Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 365 - 350 Second Update

Chapter 365: Chapter 350 Second Update

Zheng Nianru glanced at Zheng Boding, hoping it was something urgent.

"Starting from today, you mustn’t leave the mansion rashly. Moreover, Father will station two officers from the Fire Order Squad at our Prince Duan’s Mansion. In short, from today onwards, do not meet Zong Yunqian again," the Crown Prince said urgently.

Zheng Nianru was slightly taken aback; the Crown Prince’s words carried an immense amount of information, rapidly bringing up three issues, each of which she disliked, especially allowing members of the Fire Order Squad into Prince Duan’s Mansion.

In her life, she had no desire whatsoever to get involved with Ju Nanyi, and now the Fire Order Squad was under his command.

Prince Duan seized Zheng Nianru’s hand with an expression of extreme regret.

"It’s all Father’s fault, listening to the sweet nothings from the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family without realizing that both Zong Yunqian and the Duke of Qing have no good intentions, utterly shameless," Prince Duan said angrily.

Zheng Nianru was momentarily stunned again; something was amiss. Was this what Zong Yunqian referred to as the upcoming plan? Wasn’t it too soon? Wasn’t the agreement to wait until after the marriage before finding a chance for separation? It was the best outcome they had agreed upon after several encounters.

Did Zong Yunqian change his mind halfway?

"Father, what exactly happened?" Zheng Nianru couldn’t believe that Zong Yunqian would run into trouble, especially at this time.

Although Zheng Nianru had no idea what Zong Yunqian was planning, it had to be significant. Accustomed to the posture of those in power, Zheng Nianru could easily recognize that Zong Yunqian’s actions were just like the former Ju Nanyi’s, like Zheng Congyuan’s. But since Qiandao Temple had nothing to do with her, Zheng Nianru couldn’t be bothered to think about it.

"Nianru, there’s something wrong with Zong Yunqian." Prince Duan looked at his daughter, sorrowing over her unfortunate life – having first suffered tribulations within the palace, she had barely left it only to encounter such an unreliable fiancé.

Zheng Nianru was somewhat dazed by Prince Duan’s words. Zong Yunqian has a problem? How could that be?

The next moment, Prince Duan meticulously recounted what had happened in the square and also spoke of the Ghost Shadows that had appeared twice at Prince Duan’s Mansion, along with his own conjectures. All of this suggested that Zong Yunqian’s approach was purposeful.

Even if there were no ulterior motives, he was absolutely against Nianru having any further relations with that Zong Yunqian.

"Father, could there be some misunderstanding here? After all, Zong Yunqian is a disciple of Qiandao Temple." How could he have anything to do with Ghost Shadows? In her previous life, Zheng Nianru had heard about Ghost Shadows, but since she was disinterested and even repulsed by those sinister and frightening things, she had left Ju Nanyi to deal with them.

She was, after all, more interested in the Savages of North Meng.

"Nianru, I know this is hard for you to accept in an instant. But you must trust Father – how could I ever let you face any risk?" Prince Duan said firmly, looking at Zheng Nianru, waiting for her to nod.

Zheng Nianru could only nod in response, indifferent as she was; Zong Yunqian didn’t appeal to her as much as Yin He caught her attention.

"Father will go to the palace immediately to request that the Empress Dowager retract her decree and then head to the Crown Prince’s Mansion to request two men from the Fire Order Squad," Prince Duan had initially intended to go directly to the palace to beg the Empress Dowager to retract her decree, but thinking of Zheng Nianru still in the dark, he changed course and headed back to the mansion first.

Zheng Boding’s departure was as hasty as his arrival, and he left most of the house servants at Zheng Nianru’s courtyard, not at ease.

With her spirits dampened, Zheng Nianru returned to her inner chambers, only to gesture for Yin He to leave with a wave of her hand.

...

Zong Yunqian awoke three shichen later, which meant six shichen had passed since the confusion occurred in the square. The sky was growing dark, and Zheng Capital had already returned to peace.

Gu Dao and Xi Feng glanced at Master Yu Sheng standing outside the courtyard, not daring to approach and inform him that their Princely Heir had awoken.

That’s because when their Princely Heir was brought in, Master Yu Sheng barely took a look before accurately predicting the time of Zong Yunqian’s awakening, with hardly any difference.

Gu Dao and Xi Feng glanced at the figure in white outside the courtyard, tall and slender, with tassels of the white headdress fluttering gently in the breeze.

Zong Yunqian opened his eyes and tried to recall everything that had happened before. Beyond confusion, what infuriated him more was that he couldn’t figure out who the person behind the scenes was.

Someone wanted to harm him? That was Zong Yunqian’s last thought before he fell unconscious; he was almost certain of it, but upon awakening, he felt it preposterous.

The Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family had long since distanced itself from the imperial court and carried out its affairs very discreetly. In outsiders’ eyes, despite maintaining the face and status from days past, the family was actually an empty shell, like so many Aristocratic Gentry Clans, unable to escape a fate of decline.

Having seen much from a young age, Zong Yunqian naturally understood the reasoning behind lying low. Thus, he was certain that after so many years, it was improbable for such an elaborate scheme to be set against the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family.

What remained was only Qiandao Temple, but aside from his identity, he rarely took part in the temple’s actions on a regular basis; he only followed the commands given by his master.

Therefore, Zong Yunqian couldn’t find a reason why someone would go to such lengths to set up such an extensive trap, act swiftly and silently, and yet fail to finish him off on the spot.

So where did the problem lie?

Just as Zong Yunqian was about to push for an answer, Master Yu Sheng slowly entered the room.

Master Yu Sheng had a way of providing a sense of safety that was intangible but could instantly soothe one’s anxious, frightened, or excited emotions.

It was as simple as wiping the tears from one’s face.

"Elder Master—" Zong Yunqian tried to get up, but Master Yu Sheng waved his hand, and Zong Yunqian instantly found he couldn’t move, still lying in bed.

"Little brother, you have gotten yourself into big trouble. In order to catch the person behind the scenes, you must join me," Master Yu Sheng spoke concisely, and his straightforward words stunned Zong Yunqian.

The next moment, Zong Yunqian nodded heavily. Naturally, he wouldn’t rest until he personally captured the person pulling the strings.

"This matter involves Ghoul Ravine. I am certain that the powers of Ghoul Ravine have infiltrated Zheng Capital, and the individual holds no lowly status. To lay such a plan on you, I fear they are targeting our Qiandao Temple," Master Yu Sheng said, and with a flick of his thumb against his middle finger, a golden mist dispersed from the man’s fingertips.

Following that, upon contact with Zong Yunqian, a black smoke seeming to come from nowhere suddenly clashed with the golden mist, fighting like a rabid dog.

Zong Yunqian abruptly raised his head to look at Master Yu Sheng.

"Elder Master, what should I do next?"

"You need not do anything, just follow my orders. In no more than three days, I shall reveal this hidden adversary," Master Yu Sheng said slowly.