Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 234 Second Update

Chapter 234: Chapter 234 Second Update

Zheng Nianru slowly released her grip, as if only at this moment did she grasp the full meaning of Zheng Congyuan’s words.

"The Empress Dowager agreed?" asked Zheng Nianru, her doubt evident. Why would the Empress Dowager, who couldn’t stand to see her happy, agree to this marriage? It was something she had never considered. "Is there really no way to change it?"

Zheng Nianru’s voice was laced with indignant resignation as she glanced at Zheng Congyuan, seeming as though there were things she dared not speak aloud.

Zheng Congyuan was in turmoil. Why had he told her? To make her sad? Her little schemes might as well have been laid out before him, open for his perusal, utterly without subterfuge.

Yet, even if he knew, what could he do? He couldn’t, not only because of his status, but because Nian Ru was the offspring of the Imperial Uncle. He couldn’t ask her to abandon everything, to live in the Crown Prince’s Mansion without status or recognition, not even able to meet her own father. How selfish would he have to be to do that? Besides, this wasn’t what Nian Ru wanted; he knew all too well that her greatest hope was to leave the palace and live openly in Prince Duan’s Mansion.

"Nian Ru, don’t be hasty. Some things might not be as bad as they seem," Zheng Congyuan said gently, his hands on her frail shoulders. Zheng Nianru tried to resist, but couldn’t muster the strength. In this position, even if she wanted to take the chance to get closer to Zheng Congyuan, she couldn’t manage it.

Zheng Nianru was truly unhappy now, reaching directly for Zheng Congyuan’s robe. The man didn’t budge, not because he was oblivious to what Zheng Nianru wanted to do, but because he was afraid—an impulse might lead him to do something he’d regret.

"So, you don’t oppose it? You’re happy?" Zheng Nianru couldn’t move him, and looking up, the redness in her eyes deepened. Her anger was real, tainted with tears. So, this had always been his way of thinking.

Yes, Zheng Congyuan, you’re noble, so noble that you could live by your wits alone, by your imagination, dwelling in the lofty righteousness that you’ve conjured for yourself, painting your own golden body against rosy clouds. Even the warmth of a woman’s embrace won’t sway you. Hence, in the previous life, no matter how she coaxed or pleaded, abandoning all dignity, she never won you over.

Zheng Nianru knew that all her words were futile. Aside from a bitter laugh, she couldn’t crack open Zheng Congyuan’s head, toss out his ridiculous notions, and let him live a life true to his own heart.

"You don’t want to see me anymore?" Zheng Nianru closed her eyes. After all, this ending was still better than the one in her previous life.

The words Zheng Congyuan was about to say were suddenly choked off, his heart clenched tightly.

"Nian Ru, I want you to be well, to live a good life," Zheng Congyuan said with difficulty, "If you really don’t want to, if Heir Zong has impure motives, I naturally won’t..."

Zheng Nianru suddenly didn’t want to listen anymore—the same words had struck her like a hammer to the chest in her past life, making even breathing painful. This life, despite being prepared, the dull ache was just as cruel, tinged with the hopelessness and mockery of two lifetimes.

Zheng Nianru suddenly broke free from his grasp, plunging into Zheng Congyuan’s chest.

"Brother Crown Prince, I don’t want to think about these things, nor do I want a future or to think about tomorrow," Zheng Nianru said with closed eyes. This was the truth, dropping all pretense and masks, her cold heart began to beat once again, with Zheng Nianru’s most sincere emotion. To indulge just once, just one time; perhaps having gained her desire, she would no longer cling to it, no longer obsess, disheartened, even forgetting what she actually wanted to do.

Zheng Nianru was acutely aware of her own temperament, it was inconstant. Act on impulse, lacking firm opinions, she liked to follow her instincts. Zheng Congyuan was the longest commitment she had ever made.

"Nian Ru, when I tell you this, it’s so you know, you do have choices. If you truly dislike Zong Yunqian, it’s not like you have to..."

Zheng Nianru suddenly felt like laughing. She had long since lost interest in Zong Yunqian, she could barely even recall the features of this man she had met twice. What she dwelled on was her obsessiveness, which allowed her to step out of her indecisiveness. So what about not wanting Fu Dong? To find another one? Ju Nanyi? Then she would rather it be this Heir Zong.

"Zheng Congyuan—" Zheng Nianru began slowly, through the brocade robe woven of fine silk, she could feel the man’s solid waist, comparable to any in the future. Zheng Nianru closed her eyes and slowly began to undo his sash.

"Nian Ru—" As the sash slid from Zheng Nianru’s hands, Zheng Congyuan felt a jolt of surprise and immediately tried to stop her, but Zheng Nianru was quicker. In one swift motion, she lifted his robe and pressed against his firm abs, warm and smooth to the touch and utterly endearing. In that instant, Zheng Nianru felt an overwhelming sweetness, as if she were... a fish returning to water.

Zheng Congyuan panicked in a flash. As he reached out, the beltless robe slipped from his shoulders, exposing his chest. Zheng Nianru took advantage, pressing directly against it; she heard his heartbeat explode, as if it were about to burst forth, drilling into her ears.

Nanny Yun sharply inhaled, nearly falling ill from the shock of her Commandery Princess’s actions. Fu Dong’s face turned deathly pale, and she dared not breathe, quickly lowering her head while her standing body shook uncontrollably.

"Nian Ru," Zheng Congyuan forcibly regained his composure, extracting himself from the wondrous, lingering feeling of the young girl rubbing against his chest. In the next moment, he quickly cradled Zheng Nianru’s head to distance her from his chest.

"You mustn’t—" Zheng Congyuan clenched his teeth, then saw the girl’s gaze drop and noticed the exposed half of his chest. Immediately, he let go of Zheng Nianru and awkwardly pulled at his clothes.

Zheng Nianru suddenly laughed aloud, not hysterically but with a soft giggle, as air rushed through her nose and tears rolled down, drip by drip, shimmering as they slid.

Zheng Congyuan’s heart suddenly wasn’t his own anymore; he stood frozen in place.

Zheng Nianru slowly leaned over, once again resting against the man’s chest without using any strength, yet as if she had used all she had, hanging onto Zheng Congyuan’s chest, her tears scorching, burning the skin there.

"Brother, if there is a next life, I don’t want to be your sister," Zheng Nianru said slowly, closing her eyes. But she was already in the next life, and she was still this same person; so, she was desperate. The heavens still continued to toy with her life.

Zheng Nianru didn’t know what the future held; the events of her past life and the trajectory of this one were beginning to diverge right here. She didn’t know what would come next.

Zheng Congyuan’s hands drooped lifelessly, defeated as if a balloon had been deflated. If there were a next life, he...

The night grew quiet, Nanny Yun’s nose tingled slightly, somewhat helplessly supporting her own body. Commandery Princess... Alas...