Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 243: One More

Chapter 243: Chapter 243: One More

Xia Zhiqian listlessly looked around. To her, the Jiumu Aristocratic Clan was barely worth mentioning. Even though her own brother was exceptionally outstanding, their family had been declining for many years, leaving behind only widows and orphans, a sight of weakness.

Thus, Xia Zhiqian could only indulge in looking at flowers as well.

The topic of conversation in front seemed endless, like a show that would never drop its curtain. Tang Wei, the eldest daughter of the Tang Family of Wuxing, initially did not wish to partake in such boring discussions, but it was a gathering of ladies from prominent families, all of whom came from notable backgrounds.

"Ladies and sisters, thanks to the grace of the Empress Dowager today, we are able to see so many precious flowers. Let us focus on enjoying the flowers," Tang Wei said with a smile, trying to steer the topic away as she led everyone to admire the garden filled with vibrant flowers and willows.

The other noble ladies looked oddly at Tang Wei. They were not interested in watching flowers—what was so enjoyable about looking at some plants compared to juicy gossip?

"No wonder things were handled so hastily?" Princess Helin held back a surge of anger and sneered, "To discuss marriage matters when she is so gravely ill, it’s simply ludicrous."

"Exactly, even for us noble ladies, the engagement and wedding preparations take at least half a year, not to mention the elaborate proposal and dowry processes, let alone for a Commandery Princess. It’s even below the standard of commoners."

This was met with another round of laughter and cheer.

The Noble Ladies sitting in the main seats only heard the sounds of cheerful laughter.

"Empress Dowager, look at them; they are just young kids. Once they start chatting, they become more familiar and laugh so joyfully," said Eldest Lady Zhang with a smile.

Old Lady Zong had not arrived yet, so she was the most qualified to speak here.

Lady Zou smiled silently and glanced in the direction of Qixiang Palace.

"Lady Zou, just relax. With Noble Consort Wen leading, what could possibly go wrong?" Empress Dowager Yan Ping was in a relatively good mood today, having received a delicately designed waist fan from Prince Duan in the morning, and her brother’s illness had also stabilized recently, allowing him to take medicinal soups and enjoy longer periods of lucidity.

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty. I am just worried about brief exposure to the world for Nanmen Yuyan, troubling the empress’s tranquility," Lady Zou said as she stood up and personally served Empress Dowager Yan Ping a dish of desserts with a smile.

"It’s thoughtful of you to remember the Empress. Yuyan is indeed a child who gives one peace of mind." However, despite being the Empress Dowager, she still needed the approval of Emperor Jingzhi and Empress Xiao for this matter.

Nanmen Yuyan was already approaching from a corner of the garden, her skirt lightly fluttering, her pace neither too slow nor too hurried, both agile and steady, each step demonstrating the grace of an aristocrat.

Xia Zhiqian listlessly shuffled her feet, captivated by a brightly blooming purple cone chrysanthemum nearby. At this time of year, these chrysanthemums should not be in bloom, and their color and shape were also different from the usual, making it evident they were a new variety from the greenhouse.

Xia Zhiqian subconsciously shifted her steps and accidentally bumped into someone. Nian Xia moved to the side to give space, finding this noble lady quite amusing—everyone watched as the lady moved step by step towards them, her eyes seemingly glued only to the flowers.

"Oh, my apologies—" Xia Zhiqian had bumped into someone without seeing clearly who it was and began speaking. The young female servant accompanying her also responded meekly, showing no slightest intention of defending her mistress.

Zheng Nianru had already seen the newcomer, dressed in unremarkable clothes that were even somewhat casual—clothes she would never wear herself. Yet this woman, along her way, had ignored the conversations and was solely focused on admiring the flowers in the garden.

Indeed, from this spot, although faces were not visible across the large circular flowerbed, their voices carried over clearly and audibly.

Xia Zhiqian only then noticed the person she had bumped into. With just one glance, the exceptionally outstanding appearance made it hard for her not to notice, making even the surrounding flowers seem dull. Xia Zhiqian wondered inwardly, who was this young lady? Why had she never seen her before, yet she had met so few ladies from prominent families.

Xia Zhiqian looked down, feeling somewhat shy and inexplicably fond of the woman before her, although the nanny beside her looked somewhat fierce, and the female servant too. However, inexplicably, Xia Zhiqian felt that this lady from a prominent family was different from those people.

At least, she too was here seeking solitude.

"You also dislike the noise, so you’ve hid here?" Xia Zhiqian didn’t know why she started the conversation, she could have easily greeted her and then taken another path, and then continued on her own.

Zheng Nianru hadn’t expected the other person to speak, the noise at her ears continued intermittently, mixed with piercing laughter.

"Yes," Zheng Nianru confirmed, realizing that this lady did not recognize her, not knowing that she herself was the protagonist often spoken of.

Nanny Yun glanced at her own Commandery Princess, wanting to speak but held back. Normally, young girls would be in groups of three or two, discussing secrets, and even being born in the Art House, she had three or five good friends, especially close to Lady Ru. Nanny Yun could tell that the Commandery Princess did not dislike this lady.

Xia Zhiqian was amused by such candid words. Looking at Zheng Nianru, who was not much older than herself, and seeing she only had two female servants with her, she vaguely guessed that she was a lady from a prominent family with a background similar to her own.

Zheng Nianru sensed the other’s goodwill, and it seemed that in her age, she didn’t have such memories, instead finding it somewhat amusing.

"Are you waiting for Old Lady Zong?" Xia Zhiqian faintly heard the outside discussions about the Commandery Princess and the long-awaited Old Lady Zong.

"What do you think about this flower?" Zheng Nianru asked uninterestedly but looked down at the flower in front of her. Xia Zhiqian was also drawn in, indeed it was a fine flower, carefully cultivated for the enjoyment of the noble, every bit of it exuding the scent of money, but so many flowers together somewhat lost focus, indeed a bit of a waste.

"If this flower were growing in cliff gaps, amongst green moss and lush greenery, it would certainly be more captivating," Xia Zhiqian said.

Zheng Nianru was slightly surprised and unexpectedly looked at the woman before her. She had never seen such scenes, the flowers Zheng Nianru observed were all carefully maintained in flower rooms. But, these few words evoked a sense of imagery and, after thinking it through, Zheng Nianru slowly nodded.

"Indeed, not bad."

Just then, two or three ladies from prominent families, because it was too crowded ahead, turned around and decided to pick a cooler place and, upon turning, saw Zheng Nianru and Xia Zhiqian talking.

At first, they didn’t dare to recognize her; even a quick glimpse at Siyan Lake had left a deep impression on them. The Zheng Nianru they saw now was even more stunning, compellingly beautiful.

"Princess Chao Ren." One lady took the lead in speaking. Looking at the voice coming from the opposite side, they could hear what was being said and that address of Princess Chao Ren instantly quieted the scene.

Following that, everyone turned their gaze, watching Zheng Nianru who was just across the flower bed.

"Princess Chao Ren?" Xia Zhiqian looked at Zheng Nianru in shock, she, she didn’t expect...

Mainly because the things she heard were too calm, nothing at all like...

Princess Helin immediately looked at Zheng Nianru, surrounded by everyone’s gaze, knowing more than the others. Heir Zong’s twice ridiculous proposals were not entirely ridiculous since they had already met before.

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