Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 461 - 440: Second Update

Chapter 461: Chapter 440: Second Update

Zheng Nianru was unhappy, and the entire Zheng Prince’s Mansion was also unhappy, treading on thin ice with bated breath.

Prince Duan paced in front of Zheng Nianru’s courtyard seven or eight times that day, still not daring to enter. Cursing the untrustworthy Ju Nanyi, he also felt that perhaps Ju Nanyi wasn’t a suitable match after all, since he was now the Crown Prince’s trusted aide, busy with affairs and in a perilous position.

But aside from this matter, Prince Duan had other thoughts on his mind.

"My lord, my lord, don’t be anxious. I’ve heard that Lord Ju went to the official matchmaker today—" Housekeeper He hurried back, barely managing to grasp this information, and upon hearing it Prince Duan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Exactly, exactly, the matchmaker, how had he not thought of that?

As for the situation in the Ju household, how could Prince Duan not be aware? There was only a widowed mother left, and the meager family assets were nothing to speak of. Now that Ju had considered visiting the matchmaker showed he indeed put thought into it.

"Housekeeper, you also need to speed things up. Gather up those items from the storeroom, after all, that young man’s family doesn’t have deep pockets." He couldn’t allow Nianru to suffer hardships, nor could he allow her to be wronged.

"Don’t worry, Your Highness, about these matters." They had already been gathered twice; in total, there were just so many items in the storeroom, some of which had been forcefully stuffed in there by others. Although Housekeeper He was elderly, he wasn’t confused. Yet there was still one matter he hesitated over for a long time, unsure whether to discuss it with the Prince.

But after all, this was just his speculation.

"Your Highness, do you think the Commandery Princess is willing to marry Lord Ju?" Housekeeper He asked. Seeing Prince Duan turn to look at him, he quickly added, "Your Highness, don’t be anxious. These are all the idle thoughts of a servant. I was just thinking, if by chance the Commandery Princess is unwilling to marry Lord Ju, even though this matter has occurred, but as long as nothing has been set in stone, we absolutely cannot let the Commandery Princess be wronged."

Prince Duan was startled. He hadn’t considered that, focusing only on the young man taking advantage and ensuring he takes responsibility. What if Nianru was unwilling? Even if something occurred at the time, there were reasons for it, and besides, she was his daughter—how could he let her be wronged?

Suddenly, Prince Duan patted Housekeeper He’s shoulder; the reminder was very timely. Indeed, if Nianru was unwilling, then she wouldn’t marry. Nianru was his daughter, naturally not an ordinary commoner’s daughter. In matters like these, willingness was everything, unwillingness was final.

"You’ve thought it through more thoroughly." Prince Duan wasn’t in a rush anymore. Thinking about it, with Zheng Congyuan involved, the matter was heavily suppressed. There was still leeway.

...

When Zheng Congyuan entered Zheng Nianru’s courtyard again, he did so without his previous absent-mindedness. Looking at the lit room, it felt as if only there did his heart finally settle down. Unconsciously, the thought of losing her made his heart grow restless—only when she was well within his line of sight did he feel at peace.

Ju Nanyi’s actions that day suddenly made him realize that he was going to lose Nianru completely.

Because of that incident? Just because of one mistake he made that led to an accident? They were to separate, and Zheng Congyuan felt that he was overreacting. After all, that incident had been because of him.

And Nianru was entirely without fault, so what right did he have to blame her?

From the time they met until now, he had watched her grow from a thin little girl into what she was today—raised by his own hand...

"Your Highness—"

"Your Highness—", Xue Liu and Xing Yu, upon seeing the visitor, performed their salutations and quietly moved aside, yielding the position behind the door.

Zheng Congyuan opened the door, and just as Fu Dong was about to scold Xue Liu and Xing Yu for suddenly opening it, since the Commandery Princess had finally closed her eyes. Upon seeing Zheng Congyuan, she immediately shut up, performed a bow, then glanced worriedly at Zheng Nianru, who was now closing her eyes, and slowly left the room.

Gently massaging her legs, Nian Xia watched as Zheng Congyuan sat down by the bed. The warm brazier in the room had already dispelled the chill he had brought in from outside. Noticing the woman on the bed already asleep, her eyes half-closed, Zheng Congyuan gestured for Nian Xia to leave with a gentle wave of his hand.

Nian Xia hesitated, wondering whether to leave or not, but ultimately she stood up and tiptoed out of the room.

The room was now completely silent, and Zheng Congyuan simply sat there, quietly savoring this moment of peace.

Even like this was fine, Zheng Congyuan suddenly thought, amused at himself. Despite this, he still felt as if losing her rendered everything meaningless.

Since when had the woman before him become so deeply ingrained in his heart? He had known from the start, the difference between them..., perhaps from the beginning, he had thought it was just a moment of kindness on his part, for no one would refuse such a young girl. Moreover, even when Zheng Congyuan had become aware of his feelings, he believed in his determination, knowing what he was doing and what he should do.

But when did it begin to change gradually? Was it when she suddenly stopped clinging to him? Knowing that apart from himself, she truly could leave him, and that departure could last a lifetime.

Zheng Congyuan was panicked at that time and acted impulsively. Neither Heir Zong nor Ju Nanyi should have appeared in her world.

Apart from them, she might encounter danger at any time, with any incident liable to drive him mad.

Zheng Congyuan took a deep breath and raised his hand, telling himself not to think too much. Things were still going according to his plan; someday she would stand by his side rightfully. He couldn’t rush it.

So, it was he who had lost his composure. She had always been in Qishun Building, the one thing she had persisted in was revolving around him, her attention always on him.

So, Ju Nanyi deserved to die...

Zheng Congyuan looked at that peaceful face, his hand that was extended in midair slowly approaching. His heart began to soften. His fingertips hadn’t even touched her smooth skin before they sensed its softness, and his expression became infatuated.

Just as Zheng Congyuan’s fingers were about to touch her face, a tear suddenly slid down her cheek. Before his fingers could touch the bitter sweetness of that tear, the woman had turned away, leaning inward and leaving him only a view of her back.

Zheng Congyuan’s heart felt as though it had been violently hammered, a tight hatred so intense he almost wished to dissolve into ash with the pain. His insides twisted together in an instant, and he suddenly thought himself cruel, an indiscriminate executioner.

Zheng Congyuan wanted to slap himself hard, but there were more important things for him to do now.

"Nian Ru, Nian Ru," Zheng Congyuan was somewhat panicked, not for the first time seeing Zheng Nianru shed tears, but it felt like the first time. That sensation of clearly grasping her hand but being unable to control it, as if the woman before him was fading away like air in his grasp.

"Nian Ru, it’s my fault." Zheng Congyuan didn’t realize how easy it was to say these words, not needing any mental preparation, yet he felt he had spoken them too late.

"Nian Ru, it’s my fault." Zheng Congyuan was frantic; it couldn’t go on like this, not if he wanted to prevent completely losing her. He reached out and grabbed Zheng Nianru’s arm forcefully, trying hard to make her turn around.

Even if she reacted with anger or scolding, that was fine, just don’t ignore him like this.

"What are you doing!" Zheng Nianru was pulled up by Zheng Congyuan, unable to resist his strength, and as she spoke, tears followed.