Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 489 - 468 Second Update

Chapter 489: Chapter 468 Second Update

The brazier in the courtyard was burning so vigorously that Nanny Yun felt hot even as she went in and out, her expression on the brink of collapse.

It was not just Nanny Yun, Xue Liu and Xing Yu were listless too; Xue Liu had spoiled several stitches on her embroidery, and Xing Yu had lost interest even in her favorite pastries.

Yet, their Commandery Princess somehow managed to keep her temper in check. If she lost it, perhaps they could send Nanmen Yu packing.

Nanmen Yu naturally sensed the hostility coming from all sides, but he did not care. He had not said that the current situation in Nanmen State was something he wanted to turn into a surprise for her.

Or maybe, Nanmen Yu was more curious to see, if he indeed had nothing at all, what her reaction would be.

Nanmen Yu drank Zheng Nianru’s tea at ease, while Zheng Nianru lounged casually, looking at a book of stories—just like countless times he had seen her at Qishun Building.

However, it seemed that after not seeing her for half a year, the woman in front of him was both the same yet different; those past absurdities were never brought up by anyone.

But Nanmen Yu felt that because she had grown up and moved closer to Prince Duan, there were many more educated servants in the courtyard, and so naturally, she knew those absurd things were not to be done anymore.

However, Nanmen Yu was not in a hurry. After all, the mere fact that Zheng Nianru did not dare to send him away said it all.

Suddenly, a guard walked in silently, glanced at the figure sitting in a secluded corner of the porch without even a cushion to sit on, and instantly felt as if he’d shrunk, his very footsteps seemingly laden with sin.

Nanmen Yu glanced at the approaching figure but did not stop him. His arrival meant that something had happened that they could not decide on their own. The guard silently moved forward, leaning close to Nanmen Yu, and whispered a few words.

Fu Dong was pouring the tea, glanced at Nanmen Yu’s direction, and thought, although the Commandery Princess had not chased him off, her intention was quite clear; who would have thought Nanmen Yu could be so shamelessly persistent, even sleeping under the eaves outside the room at night—who knows how he had not frozen to death.

Nian Xia was also a bit anxious. What was Nanmen Yu up to, appearing suddenly at this time? Was it because things in Nanmen State were unresolved and he was preparing to impose on their Commandery Princess? No way, not even to think about it; if push came to shove, they should do as Nanny Yun had said, drug Nanmen Yu and those few outside, knock them all out cold, and let Xing Yu take care of it.

Nanmen Yu looked up at his own man—Zheng Congyuan had come; why would Zheng Congyuan come here?

He was not afraid to meet Zheng Congyuan; it was just that at this time, he really should not be here, and moreover, it was not a good influence for Zheng Nianru.

Zheng Congyuan conversed with Prince Duan for a while and then made the excuse of letting Zheng Nianru choose a piece of fabric, intending to prepare a gift for the Empress Dowager. Prince Duan, unsuspecting, readily agreed.

Zheng Congyuan, with his men, indeed found that the people outside the courtyard were gone, his heart nearly certain that these were Prince Duan’s men, who had hidden their presence for fear of being exposed.

Just as Zheng Congyuan and his men reached the entrance to the courtyard, two figures suddenly leapt from hiding, blocking Zheng Congyuan’s path.

Zheng Congyuan’s brow furrowed slightly. He had come both to probe and openly, so what did it mean to block him now? Qi Ling was also stunned. Were these people not even listening to Prince Duan’s command?

The blocker was anxious; the messenger had not yet returned. The Princely Heir had ordered that no outsiders should be allowed in. Inside was the future Crown Prince’s wife, the future Empress of Nanmen State. How their master had longed for Commandery Princess Chao Ren these past days; they had all seen it. Now, rather than leave, he was willing to sleep outside the room, so how could they back down?

Qi Ling stepped forward. Did these people have a problem in their heads? Couldn’t they see who they were stopping? In a flash, Qi Ling had another thought—could this person be from Zheng Nianru’s side?

Zheng Congyuan seemed to come to the same conclusion. If it were Zheng Nianru, then he definitely had to make it clear who could stop whom and who could not.

Zheng Congyuan stepped forward and struck directly, giving the other party no chance to react.

"Bang—" The guard was sent flying, and even in mid-air, he instinctively tried to counterattack. Then, with a clang, he crashed to the ground, creating a loud noise that startled those hiding in the shadows.

The guard who had just rushed back hadn’t expected the enemy to arrive so quickly. They had received the message and immediately informed their Princely Heir, but now it seemed that notifying him was useless, as the heir still wasn’t allowing entry.

"The Commandery Princess has ordered that no one is to enter," said the guard, who didn’t understand what madness had seized his master. The person before him was none other than the Crown Prince of Nanzheng State. Was this really okay?

The next moment, seeing his fellow guard sent flying, the guard’s face turned cold. Hitting their men...

At this moment, Zheng Congyuan’s complexion had already turned sour as he coldly eyed the strangers before him, suddenly feeling that he had misjudged some things. In particular, the counterattack move by the guard just now seemed odd, not like a technique from Nanzheng State.

Qi Jin and Qi Yu were already behind Zheng Congyuan, also looking at these strangers with vigilant faces. When had so many strangers appeared around the Commandery Princess, they wondered. The fact that they did not know, that they had no information at all, immediately made Qi Jin and Qi Yu feel a heavy sense of responsibility.

If these were Prince Duan’s men, they had just sought Prince Duan’s agreement, taking an open approach. The other side should have heard the command.

Therefore, these people were not Prince Duan’s men.

Zheng Congyuan clenched his fists. Could they be from Nanmen State? Zheng Congyuan had been receiving news from Nanmen State for several days, and Nanmen Yu had been missing for half a month...

Zheng Congyuan snorted coldly, suddenly feeling that his guess might be very likely. In an instant, his hands formed into fists, and his whole body shook with tension.

Xing Yu, feeling uneasy, was about to open the door when she suddenly felt a murderous aura that seemed almost enough to dismember her, and then she saw Zheng Congyuan standing not far from the courtyard gate, and felt as if she had indeed been dismembered.

What was Nanny Yun thinking, making her come out to see what crazy plan Nanmen Yu had that involved her?

"Your Highness, Your Highness—" Xing Yu ignored the guards still barring the way before Zheng Congyuan, dashed over briskly and, upon reaching him, didn’t forget to kick one of the guards, sending him tumbling almost as if she had kicked him flying.

"Are you even looking where you’re going?" Xing Yu immediately cleared a path for Zheng Congyuan.

"Your Highness, what brings you here in the middle of the night—" Zheng Congyuan instantly thought of the mysterious person who had traveled from the Southern Frontier all the way to the Zheng Capital, someone who could evade the majority of surveillance; there were but a few in the world capable of such a feat.

Qi Ling and Qi Zhu were a bit bewildered, especially watching the guard who was kicked not daring to express his anger, still somewhat frightened by Xing Yu. They immediately felt that their speculation was wrong. They knew how strong Xing Yu was; that kick could have broken bones, or nearly so.

For that reason, suddenly, Qi Ling and Qi Zhu also felt that they might have overthought the situation.

Qi Jin and Qi Yu looked challengingly at the man and then into the darkness, as if to say, "See clearly now? Will you dare to block the way again next time?"

Zheng Congyuan was already heading straight for the inner courtyard gate.

All Xing Yu could do was pray for the best. Nanny Yun would hear the commotion, the Commandery Princess and the rest would hear it too, which would be for the best.

Otherwise, everything would be ruined.