Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 352 - 337: First Update

Chapter 352: Chapter 337: First Update

"Imperial Uncle, if you need anything, you could just send someone to inform Qi Jin and Qi Yu, and I’ll come to you," Zheng Congyuan was very polite, glancing at Prince Duan. His expression was calm. Although there was a hint of urgency, it didn’t seem like he had come to accuse anyone.

Due to the haste of yesterday’s events, by the time Qi Jin, Qi Yu, and the others had noticed the chaos at Prince Duan’s Mansion, the Ghost Shadow had already entered, and amidst the panic, Zheng Congyuan had no choice but to come out "openly and honorably."

However, if one thought about it carefully, there were many flaws in yesterday’s events. If Prince Duan thought it through carefully or entered the courtyard, he would have noticed numerous issues. By then, it would have been too late to remedy anything, only giving rise to more suspicions.

"Fu Xun, I know you are not one to stick to conventions, but after all, you are the Crown Prince. It doesn’t look right to outsiders," Zheng Boding said, his mind wasn’t really on this issue now; instead, having thought it through today, his suspicions deepened.

Zheng Boding entered the Crown Prince’s Mansion, crossed the corridor, and went straight to the study, pondering how to bring up the matter as it also involved the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family. Zong Yunqian was a disciple of Qiandao Temple. Logically, he shouldn’t have any connections with the Ghost Shadow, but the more he thought about it, the more uneasy Zheng Boding felt, as if someone kept repeating it in his mind.

Zong Yunqian is suspicious, Zong Yunqian is suspicious.

Zheng Congyuan saw that Zheng Boding did not speak and felt unsure himself. He glanced at Qi Ling and Qi Zhu.

Qi Ling and Qi Zhu also panicked. The group around the Commandery Princess didn’t think things through, and you never knew what they might say. Not to mention Prince Duan asking questions, even a slight probe would definitely raise suspicions.

"Imperial Uncle, feel free to speak your mind," Zheng Congyuan said calmly, adapting to the situation as things had progressed this far.

"Fu Xun, have you found any leads about last night’s events?" Zheng Boding asked, immediately losing his composure. "Is that Zong Yunqian...?"

Prince Duan did not wait for Zheng Congyuan to speak, immediately adding, "You know, Zong Yunqian is now engaged to Nian Ru. Just speak frankly, even suspicions are fine."

At these words, Qi Ling and Qi Zhu breathed a sigh of relief, exchanging glances, thinking Prince Duan had discovered something.

Zheng Congyuan was not worried. While they did not have solid evidence regarding Zong Yunqian, Zheng Congyuan was almost certain that the Ghost Shadow was related to him.

"Imperial Uncle, we still can’t definitively claim that the Ghost Shadow is linked to Heir Zong. The fact now is that the appearances of the Ghost Shadow align closely with the time and place of Heir Zong," Zheng Congyuan stated.

Qi Ling and Qi Zhu wished they could speak for their lord.

"What do you mean?" Zheng Boding was slightly taken aback. "Is the Ghost Shadow Zong Yunqian? What is he trying to do?"

"It’s precisely because we can’t find a reason for Heir Zong to act this way that we have these doubts," Zheng Congyuan explained. "Heir Zong and this Ghost Shadow have appeared in the same locations six times, witnessed first-hand on three occasions..."

"That still doesn’t prove anything," Zheng Boding slapped his thigh and stood up immediately, not even taking the tea Qi Zhu had brought. "I knew there was a problem. I’ve been suspicious from the start."

Although Qi Ling and Qi Zhu glanced at each other puzzledly, not agreeing with Prince Duan’s certainty, it seemed that the less assertive the prince was in stirring things up, the more Prince Duan became suspicious.

"Then what are we waiting for, Fu Xun? Don’t you have a way to confirm it?" Zheng Boding said eagerly, convinced of his suspicions since the incidents happened twice in succession at Prince Duan’s Mansion.

"Prince, don’t rush. After all, Heir Zong is from the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family, and we can’t act merely on suspicion. Moreover, with Qiandao Temple backing them, even our Crown Prince can’t act recklessly..." Qi Ling took the tea from Qi Zhu’s hands, certain statements the Crown Prince couldn’t voice himself had to be spoken by his subordinates.

"How can this be!" Prince Duan disagreed, "The Ghost Shadow has appeared many times at Prince Duan’s Mansion. At first, I was puzzled, but now isn’t it clear? It’s because Prince Duan’s Mansion is adjacent to the Zong Sheng Residence."

"Imperial Uncle, please don’t worry. I have already reported this matter to Master Yu Sheng. Master Yu Sheng will definitely have a solution," Zheng Congyuan spoke up, "But for the time being, it’s better to minimize contact with Heir Zong. As for the Commandery Princess, perhaps it’s best not to tell her the truth just yet. In case she gets scared, they still have to get married in the future."

"Get married? No way," Zheng Boding waved his hand, irritated. He now thought Zong Yunqian was completely unsuitable, convinced that the ghostly shadow came from him, as he saw it with his own eyes. How could he be at ease allowing Nian Ru to marry such a person? Even if Zong Yunqian wasn’t a monster, constantly being in the company of such creatures couldn’t be good.

"Enough, enough, go on with your business, this matter is urgent. You are right, let’s not let Nian Ru see him for now, we’ll discuss more once things are clearer," Zheng Boding excused himself, unable to idle any longer.

...

"Why is he here?" Zheng Boding slapped his forehead, Fu Gong was another restless one. What was he doing at Prince Duan’s Mansion?

Prince Duan thought about it and was about to walk into the courtyard when Housekeeper He suddenly held him back.

"Prince, I do think that the Fourth Prince gets along well with the Commandery Princess," remarked Housekeeper He in an attempt to lift the mood, though the Fourth Prince was a bit mischievous.

"Getting along well is exactly the problem," Zheng Boding glared at Housekeeper He, unable to see the point. The reputation of Zheng Haoyuan was gradually becoming known for all the wrong reasons in the palace.

"Prince, Prince, please don’t be anxious. The Commandery Princess was frightened yesterday, and she had faced a great ordeal the day before, naturally distressing her. The Fourth Prince keeping her company and making her laugh has eased her discomfort. I see that the Commandery Princess seemed quite happy now," reassured the servant.

Zheng Boding halted and took a moment to glance at Housekeeper He.

It was his oversight. With everything going on these last few days, that boy Zheng Haoyuan...

"Let’s go to the study—" It was just kids fooling around, after all, Fu Gong was still young, so it probably wasn’t serious...

Inside Hibiscus Court, a gentle breeze flowed through, the courtyard of Prince Duan’s Mansion was naturally more refined compared to Qishun Building, featuring a series of pavilions and terraces, a gallery for enjoying the rain, and a corridor by the lake, all bearing the legacy of a former dynasty. Ancient trees stood majestically, with the weight of history settling beneath the drooping pink gauzy canopy and the intricately delicate deep purple drapes, resembling an ethereal paradise lost in time.

Prince Duan had not failed to notice the changes in Hibiscus Court, a name also rechristened by Nian Ru upon her return. He even had a significant hand in the finer details, such as the koi in the small body of still water in the courtyard, personally sought by him, and the lotus bowl was his particularly clever touch, complementing the drooping gauzy drapes.

Zheng Nianru sat inside the gauzy pavilion, the fine white bamboo screens hanging from the top, rolled to mid-height to block out the sunlight while still offering a view for those inside the pavilion.

Zheng Nianru and Zheng Haoyuan were inside the pavilion having tea and reading storybooks.

Yin He quietly stepped forward and began to display her best skill by massaging Zheng Nianru.