Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 37 Hesitation

Chapter 37: Chapter 37 Hesitation

"Brother Crown Prince," Zheng Nianru lifted her head, feeling both enchanted and intoxicated by this sensation. Just a moment ago, she had been resenting his absence, and the next, he was right before her, indifferent to whether she wanted his company or not, as if everything in her view was merely a figment of her unwilling imagination.

The boiling rage inside Zheng Congyuan vanished instantly. Indeed, what did she really know? How could she possibly have met that Wen Zan? Upon investigation, the sordid intentions would be clear, and Nian Ru was innocent.

"Are you happy today?" Zheng Congyuan resumed his usual composed and graceful demeanor, ethereal like the faintest mountain shadow in an ink painting, and as refreshing as orchids after a rain in the mountains. At first glance, one could not help but become immersed in his presence, gradually warming up to his gentleness.

"Seeing Father, Nian Ru is naturally happy," Zheng Nianru said with a smile, her eyes as clear and bright as a deer’s, "Thank you, Brother Crown Prince."

Zheng Congyuan wanted to say something, but something felt off—an incorrectness that made the anger in his heart begin to surge once again. But what exactly was wrong? Zheng Nianru seemed even more obedient than usual, could it be...?

Would she thank him? Why would she need to thank him?

"Is there nothing else?" Zheng Congyuan was slightly distracted, trying to pinpoint what was different, "I’ve been a bit busy these days, so..."

Zheng Nianru, noticing Zheng Congyuan’s expression, naturally understood the crux of the problem. In the past, she would visit the Crown Prince’s Mansion every few days, and her sudden withdrawal naturally threw him off balance.

"Nothing else, Brother Crown Prince," Zheng Nianru continued, reaching for Zheng Congyuan’s sleeve, "look, I even saved a grilled fish for you. If you hadn’t come, I would have..."

Zheng Congyuan attempted to pull his sleeve away, but suddenly realized that his heart, like that sleeve, seemed to find tranquility only in the girl’s grasp and settled down.

"I turned back halfway here, remembering there was a secret edict," Zheng Congyuan said helplessly, tugging at his sleeve. Seeing that it couldn’t be freed, he let it be. "Your hair is still wet. Let Nian Xia dry it for you before I eat the fish and leave?"

Only then did Zheng Nianru let go of the sleeve. Fu Dong went out to summon Xue Liu to bring the fish, while Zheng Nianru lay on the couch, having her long black hair meticulously dried by Nian Xia. Zheng Congyuan, seated at the table and eating the grilled fish, was watched by Zheng Nianru who had never seen any other man eat with such elegance. Not just eating, but reading, writing, reviewing documents—all were unique to Zheng Congyuan.

"I’ll leave two people here for you. If any danger arises, they will take action. You need not worry about it," Zheng Congyuan said, putting on his outer robe.

Zheng Nianru obediently nodded her head.

...

Turning around, Zheng Congyuan had already arrived at Noble Consort Wen’s courtyard. Surprised, she quickly regained her composure and let the visitor into the main hall.

The situation was different from that of the daytime. With the Emperor ill during the day and the Crown Prince acting on behalf of state affairs, not everything could proceed according to normal protocols. Although Noble Consort Wen was a member of the harem, she held considerable power within it.

Therefore, the Crown Prince’s visit at this hour must be about a secret edict.

There indeed was the matter of the secret edict, and Zheng Congyuan’s return was not entirely an excuse.

"Consort Wen, I have come to confirm an urgent matter," Zheng Congyuan said, producing a document and passing it over. Eunuch Kang Ning hurried to receive it and presented it to his mistress.

Noble Consort Wen’s expression changed after just a couple of lines, and she began to tremble, wanting to say something but knowing that this was no baseless accusation.

"This, this is impossible. Fu Xin is only searching for some rare poisons; he could not be involved in such matters." Even if he were to act, she would do so with no trace left behind, not so brazenly.

"Consort Wen, although the Imperial Forest Guard is under the authority of Qiandao Temple, they are now commanded by Fu Xin. The news I have received indicates that twenty young men and women have gone missing, and we must provide the public with an explanation," Zheng Congyuan said slowly.

Although he did not know exactly what Zheng Muyuan was up to, he was certain the activity was related to strange spells sustaining life—only it was carried out with too much recklessness.

Zheng Congyuan was considering the possibilities arising from the current situation. Perhaps the conflict had not yet escalated enough. Suppressing it was certainly feasible, but suddenly, Zheng Congyuan changed his mind.

Noble Consort Wen tried to calm herself and took a step forward.

"Crown Prince, Fu Xin is your brother, and he did these things out of desperation. Please, for the sake of... the fact that he doesn’t have long to live, I will have the Wen Family take care of this personally."

"Consort Wen, then I shall entrust this matter to the Wen Family," Zheng Congyuan stood up.

After Zheng Congyuan left the Traveling Palace, Noble Consort Wen collapsed into her chair as Eunuch Kang Ning approached worriedly.

"Your Highness—"

Noble Consort Wen raised her hand to stop Eunuch Kang Ning from speaking further. Showing weakness in front of the Crown Prince did not mean the Wen Family could be easily bullied. She would just have to wait and see.

...

At night, a silent shadow infiltrated the Traveling Palace, quietly opening a courtyard gate and sneaking in, the gate creaking open and breaking the tranquility of the night.

"You’re back?" Zheng Muyuan opened his eyes but did not get up. In truth, he no longer had the strength to rise on his own.

"Hmm." The shadow’s response was terse, and he seemed disinclined to say more.

Zheng Muyuan was surprised.

"You didn’t succeed?" He had waited four Shichen, three Shichen longer than the man had said it would take. Something must have happened. Was the snake too small? Was it not effective enough?

"No, it was successful," the shadow immediately replied, his voice panicked and rushed, like a mouse caught by its tail. After a moment of calm, he realized he was too agitated, "Whether your plan succeeds or not is up to fate now. Once your issue is resolved, I will leave."

Zheng Muyuan did not want the other to leave. Master Yin He’s abilities far exceeded his expectations. Having such a person’s assistance would make his future path...

"Initially, Master Huo Yi promised you the position of Senior Head of Division to come and save me. Once I’ve succeeded, then..."

"No need," the man in the darkness said, his gaze flickering, "I’m not interested in that position. I came to save you because I owe Master Huo Yi a favor, nothing more." With that, the man lay down beside the bed on the ground, and fell silent.

Zheng Muyuan wanted to say more, but seeing that the man had no intention to speak again, he felt an unplaceable anger, as if his efforts over the years to win over Master Yin He had been all in vain.

The man on the ground was like an ice-cold stone that couldn’t be warmed.

In the dark night, the man lying on the ground was not asleep; his eyes were wide open, sleep nowhere to be found. What he didn’t say was that he could no longer go back, completely and utterly unable to return.

But he didn’t want to stay here either. Where should he go?

That woman had saved him; the toxin from Bei’s Sea Snake was too fierce, beyond what he could endure, and if he didn’t release it, he couldn’t expel it. That woman had both saved and harmed him. There were certainly better ways to deal with it—slashing his arteries, stabbing him a few times, or throwing some centipedes or scorpions on him could have allowed him to recover.

There were clearly better methods, yet now he could no longer return.