Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 286: Second Update

Chapter 286: Chapter 286: Second Update

Zheng Congyuan quickened his pace, hoping only to catch a glimpse of her at the palace gate, which might bring her a bit of peace upon seeing him.

Qi Ling and Qi Zhu dared not stop him, wishing only that the carriage at the palace gate would leave quickly; however, many officials had not yet reached the gate, dashing the hopes of Qi Ling and Qi Zhu.

Upon seeing Zheng Congyuan approaching, the officials immediately bowed and knelt. Zheng Congyuan strode past them without the slightest intention of stopping.

"Prince Duan—" Just as Zheng Boding mounted his carriage, preparing to leave, he heard someone calling him from behind and furrowed his brows with irritation. It better not be that Zong Yunqian again. It’s better for Nian Ru to stay away from Zong Yunqian until this matter is cleared up.

Therefore, except for a moment at Hanyuan Hall, Zheng Boding did not pause, not wanting to give Zong Yunqian a chance to catch up.

"Prince Duan, please wait—" Zheng Boding intended to ignore the call, but when Qi Ling spoke up again, the Prince immediately recognized the voice was neither Zong Yunqian’s nor that of Gu Dao or Xi Feng.

The next moment, Zheng Boding immediately climbed down from the carriage, stepping forward.

"Crown Prince—" The Prince was puzzled. Today was the Empress Dowager’s birthday, and by rights, he should have stayed in the palace with the Empress Dowager. However, during the banquet, Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s Momo came especially to tell him that the Empress Dowager was tired today and wished to rest early, so there was no need for him to visit again.

"Crown Prince, is it about the Empress Dowager?" Zheng Boding guessed correctly.

Zheng Congyuan stepped forward, his peripheral vision still catching sight of Zheng Nianru’s carriage right behind Prince Duan, the faint glimpse of a dress hem so familiar to him.

"Imperial Uncle, please rest assured about today’s events, I will certainly investigate thoroughly."

Prince Duan was momentarily startled. What event?

Seeing the Prince’s expression, Zheng Congyuan knew Nian Ru had not told Zheng Boding, causing a pang of pain in his heart. On one side was his father, and on the other his father’s mother; indeed, she would choose to remain silent, just like before.

"Today at Xingqing Hall, the Commandery Princess almost fell into the water, but thankfully, my people arrived in time."

Upon hearing this, Prince Duan’s step faltered, staggering backward, his complexion turning deathly pale. Damn, he thought, that Zong Yunqian is nothing good.

"What happened exactly?" Prince Duan steadied his mind. With the year drawing to a close, he felt it unlikely that Zong Yunqian, always in the former palace, was involved, given his chances were slim. So who could it be?

"Imperial Uncle, please be assured, I will find out and explain everything to you," Zheng Congyuan said, adding uneasily, "But from what we’ve seen so far, it seems to be closely related to the Zhang Family of Hejian."

Zheng Boding paused. The Zhang Family of Hejian? With no enmity, what were they after?

"Although I do not know the reason yet, Miss Tang and Princess Helin, who accompanied us, seem to be involved. Looking back at it all, it might have something to do with Heir Zong’s past relations with these two families..." Zheng Congyuan said indifferently.

Qi Ling and Qi Zhu bowed their heads at once, aware that Ju Nanyi had made a swift investigation—the Zhang Family of Hejian was the acting party, trying to frame Miss Tang. Yet, with the Crown Prince saying this...

"Crown Prince, Prince—" Zong Yunqian finally managed to escape his father’s intentions of introducing him to several daughters from aristocratic families and caught up with them.

Prince Duan got a lump in his throat, speaking of the devil and he shall appear—what now? With Congyuan’s words, Prince Duan had already begun to surmise something.

"Heir Zong—" Zheng Congyuan’s voice was flat, tinged with aloofness.

"Heir Zong, it’s getting late, and we’re about to return to the mansion," Prince Duan said unceremoniously.

"Prince, precisely, I’m worried about you and Nian Ru. Moreover, earlier today, the Commandery Princess’ carriage nearly had an accident, so I hurried over. Since we’re on the same path, let me escort you back to the mansion for peace of mind," Zong Yunqian said immediately.

Zheng Congyuan’s gaze fell upon Zong Yunqian for the first time, scrutinizing him.

Zheng Congyuan did not believe that Zong Yunqian was a man to judge by appearances alone, nor could he possibly adhere so firmly to that vacuous talk of birth charts.

Feeling uneasy under the scrutiny, Zong Yunqian found Zheng Congyuan unfathomable, wondering if he could spot a flaw in just a glance. Had he sensed something amiss with the marital arrangement?

"Thank you, Princely Heir, but we have many people with us, no need to worry. Wait a moment, you just mentioned, what accident?" Prince Duan wanted to decline Zong Yunqian’s offer outright.

Zong Yunqian was taken aback. He had indeed felt Prince Duan acting strangely these last few days, but was it because of that nighttime incident at Prince Duan’s Mansion? Was Prince Duan still holding a grudge?

The moment Zheng Nianru had arrived, she wanted to lift the curtain of the carriage but ultimately resisted. What difference would it make to look a little more or less? Seeing him would only make her more hesitant and undecided.

Zheng Congyuan also looked towards Zong Yunqian.

"Father, it was Princess Helin’s horse that got startled and nearly collided with your daughter," said Zheng Nianru as she spoke up.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Boding swayed, struggling to come to terms with the fact that his Nian Ru had faced danger twice in one day without his knowledge.

"Why didn’t you mention this earlier?" Without regard for anything else, Prince Duan immediately wanted to check on Zheng Nianru. "Are you injured anywhere?"

"Father, I’m fine. But the Heir Zong is right, maybe we should take your carriage back," suggested Zheng Nianru cautiously, for it is always better to be safe.

"Imperial Uncle, since that is the case, let my men escort you home," said Zheng Congyuan immediately, his brow slightly furrowed. Why hadn’t anyone reported to him about the morning’s event? Qi Ling and Qi Zhu immediately stepped forward, still immersed in the shock of a moment ago. What happened this morning? Another incident?

"Your Highness, I wouldn’t dare trouble you. It happens to be on my way, and I have plenty of guards with me. Besides, it is only natural for a junior to escort Prince and Commandery Princess," said Zong Yunqian as he stepped forward and grasped Zheng Nianru’s hand before she could step out of the carriage.

"Nian Ru, that’s right, isn’t it?" Zong Yunqian asked gently, looking at Zheng Nianru.

In that instant, Qi Ling and Qi Zhu immediately felt as if the air around them had frozen, and even Zheng Nianru, stepping out of the carriage, was startled by Zong Yunqian’s action.

It wasn’t so much that Zong Yunqian’s behavior was out of line; after all, their marriage agreement had been set, and in Nanzheng State, such conduct was not exactly improper. On the contrary, Zong Yunqian’s usual behavior was nothing if not modest and polite.

Yet at this moment, under these circumstances, Zheng Nianru was suddenly taken aback.

"Nian Ru, ride in my carriage—" Zong Yunqian, oblivious to anything amiss, believed this would alleviate the Crown Prince’s doubts.

Zheng Congyuan stood there, his gaze steady. Seeing this, Prince Duan could only suppress the urge to forcibly pull away Zong Yunqian’s hand.

"Then thank you, Princely Heir. It is getting late; let us be on our way—" Prince Duan wished nothing more than to send them off, planning to sternly instruct Nian Ru later to ensure this young man didn’t take any advantage.

"Princely Heir Zong, if you please—" Zheng Nianru withdrew her hand without a fuss, suddenly feeling a piercing gaze that left her heart in turmoil, despondent, as if she had fallen into an icy river.

"Crown Prince, I take my leave—" Prince Duan turned to leave, with the Crown Prince present, he couldn’t afford to lose his composure.

"Crown Prince, after you—" Zong Yunqian quickly turned and bowed.

Zheng Congyuan turned to leave almost without flaring his robe, Qi Ling and Qi Zhu hurried to follow suit, and at that moment, they all felt a surge of killing intent emanating from their prince.

That Zong Yunqian indeed deserved to die for... for...