Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 437 - 416: Second Update

Chapter 437: Chapter 416: Second Update

Even Ju Nanyi, who usually had strong self-control, couldn’t hide the astonishment in his eyes for a moment when he inadvertently lost focus. It was only by turning his head to steady the reins that he managed to regain his composure.

"The Crown Prince ordered me to escort Prince and Commandery Princess back to the mansion first," Ju Nanyi said, withdrawing his gaze. The half of his cheek that was still being stared at felt inexplicably hot.

Zheng Nianru smiled slightly. She truly understood every expression of Ju Nanyi.

Therefore, Zheng Nianru always believed that beauty was useful, no matter when, no matter your status or temperament.

Even someone as noble and self-controlled as Ju Nanyi couldn’t hold back.

"Then I must thank Lord Ju," Zheng Nianru said as she let down the carriage curtain. She guessed Zheng Congyuan’s intentions correctly; she felt there was no need to ask if Ju Nanyi understood the purpose behind Zheng Congyuan’s move. She felt even more that, in her past life when she had been secretly pleased by Ju Nanyi’s confused infatuation after a few light flirtations, how had she never realized that Ju Nanyi was like those brightly blooming flowers, with even the pollen mixed with nectar, waiting for her to flirt.

...

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, you’ve also been busy for most of the day; you should rest awhile." Nanny Leng took a cushion and placed it behind Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s back and then took the tea that a palace maid handed over. Two palace maids stood on either side, massaging her legs. Empress Dowager Yan Ping, with her eyes closed, tapped her fingers lightly on the tea table beside her, rhythmically.

Nanny Leng knew that this meant Empress Dowager Yan Ping was feeling restless, but what could be done about restlessness? They hadn’t expected things to reach this stage.

"Leng Qiao, what do you think about today’s events?" The Empress Dowager mused, her heart in turmoil, but she had long cultivated a serene temperament, undisturbed by anything. She knew Emperor Jingzhi’s temper better than anyone and realized that waiting at the palace gate with gifts naturally indicated some intentions.

However, Emperor Jingzhi was so brazen...

"Your Majesty, you’ve forgotten about the Crown Prince. With the Crown Prince around, nothing will go wrong," Nanny Leng cautiously responded, wanting to ease the Empress Dowager’s worries without daring to make assumptions.

Empress Dowager Yan Ping nodded. That’s right, nurturing Fu Xun for so many years to be close to Prince Duan, and timely cutting off Prince Duan’s medicine, was all for those Death Warriors in Prince Duan’s hands. The Empress Dowager was well aware of this, and even more of the strength of those Death Warriors. Ever since Prince Duan’s troops were defeated, they had disappeared without a trace, without a whisper.

Therefore, Zheng Congyuan knew that as long as Prince Duan existed, this force was Prince Duan’s backing, and no one could touch him. Even if Prince Duan were to die, these Death Warriors would only acknowledge Prince Duan’s progeny, that is, Princess Chao Ren.

Hence, if Zheng Congyuan wanted to secure the throne, he had to gain the allegiance of Prince Duan’s Death Warriors.

"You, you have a discerning eye," Empress Dowager Yan Ping said, reaching out to tap Nanny Leng’s head lightly as Nanny Leng chuckled.

"Your Majesty, please put your heart at ease. In the future, we will rely on the Crown Prince. As long as the Crown Prince is here, naturally nothing will happen," Nanny Leng said while gently massaging Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s shoulders, allowing her to close her eyes and slowly fall asleep, her breathing steady and calm.

...

"Your Highness—" He Ling carefully approached with medicine and water.

Emperor Jingzhi was in a good mood and felt healthier than at any other time before.

"You saw today, didn’t you? Doesn’t she resemble her?" Emperor Jingzhi looked into the distance, not in a hurry to take his medicine. His eyes full of memories, his blood seemed to surge with excitement.

"Take it away, bring the other medicine," Emperor Jingzhi waved his hand. He felt as if seeing that familiar face made him ten years younger, revitalized with the strength to turn the clouds and rain.

"Your Majesty—" He Ling was startled upon hearing this and immediately knelt on the ground, "Master Yu Sheng said that one must wait three days before taking another medicine pill."

"The words of those Taoists cannot be fully trusted. If you truly believe them, then you are the fool," Emperor Jingzhi waved his hand, signaling He Ling to fetch the medicine. At least for today, he wanted to take a pill, to let its power fill his body; only then would he have confidence.

Seeing this, He Ling was somewhat anxious, but he dared not disobey. Clenching his teeth, he had no choice but to leave.

The moment He Ling left, a figure silently landed at Emperor Jingzhi’s side, dressed in black garments and a mask, making no sound whatsoever.

"Master—" The voice of the arrival was hoarse as if coming out of the ground, carrying a stench of blood.

"Why have you returned? Have you succeeded?" Emperor Jingzhi did not turn his head, his voice tinged with displeasure. He did not often resort to using these people and had not summoned them for years.

"Master, the Crown Prince’s people are escorting. Should we still make a move?" the person asked, more straightforward than He Ling’s cautiousness, asking factually without a hint of hesitation or consideration for Emperor Jingzhi’s mood.

Emperor Jingzhi frowned. Zheng Congyuan still could not rest in peace, his ambitions too grand. His own Death Warriors had not yet succeeded, and he was already coveting what belonged to Lao Wu. He wasn’t afraid of biting off more than he could chew.

"Since when does our decision hinge on the consideration of the Crown Prince?" Emperor Jingzhi’s voice slowly permeated the air with a trace of displeasure. The shadowy figure did not respond but gave a bow and vanished into the darkness.

He Ling had already returned with the medicine in hand, holding a tray with a delicate wooden box the size of a palm on it. The tea cup beside it was untouched, but as He Ling approached, a strong scent of blood lingered.

Emperor Jingzhi reached out and opened the wooden box directly. A dark red medicine pill lay quietly inside it, the stench of blood even stronger. Without He Ling’s assistance, he threw the pill into the tea cup, and the clear water in the cup instantly turned a crimson red, dispersing an even more intense bloody smell. He Ling could not help frowning.

Unaffected, Emperor Jingzhi picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp. When He Ling looked up, he saw a ring of strange redness appear on the Emperor’s face, slowly spreading down his neck.

"You may leave—" He Ling was shocked and immediately realized he had lost his composure, so he retreated with the tray.

...

"Commandery Princess, we’re almost there—" Fu Dong couldn’t help but lift the curtain to look out. Prince Duan’s Mansion was in the Western Suburbs, and the nearest route was to pass by a small path beside a ridge extending from Weixing Mountain, with trees on both sides. The carriage was nearing the end of this road. Once out, it would be the main thoroughfare leading directly to Prince Duan’s Mansion.

Zheng Nianru had already opened a wooden box, and suddenly the carriage became bright. Nanny Yun was startled.

"Commandery Princess, is this, is this the Luminous Pearl?" Nanny Yun had not seen it before, but she had heard of it.

Zheng Nianru weighed it in her hand. Larger than her palm, it was not of the utmost preciousness. Compared to what she would see later, it was only medium quality.

Fu Dong was so astonished that she couldn’t close her mouth.

"Commandery Princess, is this really a Luminous Pearl that could buy a Prince Duan’s Mansion?" Fu Dong blurted out.

"Hmm, one of this size could," Zheng Nianru said truthfully, about to put away the Luminous Pearl when the carriage suddenly jolted. Before Zheng Nianru could react, she heard a loud shout from Ju Nanyi outside the carriage.

"Commandery Princess, be careful—"

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.