Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 428 - 407: One More Update

Chapter 428: Chapter 407: One More Update

"Lord Qi Yu, is this the place?" Yun Cha and Wen Fei looked at the farmhouse in front of them, somewhat puzzled. Having always been in the palace, they had no concept that the Crown Prince might own a farmhouse outside of the mansion, and they did not dare to prejudge what a farmhouse should look like.

It wasn’t that the farmhouse in front of them didn’t look like a farmhouse; in fact, it was more exquisite than the average one, and all of the furnishings were very elegant. But would the Crown Prince really come here often?

Yun Cha and Wen Fei glanced at each other. The two had grown up together and had served the young Crown Prince, but they knew that at this time, only by sticking together could they secure their footing in the Crown Prince’s Mansion. Although they were half-doubtful of what Qi Yu had said, they had no other option at this moment but to believe.

Qi Yu glanced at the farmhouse. It belonged to the Crown Prince’s Mansion, and after its completion, the Commandery Princess had deemed it too remote and disliked the scenery, having never returned after her first visit. Now, as Qi Yu looked around the farm tended by Housekeeper He and his house servants, who had planted a variety of fruits, vegetables, and crops, it seemed to be thriving with life.

Feigning a deep sigh, Qi Yu approached Yun Cha and Wen Fei, who were both female servants.

"You two aunts are veterans from the palace, and you surely know where the Crown Prince’s heart lies. His Royal Highness is kindhearted and cannot bear to see his subjects suffer. Therefore, he personally takes to farming to experience the hardships of the common people. Whenever he is free, he will be here," Qi Yu said and deliberately stepped aside to reveal the farmhouse’s exquisite furnishings.

Yun Cha and Wen Fei still weren’t quite convinced.

Housekeeper He looked at Qi Yu, thinking to himself how ruthless he was for simply dumping people here, and he hurriedly took a step forward.

"What Lord Qi Yu said is true. His Royal Highness spends the most time in the farmhouse. This old servant had thought about finding a couple of individuals from the back courtyard to take care of things, but, as you two aunts know, the back courtyard of our Crown Prince’s Mansion is filled with old nannies and clumsy female servants unfit to meet His Highness’s eyes, and also given His Highness’s temperament..." Housekeeper He too sighed deeply.

Wen Fei had already taken a step forward.

"Housekeeper He, rest assured, we sisters will make sure everything here is well managed."

"Housekeeper He, His Royal Highness is devoted to Nanzheng. Even if it means some hardship for us, living here is not a problem," Yun Cha immediately stated her position.

"Then we are truly grateful to you two aunts for taking care of His Royal Highness in the future," Qi Yu continued with a gravity, his melancholic aura spilling out and deeply bowing to the two women.

Yun Cha and Yun Fei, having already halfway believed, who could doubt now, and knowing that Qi Yu too was one of those serving closely to the Crown Prince, dared not accept Qi Yu’s bow and quickly returned it. They no longer needed Housekeeper He to intervene, as they moved their bags and luggage straight into the farmhouse themselves.

"Aunts, don’t you want to say a word to His Highness first?" Housekeeper He felt there was still something improper about this, as the Crown Prince’s intention was to send the two back to the palace. Acting on their own initiative like this was really...

"Housekeeper He, there’s no need. His Highness is wholly focused on state affairs, and there’s no need to trouble him over our minor issue. When His Highness comes next time, he will naturally..." Yun Cha immediately said, for by the time he came the next time, they would certainly understand upon seeing them...

Having exited the farmhouse, Housekeeper He and Qi Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief, with Housekeeper He giving Qi Yu a pat on the shoulder.

"You little rascal—you’re good—"

...

The night fell, and the long darkness seeped through the dim light, the graceful branches in the garden of Prince Duan’s Mansion casting moon shadows, all around silence reigned.

Nanny Yun, carrying a lantern, personally inspected the inner courtyard, then reminded Xing Yu, who was on guard tonight, to be vigilant. After giving out her instructions, she was about to head inside to speak with Nian Xia when she saw a familiar figure at the doorway.

Nanny Yun paused, as Qi Zhu had already greeted her familiarly.

"Nanny, it’s rather cold today," said Qi Zhu, who usually didn’t talk much. At first, that was the case, but gradually, they all realized it wasn’t that the Commandery Princess couldn’t be without the Crown Prince, but rather that the Crown Prince couldn’t be without the Commandery Princess, and this also affected the servants who needed to start ingratiating themselves accordingly.

"Qi Zhu, there’s a stove to warm yourself by in the side chamber," replied Nanny Yun, not wishing to send him away, knowing in her heart that after today’s commotion the Crown Prince would naturally come to coax the princess.

"No, no, I’m fine standing here," Qi Zhu quickly waved his hand. Today, he was the only one accompanying the prince, although there were others outside like Lord Qi Yu, but if anything were to happen, how could the prince be left unattended?

Nanny Yun glanced at him, wondering if it was indeed fine for him to stand there. This was the Commandery Princess’s courtyard; should anyone barge in, Qi Zhu would be the first they saw.

She chose not to say anything, better not to go, she couldn’t leave anyway, as the Crown Prince was visiting and she would have to prepare tea. She turned to leave, but Fu Dong had already arrived with hot water.

As Nanny Yun was about to step through the doorway, which was ajar, she saw the Crown Prince’s figure standing at the table, her own Commandery Princess seated, silent. Nanny Yun decided it was best not to enter.

"The person has already been sent away; indeed, I had no knowledge that someone would be sent like this," spoke Zheng Congyuan slowly, as Fu Dong placed the tea on the table, glancing at her own Commandery Princess. Since the Crown Prince mentioned having sent the person away, then so it must be.

"I understand," said Zheng Nianru indifferently, not in anger. Why should she hold any anger? In her past life, even after she married, Zheng Congyuan never did. Zheng Nianru was well aware of this; in her previous life, she knew and even wanted to stay by his side without any title, which he had rejected as well.

Zheng Congyuan sighed, sensing that the current Nian Ru was still upset, he moved closer, his hand gently resting on the delicate shoulder, a subtle movement stirring in his heart.

Before he could speak, Zheng Nianru’s voice drifted over slowly.

"When I made my decision, I thought of the consequences I would have to face. It’s normal for the Empress to send someone. It’s not as though every time..." Zheng Nianru spoke, stating that it wasn’t a question of liking or not liking, but rather, she was gradually realizing one truth: to gain something, one must naturally lose something else.

Zheng Nianru’s words were abruptly cut off as her shoulders were forcibly turned by Zheng Congyuan. She had no choice but to face the man before her, instantly regretting it. She was never meant to be a virtuous and gentle person; she could have second thoughts, and if she didn’t now, it was because her current life was finally different from the last.

"Nian Ru, remember, there won’t be a next time. I am not a fussy person, if I don’t want someone, naturally, I won’t keep them by my side," uttered Zheng Congyuan earnestly, squatting down before her.

"Brother Crown Prince—" Zheng Nianru raised her head, the hesitation lessened in her tear-filled eyes, replaced mostly by emotion. Perhaps, all this time she had wavered, ever since she knew she had been reborn, this was the best answer she could have hoped for, the meaning of living this life once more.

Suddenly, Zheng Nianru felt that all those tactics of advancing by retreating, of pressing forward were unnecessary. This single sentence was enough for her.