Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 217: One More Update

Chapter 217: Chapter 217: One More Update

The height of summer finally swept in with an ever more ferocious vigor following a torrential downpour, the parched leaves drooped languidly, and the crisp grass, nourished by the rain, spread wildly, a green so sharp it hurt the eyes.

The gauze curtains on the eaves of Qishun Building hung low, casting shadowy light on the Artemisia japonica green brocade pillows as Nian Xia absentmindedly ground ink, her technique unpracticed and punctuated with sneaky yawns, the incessant buzz of cicadas unbearable by her ear.

Zheng Nianru sat at the desk, equally unfocused, while Xue Liu cautiously fanned with her fan, staring at the few blotchy ink stains on the paper without daring to speak out. Was the Commandery Princess really going to send this to the Prince? Even though Xue Liu could probably decipher all the characters her mistress had written, it still felt inappropriate to send something so sloppily smeared, didn’t it?

Zheng Nianru finally put down the brush as Zheng Haoyuan stepped in under the scorching sun, his forehead glistening. Cang Er hurried along with small steps, holding a parasol that still couldn’t shield Zheng Haoyuan’s head from the sun.

"Cousin, let’s go out and play today—" As Zheng Haoyuan spoke, he embraced the ice chest on the porch.

"Fourth Prince, you mustn’t do that, you’ll catch a cold," Cang Er immediately came to stop him, but backed down after a glance from Zheng Haoyuan.

"I won’t go, the heat will melt me," Zheng Nianru folded the letter neatly, sealed it, and handed it to Xue Liu, "Send it over now."

"Yes." The Commandery Princess didn’t seem inclined to rewrite the letter. Actually, it wasn’t too hot now, and there was still time to rewrite a cleaner version.

Xue Liu left, and Zheng Haoyuan watched her retreating figure, wanting to ask a question, but after a thought, he chose to stay silent. His cousin wouldn’t tell him everything, and he didn’t want to displease her.

Cang Er looked at Nian Xia with a pleading gaze.

"Fourth Prince, please get up. Ice isn’t used like that," Nian Xia said bluntly, prompting Zheng Haoyuan to awkwardly find a seat on the cool bed.

"Cousin, this bed feels cool to the touch, it’s wonderful," Zheng Haoyuan said, feeling the bed. He had noticed last time that what he was using wasn’t as good as this, and even after rummaging through the storeroom for a long time, he hadn’t found anything better.

"This is made from ivory corners. Prince Duan’s Mansion has only this one, you can stop dreaming," Nian Xia replied abruptly before Zheng Nianru could speak.

Zheng Haoyuan ignored him, not envious or intent on taking it. After all, Prince Duan naturally had fine things, and since it was a gift from the Prince, he had no objections.

"Cousin, the place we’re going today isn’t hot, and besides, I have something interesting to show you," Zheng Haoyuan said mysteriously, drawing closer to Zheng Nianru, a faint, pleasant scent drifting into his nostrils, fragrant yet not overpowering, elusive as if one could barely discern its notes without concentrated attention.

"It’s hot in the carriage." Zheng Nianru showed little interest, partly because of the weather and partly because she hadn’t had a chance to properly consider the matter with Zong Yunqian.

Zheng Haoyuan felt a twinge of disappointment seeing Zheng Nianru’s listless expression and recalled the rumors he had overheard.

When Zong Yunqian saved his cousin, he thought the young man was worth watching, but he hadn’t realized he had such intentions hidden away. Surprising, indeed.

So, was the letter just then intended for Zong Yunqian?

"Fu Gong, what’s wrong? What are you thinking about?" Zheng Nianru noticed the boy suddenly fell silent, his gaze fixed on one spot, and found it odd. She reached out and flicked his forehead.

Zheng Haoyuan immediately turned around, his beautiful eyes sparkling as he looked at Zheng Nianru.

"Cousin, come out and play with me, please. I’ve been preparing for so long to give you a surprise," Zheng Haoyuan began to act coquettish and stubbornly clung to Zheng Nianru’s arm, rubbing his nose up against her face as he tried to snuggle next to her on the cool bed.

"What’s so fun? Tell me. Maybe I’ll be interested and want to go," Zheng Nianru said, feeling somewhat cheerful. Yes, she had decided. She had lived through such poor choices in her previous life; why be so timid in this one?

After all, she couldn’t possibly die old in the palace. If she was willing, Prince Duan would never agree.

So, it doesn’t matter who she marries, it’s rare to come across a bargaining chip that makes her heart race.

"Cousin, that savage—" Zheng Haoyuan immediately became excited, "you would never guess how obedient he is now."

"He is obedient." Zheng Nianru agreed quite heartily, her impression of the savage was also deep, not very smart, but as long as you fed him for a while, he would recognize you as the master. He could even carry her sitting on his arm to any place she wanted to go.

"Cousin, what did you say?"

Zheng Nianru came back to her senses and suddenly realized what she had said.

"Then let’s go see." Zheng Nianru wanted to ruffle the boy’s hair, but found that Zheng Haoyuan had changed his hairstyle today, and the Crown Jade on his head was also very delicate and attractive.

"Really, then let’s go now." Zheng Haoyuan immediately pulled Zheng Nianru to her feet.

"Your Highness, at least let our Commandery Princess change clothes..."

"No need, it’s too much trouble." Zheng Nianru refused outright, as she vaguely remembered that around this time, Zheng Haoyuan seemed to frequently fall ill in the palace. Dead palace maids and eunuchs were being taken out of the Chenhe Hall by the pile, and Noble Consort Wen directly surrounded the entire vicinity of the Chenhe Hall with Loyal Warriors of the Wen Family, unwilling to let even a bit of news slip out.

"Fu Gong, have you been sleeping well these days?" There were even rumors that the terrifying and chilling screams heard in the middle of the night in the palace were coming from the Chenhe Hall.

"Good, very good." Zheng Haoyuan pulled Zheng Nianru and started walking out, with Nian Xia and Xue Liu hastily grabbing a few things and following them.

"Recently, have you felt any headaches or the like?" Zheng Nianru asked again. Zheng Haoyuan had suffered from the illness before, but she noticed that the frequency of these episodes seemed to be decreasing.

"No headaches, why do you ask, Cousin? Oh, right, Ho Sheng is coming back, I heard he’s returning with the people from Qiandao Temple this time." Cang Er quickly held the parasol high, struggling to keep up with his lord’s brisk pace, managing only to shade the Commandery Princess.

"Also, Cousin, I think that Yin He must have taken the opportunity to escape. My people have searched the entire Zheng Capital, but they haven’t found that dead eunuch."

"He wasn’t really a eunuch..." Let him escape then, Zheng Nianru didn’t find it all that surprising, it was the most logical explanation, and besides, with his skills, who could do anything to him?

The voices grew fainter and fainter, as the carriage had been prepared early in the morning, with Zheng Haoyuan carefully placing plenty of ice, making thorough preparations.

...

Zheng Nianru had left for less than half an hour, and Lin Sheng from Prince Duan’s side hurried over in a rush.

"Where is the Commandery Princess, the Prince is in a hurry to see her." Lin Sheng was somewhat anxious, Prince Duan seemed very angry, and as soon as he saw the letter, he hurried over without delay.

Fu Dong came out to meet him, looking innocent.

"The Commandery Princess has gone out, what’s the matter?"

"How can the Commandery Princess just go out like this, what are we supposed to do now? The Prince is waiting outside the palace gates, and I’m afraid he won’t be able to see the Commandery Princess... Never mind, never mind, I’ll go back first and say the Commandery Princess isn’t here." At this moment, seeing her might not be good, with the Prince in such a temper, the Commandery Princess was bound to get scolded. It might be better to wait until the Prince’s anger subsides.

Lin Sheng said, and hurriedly went back.