Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 386 - 365: First Update

Chapter 386: Chapter 365: First Update

The next morning, after several busy days, Prince Duan finally had time to dine with his daughter. A crowd of maids and old women filled half the room.

Prince Duan glanced around. Apart from Nanny Yun, Fu Dong, and Xue Liu standing behind Nian Ru, whom he recognized, the others were all brought in by Housekeeper He more recently.

In all fairness, given Nian Ru’s status, it wouldn’t be fitting if she didn’t have a dozen or so maids and old women around her. It was his oversight for not thinking about this matter earlier. Those who were temporarily recruited by Housekeeper He and placed around Nian Ru only in recent days, however, left him somewhat uneasy.

"Nian Ru, the cook in your courtyard is quite good," Prince Duan said after tasting a small soup dumpling, which was beautifully juicy and perfectly warm, prompting him to unwittingly praise the flavor.

"If Father likes it, from now on he can be responsible for all the morning meals," Zheng Nianru suggested. The cook was good; she had always kept him, even bringing him into the palace in her previous life.

Zheng Nianru knew that among the new female servants were people from Zheng Congyuan. She didn’t need to guess to know that the sea cucumber in the dumplings had been replaced with three or four dozen pieces per dumpling—it was something Prince Duan wouldn’t think of, so it must have been the work of someone newly arrived from Congyuan’s side.

When Congyuan did these things, he never concealed them from her, and perhaps even intentionally let her know to set her mind at ease.

Zheng Nianru thought about it. Indeed, it had been a long time since Congyuan had visited. Not that she felt he should have come, but Congyuan was not the type to stay away just to avoid suspicion, so there must have been some urgent matter keeping him.

In the silence, Zheng Nianru gently stirred her sweet rice porridge with a silver spoon. What significant matter could there be now?

Such matters, Congyuan would not discuss in her presence. She never liked hearing about them, yet her memory held no record of any major issues at this time.

"Prince, a man claiming to be the owner of the Famous Collectibles Shop has come to seek an audience with you," a house servant entered and reported softly.

Prince Duan was momentarily startled. The owner of the Famous Collectibles Shop? Although he was reminded of those two inkstones, he did not immediately refuse, as this was the Prince’s Mansion, and it wouldn’t be fitting to allow a businessman to enter freely.

Before Prince Duan could speak, Housekeeper He had already begun talking.

"Prince, look at me almost forgetting about this matter. My illness nearly caused a mishap," Housekeeper He quickly stepped forward. The weather had turned cold, causing his chronic back pain to act up, which had led him to rest for a couple of days, away from Prince Duan.

"Prince, about a month ago, didn’t we hire some new house servants? Little did we know, among them was the long-lost son of this rich merchant. This merchant only decided to expand his business to Zheng Capital this year, but on his journey here, the old manager was robbed. Coincidentally, he was saved by this lost son. Although the manager couldn’t be entirely sure at first, he was mostly convinced after seeing him, and came to our mansion to wait for the owner of Famous Collectibles Shop, and finally, they recognized each other. Remembering that our mansion took them in initially, he specially reported it to their family master. Since the master wasn’t present at the time, I took it upon myself to agree," explained Housekeeper He.

"Such a coincidence?" Prince Duan raised an eyebrow. Although he said this, he didn’t think much of it, as it was a trivial matter.

"Thinking of your perennial benevolence, my lord, this could be seen as quite a lovely story if word got out. That’s why I agreed to it. Who would have thought my back pain almost messed things up."

"Forget it, let them in for now and have them wait in the front hall," Prince Duan waved dismissively, not particularly concerned, as this was indeed something within Housekeeper He’s remit to handle.

Elder Can and Elder Su, upon hearing the house servant’s invitation, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Still not daring to be negligent, they carefully followed the Ravine Master and Young Master Into the Prince’s Mansion.

Elder Can had already spent some days in the Prince’s Mansion and knew that it wasn’t very strict about protocol, with even the house servants lounging about casually, but he wanted to make a good impression on his master.

Elder Can immediately and stealthily slipped a piece of silver to the young man leading them inside.

"Old Man Can, what are you doing?" the house servant was startled, eyeing Old Man Can but feeling the considerable weight of the silver.

"A joyous occasion, a joyous occasion, let us all share in the joy, in the joy, this is also the fate that brings us together." Elder Can quickly said, giving a portion to everybody present.

"Old Man Can, oh, no, Manager Can, you’re right, this is a joyous occasion, congratulations, congratulations—"

"Congratulations—"

From the moment Elder Can entered, every house servant he saw was given a bag of silver. Elder Su, feeling the pinch, commented that Elder Can had been in Zheng Capital for some days, spending silver as if it were running water, which wasn’t the way to spend it.

Elder Can then gave Elder Su a dismissive look. What do you know?

Elder Su replied with a displeased expression, Try managing the house yourself.

Yin He was somewhat nervous, aware of the significance of today’s event. The Master of Ghoul Ravine was also nervous. Zhongyu was different from their place, although he now bore the identity of a wealthy merchant, the grandeur of the Prince’s Mansion was beyond his expectations.

As soon as Prince Duan arrived at the front hall, Housekeeper He hurried over.

"Prince, the guests have arrived." Prince Duan nodded, even if it was just to see the inkstones the other party was willing to part with, it was worth meeting them.

The Master of Ghoul Ravine stepped into the front hall and saw a middle-aged man in splendid robes sitting in the main hall. Though middle-aged and dressed in modest colors, the man seated at the place of honor exuded an extraordinary demeanor, his innate nobility radiating from his eyes and brows, faintly reminiscent of his resplendent past.

"Your humble servant He Qingtian pays his respects to the Prince."

"Old Master He, please rise—" Prince Duan glanced behind him, so many people, what were they carrying?

"What is this, Old Master He?" Prince Duan asked, noticing the objects being carried in. He then looked at Housekeeper He, why hadn’t he been informed?

"Prince, your humble servant came here for two reasons. The first is to thank the Prince for yesterday’s life-saving grace, and the second is to thank the Prince for saving my son when he was in peril, allowing them..." The Master of Ghoul Ravine spoke, glancing at Yin He and Elder Can behind him, his expression genuinely moved yet not entirely sincere.

"Old Master He, this talk of life-saving grace is unnecessary, the Prince didn’t really help much." Prince Duan quickly waved his hand. As for that matter of sheltering the boy, it was purely coincidental, so accepting so many gifts truly seemed a bit excessive.

Prince Duan looked at Housekeeper He, who immediately stepped forward.

"Old Master He, you are too polite, it was no trouble at all, and we are undeserving of such generous gifts," Housekeeper He said while his eyes noted that the items being brought in were indeed quite valuable.

The Master of Ghoul Ravine glanced at Elder Su behind him, who immediately presented the two boxes he was personally holding to Prince Duan.

"Prince, this is just a small token of gratitude from your humble servant, please do accept it."

Prince Duan saw that they were none other than the inkstones he had seen the day before.

"This, this can’t be done, just convincing Old Master He to sell these items to the Prince would have already been more than enough. Giving them for free is absolutely unacceptable."

"Don’t be hasty, your humble servant has mentioned only the first two matters. There is still one more, which is even more important," the Master of Ghoul Ravine slowly said, having rehearsed these words in his stomach several times yesterday, he was calm and took his time explaining.

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