Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 65: Competing in Lengths

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Competing in Lengths

Zheng Congyuan’s gaze fell upon Qi Yu, who entered carrying a bowl of medicine respectfully.

Zheng Congyuan just watched, without asking any questions, which already made Qi Yu feel immense pressure, so much so that he dared not look directly at his own master.

He had not managed to invite the Commandery Princess over; for two consecutive days, he had not seen the Commandery Princess. Perhaps the first time he did not realize where the problem lied—a eunuch at the gate said the Commandery Princess had gone out and was not in, so Qi Yu took it to heart that she was indeed not there.

However, the second time he asked, receiving the same answer, Qi Yu scrutinized his own demeanor—he swore that he was absolutely sincere, respectful, and polite enough.

Qi Yu asked their people, and the Commandery Princess was indeed not there, nor was she with Zheng Haoyuan; she had truly gone out. Qi Yu waited until evening, only then did he see the returning Zheng Nianru; Qi Yu naturally recognized Nanmen Yu who followed her. The Commandery Princess had saved this young man’s life; was this now his justification for entering and exiting the Qishun Building so freely?

It was utterly ridiculous.

Yet Qi Yu dared not voice this out. His Highness had just recovered; amidst serious injuries and unconsciousness, he had called out the Commandery Princess’s name; Qi Yu already knew that in His Highness’s heart, the Commandery Princess’s status was more significant than they could imagine. Having been through life and death situations, Qi Yu felt that besides His Highness’s life, everything else was trivial.

So, it was not so difficult to accept matters regarding the Commandery Princess.

However...

Zheng Congyuan did not drink the medicine; Qi Yu’s concerns were all over his face, no guessing was necessary. Yet to his surprise, only Qi Yu had come back alone.

Qi Ling also felt very uneasy. Although His Highness had not spoken, being his subordinate, how could he not know what His Highness was thinking, his eyes eagerly fixed outside, if not waiting for the Commandery Princess then who?

Qi Ling thought, considering the Commandery Princess’s actions that night, how could she not show up for two consecutive days? Was something inconvenient?

Qi Yu hesitated to speak.

"What happened?"

Qi Yu did not want to say, but he felt frustrated. Now they wanted the Commandery Princess to come, but she had stopped coming, first it was Zheng Haoyuan, and now that Nanmen State hostage.

But, why would a Nanmen State hostage be in the palace?

As Qi Yu suddenly thought of this question, he looked up at his master.

"Your Highness, today I saw a person."

Qi Ling almost wished he could grab Qi Zhu by the collar and shake him, hoping to shake some sense into his brain. His Highness is asking why the Commandery Princess did not come, and you should at least offer an excuse. What does mentioning someone you saw matter?

Zheng Congyuan looked at Qi Yu, did not speak, his gaze deepening. Even though he was weak in bed, his aura of authority instantly emanated, and Qi Yu anxiously knelt down.

"Your Highness, today I saw that Nanmen State hostage." Qi Yu dared not hide it anymore, fearing that if he kept silent, it would allow those two to secretly change their plans, and by then, it would be too late.

Zheng Congyuan’s eyebrows furrowed, instantly understanding Qi Yu’s implication.

"At the Qishun Building?" Zheng Congyuan coldly began, so this was why she hadn’t come.

"Not there. The Commandery Princess was playing in the garden today; when she returned, that Nanmen State hostage was with her, escorting her right to the palace’s gate before exiting from the corner of the palace wall." Qi Yu had followed for a good while and had seen with his own eyes how Nanmen Yu left.

So, should they block off that passageway now or simply put a swift end to the nuisance? As long as the person executing it remains untraceable, who would know how it happened?

Zheng Congyuan said nothing. The Nanmen State hostage, Zheng Nianru had saved Nanmen Yu because he was a person from the Nanmen State?

That’s not impossible. Prince Duan had never concealed her origins, nor did he find it disgraceful.

So, for Zheng Nianru, Nanmen State always held a certain allure over other things. Therefore, saving a Nanmen State hostage was something she would do. Thus, with one thing leading to another, the debt of saving a life, combined with their similar ages and the common topic of Nanmen State...

The air inside the room grew colder and colder, and Qi Ling and Qi Yu didn’t dare to breathe. Qi Ling also didn’t dare to blame Qi Yu for saying these things now, realizing that someday it would have been found out anyway. The fact that the Commandery Princess wasn’t coming had slowly become a reality, and the longer time passed, the more significant the problems would accrue.

"Your Highness, why not investigate the situation?" Qi Ling spoke up, suggesting simply killing her which wasn’t a big deal, especially since His Highness still had injuries.

Zheng Congyuan sneered internally.

Kill her? Did he need to kill her to show his displeasure?

Was he, who was sweet-talked and doted on over the past three years, now reduced to competing with such a person?

...

Xing Yu entered the firewood shed reluctantly and glanced at the figure lying motionless under the blankets.

This kid was awake, as the sweeping eunuch had already reported. Once conscious, he just lay there with his eyes open and didn’t speak, eating and drinking very little.

"Hey, I’m telling you, you better go quickly," Xing Yu poked the person on the bed.

The individual did not move, allowing Xing Yu to poke him.

"Hey, are you deaf? You cannot stay here. Noble Consort Wen is searching everywhere for you. Hiding here, if you’re found, it’s our master who will suffer," Xing Yu squatted down, eyeing the boy closely.

After a long time, silence still filled the air. Xing Yu raised her eyebrows. Why couldn’t he understand simple language?

"Get up, today I have to get you out no matter what," Xing Yu said, reaching to pull the youth, surprisingly finding that the youth was very cooperative and didn’t resist at all.

Xing Yu effortlessly pulled up the youth, then saw his hollow and lifeless gaze curiously examining Xing Yu, as if he didn’t recognize her.

Xing Yu paused, perplexed by the situation.

"Who are you?" the youth weakly voiced these three words, Xing Yu frowned at him. True, Master Yin He didn’t know them.

But something felt very wrong, a strong sense of unease. Xing Yu looked at Master Yin He again. The boy in the cave, although unconscious, was stubborn and fierce, even in unconsciousness he emitted a dangerous aura.

Yet, the man before her now was harmless, as harmless as a sheep, with all his vulnerabilities exposed, allowing Xing Yu to manipulate him easily.

"Are you dazed?" Xing Yu thought for a moment and tossed out an answer, an answer that even she felt uneasy about. If he wasn’t dazed, why would he neither eat nor leave?

Originally tasked with chasing Master Yin He away, Xing Yu, now unsure what to do, simply hoisted the young man up and walked out.

With a thud, Xing Yu dropped the person on her shoulder.

Nanny Yun, who was embroidering a fan, was startled and stood up ready to scold Xing Yu.

Zheng Nianru had already seen the Yin He on the ground.

"Commandery Princess, there’s something wrong with this kid," Xing Yu didn’t mince words, pointing at the Yin He on the ground.

Yin He also opened his curious eyes at that moment, surveying everything before him, and when he saw Zheng Nianru, suddenly flinched, then appeared somewhat ingratiating, like a child in a strange place, fearful yet cautious not to make a disturbance.

Zheng Nianru raised an eyebrow.

"Who are you?"

Master Yin He shook his head frantically. He couldn’t remember anything upon waking up. Was this place his?