Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 62: Leaving the Palace

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Leaving the Palace

Nanmen Yu had been waiting outside the courtyard gate for an hour, and if he hadn’t already experienced how complicated and delicate Zheng Nianru’s waking routines were, Nanmen Yu would definitely think that Zheng Nianru simply looked down on him.

Nanmen Yu looked up to see a robe of elaborate floral silk brocade, with layered collars and gathered sleeves, a slender waist that flared down to the ankles, and a pair of thick-soled embroidered shoes. Nanmen Yu instantly felt that the half hour waiting had been worthwhile.

"What are you doing up so early?" Zheng Nianru was still somewhat reluctant. She had not slept all night and felt that a few days’ rest couldn’t make up for it; she had just overslept for two nights.

"I have taken care of the matters you assigned me and thought whether you might want to take a look," Nanmen Yu said, dressed in a light gray Forged Robe. Though it was made of ordinary brocade fabric, his slender figure merged seamlessly with the fabric, exuding an aura of clarity.

Zheng Nianru noticed and raised an eyebrow.

"Have you grown taller?" She hadn’t seen him for a while, and he seemed much taller than she remembered.

Nanmen Yu shifted his gaze away awkwardly, genuinely pleased inside. She had noticed him and even observed that he had grown taller.

"It’s just that time of life, naturally I grew like a weed," Nanmen Yu commented, "I bought two shops and settled those two families. If you are worried, I can take you to see them."

Zheng Nianru blinked, giving Nanmen Yu a look.

He likely didn’t know that she couldn’t leave this courtyard. The security at the Crown Prince’s Mansion was very strict nowadays, and she couldn’t go out.

Wait, Zheng Nianru suddenly thought, how did Nanmen Yu get in?

"Can you take me out?" In her previous life, she hadn’t thought of this. "People from the Qishun Building cannot go out."

"I can," Nanmen Yu nodded, even having made some preparations in advance to make the exit path seem less difficult and awkward.

Zheng Nianru swayed slightly. Did this mean that she didn’t have to go through the Crown Prince’s Mansion to enter and exit the Imperial Palace?

Although the route through the Crown Prince’s Mansion was good, Zheng Congyuan was very restrictive, forbidding this and that. She was just an ordinary person. Walking on the road, she didn’t have to worry about being recognized. But Zheng Congyuan didn’t think so, always ensuring she was meticulously shielded, clearing the area of bystanders.

"Okay, wait for me." Zheng Nianru immediately nodded and started to walk back, then turned back again. "Don’t move, I’ll be right back."

Nanmen Yu willingly nodded along with Zheng Nianru’s childlike actions, his heart soaring.

Zheng Nianru came out with Xing Yu and Fu Dong, and Nanny Yun insisted on following, claiming she had to accompany them, leaving Zheng Nianru no choice but to bring Nanny Yun along.

Nanmen Yu led them along his usual route, only this time, he passed by the piles of corpses near the palace walls. The tunnel had also been refurbished, covered with soft green grass.

Zheng Nianru did not mind, for being able to leave the palace meant more to her than the unsightly path.

"The two shops are connected, one a hostel and the other I plan to turn into a tea house with a troupe for singing. I’ve noticed the busy street does not have any other tea houses," Nanmen Yu even prepared a small but elegant carriage.

"That’s a very good idea," Zheng Nianru nodded, her mind not really on this matter. Moreover, the two shops did not hold any concrete significance in Zheng Nianru’s heart; to her, they were just a term she heard, with no concept of what they implied or represented.

So, when Zheng Nianru saw the two-story wooden building occupying nearly a thousand square meters on the bustling street of Zheng Capital, she was somewhat unable to react at first.

Was this what a small packet of gold could achieve?

"I’ve registered the shops under your name," Nanmen Yu took out two property deeds, "I’ve also hired some people to help manage the business."

Nanny Yun immediately took the deeds and examined them, unconcerned about their authenticity.

"So you’re saying, this place is now mine?" Zheng Nianru asked, and Nanny Yun nodded emphatically.

The shop was already set, originally a store itself, and the owner was looking to transfer ownership, allowing Nanmen Yu to take over. He was quite adept at this, having business people among his own, and he got the hang of it very quickly. Within a few days, he had opened the doors for business.

But for another shop, Nanmen Yu did not feel the same way; he wanted to thoroughly transform it.

"It is indeed yours, and you will share in the profits of this shop." Nanmen Yu did not reveal his plans. He aimed to establish a foothold in Zheng Capital, knowing that two shops alone would not suffice, but this was a beginning.

Zheng Nianru looked oddly at Nanmen Yu, finding it hard to associate the youth before her with the future Nanmen Yu known for his ruthless killings and iron-blooded presence on the battlefield.

What if, from the start, Nanmen Yu had chosen not to go in that direction, and had instead become a businessman? Could it be that there would have been no years of battle between Nanzheng State and Nanmen State?

Zheng Nianru was immediately stunned by her own cleverness; how could she be so smart?

Nanny Yun also felt that this young man had great potential and was very efficient. The night Zheng Nianru spent watching over the Crown Prince had made her somewhat uneasy. Despite repeatedly telling herself not to get emotionally involved, some things were beyond her control, fearing that the Commandery Princess might have feelings for the Crown Prince...

Ah, if Nanmen Yu could capture the Commandery Princess’s attention, and they spent more time together, perhaps they could...

"You are truly impressive! If you opened a few more stores, you would definitely make a lot of money." Zheng Nianru praised generously, "Right, we should open two more, no, four, eight, and make a lot of money."

Nanny Yun immediately nodded and similarly praised vigorously.

Nanmen Yu was momentarily caught up in that praise, the tips of his ears turning red, not knowing how to conduct himself, feeling somewhat awkward.

"It is certainly possible, but we need capital for the shops, and we don’t have it yet..."

"I have it," Zheng Nianru quickly added, even if it wasn’t there, it needed to be, as this would benefit the public.

"Do you trust me?" Nanmen Yu asked, this feeling reminding him of that dim spring night.

"Of course, I trust you. Yes, I’ll provide the capital, and you’ll make the decisions. We’ll split it fifty-fifty," Zheng Nianru suggested, knowing it was important to show him the profits, for only with gains would ambition grow and thoughts of warfare diminish.

"If you trust me, I am naturally willing," he was always willing to help with what made her happy, "Let me show you around."

Zheng Nianru clearly felt the young man’s excitement; his eyes sparkled as he introduced her to the contents and plans for the store, his words tumbling out excitedly.

Zheng Nianru listened quietly; even though they hadn’t crossed the final barrier in their past lifetime, she realized now she should have noticed his feelings for her long ago.

Resented him? Zheng Nianru, who had enjoyed Nanmen Yu’s selfless help, naturally never felt any resentment.

However, Nanmen Yu had become angry after she married Ju Nanyi, transforming completely as a person. After that, their contacts had gradually lessened, and she only vaguely remembered him returning to Nanmen State, and their next meeting was already on the battlefield.

Nanny Yun and Fu Dong followed them, both equally curious about everything Nanmen Yu discussed, their eyes even filled with admiration, undoubtedly pleasing Nanmen Yu all the more.

Nanny Yun went so far as to say that the world’s countless men had countless flavors, which one must slowly experience to appreciate fully.

"But none can compare to the Crown Prince." Xing Yu propped her chin, believing the Crown Prince to be the handsomest, his face capable of capturing hearts.

"What do you know?" Nanny Yun disagreed, "Just like this budding flower, it needs the nurture of keen vision and rainfall to bloom fully." The Crown Prince, for all his merits, was ultimately the Commandery Princess’s cousin; what could he really do?

Nanny Yun looked on, considering what a fine prospect he was.

Moreover, the Crown Prince’s injury and the Commandery Princess’s expression at that time had left Nanny Yun rather frightened; could it be that the princess was slowly starting to take things seriously?