Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 368 - 352: Second Update

Chapter 368: Chapter 352: Second Update

Elder Can was not blind to the change in the Young Master these past few days; the usually gloomy temperament had vanished, and the relaxed brow and eyes shone like a brightly blooming flower, delicate and striking, as if he had just walked out of the light.

"How are things going?" Yin He’s tone was much gentler. After all, Elder Can had played a significant role in reaching this point, especially since Nian Ru was growing fonder of his body. Whether he intentionally or unintentionally laid bare his chest, he always saw her very approving gaze.

"Rest assured, Young Master, although there have been some twists and turns, things need to appear natural and convincing. Please bear with it for a couple more days," Elder Can said. With Zong Yunqian’s matter resolved, the first wall standing between the Young Master and the Commandery Princess was effectively removed.

Compared to this first barrier, the next step would be much easier.

It was time to cleanse the Young Master’s identity.

Naturally, his identity as a ghoul from Ghoul Ravine could not be exposed. It couldn’t just be kept secret from Princess Chao Ren—it must not be hinted at in the slightest.

Elder Can had spent a good deal of money to bribe the house servants of the mansion. In these past few days, these servants had indeed played a significant role, allowing Prince Duan to successfully visit Zong Sheng Residence and break off the betrothal.

However, that was not the main reason Elder Can had bribed the servants.

The most crucial purpose of the servants was to gather intelligence, namely to find out what kind of husband Prince Duan really wanted for Princess Chao Ren.

Yet the information gathered surprised Elder Can greatly. Prince Duan was looking for an ordinary man easy to control, which brought Elder Can great joy since the next steps would be much easier to manage.

After all, it was far more difficult to kill a member of the Aristocratic Gentry Clans in Zheng Capital and then impersonate one than it was to deal with someone from a smaller household.

It would be much easier with a smaller household.

Elder Can even had some additional ideas.

This development might mean that the master himself could get involved in the Young Master’s marital affairs, which was crucial for mending the relationship between father and son.

Elder Can considered several identities and finally settled on one whose ancestors were scholarly members of the Aristocratic Family and who had now turned to commerce. He also crafted a backstory for his own Young Master, claiming he was lost while traveling north on a ship at a young age and, after seven or eight years, by a stroke of luck, was recognized by the steward.

However, the steward dared not confirm this immediately and could only discreetly observe the Young Master from the shadows before finally verifying his identity.

Elder Can felt this identity could not be more perfect, successfully clearing the Young Master’s name. Oh, and this family’s lineage couldn’t just have one child; bring in two or three, and Prince Duan would be even more inclined to arrange a marriage.

"Elder, is this really..." Gui San hesitated, feeling the plan was good but that having the master come to Zheng Capital was too risky.

"Should we wait until the people from Qiandao Temple leave?" Gui Si also felt that, especially with Ghost Shadow showing up in Zheng Capital, it had inevitably caught everyone’s attention. Now, it would be better for them all to hide and not show their faces.

"Of course, we’ll wait for the people from Qiandao Temple to leave. Not just leave, but we also need to be fully prepared along the border of the Northwest Border, to create an opportunity for our lord to slip in stealthily and misdirect." Elder Can nodded, "There’s no rush on this. We’ll plan carefully."

Gui San and Gui Si took their orders and headed south, while Elder Can stayed in Zheng Capital. With the matter of Ghost Shadow and Qiandao Temple’s lackluster response, it was better to be cautious.

...

Zheng Congyuan had not heard any stirrings for several days, yet he did not let his guard down. Upon returning from the palace, he saw Ju Nanyi and Yu Yuan already waiting at the Crown Prince’s Mansion.

Ju Nanyi had taken the initiative to personally patrol with the Fire Order Squad for several consecutive days. Even with the involvement of the Imperial Forest Guard, there were only the Crown Prince’s Secret Guard and quite a few mages who had come in secret from Qiandao Temple.

However, Ju Nanyi felt something was amiss with the whole situation, yet he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. It was like the thunder during a summer thunderstorm that sounded loud but brought little rain, making everyone feel as though a more intense downpour could come at any moment.

"Nanyi, there’s another matter I need you to handle personally." He did not trust anyone else, "Go to Prince Duan’s Mansion and search around. Check if there are any clues or traces to be found."

Ju Nanyi was slightly surprised and looked up upon hearing this. The next moment, he realized he had been impolite. To cover it up, Ju Nanyi spoke.