Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 32: The Fox

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: The Fox

"Commandery Princess, I’ve seen it—the mountain on the western side of the Traveling Palace has a very tall waterfall, and even more splendid is the hexagonal pavilion next to it. The stream by the pavilion flows continuously into the mountain ravine. Standing in that pavilion, one could surely see the entirety of Zheng Capital City," Xue Liu said, her voice filled with longing.

Having grown up in Qishun Building, the farthest they had ever walked was the path from Qishun Building to the Crown Prince’s Mansion, with moss spreading across the ground, the palace walls on either side dark and aged, and the study front of the Crown Prince’s Mansion was particularly strict—the most they usually saw were the overly well-cared-for few flowers and plants within Qishun Building.

"I think it looks very good too," Zheng Nianru nodded. Later, when she went out, she was surrounded by attendants, and at every place, she was shielded by yellow curtains, rarely seeing such natural scenery.

Xing Yu somehow obtained a wild chicken, and Nanny Yun was busily preparing it. Although they still couldn’t go out, the guards from Noble Consort Wen were much more relaxed than those in the Imperial Palace, and their secluded residence naturally attracted little attention.

Xing Yu, following the walls of the Traveling Palace, chased a shiny, bright red wild fox that had come down from the mountain—it was extremely beautiful.

The fox darted into the compound of the Traveling Palace, and under Xing Yu’s pursuit, slowly made its way toward the courtyard where Zheng Nianru was. Xing Yu skillfully neither hurried nor slowed, neither allowing the fox to panic and leap over the wall nor dash haphazardly into other courtyards.

"Xue Liu, close the courtyard gate—," Xing Yu shouted, her not-so-tall figure awkward but very agile.

Xue Liu, quick as lightning, immediately closed the gate, and Xing Yu slipped inside from outside the main gate.

The wild fox, seeing so many people suddenly, panicked. It overturned the pot of hot water Nanny Yun had prepared for scalding the chicken.

"My water, you two little rascals, be careful not to frighten the mistress," Nanny Yun scolded, hurriedly grabbing the wild chicken with one hand and fetching water with a bucket in the other.

Fu Dong and Nian Xia immediately looked for something to help catch the wild fox.

"Xing Yu, this fox is really beautiful. The Commandery Princess was just thinking about wanting a nice fur collar," Nian Xia joyfully watched the red fox bounding around the yard, truly beautiful.

Zheng Nianru lay on a chaise lounge, which was specially thickened, comfortable and soft, making one not want to get up.

"Xing Yu, hurry, catch it," Fu Dong and Nian Xia cornered the red fox. Just as Xing Yu was about to pounce, the red fox suddenly turned and headed straight for Nian Xia.

Nian Xia screamed as the wild fox jumped onto her shoulder and scurried up onto the roof, before quickly leaping onto the surrounding wall.

Xing Yu closely followed it onto the roof and then flew directly over the wall, chasing the wild fox.

"Xing Yu, be careful."

But the fox was nowhere to be seen, and by then, Zheng Nianru had also stood up, watching above the roof as Xing Yu, somewhat disappointed, came down from the roof.

"Xing Yu, didn’t catch it?"

"What a pity, such a beautiful fox."

The wild fox, in its panic, had dashed frantically, leaping over two courtyard walls. Suddenly, it fell onto a young boy’s shoulder. The wild fox tried to flee, but suddenly, it let out two miserable cries. Its bright red fur instantly turned charred and withered. The next moment, it fell from the young boy’s shoulder to the ground, twitched twice, and lay motionless.

The young boy didn’t stop his steps or even glance at the fox on the ground. A black hood covered his entire head, with only an indistinct face visible within the dark shadow.

In the young boy’s hand was a cloth bag, from which something occasionally wriggled, as if trying to escape at any moment.

...

Old Master Wen Kang had searched long and hard for a particular poisonous snake from Nanyu, its venom sealing the throat and causing death within five steps.

Ever since he was saved by the mysterious Master Yin He, the Second Prince needed an alarming number of these venomous creatures daily. The Wen Family almost exhausted half of their resources to acquire these things.

The snake was also something the Noble Consort had mentioned countless times, captured only after immense hardship.

Wen Zan, carrying a carefully prepared gift, was nervous. Although the snake was small and secured in a custom-made wooden box, which was quite sturdy, the snake had once escaped mid-journey, killing four or five guards. Wen Zan had seen firsthand the tragic state of the guards, their bodies blue and purple, eventually dissolving into a pool of pus and blood.

Wen Zan wished he could reach the Second Prince’s courtyard immediately, but as he followed Eunuch Kang Ning further and further, his back was drenched in sweat, and yet they still hadn’t arrived.

"The Second Prince enjoys tranquility, hence he resides somewhat remotely," Eunuch Kang Ning explained as they walked. "Though the Second Prince is unwell, young people always enjoy the company of their peers. Young Master Wen, your frequent visits surely delight him." Especially since the snake was indeed hard to obtain; even the Imperial Forest Guard had returned empty-handed after several attempts, which shows the efforts Old Master Wen Kang took.

"Eunuch, does the Second Prince live this far?" Wen Zan looked around. Was this what one called a bit far? A bit further and they would have left the Traveling Palace. Wen Zan’s hand was getting sore from carrying the box, but finally, Eunuch Kang Ning stopped in front of a courtyard.

"Young Master Wen, we’ve arrived," Eunuch Kang Ning said as he pushed open the door. Covered by pavilions and trees, only a small path was visible, the ground covered with moss. Wen Zan became suspicious—could people actually live here, seeing not even a single guard?

"Second Prince!" Eunuch Kang Ning called out loudly, and though there was no answer, he proceeded inside as if he had received a response.

"Hey, hey, hey, Eunuch Kang!" Wen Zan hurriedly followed. The place felt eerily chilling, even more so than the Imperial Palace, with no houses in sight.

At last, Wen Zan saw the house, also hidden under the shade of tall trees, with its door tightly closed. Eunuch Kang Ning was already walking inside; wasn’t Wen Zan supposed to pull him back to wait for an announcement?

"Young Master Wen, please."

Wen Zan hesitated, go in? Really go in? Are you sure there’s someone inside?

"Second Prince," Wen Zan asked in a hushed tone, tiptoeing and peering inside. The inside was obscured by gray-white gauze, with the light drapes moving slightly in the sunlight, disorganized and dappled. All he could hear was the rustling of tree leaves outside the window.

Wen Zan, feeling like a thief, dared not even breathe heavily. No, Eunuch Kang, are you sure there’s someone here?

Eunuch Kang Ning also looked puzzled. Although things had been strange at the palace, they had at least seen the Second Prince before.

"Eunuch Kang, it seems... there’s no one..." Wen Zan whispered, tugging at Eunuch Kang Ning’s clothes. Despite it not being dark inside, there was a persistent chill.

"Shall we go back then?" Eunuch Kang Ning was no longer calm; ever since that mysterious mage had been with the Second Prince, he felt fearful with each visit.

"Mhm." Wen Zan nodded in agreement, turning around decisively.

But just as the two turned, a dark figure suddenly appeared behind them, ghost-like. Wen Zan screamed, stumbled backward, and pulled Eunuch Kang Ning down with him.

They crashed to the floor, furniture and all.

"Snake—" Wen Zan remembered how precious the snake was. Just as he was about to check on it, he saw the dark figure rush towards his snake even faster than him.

"Ghost—" Wen Zan screamed, and the next moment, he was kicked out.

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