Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 344 - 329: One More Update

Chapter 344: Chapter 329: One More Update

Wen Zan was usually easy-going, but today, on account of this troublesome matter, he was somewhat troubled and didn’t know what to do, while a woman was causing a commotion in front of him.

"Don’t rush, tell me first," Wen Zan still managed to speak patiently.

"Young Master Wen, you know Wen Ling, who worked for the Imperial Forest Guard. But yesterday, yesterday he died under unexplained circumstances," Lady Wen Kang said, bursting into tears as she spoke.

Wen Zan was stunned; he hadn’t heard about this, but he was familiar with Wen Ling, who often showed up at the Wen Residence.

"Wen Ling is dead? Who did it? Who would dare to touch someone from the Imperial Forest Guard?"

Wen Zan immediately thought of someone, the Fourth Prince? But the Fourth Prince had been much better than before, rarely engaging in violence, and recently, he had been focused on The Savage, because the Imperial Forest Guard had tamed him well, and his temperament had gradually improved.

"Young Master Wen, please have pity on Wen Ling and stand up for him," Lady Wen Kang immediately knelt down, kowtowing and crying.

Wen Zan frowned; this was really inappropriate in front of the Wen Residence. He had just thought about having someone lift her up to continue the conversation inside, when Lady Wen Kang, like exploding firecrackers, spilled everything she knew.

"Young Master Wen, Prince Duan has gone too far, just because my son slighted his daughter at the Riverfood Restaurant, he took my son’s life. Young Master Wen, Wen Ling was a descendant of the Wen Family after all; they’ve completely disregarded the Wen Family," Lady Wen Kang wailed, unaware that only by escalating the issue could the Wen Residence be forced to intervene for the sake of their reputation.

Upon hearing her words, Wen Zan’s expression changed dramatically; Prince Duan, what did this have to do with Prince Duan? And it was even connected to Princess Chao Ren. Wen Zan quickly glanced around. There were already a few onlookers, not many, but the issue couldn’t be dragged out any longer.

"What are you doing standing there? Get rid of this madwoman immediately; she’s spouting nothing but nonsense and has clearly lost her mind," Wen Zan shouted abruptly, and the guard by his side, who had been taken aback, instantly dragged the woman away as if to throw her out.

Wen Zan grabbed one of his trusted men by the arm, "Take her inside first, handle it quickly, and if a single word leaks out, I’ll hold you accountable."

Hearing his words, the guard immediately waved, leading the woman into the Wen Residence.

Seeing the situation turn against her, Lady Wen Kang immediately tried to cling to Wen Zan.

"Young Master Wen, Young Master Wen, you can’t do this—" but before she could finish her plea, Wen Zan had already kicked her away. How unlucky, to provoke the very thing one must avoid, it was ridiculous.

...

The Zong Sheng Residence had always been low-key. After a night of anxiety, Old Lady Zong and Eldest Madam Zong finally welcomed back Duke of Qing and Yunqian.

"It’s good that you’re back, good that you’re back—" Old Lady Zong said, feeling that Zheng Capital was no place to stay for long; it was about time they returned to the Northwest Border.

All Duke of Qing offered was a simple explanation that they had fallen into the river and that a mixup in the search for the river’s current had delayed their return, not wishing to worry the Old Madam.

Eldest Madam Zong looked at her son with sympathy, not daring to inquire further.

"Mother, your son has brought this unfilial son to kowtow to you for causing you worry," Duke of Qing had been troubled ever since returning from Golden Spirit Mountain and hadn’t said a word; he now turned back, "Come over here."

"I pay my respects to my grandmother; I’m unfilial for causing you worry," Yunqian paid respects to the Old Lady and Eldest Madam, and was about to excuse himself to leave when it was clear Duke of Qing had no intention of letting him go.

"Don’t hurry back just yet, accompany me to the study," the Duke of Qing said, "And let’s have the morning meal set up in the study as well; after eating, you can rest."

Eldest Madam Zong was anxious. They had just returned. Whatever it was, could it not wait until after some rest? Why scold now?

However, Old Lady Zong gave the Eldest Madam Zong a look – how could she be so muddled? Didn’t she understand her own son’s temperament after so many years of marriage? At a time like this, wouldn’t it have to be a matter of great importance to keep Yunqian from resting?

"Yes, Father," Zong Yunqian also complied very obediently and followed the Duke of Qing to the study.

This place wasn’t the usual home of the Duke of Qing, thus the study, although furnished with top-grade materials for shelves and tables, and equipped with complete sets of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, consisted of all ordinary items. The Duke of Qing did not often come here.

The breakfast was quickly served, with several dishes and main foods like porridge and meat pies.

"Have you thought it through regarding that matter?" the Duke of Qing was not experiencing this feeling for the first time.

The woman saved Zong Yunqian’s life, and the Duke of Qing had already agreed to it, but now, it seemed he had been too simplistic in his thinking, and seeing Princess Chao Ren’s demeanor, the Duke had initially been more inclined to believe that his son was taken with the Princess’s beauty, as he, being a man, could deeply relate.

But now, the Duke of Qing couldn’t help but consider other things.

After several incidents, it was clear that Princess Chao Ren was not an easy person to deal with. Thus, he could see that his son, while unruly, did not see things superficially.

"Which matter is Father referring to?" Zong Yunqian stood up and asked.

"I know you have regrets in your heart, after all, Princess Chao Ren is not worthy of you. If you’re having second thoughts, there are still ways to address the situation," the Duke of Qing slowly said, having watched Zong Yunqian grow up, he noticed, unlike his wife’s carelessness, that his son, while seeming careless on the surface, was actually an ambitious person.

He wouldn’t judge someone by their appearance, nor would he truly be interested in such a frivolous and boisterous woman.

Zong Yunqian was momentarily taken aback but quickly bowed his head. He had indeed harbored such thoughts and had been impulsive at the time, but creating more trouble now would be unfortunate...

Furthermore, the calamity that was befalling the Nanzheng Imperial Clan was approaching rapidly. His actions were not those of a gentleman...

Zong Yunqian’s fists slowly clenched and then unclenched.

"Father, I do not have such thoughts," Zong Yunqian said, not even knowing why he said so. Even if he still felt that Princess Chao Ren was unreasonable, spoiled, and domineering, and wouldn’t listen to reason.

Yet, when he thought of her crying and complaining that it was all his fault, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Zong Yunqian felt that the reason he hesitated to make a decision was that bringing it up at this moment would be rather troublesome. Though he was not someone who shied away from trouble, the bigger picture was what mattered most.

The Duke of Qing looked at his son and seemed to want to say something but remained silent.

Zong Yunqian looked up at the Duke of Qing, his gaze open and clear. It would be better for his father not to get involved at this time, and besides, he did not necessarily believe in prophecies. Even though everyone in Nanzheng State who had any sense could see the precariously dangerous fortunes ahead, and how the incompetent Imperial Family couldn’t be saved by a single capable Emperor; it was the decline of national power, the factional struggles at the imperial court, and the successive disasters that had almost reached an ill-concealed point of collapse.

And for Zong Yunqian, he didn’t believe the crisis lay with Ghoul Ravine, with their penchant for Evil Arts, who had prophesied the downfall of the Nanzheng Imperial Clan. Ghoul Ravine, located at the Northwest Border, was known for its Evil Arts, but Zong Yunqian didn’t consider them to be the real threat.

Zong Yunqian believed that it would be the Qiandao Temple that would bring change to Nanzheng State. And not to overthrow the Nanzheng Imperial Clan, but to act according to destiny and save the state of Nanzheng.