Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 262 Second Update

Chapter 262: Chapter 262 Second Update

Moments later, Song Gao decisively stepped forward, took the talisman from Elder Can’s hand, knowing that Zong Yunqian must be killed. As for what the other party intended to gain from them, he couldn’t worry about that now. Besides, the two of them had nothing valuable to offer with their insignificant lives.

"Thank you," Song Gao said, immediately clasping his fist in gratitude the next moment.

After seeing the matter settled, Yin He turned and left. Elder Can had wished to show off a bit in front of the Young Master, but it was clear that the latter had no interest in it.

"You two wait here and don’t act recklessly," he said and then immediately went after the youth who had already departed.

When the outside noises ceased, Song Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, placing the item in his hands on the table, and looked at his arm that had narrowly escaped harm. Now, even the pain was slowly fading away.

Song Gao stared at the dark night sky outside the house. Whatever the identities of those two were, he and Song Yuan didn’t dare to inquire. But since their goal was Zong Yunqian, even if it meant becoming allies and possibly being silenced later, Song Gao thought that as long as Zong Yunqian was killed, he would die without regrets.

...

The streets of Zheng Capital were adorned with red lanterns and the trees alongside the official roads were also draped with celebratory red silk. Although it had only been three months since the Second Prince’s death, he was not the Crown Prince, and the fact that he had lived for so many years was already a miracle in people’s hearts. Therefore, Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s birthday celebration this year was even more lively than previous ones.

Emperor Jingzhi’s condition had unexpectedly improved day by day; he was clear-headed for increasingly longer periods, even able to sit up and eat more.

At this critical juncture, Prince Duan obtained the recipe for an elixir meant for the emperor’s recovery. In saving Emperor Jingzhi, Prince Duan spared no effort. Perhaps feeling remorse for his rash actions that once severely injured the emperor, Prince Duan practically sent out every person from the Prince’s Mansion to look for various remedies and recipes for Immortal Pills.

Empress Dowager Yan Ping was touched by this and also relieved that after so many years, even though that incident had left troubles, fate still toyed with people in its own way. But since it was all in the past, the hurdle that lay heavy on her heart was about to be married off, and the relationship between her and her son had truly advanced a significant step.

Therefore, on the second day after Prince Duan brought the elixir to the palace, Empress Dowager Yan Ping summoned him to the palace.

On ordinary days, Prince Duan could not enter the palace without being summoned. Considering that Nian Ru’s departure from the palace was not far away, after some thought, he asked Housekeeper He to personally fetch the brocade quilt cover that Nian Ru had sent.

"Mother, since the arrival of autumn, the weather has gradually cooled. I specially selected a quilt cover for you. You should have someone make a quilt soon. It is also a token of my filial piety." The embroidered pattern on the cover was exceptional, and Prince Duan knew that though Nian Ru lacked other skills, she was diligent in this craft.

"You’re considerate. Let me see. The embroidery is indeed exquisite. Look at these stitches; they’re even better than those in the palace," said Empress Dowager Yan Ping, clearly pleased and aware of the source of the gift. She offered rare praise.

"Nanny Du, take this now and make a thin quilt out of it. I was just saying how using those heavy winter quilts feels premature now, and the summer quilts seem too thin," she instructed.

Nanny Du smiled as she took the item away.

"Mother, your enjoyment is my blessing," said Prince Duan, his smile becoming more genuine at her response. Memories of his youth flooded back to him. "Mother, on my way here, I noticed that the crabapple tree outside Xingqing Hall has grown quite a bit. I remember when I was a child, I would often climb up that tree.

"Yes, that crabapple tree has thickened considerably," the Empress Dowager commented, touched. She glanced at her son, whose face now bore traces of age, and felt a sudden surge of sentiment. Without discussing whether what happened in the past was right or wrong, she thought, after all these years, the lesson had been sufficient.

Moreover, she knew the strength of the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family, they were certainly capable of properly raising a Commandery Princess. Especially the Old Madam of the Zong Sheng Residence, a rare figure of astuteness and competency, Empress Dowager Yan Ping naturally wasn’t worried about any further chaos.

So now, allowing Zheng Nianru to return to Prince Duan’s Mansion earlier would also fulfill the many years of mother-son affection.

"Boding ah, after so many years, Nianru is betrothed, and while there’s still time before her marriage, let her return to your side, to properly continue this father-daughter bond."

Prince Duan was stunned, wasn’t it said that it would be after the birthday celebration? His mansion wasn’t ready yet?

But these were not issues at all, Prince Duan was so overjoyed that he couldn’t even speak. He originally thought that the Empress Dowager’s excuse of postponing until after the birthday celebration was just an excuse, and actually allowing Nianru to return might take a while longer, until the Zong Sheng Residence had exchanged the marriage documents and sent the betrothal gifts, with the wedding formally placed on the agenda. Only then could Nianru come back.

"Mother—"

"What? Are you so happy you’ve become silly? I, your mother, am old now, I can no longer take care of Nianru. Have them prepare and you will come to take her back tomorrow morning." Empress Dowager Yan Ping waved her hands, letting Zheng Nianru return from the Prince’s Mansion to enter the palace for the birthday celebration bore a different significance for Prince Duan. Furthermore, the birthday was just in a couple of days, and this matter naturally could not be delayed. Besides, there wasn’t much to tidy up in Qishun Building anyway.

"Yes, yes, thank you, Mother." Prince Duan immediately knelt excitedly and kowtowed several times. As he stood up to leave, he genuinely wanted to accompany Empress Dowager Yan Ping for a while longer, his hesitant attitude resembling an anxious child, which actually made Empress Dowager Yan Ping laugh.

"You should quickly return and make preparations; I will have the nannies help them pack." Empress Dowager Yan Ping said, and Prince Duan paused. In the end, he did not ask to take Zheng Nianru with him immediately. He didn’t want to let Empress Dowager Yan Ping think he doubted her during such a happy moment.

"Mother has thought everything through, I will go back and make preparations right away." Prince Duan would’ve loved to take Zheng Nianru with him right then, but had to say so instead.

...

But Prince Duan was not a fool. The next day, before dawn, he prepared to personally lead a group with horse carriages and wait outside the South Gate. Whether or not to move those belongings was irrelevant; the priority was to take the person back first, and once that was done, everything would be settled.

However, that morning, just as Prince Duan exited his gate, he saw Zong Yunqian standing outside the gate.

"Prince, my mother asked me to accompany you to bring the Commandery Princess back to the mansion." The Zong Sheng Residence was originally adjacent to Prince Duan’s Mansion. There had been quite a commotion in the Prince’s mansion the previous night, which lasted until midnight, and when people from the Zong Sheng Residence came to inquire, it was revealed to be good news, so the house servants of Prince Duan’s Mansion did not keep it a secret.

Therefore, in the early morning, Zong Yunqian was called up by Eldest Madam Zong to personally accompany Prince Duan for the pickup. Although Eldest Madam Zong was dissatisfied with the marriage arrangement, considering that the Commandery Princess had saved her son’s life and due to the previous turmoil, she felt somewhat indebted to Prince Duan’s Mansion.

Thinking that the matter was settled and that life had to go on, she decided to take action.

Prince Duan nodded with some emotion upon hearing this, thinking that his daughter would have another person who cherished her and that so far, Zong Yunqian had been doing quite well.

"It’s kind of you to be so considerate." Prince Duan patted Zong Yunqian’s shoulder and stepped out of the gate.