Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 418 - 397: First Update

Chapter 418: Chapter 397: First Update

"Nian Ru, Crown Prince has responsibilities over thousands of matters every day, and there are still so many things waiting for him in the court, you should not bother him all the time," Prince Duan couldn’t help but say, looking at the pomegranates and coconut fruits personally delivered by Qi Zhu from Nanyu which had just been offered as tribute.

The Crown Prince was softhearted, even though he was the Eldest Princess, and there was the Fourth Prince in the palace, all of whom were closer to him than Zheng Nianru, as his own siblings. The Crown Prince was just too honest and didn’t know how to refuse. Just that one sentence, and he took it as truth.

While Zheng Boding said this aloud, he felt relieved in his heart; he understood Fu Xun’s thoughts, and it was because of his face that Fu Xun had gone to this trouble.

Zheng Nianru glanced at Prince Duan, leaning over to try to clearly discern the expression on Prince Duan’s face, but she only saw emotion on Zheng Boding’s face. Feeling good herself, Zheng Nianru was also happy to please Prince Duan.

"Father, I just mentioned it casually, and I said it to you. How could I have known that Brother Crown Prince would really send them? After all, it is not about saving my face," said Zheng Nianru, uninhibited by guilt as the fresh aroma of the pomegranate filled her fingertips.

"That’s true, that’s true, it was wrong of me to blame you," Zheng Boding admitted, examining a pomegranate in his hand, its vivid red inviting, unlike the varieties from Zhongyu with bleak husks that looked unappetizing even when ripe.

"Father, it’s not your fault, it’s just the Crown Prince taking care of you. So, in the future, if the Crown Prince ever makes a mistake, you should remember these favors," Zheng Nianru said as she peeled the pomegranate, its deep red seeds glistening and packed tightly like jewels.

Nanny Yun, seeing the Commandery Princess peeling the pomegranate herself and knowing her mistress was genuinely delighted, didn’t know what to say at the moment. Was this really good?

Nanny Yun did not know the answer, sometimes waking up suddenly in the middle of the night, very alert, as if she had never slept, and the only thing on her mind was this issue.

Could they not be together? Of course not. Although Nanny Yun wasn’t from Nanzheng State, she knew of a traditional rule deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people of Nanzheng—if the Crown Prince insisted on marrying Zheng Nianru, this imperial family rule would inevitably become a stumbling block for Zheng Congyuan’s accession to the throne. So, would the Crown Prince give up the throne for the Commandery Princess?

Nanny Yun dared not think about it or push the direction of this matter, but if the Crown Prince relinquished the throne, then the Commandery Princess would become the main culprit in causing disaster for the state, wouldn’t that just confirm the rule?

"Father, what were you busy with today?" Zheng Nianru asked casually, merely making conversation, also keen to chat about household matters, although Zheng Nianru was watching Zheng Boding transition from his initial gloom to his now foolish happiness. It couldn’t be said that Empress Dowager Yan Ping was completely harming her own biological son, at least the current Zheng Boding lacked much of the intellect for such matters, even she, his daughter, had endless troublesome matters to think about.

"Nian Ru, today, father discovered a novel delight that quite suits my taste," said Prince Duan, his eyes brimming with interest.

Zheng Nianru glanced at him, uninterested; it was nothing more than fighting crickets or cockfighting, with these habits worsening as he aged, and only Ju Nanyi would entertain him by partaking in such childish games.

"This carving is indeed novel and interesting, the quality of jade far surpasses that of inkstones, far richer and prettier, why don’t I also find a unique one for you..." Prince Duan spoke of his newly favored trinket, immediately invigorated.

"Father, I don’t need it, why not you start with making one for me to see?" Zheng Nianru found this interest better than future fishing or cockfighting; at least it was not dangerous.

Zheng Nianru recalled a time when Zheng Boding was very fond of fishing, often by the riverbank, obsessed to the extent that he couldn’t resist dozing off, ending up in the ditch, only to be found the next day. It took Zheng Nianru a lot of effort to gradually dispel this from Zheng Boding’s mind.

...

Zheng Nianru was aware of the tumultuous undercurrents in court politics. As the Aristocratic Gentry Clans left, there was a period of tranquility in the court. However, no sooner had there been some activity than Emperor Jingzhi, lacking vitality, attended court a few times, and each of his appearances was sure to bring significant upheaval.

Zheng Nianru was somewhat surprised by this; however, aside from the surprise, she didn’t pay much attention—these minor actions paled in comparison to what Ju Nanyi would later do.

Yet, there was one matter. Duke of Qing, unusually, had not yet left Zheng Capital but had instead submitted a memorial to Emperor Jingzhi regarding the marriage arrangement between Heir Zong and Princess Chao Ren.

Empress Xiao wasn’t initially focused on this issue. However, when Old Lady Zong personally requested an imperial decree from Empress Dowager Yan Ping, she was surprised for a moment. Nevertheless, since Fu Xun wanted to win over Prince Duan, she naturally had no objections, regardless of it being Prince Duan or this certain Princess Chao Ren. Empress Xiao hadn’t taken much interest in them initially.

Empress Xiao personally took a bowl from the hands of a palace maid and attended to Emperor Jingzhi as he dined.

Long bedridden, Emperor Jingzhi, with sallow skin and eye bags protruding below his eyes, leaned weakly on the edge of the bed. He drank a spoonful or two from Empress Xiao’s hand and then turned his head away, unwilling to drink any more.

"Princess Chao Ren?" Emperor Jingzhi couldn’t remember a Princess Chao Ren, as it seemed he had not bestowed such a title on any offspring from the clans.

"It’s Prince Duan’s offspring—" Empress Xiao said softly, fearing that she might touch upon something painful for Emperor Jingzhi.

Emperor Jingzhi slightly startled, some memories being long and submerged in chaos. That name, however, remained as stubborn as a rock in a clear pond, clearly visible.

Even if he had forgotten the name, he remembered the first sight of her.

"After the New Year she shall be fourteen, of age to marry. It is said that her horoscope matches well with the Heir of Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family, which is why Old Lady Zong has requested the Empress Dowager’s decree, and it’s already been granted," Empress Xiao continued.

"Hmm—" Emperor Jingzhi lowered his eyebrows. After so many years, he had forgotten that she had left behind an offspring. Although he didn’t want to think about it, he very much understood Boding’s impulsive actions back then, because he too was impulsive, if it hadn’t been for...

"Duke of Qing has submitted this memorial; does Prince Duan not wish for it?" Emperor Jingzhi asked.

Empress Xiao was surprised that Emperor Jingzhi probed a bit further today, although it was about that matter.

"It’s not exactly that Prince Duan is unwilling. Recently, there have been rumors in Zong Sheng Residence that Heir Zong is possessed by ghostly beasts. Possibly because of this, Prince Duan regrets the marriage." Emperor Jingzhi was aware of this; Master Yu Sheng had personally dismissed the rumors, so it clearly wasn’t a matter of possession by any ghostly beasts.

"If that is the case, summon Prince Duan and that child another day. I shall personally speak to them and convince them that it indeed is a good match." Emperor Jingzhi waved his hand, having just had his soup. What more was there to eat now?

Empress Xiao briefly paused, even forgetting to put down the soup. Her eyes widened in astonishment for a moment before she returned to normal.

"Yes—" The Emperor wants to see Prince Duan? Why would the Emperor want to see Prince Duan.

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