Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 297: One More

Chapter 297: Chapter 297: One More

Wen Ling was snapped back to reality and immediately surprised by his own lapse in composure. He quickly averted his gaze, not daring to look again, as if the girl before him emitted a blinding light that seemed to absorb his soul upon contact.

"Brother——" the lady from the Wen Family called out again, clinging tightly to her own brother’s sleeve.

At this moment, the other ladies from prominent families also glared at Zheng Nianru, their enmity deepening further because of the dazzling appearance of the girl standing before them.

Two of the ladies from prominent families suddenly realized who the girl standing before them was and guiltily glanced around. Just now, it seemed that they had been discussing Princess Chao Ren, which had caused the plate to be thrown.

"Why are you still standing there, seize her——" the lady from the Wen Family urged anxiously. She wasn’t afraid; her brother was now with the Imperial Forest Guard, and who didn’t give face to the Wen Family.

Wen Ling and Wen Ying were distant relatives from a collateral branch of the Wen Family. Thanks to their mother, who was extremely adept at socializing, they were mingling amongst the various Wen relatives all year round and had become familiar faces, managing to secure a good future for her own son. Wen Ling was originally a person with a sinister and ruthless nature, who had relied on his means to achieve the position of Captain of the Imperial Forest Guard.

Upon seeing Zheng Nianru, Wen Ling conceived a different kind of thought, a wildly growing desire to possess her completely, like a craving for power. This unprecedented desire to possess was more rampant than for power, instantly overtaking all his thoughts. He nearly wished that in the next moment, the girl before him would live only for him.

"In that case, miss, please come with us——" said Wen Ling, without betraying any emotion. Now was not the right time, at least not until he knew more about this girl. If she was just a lady from a small aristocratic family, then things would be relatively easy to handle. If she had a significant background, then he would have to wait for the right opportunity. In any case, he couldn’t let anyone catch on at this moment.

The other guards of the Imperial Forest Guard showed a flicker of surprise upon hearing his words. Although they could intervene in this matter, strictly speaking, it was ultimately the business of the Governor of Zheng Capital. However, given that Captain Wen’s own sister was involved, and considering his deep affection for his sister, it was possible that he intended to scare the other party.

In the courtyard nearby, the Senior Nanny was also taken aback and anxiously looked towards her mistress. This wouldn’t do; Princess Chao Ren was meant to be the future Crown Prince’s wife of the Zong Sheng Residence, so she couldn’t simply be taken away by the people from the Imperial Forest Guard.

Zheng Nianru raised an eyebrow. After she became Empress Dowager, the guards from the Imperial Forest Guard who hadn’t died or dispersed were all capitulated to her authority and had never been reused until her death. Now it seemed this unruly behavior of the Imperial Forest Guard explained their later fate.

"Eldest Madam——" the Senior Nanny panicked. If this situation escalated, it wouldn’t look good for anyone.

But Eldest Madam Zong had made up her mind, and this might be good. With such a fuss, there might be a turnaround in the situation, especially since Yunqian was alive and well, and the marriage arrangement...

Second Madam Geng immediately understood Eldest Madam Zong’s intentions, grabbed her hand, and nodded.

"That’s right, teach her a lesson," Second Madam Geng said, and seeing this, the Senior Nanny knew there was no point in saying anything further.

"What if I don’t go?" Zheng Nianru asked indifferently. She wasn’t sounding particularly excited or displeased – she was just thinking that if Yin He acted, the movement would be insufficiently grand and unspectacular, lacking the power to intimidate, and those who would later speak of her wouldn’t know the word ’fear’.

If it were Xing Yu who acted, she feared that Xing Yu’s lack of practical combat experience might not be enough against the people of the Imperial Forest Guard and a single person might struggle to cope.

Wen Ling’s eyes narrowed slightly, sensing that the girl before him was not so simple. Before he could act, Zheng Nianru already glanced at Yin He.

"Yin He, leave these men to you," said Zheng Nianru. Yin He had been waiting for these words. Taking a step forward, Wen Ling had yet to sense the impending danger and prepare himself when suddenly, it seemed something felt off.

The next moment, the man immediately felt that apart from his eyeballs which could still move, nothing else on his body could. Fear spread like a wildfire from his consciousness to every cell of his body.

Xing Yu stepped forward and looked at the ladies from the prominent families in front of her. Miss Wen had not yet come to her senses, and as she saw Xing Yu approaching, she pointed at her.

"You dare to—" She couldn’t finish her sentence before Xing Yu reached out and grabbed Miss Wen’s shoulder. With a swing of her hand, Miss Wen was flung away like a tossed cat, crashing into the neighboring gate.

With a clang, the gate was smashed open.

"Ah—ah—" Miss Wen’s screams filled the air as she rolled inside and got up, "Brother, brother, she hit me—"

But the Imperial Forest Guard stood motionlessly in the field, eerily still like a stone statue. This uncanniness quickly permeated the atmosphere, and the ladies realized that something was amiss. They collectively stepped back, wary of Zheng Nianru’s guard, Yin He, and Xing Yu.

Eldest Madam Zong also noticed the strange state of the Imperial Forest Guard, while Xing Yu already moved towards the second woman.

"What did you say about our Commandery Princess just now?" asked Xing Yu. The woman in question turned deathly pale and instinctively shook her head, her body uncontrollably retreating.

Xing Yu walked towards the woman with a smile brimming with meaning. At this point, more onlookers had gathered in the courtyard. Nanny Yun noticed this and felt it was not good; it might be better to resolve everything at once for simplicity.

Eldest Madam Zong frowned upon hearing this. She had originally thought that Princess Chao Ren would be at a disadvantage, but now the situation had already spiraled beyond her expectations. She wasn’t thinking about how to manage the aftermath, but rather how to control the current situation.

Second Madam Geng was stunned. Miss Wen was still near her feet, and everything made her feel a chilling sensation, as if she had seen a ghost.

"Third younger sister, continuing this commotion will probably tarnish the reputation of the Zong Sheng Residence."

Senior Nanny nodded in agreement upon hearing Second Madam Geng’s words, and Eldest Madam Zong immediately stood up. Just as Xing Yu was about to grab another young lady’s shoulder, Eldest Madam Zong suddenly stepped forward.

"You, don’t come any closer—" The girl stepped back, already screaming.

"Hold on—" Eldest Madam Zong frowned. She was naturally upset with the people framing Yunqian, but if the disturbance continued, it would indeed damage the reputation of the Zong Sheng Residence.

Nanny Yun was startled and her complexion turned pale. Why was Eldest Madam Zong here?

Eldest Madam Zong had already looked at Zheng Nianru, and seeing the girl standing there calmly with the Imperial Forest Guard motionless in front like eerily strange stone sculptures, she thoughtfully glanced at Yin He who was by Zheng Nianru’s side.

Yunqian was from Qiandao Temple, so Eldest Madam Zong naturally knew a bit more about spells than the average person. So was it this young man who had acted?

Therefore, does Princess Chao Ren also understand spells?