Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 342 - 327 Part 1

Chapter 342: Chapter 327 Part 1

Empress Xiao fell silent upon hearing the words. She didn’t entirely disbelieve the prediction of Master Yu Sheng, that the Nanzheng Imperial Clan would be annihilated by a ghoul-like beast from Ghoul Ravine. It sounded like a joke; the Nanzheng State hadn’t even reached its centennial, yet Master Huo Yi had prophesied that the Nanzheng Imperial Clan would thrive for six hundred years.

"Fu Xun, about last night..." Although Empress Xiao thought this way, she still asked with some concern.

"Mother, please be assured, there is no major issue in the Imperial City for now, but at the Northwest Border, the people of Ghoul Ravine appear restless, as if they are plotting something significant," Zheng Congyuan spoke.

Empress Xiao nodded, trusting in Zheng Congyuan’s judgment. If there were indeed danger, no one other than Zheng Congyuan could save the Nanzheng State.

"Very well, since there is no harm, I won’t inquire about the specifics of what you’ve done. However, about Miss Xia from the Jiumu Family, what do you think?" Empress Xiao suddenly asked, considering Zheng Congyuan’s offspring more important than these matters.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Congyuan immediately understood the implications of her words.

"Mother, I have other arrangements regarding Miss Xia. The matter of the Northwest Border is currently more pressing."

Upon hearing this, Empress Xiao did not press further. She was not in a rush, and it could wait until the situation at the Northwest Border was resolved. She had not yet seen a woman who could enter Zheng Congyuan’s front courtyard.

Empress Xiao, without further ado, asked all she wanted and then left with her entourage.

Nanny Jin carefully helped Empress Xiao into the carriage.

"Jin Fang, what do you think of that young girl?" Empress Xiao’s thoughts lingered on Xia Zhiqian, wondering why she had never seen this girl at the palace banquets. Given that the Jiumu Xia Family are now key ministers, they should be attending.

"Empress, if I may be so bold, Miss Xia of the Xia Family has a calm temperament and is a good girl," Nanny Jin said with a smile. "Empress, there is no need to trouble the Crown Prince over such a trivial matter. When you have the time, summon Lady Xia to the palace and inquire about Madam Xia’s intentions; you needn’t disclose everything. How could the Xia Family not be grateful and reciprocate?"

Empress Xiao nodded.

...

As soon as Zheng Congyuan and his people left, his body swayed slightly, and Qi Ling’s face changed abruptly as he quickly supported his master.

"Your Highness, you have not rested all night; you should rest now," he said.

Zheng Congyuan breathed steadily, slowed down, and nodded.

Steward Hu rushed over hastily, while Qi Ling had just come out from the study, indicating that the Princely Heir had gone to sleep.

Steward Hu followed him.

"Steward Hu, I have prepared something for the Commandery Princess, to be sent openly by Qi Yu. As for His Highness..."

"Steward Hu, you always think everything through," Qi Ling said immediately. "But since His Highness has just gone to sleep after being up all night, if there’s anything else, someone else could make the trip."

Steward Hu nodded. Indeed, dealing with people from the Empress’s side could be troublesome. An unexpected incident had already occurred, and another one might make the Empress suspicious.

However, the girl named Yue Ke was an unexpected factor for Steward Hu. She kept a low profile, and had it not been for his vigilance, he almost wouldn’t have noticed her means of sending messages into the palace. Yet, discovering her didn’t solve much, after all, she was one of the Empress’s people.

This was one thing, but the long-term implications for the Crown Prince were likely to expose more issues. However, another matter was even more pressing— the choice of the Crown Princess Consort had already been determined as Miss Nanmen from the Nanmen Aristocratic Family.

Although the Crown Prince did not prioritize the choice of the Crown Princess Consort, the Empress seemed to have made up her mind about that person. As for what would happen at the Crown Prince’s Mansion thereafter...

This Miss Nanmen from the Nanmen Aristocratic Family, if she truly became the Crown Princess Consort, this Miss Nanmen, Steward Hu had quietly inquired about her and found her to be quite capable. If the Crown Prince still insisted on this path, the risk of exposure would only increase.

Steward Hu shook his head as he thought, regarding the road ahead, they could only take one step at a time.

Wen Zan was hurriedly summoned to the palace; just as he stepped into Chenhe Hall, he hadn’t expected that Noble Consort Wen was also present.

Noble Consort Wen was naturally there, not just present but she had also lashed out at all the servants in the hall, some were beaten, others scolded.

Seeing this, Wen Zan, as if greasing the soles of his shoes, was ready to slip away when Noble Consort Wen already spotted him.

Wen Zan, trembling, realized he could not escape and had to turn around, walking towards Noble Consort Wen, who was seated in the principal seat, with a grin plastered on his face.

"Greetings to Noble Consort," Wen Zan respectfully performed a courtesy. The Fourth Prince was really trying to kill him.

"Wen Zan, what brings you here!" Noble Consort Wen had vented her anger on the servants, and now a bit of her anger had subsided; she hadn’t returned all night and only realized this morning that the servants in Chenhe Hall were virtually lawless.

Upon hearing this, Wen Zan immediately knelt down and glanced at Zheng Haoyuan, wanting him to give a clear signal, what was he here for; Wen Zan dared not respond. He knew something about last night’s events, and by the time he rushed back, he heard that the Commandery Princess had already been found.

But crucially, Wen Zan didn’t know how much the Noble Consort knew.

"Reporting to Noble Consort, your nephew was worried about the Fourth Prince, so he came early to check on him." Wen Zan’s words were ambiguously hopeful, hoping they wouldn’t be exposed.

Zheng Haoyuan gave Wen Zan a look, speaking more cautiously.

"Worried? So, you knew that Fu Gong did not return last night, were you with him?" Noble Consort Wen frowned and asked. After all, he was her nephew, and although Wen Zan lacked grand aspirations, he had a rare good temper and was also very articulate on a daily basis.

Upon hearing this, Wen Zan realized in his heart that the Noble Consort might not be aware of the details.

"Your Highness, don’t worry, the Fourth Prince did nothing wrong. I was there last night, the Crown Prince was there too, as well as Duke of Qing, and my father too," Wen Zan said immediately.

Noble Consort Wen thought, since that was the case, why didn’t Fu Gong say it himself?

Zheng Haoyuan immediately shot a warning glance, be careful, don’t mention Princess Chao Ren.

Wen Zan didn’t know how to continue, but he knew that Noble Consort Wen disliked Princess Chao Ren. He was aware of yesterday’s events; Zheng Haoyuan went to Golden Spirit Mountain to set up a hunting ground which he had also participated in. If it weren’t for Duke Wen Kang assigning him tasks, he would have gone as well.

So, all night they searched for someone. Although Duke Wen Kang didn’t know what they were searching for, Wen Zan had a vague guess that something must have gone wrong.

But fortunately, his father didn’t know.

Wen Zan immediately had an idea.

"Noble Consort, the Fourth Prince didn’t tell you because the Crown Prince didn’t want the matter to spread." Wen Zan said, looking at the servants around him, hesitating.

Noble Consort Wen, having heard this, trusted her nephew more than others, waved her hand, and all the servants exited. The servants of Chenhe Hall also breathed a sigh of relief as they quietly withdrew.

"What exactly happened?"

"I’m not entirely sure about the specifics. Yesterday, I and the Fourth Prince helped the Crown Prince greatly, even the Crown Prince thanked the Fourth Prince. But as to the specific circumstances, I’m not sure; I roughly guess it’s related to those Ghost Shadows who sneaked into the Imperial City."

Zheng Haoyuan frowned, wondering what nonsense he was talking about now.