Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 419 - 398: Second Update

Chapter 419: Chapter 398: Second Update

News that Emperor Jingzhi wanted to see Prince Duan had spread even before Empress Xiao had left Shengyuan Hall.

When Empress Dowager Yan Ping heard this news, her first reaction was that her informant had heard wrong. Over the years, no one had dared to mention Prince Duan before Emperor Jingzhi, let alone that child. Even if the Emperor had really let go of the past events, he should have summoned Prince Duan, after all, they were brothers by blood, and one could not hold a lifetime of resentment over his daughter.

But the wish to see Zheng Nianru made Empress Dowager Yan Ping vaguely uneasy. Was she overthinking it?

"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, you have finally waited for this day." Nanny Du’s eyes were already red as she reassuringly approached, as if finding someone to confide in, she couldn’t help but grasp the Empress Dowager’s sleeve.

Empress Dowager Yan Ping glanced at Nanny Du. Was she celebrating too early?

"How could it not be, no matter what, it’s the brotherly affection of growing up together—" Nanny Du had watched the Emperor and Prince Duan grow up, and her emotional attachment was no less than that of the Empress Dowager.

The words of Nanny Du moved Empress Dowager Yan Ping somewhat, and she nodded. Yes, she also hoped it was so. After all, so many years had passed, and over these years, Prince Duan was no longer the same Prince Duan, and the Emperor was no longer the same Emperor. After so many years bedridden and indifferent to life or death, those childish matters of affection no longer seemed important.

"Do you think I should..." Empress Dowager Yan Ping was persuaded. If she appeared again, they were all her children, seeing her would naturally remind them of the blood flowing in their veins, ultimately the same temperament, she as a mother...

"Your Majesty, you must not." Nanny Du stepped forward, grabbed Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s hand, and firmly shook her head, "The beginning of this matter was already influenced by Your Majesty’s involvement, it’s best now to let the brothers themselves resolve this knot in their hearts."

After hearing this, Empress Dowager Yan Ping slowly nodded. Indeed, this was a matter between the two brothers and should be resolved by them alone.

"You’re right, let’s pretend we don’t know." Empress Dowager Yan Ping spoke. If the Emperor could now see Prince Duan, then how far off could the day be when the three of them would sit together for a meal?

So, having waited so many years, she naturally was not in a hurry for these few days.

...

Upon hearing Qi Ling’s words, Zheng Congyuan immediately looked towards Qi Ling. His first reaction was disbelief; even if the Emperor was in better spirits occasionally over the years, no one dared to mention Prince Duan in his presence.

"Is it because of that memorial?" Zheng Congyuan asked. The memorial had not been presented to him but had been given directly to Emperor Jingzhi by the Duke of Qing during a visit to inquire about his health.

Zheng Congyuan did not know what was written in the memorial, nor could he guess what the Duke of Qing would have written, but he was very suspicious that Emperor Jingzhi’s sudden summoning of Prince Duan was related to the Duke of Qing.

"Your Highness, Qi Yu has not yet returned." Qi Ling immediately reported.

Zheng Congyuan suddenly began to feel anxious. Why, why did the Emperor suddenly summon Prince Duan.

"Go see the Empress—" Zheng Congyuan stood up. Extracting the content of the memorial from beside Emperor Jingzhi was not an easy task, Qi Yu needed to wait for the right moment, but the Empress had been present at the time.

Qi Ling immediately arranged for a carriage to be prepared.

"Yes, I really don’t know what got into your father, the Emperor. Prince Duan seems to be getting more and more foolish, and if he irritates your father again, oh—" Empress Xiao didn’t seem intent on hiding anything. As she walked out of Shengyuan Hall, she was furious. What had the Duke of Qing eaten to be bold enough to bring up such a matter in front of the Emperor?"

"Mother, I too am concerned about Father’s safety. Moreover, the troops under Prince Duan’s command haven’t yielded any clues to this day. If Father and Prince Duan aren’t reconciled, all the efforts I have put in over the years would be..."

"Everyone knows it’s strange that the Duke of Qing mentioned that matter in front of the Emperor. As for that Princess Chao Ren, I’ve seen her several times, and she always carries a seductive air about her. The Duke of Qing isn’t fortunate that this marriage proposal was called off; instead, he treasures it as if it’s a jewel. Could it be that he hopes to gain something through Prince Duan?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Congyuan looked up at Empress Xiao. Invisibly, his hands had already clenched into fists. He thought, why meet with Prince Duan, no, why meet with Nian Ru.

Others may not know, but Zheng Congyuan was even aware of Emperor Jingzhi’s actions—an inherent flaw of the Nanzheng Imperial Clan. Prince Duan might have taken Emperor Jingzhi’s woman, but little did he know how many women Emperor Jingzhi had taken. Those absurd actions had been concealed by the Empress Dowager before he took power, but it took him almost no effort to investigate them.

Even though he was sick in bed, the flow of newcomers to the palace continued. Although it had slowed since his younger days, Zheng Congyuan was well aware of Emperor Jingzhi’s nature.

"My son also feels it’s inappropriate?" Empress Xiao empathized, sighing, "But what I’m more puzzled about is why the Duke of Qing suddenly presented a memorial to your father that bypassed you."

A desperate gamble? Empress Xiao thought it was suicidal, suspecting she wasn’t dying fast enough?

"I believe it was Father’s instruction," Zheng Congyuan suddenly spoke. The matter was easy to check, especially with the movements of Zong Sheng Residence in his hands. It was for this reason that Zheng Congyuan found the situation suspicious. When had the news about Nian Ru reached Emperor Jingzhi’s ears?

Empress Xiao was startled and looked at Zheng Congyuan puzzled. What did he mean? What was Emperor Jingzhi’s purpose in instructing the Duke of Qing to submit such a petition?

Zheng Congyuan shook his head. If he knew what the purpose was, he wouldn’t be so troubled. His only thought was to prevent Emperor Jingzhi from meeting Nian Ru at all costs.

This thought alone made Zheng Congyuan extremely restless; he just wished he could personally crack open Emperor Jingzhi’s skull to see what he was truly thinking.

Otherwise, why would Emperor Jingzhi suddenly summon Prince Duan and Nian Ru? If there was something to be discussed, it should be with Prince Duan.

...

Inside Shengyuan Hall last year’s favored Talented Lady Jing still possessed the Emperor’s favor. As soon as the Empress left, Talented Lady Jing was summoned to Shengyuan Hall, diligently prepared with soup.

Upon seeing this, Emperor Jingzhi frowned, "Soup again?" But he still wanted to extract some information from Talented Lady Jing.

"Have you met Commandery Princess Chao Ren?" Emperor Jingzhi inquired. He hadn’t neglected to inquire about this offspring left by Lady Ru, but somehow, the information was very limited, and due to his recurrent sickness over the years, he sometimes remembered and sometimes forgot.

Talented Lady Jing was momentarily startled, recalling the Commandery Princess Chao Ren the Emperor spoke of. Being in her position, she was no fool, and right then, she didn’t fully grasp what Emperor Jingzhi was implying, nor did she dare to speak carelessly.

"Your Majesty, I have met Commandery Princess Chao Ren, but only a few times and without much interaction," said Talented Lady Jing, as Emperor Jingzhi continued to gaze at her, naturally prompting her to continue, "It was about half a year ago. My impression of Commandery Princess Chao Ren is very profound; I have never seen such a beautiful woman before."