun, having realized what had happened, deeply regretted her Princess’s impulsiveness. For such a young man whom she’d never encountered before, it was too risky a move, especially considering he was the Heir of the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family, a young man of much experience and exposure.

Yet, at this moment, she heard that this same Heir had approached Prince Duan’s Mansion to seek the hand of the Commandery Princess? Why wouldn’t Prince Duan agree? Was it because the Old Madam of the Zong Sheng Family had designs on some other family’s daughter? But wasn’t this a scenario where acting first could secure the advantage?

Zheng Nianru glanced at Nanny Yun. How could she know why her father, the king, would not agree? It was probably the same old reasons—preferring to manipulate those from less influential families.

"Since my father turned him away, why did you come here?" Zheng Nianru stared at Zong Yunqian, her eyes were pitch-black and gleaming with curiosity, the expression momentarily making Zong Yunqian feel like not wishing to continue any further.

"Princess Chao Ren, to be frank, this situation serves a dual purpose, kills two birds with one stone, beneficial for both you and me," Zong Yunqian withdrew his gaze, his tone sounding three parts more sincere.

Zheng Nianru glanced at Xue Liu, who, reluctant as she was, still beckoned to the three people perched on the wall. Gu Dao really did not want to climb down, but the Heir had already jumped into the courtyard without waiting for him. A white rabbit scampered away from his shuffling, followed by Xi Feng, who awkwardly smiled apologetically at Xue Liu.

Their Heir was usually not so unaware of etiquette, nor would he normally leap into the yard of an unfamiliar woman from the wall.

Seeing this, Xue Liu too cracked a smile, Gu Dao immediately nudged Xi Feng with his elbow and gave him a look that said, "ingrate."

Xi Feng lowered his head, no longer daring to stray his gaze, and followed Gu Dao under the shelter of the eaves.

Fu Dong came out from inside the house and upon spotting Zong Yunqian and the others, he momentarily stiffened, then quickly bowed his head and turned back inside to bring out a pot of tea.

Zheng Nianru resumed her seat on the divan, while Nanny Yun silently led Zong Yunqian to sit on a spacious chair next to her. Fu Dong offered up the tea, and as soon as he entered the house, Nian Xia anxiously tugged at Fu Dong, a face full of questions.

"Heir Zong— " Fu Dong only got out these three words before sending Nian Xia to fetch some fruit, Nian Xia stepping back, one glance at a time, many questions lingering unasked.

"Speak—" Zheng Nianru lifted her tea, the freshly steeped tea just waiting for the right moment.

Nanny Yun secretly glanced at her Commandery Princess; even though he was the Heir of the Zong Sheng Family, her high-handed approach could indeed pose a problem, considering his standing in the Nanzheng State might just rival the Crown Prince’s.

From the very beginning, Nanny Yun’s enthusiasm had also considered this fact; the conditions posed by the Heir Zong were too favorable, and even if she was indeed a Commandery Princess, success was not guaranteed.

"Commandery Princess, my proposal is this: since you wish to leave the Imperial Palace, and I too do not wish to be bound by marriage. Why don’t we strike a deal? I assure your freedom outside the Imperial Palace, and within Zong Sheng Residence, you could be equally.free. And in agreeing to marry me, you would also resolve the current situation of my being pressed into marriage," he said.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Nianru actually appreciated his candor; he wasn’t dragging the words out. At these words, Nanny Yun was slightly taken aback, the proposal seemingly fair, promising freedom, but once married into the Zong Sheng Residence, who there would be easy to deal with?

Zheng Nianru gave a sly smile, her crafty eyes unflinching.

"And what after the deal is sealed?"

Zong Yunqian furrowed his brow, what did she mean?

"What about after we marry? Will you allow me to do whatever I wish? Even agree to separate?" She did not wish to move to Nanmen State, nor was she keen on going to the Northwest Border.

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