Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 433 - 412: Second Update

Chapter 433: Chapter 412: Second Update

"Empress Dowager Yan Ping?" Zheng Nianru looked towards Prince Duan. "Do you believe her? Well, she is father’s mother. Father naturally still harbors a sliver of hope."

"Nian Ru, Emperor Jingzhi is now in excellent health. Those impulsive actions he committed so many years ago, I suppose..." Prince Duan said, picking up Zheng Nianru’s favorite pastry to give to her.

"So, has Father come to regret it?" Zheng Nianru was not pleased, but since she did not know exactly what Zheng Congyuan had planned, and since she would have to face these people in the future, meeting them sooner rather than later didn’t make much difference. If seeing them now could provide some comfort to Prince Duan’s heart, she might consider it.

"It’s not about regret, but it has been so many years, and you are still of the Imperial family’s blood. It can’t always be like this."

Zheng Nianru understood that Empress Dowager Yan Ping was using her as an example. Prince Duan was wavering not because of her but considering her future. However, Zheng Nianru did not know the capacity of Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s heart to endure. But, considering she had driven her two sons to become enemies and nearly destroyed Nanzheng, Zheng Nianru suddenly felt some confidence in Zheng Congyuan’s plan.

"If Father says to go, then let’s go. After all, Crown Prince, Fourth Prince, and your daughter must move on. Life always has to look forward," Zheng Nianru added, feeling fortunate that at this time, she could still pull the Fourth Prince to her side. As long as they endured these years, even if they reluctantly accepted Zheng Congyuan’s plan, it would get better over time.

"That’s exactly what Father means," Prince Duan said, struggling to explain himself. Hearing Zheng Nianru’s words, he suddenly laughed, patted his daughter’s shoulder, and quickly drank a bowl of porridge. "You should also prepare yourself. You have met your grandmother before, but this will be your first meeting with Emperor Jingzhi. You must not lack the proper etiquette," Prince Duan reminded.

Zheng Nianru was not enthusiastic and did not take Prince Duan’s words to heart. Emperor Jingzhi was not long for this world, and if she remembered correctly, it should have been an affair from earlier this year. Because of the hasty departure, there was no imperial edict left behind. As for whether there really was no edict, Zheng Nianru naturally had no way of knowing.

Thus, a dying man posed no threat to Zheng Nianru.

The carriage sent to pick them up stopped grandly in front of Prince Duan’s Mansion, patiently waiting, accompanied by the Imperial Forest Guard. Such ceremonial spectacle had not been seen by the citizens of Zheng Capital for many years, especially one fetching Prince Duan.

When Zheng Congyuan received the news, the procession had already passed through much of Zheng Capital and waited in front of Prince Duan’s Mansion. Without time to think about the possible discrepancies, Zheng Congyuan directly boarded the carriage to the Imperial Palace.

"What is it this time?" Emperor Jingzhi, clearly impatient, found his son’s audience requests tiresome. He did not want to inquire into the affairs of state, aware that Zheng Congyuan was handling them well, so why bother asking him?

"The Crown Prince said it concerns the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family’s leave-taking for the Northwest Border. Your Majesty, you have refused the Zong Sheng family’s audience for several days now, I fear that is why Duke of Qing has gone to the Crown Prince’s Mansion."

Emperor Jingzhi frowned. Duke of Qing truly is trouble. You are already allowed to return, so why the fuss?

"Enough, I am now going to Xingqing Hall; since he’s come, let him come with us—" Emperor Jingzhi waved his hand.

Standing outside the Chenyuan Hall, Zheng Congyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had not rushed to find Emperor Jingzhi upon arriving at the palace but had first inquired about the situation from his people.

Therefore, waiting a moment longer, seeing that Emperor Jingzhi was about to attend a banquet, naturally he would have no time for another meeting. Letting He Ling say a few words, Emperor Jingzhi was very likely to take him along.

"Your Highness, this humble son kneels before your imperial majesty," said Zheng Congyuan as he bowed respectfully.

"Fu Xun, let us depart," Emperor Jingzhi waved from his palanquin, not allowing Zheng Congyuan a chance to speak.

With no choice but to follow, Zheng Congyuan quickly noticed the increased number of guards around Emperor Jingzhi. He lowered his eyes; the guards, unfamiliar in face, yet bore a composure not characteristic of the frail. Zheng Congyuan was well aware that Emperor Jingzhi had his own hidden forces, albeit few, training several Death Warriors from a young age. These individuals were not to be regarded as ordinary, for in their eyes, there existed no one but their sovereign, Emperor Jingzhi.

Zheng Congyuan knew that, although Emperor Jingzhi appeared unconcerned on the surface, he was now scared, fearing a sudden move from Prince Duan or perhaps holding onto grudges from years past, pondering his next move?

Distracted, Zheng Congyuan hastened to have Qi Zhu spread the word, instructing his men to prepare for any sudden needs.

...

As Zheng Nianru stepped into the sedan chair, a new idea emerged. Meeting Emperor Jingzhi was an excellent opportunity, after all, to speak with the living emperor was rare. Why not remind him to leave a will, which would save much trouble later?

The Wen Family might not be a match for Zheng Congyuan, but such a moment could arise due to Zheng Congyuan’s current schemes because of her own actions.

Zheng Nianru suddenly felt it was possible. In this lifetime, she had forsaken the foolish dreams of her past life. But what if, at such a moment, Emperor Jingzhi changed his mind because of her presence and decided to pass the throne to Zheng Haoyuan instead?

Moreover, her emergence would undoubtedly place Zheng Congyuan in an unfavorable position in court politics, especially with the ancestral teachings hanging over them.

Zheng Nianru felt that even if Zheng Congyuan’s plans went smoothly, all actions would have to wait until after Emperor Jingzhi’s death and, to be safe, securing Emperor Jingzhi’s will was most reliable.

"Commandery Princess, we’re almost there. Would you like some water?" Nanny Yun asked, still anxiously scanning their surroundings. Just seeing Empress Dowager Yan Ping could frighten everyone in Qishun Building, let alone meeting Emperor Jingzhi.

"Nanny Yun, what do you think Zheng Congyuan’s plan might be?" queried Zheng Nianru. She wasn’t unaware of some details; she was certain that Zheng Congyuan knew Emperor Jingzhi wouldn’t live much longer. The best strategy might be to abolish the ancestral teachings as soon as he ascended the throne, then have the mages of Qiandao Temple conjure something mysteriously deceiving.

Just like in the previous life, Noble Consort Wen was close to Qiandao Temple, and so was the Wen Family. But in this life, it seemed Zheng Congyuan had figured that out and had even visited Qiandao Temple several times, as she had seen letters to the temple on Zheng Congyuan’s desk.

"Commandery Princess, please don’t speak," Nanny Yun urged, glancing around even though Zheng Nianru spoke very softly and only while leaning in to offer water.

"Greetings, Commandery Princess—" At that moment, the voice of Nanyi resonated not far away, and when Zheng Nianru looked, she saw Nanyi and his entourage standing outside the gates of the Imperial Palace.

Was Zheng Congyuan also there?