Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 409 - 388: Second Update

Chapter 409: Chapter 388: Second Update

Empress Xiao was startled, and so was Nanny Leng, who glanced at her mistress. This...

Empress Xiao opened her mouth and restrained her anger for the moment. She couldn’t believe Zheng Congyuan was not aware of her intentions. By saying so, he was clearly telling her that the selection for the Crown Princess Consort did not include anyone from the Xiao Family.

It would have been better not to mention the matter of the Crown Princess Consort at all.

"Fu Xun, you’re still young and act impulsively. The matter of the Crown Princess Consort is crucial for the stability of your future imperial path and is an important pillar for your standing on the throne," Empress Xiao advised earnestly, glancing at Nanny Leng. Such a significant matter, and they knew nothing about it—could their information be wrong?

Nanny Leng instantly felt afraid. The candidate for the Crown Princess Consort, being brought up by the Crown Prince, naturally couldn’t be some obscure lady unfit for public view, nor have a tainted lineage. Nanny Leng nodded with certainty. If such a person did exist, it was impossible for them to have no news of her at all.

"Mother, I consider myself hardworking, striving for excellence in state affairs and winning the trust of the officials and the public with my achievements. I have always advocated for the governance of the wise and have actively selected capable individuals, employing young officials, all so that our Nanzheng Imperial Clan might enjoy long-term peace and security," Zheng Congyuan spoke slowly.

"Enough, I’m only asking you which aristocratic family’s daughter you favor for the Crown Princess Consort," Empress Xiao was not interested in hearing all this. She did not agree with Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s idea. As a member of the Xiao Family herself, it was absurd that someone from outside should become the Crown Princess Consort.

Therefore, she had exerted her utmost effort, plotting slowly, using Mastery Yu Sheng’s sermons to gradually persuade Empress Dowager Yan Ping to drop the idea this year. She had thought that, naturally, her son would be on the same page with her.

"It’s not a lady from an aristocratic family," Zheng Congyuan said calmly but did not name anyone immediately. There always had to be a process for Empress Xiao. Zheng Congyuan glanced at Empress Xiao and, lifting his robe, knelt down again.

"Mother, please forgive me for not choosing the candidate for the Crown Princess Consort as you wish. I have my own plans, for the good of Nanzheng’s lands and for my own personal reasons," Zheng Congyuan’s solemn attitude made Empress Xiao startle. Just as she was about to speak, Nanny Leng had already supported her.

Empress Xiao looked at Nanny Leng, and though Nanny Leng did not speak, she helped Empress Xiao calm down. To reach this position, one naturally needed to be magnanimous, especially since the person in question was her own son, who had never so explicitly rejected her on other matters.

Thus, she had been careless, thinking that after her behind-the-scenes battle with Empress Dowager Yan Ping, the next step would simply be to inform Zheng Congyuan.

So, what was this personal reason?

"So, originally, Mother, did you take action to clear the obstacles for me?" Empress Xiao looked coldly at Zheng Congyuan, belatedly realizing that what she had taken as tacit approval from him was actually using her against Empress Dowager Yan Ping. She wasn’t foolish, and quickly came to this conclusion.

No wonder everything had gone so smoothly.

Zheng Congyuan remained silent and did not refute. He had never regarded Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s favored candidate seriously from the start, and even if he had agreed, he knew his own mother would not approve.

It was not that Empress Dowager Yan Ping did not consider the interests of the Xiao Family. Rather, the Empress Dowager had a more far-sighted view, understanding that it was not necessarily a good thing for three people from the Xiao Family to emerge in the Imperial Palace. But in the end, it was a matter of the Xiao Family’s interests, and even if the Empress Dowager deemed it inappropriate, she would ultimately compromise.

Seeing this, Empress Xiao coldly laughed.

"Very well, Mother will listen to who that young lady is that has made you so determined," Empress Xiao said as she sat back down. That look from Nanny Leng naturally made her realize that until the Imperial Edict was issued, everything was subject to change. Until the final step, it was possible to change the person.

"Mother, I do not wish to say for the time being," Zheng Congyuan’s tone remained calm yet unwavering. "If Mother has no other matters, I shall take my leave."

"Withdraw then," Empress Xiao said, her curiosity instead piqued about this candidate. Empress Xiao watched Zheng Congyuan’s retreating back.

"Nanny Leng, within three days, I want to know exactly who this person is," Empress Xiao huffed coldly. She didn’t believe that Zheng Congyuan could hide so deeply without a trace; a living person couldn’t possibly just disappear.

...

"Your Highness, you have finally returned," Steward Hu personally greeted him at the front door, "The Commandery Princess has been waiting for you to dine." She even kept her temper, a rare patience, without getting angry or leaving.

Zheng Congyuan felt a warmth in his heart, and his steps quickened unconsciously, as if he could already see her shadow where his gaze fell. Even though he hadn’t seen her yet, he already heard laughter emanating from inside the room.

"Serve the meal," he said. He had returned a bit late, and she must have been hungry, especially since she rarely stayed here to eat.

"Yes, yes—" Steward Hu immediately went off with a smile.

Zheng Congyuan entered the study and saw the figure he wished to see, sitting at the large huali wood desk, as always. The black hair on her head moved slightly with her movements, exuding playfulness, instantly softening the light and making it exceptionally gentle.

"Crown Prince—" Fu Dong and Nian Xia rushed to salute, while Zheng Nianru looked up and smiled lightly, swiftly moving to his side.

"Brother Crown Prince, I’ve been waiting for you all morning," Zheng Nianru said with a complaining tone.

"It’s my fault for returning late," Zheng Congyuan’s voice softened involuntarily by three degrees, "Let’s go, the meal is ready. What did the kitchen prepare today?"

"Your favorite," Zheng Nianru said, following Zheng Congyuan.

Once Zheng Congyuan sat down and glanced at the dishes on the table, he couldn’t help but smile wryly, for he wasn’t picky and could tell that the table was filled with her favorites. Prince Duan’s Mansion was not the same as Qishun Building, where chefs rotated frequently. Given her tendency to seek novelty and her exacting tastes, of course, she would crave more, and it was impossible for her to finish this entire table of dishes.

"What’s your plan?" Obviously, this was the question that concerned Zheng Nianru the most.

Zheng Congyuan gave her a look, really quite the time to ask, and yet in the study there were only Qi Ling and a few of her maids.

"Qi Ling, go to the storeroom and fetch the ink I usually use," Zheng Congyuan suddenly commanded, and Qi Ling obediently withdrew.

A plan? What were the Crown Prince and the Commandery Princess planning?

"Can you tell me now?" Zheng Nianru pressed on as she saw this.

Zheng Congyuan smiled at her but then lowered his head, continuing to write the characters in his hand. Had he said he was going to tell her?

Zheng Nianru immediately leaned on Zheng Congyuan’s arm, moving with his writing hand.

"So it’s me faking my death? And then assuming a new identity to move into the Crown Prince’s Mansion?" Zheng Nianru mused aloud, while Fu Dong and Nian Xia paused, seemingly overhearing something extraordinary but daring not to make a sound.