Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 427 - 406: Second Update

Chapter 427: Chapter 406: Second Update

Ju Nanyi almost fled in disarray, as if his defeat had been as disastrous as a collapsing mountain; he even abandonded his dignity and appearance, nearly tripping down the steps of the Warm Pavilion. Zheng Nianru, throughout his previous lengthy life, had never seen Ju Nanyi in such a sorry state.

"Lord Ju, Lord Ju, hey, hey, hey——" Lin Sheng came over with a pot of wine, almost bumping into Ju Nanyi, but no matter how he called, the man did not turn back and disappeared from everyone’s sight in an instant.

Zheng Nianru couldn’t help but laugh aloud, Fu Dong teasingly glanced at his own Commandery Princess, "Commandery Princess, should you really be teasing people this way? Lord Ju here is a true gentleman."

Indeed, aside from Lord Ju, look at the others; with the Commandery Princess’s approach, which one did not flock to her? Thus, it only highlighted Lord Ju’s upright and noble character even more.

Lord Ju ah...

Fu Dong watched the man’s receding figure with a lingering gaze, wondering if the Commandery Princess, were she to take such a man as her husband, would also turn into that pure moonlight, hanging on the horizon, the most unblemished thing of the late autumn?

"Still looking? If you can’t bear it, go call him back." Zheng Nianru looked up at Fu Dong, holding her wine cup high for a while now, yet the maid hadn’t realized it.

"Commandery Princess, you’ve scared the man away; how could he possibly come back?" Fu Dong, now somewhat bolder than before, which she herself might not have realized, even dared to talk back a bit.

"Commandery Princess, why did Lord Ju... leave?" Lin Sheng timidly set down the wine pot, wondering what they would do when the Prince woke up and was still in need of Lord Ju.

"Lord Ju said he had urgent matters, once the Prince wakes up, just report it to him." Zheng Nianru casually replied, while Fu Dong holding the wine pot, filled a cup of wine, casting a somewhat reproachful glance at her Commandery Princess.

"Everyone sit down, go call Nian Xia and the others over." The autumn sunlight seeped through the gaps in the curtains, bathing everything in a warm glow, as Zheng Nianru ordered.

Thrilled, Xing Yu quickly went to summon the others.

Suddenly, Zheng Nianru felt much more relaxed, and even the scenery before her eyes seemed more pleasing.

...

"Housekeeper He, we were originally taking care of His Highness in the palace, where are you sending us?" Yun Cha and Wen Fei, kneeling on the ground at the blossom-like age, their delicate faces adorned with tears, looked pitifully at Housekeeper He before them.

Housekeeper He couldn’t stand their looks, nor their kneeling.

But as soon as Housekeeper He began to speak, the two of them knelt down, causing Housekeeper He to immediately kneel as well, almost wishing he could kowtow twice to appease them.

"Oh dear, oh dear, the two of you aunts, this servant is merely following the Crown Prince’s orders; my position can hardly compare to the affinity you have developed with His Highness from childhood. His Highness must have seen that there is no one reliable around the Empress, and since both of you are trusted by His Highness, being at the palace would also fulfill His Highness’s filial piety." Housekeeper He immediately said, signaling to Qi Yu with his eyes to come help, oh dear, his knees.

Qi Yu felt that Housekeeper He’s words were incorrect. What childhood bond? If these words got out and caused a misunderstanding among the two, how would they explain it to His Highness?

After a glance at each other, considering Housekeeper He’s seamless logic, Yun Cha and Wen Fei remembered that before coming here, both the Empress and Nanny Du had strictly instructed them. Their task was to stay in the Crown Prince’s Mansion, no matter the reason, they must remain there.

Yun Cha immediately bowed weakly once more.

"Housekeeper He, you may not be aware, but we are specifically following the orders of the Empress," Yun Cha said, tears welling up in her eyes as she spoke passionately. "The Empress was concerned that there was no one truly reliable by the Crown Prince’s side, which is why she sent us here. We dare not fail the trust of the Empress, especially since fulfilling her wishes involves nurturing the maternal bond she shares with the Crown Prince. Housekeeper He, without the Empress’s decree, we would not dream of leaving the palace."

"Housekeeper He, you might not know this, but the Empress is worried about the lack of proper care around the Crown Prince," Yun Fei continued. "Whenever she thinks about it, she loses her appetite from concern."

Housekeeper He was stunned, they had just turned his own words back on him. It seemed he was dealing with some tough characters.

"Ladies, these are the orders of the Crown Prince, and I dare not disobey," Housekeeper He clenched his teeth, ready to kowtow.

But to his surprise, they kowtowed first, seemingly determined to block any path he might take.

"Housekeeper He, please don’t make things difficult for us two servants," Yun Cha pleaded through her tears, her voice cracking as if being sent away was a death sentence. "We also dare not disregard the will of the Empress. If we are sent back, who knows if the Empress might think we behaved improperly, causing the Crown Prince to become upset with us. Besides, Housekeeper He, the vast Crown Prince’s Mansion can surely spare the meals for just two more people. Even if the Crown Prince truly dislikes us, we could stay in the inner courtyard, never stepping out unless summoned."

Housekeeper He wore a troubled expression, finding the Empress’s faction increasingly difficult to deal with as they sent more cunning and slippery people. If he didn’t send them away, the Commandery Princess might...

"Ah," Housekeeper He sighed deeply, suddenly feeling the weight of his difficult life.

Yun Cha and Wen Fei exchanged glances, sensing a release of tension. Nanny Du had informed them about Yue Ke’s situation in the Crown Prince’s inner court, left unsupported and unable to deliver anything of value, not even uncovering the identity of the mysterious woman by the Crown Prince’s side.

"Ladies..."

"Housekeeper He—" as soon as Housekeeper He opened his mouth, the two young women gazed earnestly at him, not allowing him to continue speaking.

Housekeeper He immediately looked to Qi Yu, gesturing desperately for help. Was he really going to let them stay in the Crown Prince’s Mansion?

Qi Yu gave Housekeeper He a sly wink, silently asking, ’What’s in it for me?’

Resigned, Housekeeper He pursed his lips and nodded reluctantly. Only then did Qi Yu unfold his arms from across his chest and step forward to assist Housekeeper He to his feet.

"Ladies, now that you mention it, I have thought of an excellent solution," Qi Yu proclaimed, causing Yun Cha and Wen Fei to look up in surprise, since they were not familiar with him, not recognizing him from the Crown Prince’s usual entourage at the palace.

"Right now, there is a very crucial place that is just lacking two individuals, a place of great importance to the Crown Prince, a place he loves to visit in his leisure time. The Crown Prince rarely enters this inner yard because it’s too damp, and as you see, he is planning to renovate it because he dislikes the layout..." Qi Yu prattled on seriously while Steward Hu grew impatient, urging him to get to the point.

"What does this young man mean?" both Yun Cha and Wen Fei gasped, surprised by this sudden revelation, knowing well that the Crown Prince rarely visited the inner courtyard.

"What I mean is, if you two ladies truly wish to take care of the Crown Prince, then you should go to a villa where the Crown Prince often spends his day," Qi Yu turned to Housekeeper He. "Isn’t that right, Housekeeper He? You were just thinking about finding two people for it last time."

Housekeeper He was confused, wondering when had such a discussion taken place?