Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 26: Not Embroidered by the Commandery Princess

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Not Embroidered by the Commandery Princess

"Ho Sheng," the young man opened his eyes, his dry lips like a fish without water, "I’m thirsty."

Ho Sheng was nearly moved to tears and quickly instructed the Little Eunuchs to pour water and fetch food.

"Your Highness, the Commandery Princess has been thinking of you and had someone send this secretly." Eunuch Ho Sheng waved his hand, and Shun Zi hurriedly came forward, holding the flower basket against his chest.

"Your Highness, you know the Commandery Princess can’t come out herself, so she had Maids send it secretly to Eunuch Shun Zi’s care," Eunuch Ho Sheng said deliberately with an air of mystery.

The young man was taken aback for a moment, indeed attracted by the overly beautiful basket of flowers, and he was somewhat stunned as this was the first time he had received something from her—it was a magical feeling that slowly welled up from his heart.

She never scorned him like his mother for liking those messy things, nor would she, like his sisters, scream at the sight of his treasures and refuse to take a step closer. Even if she didn’t like something, it was only the pets she disliked, not him, whom she would avoid from a distance.

Zheng Haoyuan moved his lips, wanting to say something, but instead he simply stretched out his hand, motioning Shun Zi to bring the things closer, the light in his eyes starting to change.

Eunuch Ho Sheng let out a sigh of relief, the Crown Prince seemed to have lightened up, everything was alright again, the skies were clear—yet why did he still feel a blockage of anxiety in his heart?

After dressing his injury with new medicine, having had his meal, Ho Sheng was preparing to send a proper gift to the Commandery Princess. This Commandery Princess, as odd as she seemed and just like the Crown Prince, was a kind-hearted child.

"Steward Ho, the Second Prince has sent a servant to bring something for the Fourth Prince." The eunuch who entered was donned in meticulously fine attire, a third-rank eunuch from the Second Prince’s service was already so well-dressed, but Eunuch Ho Sheng showed no displeasure, and hurriedly went down to greet him personally.

"Thank you for taking the trouble, Eunuch; it is really too much," Eunuch Ho Sheng said as he personally received the items, insisting the messenger stay.

"Thanks to the Second Prince for still keeping our Fourth Prince in his thoughts." The Second Prince had been ill since childhood, several times nearly not surviving at all, and almost all of the Noble Consort’s little bit of tenderness was given to the Second Prince, her attention centered on him. But this matter...

Eunuch Ho Sheng could only sigh inwardly.

"What is Steward Ho saying? The Second Prince has said that he will gradually persuade Her Highness," the eunuch spoke softly, very much like the Second Prince himself.

Eunuch Ho Sheng nodded gratefully and once again personally saw the man out.

"What did Second Brother send?" Zheng Haoyuan asked curiously, his eyes bright with intelligence and full of curiosity when not blinded by extreme bias and hysteria.

"Your Highness, I don’t know either, you will find out once you look at it," Eunuch Ho Sheng smiled with squinted eyes, affectionately looking at the youth before him.

Zheng Haoyuan hopped up excitedly and upon opening the box, he immediately exclaimed in delight.

Eunuch Ho Sheng approached and saw inside the small box a small red and white snake flicking its tongue, the entire snake no longer than half an arm, strikingly colorful.

"Ho Sheng, do you see? It’s even prettier than the Yellow Dragon," Zheng Haoyuan was genuinely happy; it was only Second Brother and his cousin who truly treated him well.

"Yes, yes," Eunuch Ho Sheng didn’t know what else to say; although this one was truly smaller, he still felt an indescribable unease.

The last Yellow Dragon had taken much pleading from the Fourth Prince before he got it from the Second Prince, who had a strange illness. Five years earlier, when he nearly didn’t make it, Master Huo Yi had brought in an exceptionally skilled Mage from outside, saving the Second Prince’s life. Since then, these venomous and evil creatures were never far from the Second Prince’s chambers. Perhaps the Second Prince had heard about the Yellow Dragon’s death and, fearing the Crown Prince would be heartbroken, sent the gift; or was he overthinking it?

...

"Cousin, I’ve brought something nice again." Zheng Haoyuan was once more running with the sunshine beaming brightly, while Eunuch Shun Zi followed with trepidation, knowing the Golden Ring Snake to be venomous. Even if this one was small, it was still poisonous, and if anything happened to the Crown Prince, his few heads wouldn’t be enough to take the fall.

"Fourth Prince, Fourth Prince, let this servant hold it for you." Didn’t Eunuch Ho Sheng instruct you? You’ve forgotten again?

Zheng Haoyuan actually listened and placed the snake down into Eunuch Shun Zi’s hands.

"Don’t kill it," Zheng Haoyuan still instructed with some unease.

Xing Yu had been waiting at the door early, which made Zheng Haoyuan even happier.

"Fourth Prince, what good thing have you brought this time?" Xing Yu, spoiled and overly familiar, asked. Zheng Haoyuan didn’t mind and secretly gestured to show Xing Yu.

Zheng Nianru was using vegetable leaves to tease the rabbits, with Fu Dong and Nian Xia bustling around them.

"Cousin, do you want to see my Golden Ring Snake?" Zheng Haoyuan approached and thought that his cousin smelled really nice. He sat down next to her and nestled his little cheek against Zheng Nianru’s arm, trying to please her.

Zheng Nianru didn’t move, allowing him to lean on her.

Her impression of Zheng Haoyuan was not extensive, having met him only a few times, but she had heard of his later absurd behaviors. As he grew increasingly cruel in his amusements, by the time she became the Empress Dowager, she had witnessed several of the infamous "scenes" left by the Fourth Prince.

Zheng Nianru thought that the Zheng Haoyuan of this time was far from that point; in just two or three short years, what exactly had happened?

It seemed as if nothing had happened. Zheng Nianru couldn’t remember anything, nor had she paid much attention.

"Fu Gong, I heard that in half a month’s time, there will be a ritual sacrifice held by Master Huo Yi?" The ritual sacrifice was a grand ceremony held yearly by Master Huo Yi for the prosperity of the Zheng Imperial Family’s national fortune. National ceremonies, criminal sacrifices, and alchemy with living subjects—none of these concerned Zheng Nianru. On that day, Master Huo Yi would make a personal appearance.

Zheng Nianru’s goal was Master Huo Yi because she hardly ever had the chance to meet Master Huo Yi otherwise.

In her previous life, a single word from Master Huo Yi had nearly cost her life. In this life, however, Zheng Nianru wanted to take a chance. Perhaps this was her only opportunity to leave the palace.

...

Inside the Crown Prince’s Mansion.

"Snap..." Qi Ling, holding official robes, had just entered when a garment was thrown out of the inner room, nearly hitting him on the head.

Qi Ling was startled and hastily picked it up, but upon recognizing the garment, he became puzzled.

Wasn’t this just made by the Commandery Princess...

The prince had seemed quite pleased when he saw it.

The next moment, Qi Ling corrected himself; it wasn’t made by the Commandery Princess. Although, the Commandery Princess certainly wouldn’t make such a tedious garment by hand—it’s bothersome and exhausting, and she wouldn’t be pleased. This garment had not been made in a short period; the Commandery Princess had previously spoken with enthusiasm about it, and the patterns were her own design.

Usually, after the Embroidery Girl finished the sewing, if the Commandery Princess was satisfied, she would add something with her own hands. Moreover, there weren’t any unique characters embroidered by the Commandery Princess herself underneath the sleeves, so it couldn’t be considered as made by the Commandery Princess at all.

Qi Ling immediately realized why his master had thrown it out and dared not say more. He took a set of the usual clothes worn in the past, which the Commandery Princess had embroidered the neckline of herself, and handed them over as well.

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