Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 363 - 348 Second Update

Chapter 363: Chapter 348 Second Update

Prince Duan heard the rumors outside right away; there was no need for someone to deliberately bring the news to him. The house servant, who had gone out to buy vegetables, had not even purchased the vegetables and had tossed the basket aside to rush back directly.

Prince Duan suddenly slapped his thigh, feeling that there was indeed something off with Zong Yunqian. Now, it wasn’t just him having wild thoughts.

"Ho Shun, I told you, I told you..." Prince Duan paced continuously in his study, "Ho Shun, hurry, hurry, come with me to Zong Sheng’s Residence."

Zheng Boding could not sit still any longer and was about to walk out when Housekeeper He pulled Prince Duan back.

"My lord, my lord, calm down, please calm down."

"Calm down? How can I calm down now?" The most important thing now was to dissociate from Zong Sheng’s Residence, especially the relationship with Nian Ru. How could Nian Ru be involved with that demon?

Especially the thought of Nian Ru having spent a night alone with that demon made Prince Duan’s skin crawl. That surely meant that the fellow was up to something.

Getting close to Nian Ru must definitely have some unspeakable purpose.

"My lord, if the Heir Zong is indeed a monster, aren’t we in great danger? First of all, we need to confirm whether Heir Zong really is a monster," Housekeeper He immediately spoke up. After all, if they barged into Zong Sheng’s Residence now claiming that Zong Yunqian was a monster, the people of Zong Sheng’s Residence would undoubtedly deny it. What would they do at that moment? They had no evidence whatsoever.

Prince Duan was taken aback, suddenly finding the argument reasonable. He was worried and confused, forgetting these considerations. What if Zong Yunqian truly was a monster and, in his fury, did something...

Right, right, right, they must not act rashly, but they also couldn’t just do nothing.

"Ho Shun, come with me, to the Crown Prince’s Mansion—" Prince Duan immediately said. How could he forget? Fu Xun had the Fire Order Squad under his command; they would naturally know more about whether Zong Yunqian was a monster.

Zheng Congyuan received the news quickly; while the crowd in the square had not yet completely dispersed, Zheng Congyuan had already been informed. However, Zheng Congyuan did not notify Ju Nanyi immediately but remained inactive, as if he had received no news at all. Thus, even the Imperial Forest Guard had mobilized, and Zheng Congyuan’s people then slowly began to clean up the aftermath.

Zong Yunqian? Zheng Congyuan sensed something strange about the situation. Even though the whole city was in an uproar, he still felt that something was off, but...

"No need, this matter involves Qiandao Temple; let Master Yu Sheng handle it." Why should he bother? He was not eager to clarify Zong Yunqian’s identity.

"Your Highness, Prince Duan requests an audience—" Upon hearing this, Zheng Congyuan guessed that Zheng Boding would come but did not expect it so soon. Zheng Congyuan was just about to find an excuse that could allow him to stay at home respectably.

"Imperial Uncle, have you come because of today’s incident in the square?" Zheng Congyuan got straight to the point, seeing Prince Duan’s intentions written all over his face. Given what had happened, Prince Duan’s primary concern was surely Nian Ru.

"Your Highness, your Imperial Uncle has only this one heir. You must help your Imperial Uncle with this matter." Zheng Boding had already thought it through on the way here; from the beginning, when Zong Sheng’s Family suddenly proposed marriage to Nian Ru, he had sensed something amiss.

The Eldest Madam Zong had been clearly against the marriage, and he had heard it with his own ears. Later, when the Duke of Qing personally came to propose, he thought that since Zong Sheng’s Residence was now withdrawing from politics and had simple connections, Nian Ru, being far in the Northwest Border, would be a reliable charge.

Now, reflecting on it, he felt utterly foolish. Such a simple logic, and he had failed to see it.

Given the current status and position of Zong Sheng’s Family, it was absolutely impossible for Nian Ru, which was why he had originally rejected the proposal. He only blamed himself for finally being bewitched by the Duke of Qing and Zong Yunqian. Looking back now, there was definitely something suspicious about it.

Zheng Congyuan looked at Zheng Boding but was not in a hurry to speak.

"Imperial Uncle, don’t rush; there’s no final decision on this matter yet. Master Yu Sheng has already personally gone to check on Heir Zong. Perhaps, Heir Zong is just..."

"Just what?" Zheng Boding looked at Zheng Congyuan, who was unable to articulate a reason, and suddenly slapped his thigh, his expression anxious. "If Yunqian truly turns into a monster, it’ll be too late for anything. Think about it, why was the Zong Sheng Family in such a hurry to marry Nian Ru?"

"Imperial Uncle, Master Yu Sheng is Yunqian’s senior brother and also the chief disciple of Master Huo Yi; he must have a way."

"Exactly because he is his senior brother, even if there is a problem, would he tell outsiders? He will definitely prioritize protecting the reputation of Qiandao Temple." Zheng Boding had already thought this through on the way here.

"Imperial Uncle, do you think that Heir Zong married Nian Ru with an ulterior motive? Related to this Ghost Shadow?" Zheng Congyuan asked.

Zheng Boding was startled and looked at Zheng Congyuan; had he not considered that? Linking everything together, wasn’t the shadow of that Ghost Shadow ever-present?

"Fu Xun, you’re right. You have a more nimble mind to think of this." Zheng Boding was now almost certain; it was this Ghost Shadow. Perhaps, Yunqian had long discovered that there was something wrong with him, and what does this have to do with Nian Ru?

"Imperial Uncle, don’t rush; the most important thing right now is to quickly disassociate Nian Ru from the Zong Sheng Residence, regardless of the reason. That’s the safest course of action," Zheng Congyuan said.

"Right, right, Fu Xun, you’re correct. Whether it’s related or not, Nian Ru definitely shouldn’t get entangled with the Zong Sheng Residence," Zheng Boding said and then hurried off, unable to discuss further.

Zheng Congyuan saw him to the door, not obstructing the actions Prince Duan was about to take. He was pleased to see such a result unfold. Even if Yunqian had nothing to do with that Ghost Shadow, his approach towards Nian Ru definitely had a purpose.

...

Zheng Nianru was leisurely eating fruits, the late autumn grapes burst with a rich fragrance, and Nian Xia meticulously peeled them. The translucent grape pulp placed on the white porcelain plate tantalized the appetite.

Lazy Zheng Nianru had already donned an extra layer but still preferred not to stay indoors. The slightly cool breeze was already lifting, and the leaves in the courtyard had turned half yellow.

The news had not reached Prince Duan’s Mansion; naturally, Prince Duan would not let the news reach Zheng Nianru. Her little courtyard felt as if it were isolated from the world, peaceful and serene.

Zheng Nianru declined Fu Dong’s offer to give her a massage, and as Fu Dong stood up, she glanced at Nanny Yun, "See, the Commandery Princess didn’t let me."

Nanny Yun had nothing to say. These days, the young man Yin He was appearing too frequently, and Nanny Yun distinctly felt the Commandery Princess paying more and more attention to this young man, even...

Nanny Yun was somewhat at a loss. Did the Commandery Princess like this young man?

But with the Crown Prince and Yunqian around, why would the Commandery Princess take an interest in such a youth, who wasn’t articulate, and whose skills were hit or miss? Other than that face, what else was there to see?

As Nanny Yun pondered this, she already saw Yin He’s figure gradually approaching. Clad in plain black attire which somehow, as if by magic, distinguished him from others when worn by the young man. The black only added to the youth’s mystery and allure.

Zheng Nianru saw Yin He and smiled faintly. The young man had smoothly made his way to Zheng Nianru’s side and started to massage her.

Nanny Yun watched coldly.

Pah, the Commandery Princess was definitely captivated by that face.