Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 405 - 384 Second Update

Chapter 405: Chapter 384 Second Update

"Oh, it is indeed so. The Commandery Princess asked something she shouldn’t have. I will take my leave." Zheng Nianru said, turning around to leave, instantly reverting to her distant and cold demeanor. Fu Dong hurriedly put things down, good that she left, good that she left. The next moment, she didn’t know whether her Commandery Princess would say something astonishingly unconventional.

Standing at the doorway, Yu Yuan panickedly turned tail and ran. Only after Zheng Nianru was far away did he tentatively come back, uneasy.

"My lord, it’s time for your medicine—" Yu Yuan, holding the bowl of medicine, really wanted to know what the Commandery Princess had come to say so late, but he didn’t dare to ask. By dismissing the two female servants from the Commandery Princess, his lord had refused her kind gesture.

Yu Yuan didn’t dare to speculate and became lost in thought as he looked at his own lord’s appearance. It was only a figure like Lord Ju Nanyi that could match the Commandery Princess’s appearance.

Pah, what was he thinking? His lord had clearly rejected the Commandery Princess’s female servants, and even the implied meanings in Prince Duan’s words were clear to an outsider like him. Yet, his lord remained very calm.

Ju Nanyi was extremely agitated, wanting to send Yu Yuan away, to be alone and calm down. He didn’t know why Zheng Nianru would do this, what her purpose was.

However, whatever the purpose, it made one thing clear: her "objective" was never him.

Ju Nanyi gulped down the medicine and passed the bowl back to Yu Yuan, deliberately ignoring Yu Yuan’s hesitant manner. He didn’t want to speak a word, let alone guess what Yu Yuan’s curious probing was all about.

Seeing this, Yu Yuan also didn’t dare to ask any more questions. Seeing Ju Nanyi lie down, he left somewhat reluctantly.

As soon as Yu Yuan left, Ju Nanyi immediately opened his eyes. The darkness hid his disheveled expression, the full day’s hesitation, and the confidence in his future life which now all vanished like smoke.

He had sworn that he would never let the end of his life become like that of his memories. Yet, in the end, it was already like that from the beginning...

Ju Nanyi gave a bitter smile. Was he going to give up? Without those memories, without the days after the wedding, perhaps he would be just like before, continually convincing himself that life is never perfect, that there’s always someone or something unattainable, encouraging himself to give up.

But now, those memories were like an addictive poison, ravaging his reason, compelling him to do something.

Ju Nanyi was not willing to give up. Mutual affection? What exactly happened in those lost memories?

Late at night, Ju Nanyi suddenly sat up from the bed, his agonized expression the only thing convincing him not to go mad, not to obsess over this matter anymore. His decision was to find out the identity of the person Zheng Nianru fancied. Perhaps then he could convince himself that their initial marriage agreement was wrong from the start.

...

"She left so early?" Zheng Nianru arched an eyebrow, unable to decide if she was pleased or not.

Prince Duan held a bowl of thick rice porridge, seeming quite moved.

"Lord Ju is truly a paragon of virtue, refusing to stay a moment longer than necessary. He could barely move, yet he was eager to return. Such a noble character..."

Prince Duan said this not without cause; although he had intended to test him yesterday, Ju Nanyi’s conduct had pleased him. Besides, sparing no thought for his own life, he saved Nianru. What else is there to say?

Just that...

Prince Duan glanced at Nianru, thinking that if it really happened, it would be her good fortune.

"Mmm, what father says is true." Zheng Nianru didn’t argue. Ju Nanyi was naturally a paragon of virtue, not one to meddle in much, just soft in temperament. He remembered every single word she said, always ready to settle accounts with her, his eyes only for his two children. His greatest wish was nothing more than to live a peaceful and harmonious life with his family. If it hadn’t been for her pushing him forward, he would have remained content as a mere subject to the end of his days, not even wanting to rise higher in his official position.

Prince Duan wanted to say more but ultimately held back. This matter couldn’t be rushed. Having just broken off the engagement with the Zong Sheng Residence, it was necessary to wait some time before bringing it up again.

...

"Damn it, you stop right there—" The Duke of Qing, frustrated beyond measure, grabbed something at hand to throw at him.

"Father, your son truly has an urgent matter. Allow your son to return and explain in detail later." Zong Yunqian’s expression was one of intense urgency. Xi Feng had gone to see Master Yu Sheng and had not yet returned. The eldest disciple brother should be aware of the critical importance of this matter. Even if he should not know the contents of the prophecy, now was not the time to delve into such matters.

The consequences of letting that youth escape were unthinkable.

"Zong Yunqian, if you dare to take even a single step out of Zong Sheng Residence today, I’ll..." The Duke of Qing bent down to look for something but heard a series of rushing footsteps from outside the door before he found anything.

"Yunqian, Yunqian, what on earth are you making such a fuss about again?" Old Lady Zong had already arrived with a large group of servants, scolding Zong Yunqian with her mouth but she was the first to shield him behind her.

"Grandmother, your grandson truly has an important matter." Zong Yunqian felt even more desperate, finding it harder to extricate himself.

"There’s nothing more urgent than what’s before us right now." Old Lady Zong truly doted on her grandson, but she also understood the gravity and urgency of certain situations.

That shameless Prince Duan was only concerned about his own daughter, regardless of any embarrassment. However, their Zong Sheng Residence was different. Even though the Commandery Princess was not their initial choice, by now the whole of Zheng Capital knew that they had secured this marriage through the Empress Dowager’s grace.

If they were to cancel the betrothal suddenly, others would naturally think it was because Prince Duan’s Mansion looked down upon Zong Yunqian. Wouldn’t their grandson’s reputation be ruined then?

No, this absolutely would not do. She must take this matter up with the Empress Dowager.

"Grandmother, whether I cancel the betrothal or not is a minor issue, but there is a more critical matter at hand that I must attend to." Zong Yunqian seized the opportunity and slipped away.

"Boy, you come back—"

"You little rascal, get back here—"

Yet there was no sign of Zong Yunqian. He had already darted out of the yard, and Gu Dao quickly followed suit.

"Princely Heir, this way..."

"Hurry up—" Zong Yunqian had no time to say anything more.

"Mage—"

"Master Yu Sheng—" The moment Zong Yunqian stepped out of Zong Sheng Residence, Master Yu Sheng was standing right in front of it.

"Eldest disciple brother—"

"I know you’re anxious, but there’s no need to worry. My men have already spotted their tracks. Follow me now, and we can still catch up," Master Yu Sheng said, gesturing to the carriage behind him.

Zong Yunqian immediately felt a surge of relief, not bothering to say anything else, he dove straight into the carriage.

"Eldest disciple brother, I knew you’d be prepared, that you wouldn’t let them leave easily," Zong Yunqian said as soon as he boarded the carriage.

"They haven’t gone far. However, Yunqian, when did you learn about the prophecy and moreover, do you believe the prophecy is connected to Master Yin He?" Master Yu Sheng hadn’t intended to take Zong Yunqian with him to pursue the fugitives, but what Xi Feng reported today took him by surprise as well.

As for the prophecy, other than Qiandao Temple, the only other possibility lay with Ghoul Ravine. Zong Yunqian’s words were not without reason.