Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 231: First Update

Chapter 231: Chapter 231: First Update

"Princess Chao Ren?" Empress Dowager Yan Ping repeated the name, nearly forgetting that the one in Qishun Building was called Princess Chao Ren, had Old Lady Zong not mentioned it.

However, even if Old Lady Zong knew of Zheng Nianru, she shouldn’t be aware of other news regarding the offspring of Prince Duan.

At this time, Old Lady Zong was not hiding anything.

"Your Majesty, at this point, I have no reason to conceal anything. I have made inquiries and only dared to come before you after making sure everything was clear. If I were any later, I am afraid my grandson’s life would have been in danger."

Startled by what she heard, Empress Dowager Yan Ping had not yet opened her mouth to ask when Old Lady Zong continued speaking.

"Your Majesty, although Zong Sheng no longer wields its former power, and the only successor left is Yunqian, please, if you can save Yunqian, you will be the greatest benefactor to our Zong Sheng family." Old Lady Zong’s expression was full of sorrow, and Empress Dowager Yan Ping saw no trace of deception.

Nanny Du quietly walked in from outside and whispered a few words into Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s ear.

On hearing this, Empress Dowager Yan Ping looked at Nanny Du. How could such a significant matter be brought up only now?

Zong Sheng Residence had already sought all the Imperial Physicians in the palace for two consecutive days. Many people were aware of this, and although Zong Sheng Residence had not let slip a single piece of news, Duke of Qing had personally visited Prince Duan’s Mansion early that morning.

Thus, the issue caused by Heir Zong the other day was not a laughing matter. Naturally, as a disciple of Qiandao Temple, he could foresee some things that others could not. Zong Sheng’s family had kept silent over the past two days; silence here meaning desperately suppressing the news, clearly very reluctant to marry Princess Chao Ren.

Empress Dowager Yan Ping no longer doubted the situation. It probably wouldn’t have reached this point unless absolutely necessary, possibly considering a marriage for celebration’s sake at this critical moment.

"Old sister, please rise. It was my negligence; I wasn’t aware that such a thing had happened. You’ve come to me for help, how could I refuse? I have always been fond of Yunqian, that child."

On hearing this, Eldest Madam Zong bowed her head gratefully.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for facilitating this."

Eldest Madam Zong finally breathed a sigh of relief, not lingering to say anything else, as Duke of Qing had already sent over the Birthday Horoscope Card that very day and exchanged Marriage Proposal Cards.

It wasn’t until the sun had set that Zong Yunqian, who had been lying in Old Lady Zong’s courtyard, began to slowly regain his healthy complexion, and his pulse gradually stabilized. Everyone let out a sigh of relief.

Gu Dao had been guarding his Princely Heir without daring to move an inch. The Heir had said that this matter must be settled within two days. Now, it was finally resolved.

Gu Dao didn’t dare to show excessive joy. During his time at Qiandao Temple, he had heard of a special medicine that they possessed, but he never knew that his Princely Heir actually had it.

What if it didn’t work within two days? What if something went wrong with the medicine after two days?

Until midnight, Gu Dao, who had been keeping watch by the bedside for two days and was dozing off, did not notice that Zong Yunqian’s fingers on the bed had slowly started to move. The maid who came in to deliver medicine screamed in surprise, waking up everyone.

"The Princely Heir has awakened, the Princely Heir has awakened—"

...

Zheng Congyuan looked at the pink paper in his hand, his lips brimming with an uncontrollable smile. Several pages of such paper had already piled up on his desk, some with torn edges, others obviously crumpled into a ball before being regretfully sent over.

The pink color of the paper was uneven, dyed with Phoenix Fairy Flowers, carrying the scent of flower juice, standing out starkly against the stacked books and folded documents on the desk.

Yet holding the pink paper, Zheng Congyuan didn’t feel out of place. These past two days, the letters had been coming frequently; sometimes once in two days, at most twice in a single day. The contents were trivial, the sentences written with impatience.

Zheng Congyuan, holding the letter, could imagine how that girl must have complained of a sore hand after writing just two words; without Nian Xia and Xue Liu pressing down on it for half a day, she certainly wouldn’t have complied.

Qi Ling and Qi Zhu came in with a gift box, all items that Qi Yu had found from outside; they were all novel and amusing, and it was clear that the Commandery Princess was very fond of them, or else she wouldn’t send letters so frequently.

"Your Highness, these things," Qi Ling put down the items, "should we send them over after dinner? Steward Hu had the small kitchen prepare some refreshing and appetizing snacks, should we send those as well?"

Zheng Congyuan put down the letter in his hand, finding it lacked substance; he could see the end with just a glance. The content was disjointed, and the handwriting was illegible, not nearly as naturally elegant as the dyed paper itself.

"Send them," Zheng Congyuan picked up the document.

Qi Ling and Qi Zhu carefully took the gift box and were about to leave when Zheng Congyuan looked up again. "Search the storeroom, see if there’s a coral bracelet, and send that too."

She always had a preference for brightly colored things.

Qi Ling complied and left, instructing Qi Zhu to personally deliver the items. These past few days, the Crown Prince had been in good spirits; even though he was still busy with documents, he wasn’t as recklessly preoccupied as before. The relaxation in his expression and around his eyes was something that only those close to him could detect.

Qi Zhu hurried back in less than an hour, and Qi Ling glanced at him.

"You’ve returned quickly today. Did you upset Nian Xia and Xue Liu, so they sent you back?"

Qi Zhu looked unsettled and only then came to his senses, glanced at Qi Ling, opened his mouth, turned pale, but seemed at a loss for words.

"What happened? What’s going on at Qishun Building? You’re in such a panic."

Zheng Congyuan, overhearing ’Qishun Building,’ looked up from the document with a smile of resignation. What could possibly happen? His Hidden Guards were watching over it; it seemed like he made some excessive demand.

Zheng Congyuan closed the document and took a few steps, then paused to think. How many days had it been? Although he’d been restraining himself, not wanting to visit too frequently, it seemed she might be getting angry.

Qi Zhu, still unsettled, glanced at the study where a quiet lamp indicated the prince would be reading documents at his desk. He tugged on Qi Ling’s sleeve to signal him to lower his voice.

"I understand, just tell me, what demand did the Commandery Princess make this time? Did she ask you to dance, and you snuck back here?" Qi Ling wasn’t concerned; this wasn’t the first or second time, and there was no need for such alarm.

Zheng Congyuan smiled upon hearing this, suddenly not wanting to interrupt their conversation. Imagining Zheng Nianru saying this and smiling silently, he shook his head in resignation.

Qi Zhu shook his head, clutching Qi Ling’s sleeve anxiously.

"Did you hear anything?"

"Hear what?" Qi Ling was puzzled.

"Heard... heard that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager intends to betroth the Commandery Princess to Heir Zong..." Qi Zhu’s expression was distant; he had heard it himself... He even heard that Zong Sheng’s Family had sought the approval of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, who agreed readily.

Moreover, these past few days, Heir Zong had even personally visited Prince Duan’s Mansion to propose, and Duke of Qing personally met with Prince Duan.

Upon hearing this, Qi Ling looked at Qi Zhu somewhat incredulously; such a thing was impossible.

Qi Zhu shook his head frantically in distress; he had merely heard rumors.

Zheng Congyuan halted mid-step, suddenly motionless.

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