Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 74: Leaving the Palace

Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Leaving the Palace

Zheng Congyuan had changed into a set of ink-colored satin robes, the inner layer revealing silver openwork flower-patterned borders and a jade belt at the waist. The dark clothes added an extra touch of cold handsomeness to the man before her eyes.

Qi Zhu laughed merrily, accompanying her with care.

"The Commandery Princess is really beautiful today."

"When is our Commandery Princess not beautiful!" Nian Xia retorted, only to get a withering look from Fu Dong—why argue over such a thing.

Zheng Nianru was also very happy, the craftsmanship of the Embroidery Girls had improved considerably, and after much difficulty, they had obtained a piece of rosy clouds gauze. The colors that shone like a rainbow spread out, the seven colors blending together, neutralizing the brightness while being distinct from everything else.

It was just missing a bit of liveliness, so the embroidery Zheng Nianru wanted was quite different from what they usually did; she wanted to thread a silver wire throughout the fabric, creating a light that shimmered and played hide-and-seek with movement.

The Embroidery Girls had spent a full three days embroidering just enough for a single cloak. Now, Zheng Nianru was wearing this seven-colored, Yan Xia-like cloak over her Thousand Water Skirt of rolled snow fine gauze. She looked like a fox fairy who did not partake of the mortal world’s food, with small pearls the size of rice grains dangling from the fluffy white pompoms hanging on her earrings, her skin whiter than snow.

Early in the morning, Zheng Nianru arrived at the Crown Prince’s Mansion—today, Zheng Congyuan had said he would take her out for fun.

Zheng Nianru was very happy, even though she had been there once in her previous life, she was extremely pleased this time too.

"Brother Crown Prince—" Just as Zheng Congyuan stepped out of his study, he heard an extremely soft and supple voice, humming from her throat with the playful and indolent cadence of a young girl, which seemed to reverberate endlessly. In an instant, Zheng Congyuan saw the fox fairy hopping towards him, and for that moment, it felt as if she alone was the epitome of worldly beauty.

"Is Brother Crown Prince’s health better?" Zheng Nianru asked with deep concern for Zheng Congyuan’s injury, her sincerity not appearing to be feigned as she reached out to touch his chest, pressing down to reassure herself.

Zheng Congyuan caught the wrist that was moving so carelessly, fearful as if this excessively ethereal girl might fly away.

"Let’s go—" Zheng Congyuan shifted his gaze; he had originally promised to take her out of the palace, but had delayed for two months. Seeing her so happy, he should have arranged it sooner.

"Zheng Congyuan, you haven’t even complimented my dress," said Zheng Nianru, not moving, pouting, and even averting her gaze.

Zheng Congyuan stood helplessly and looked back at the woman in front of him.

"It’s beautiful," Zheng Congyuan said honestly. When he received this batch of fabric, the first thing he thought of was how she would look wearing it, which turned out even better than he had imagined. It was just too time-consuming and laborious, and once or twice should suffice.

Qi Ling and Qi Yu dared not look, fearing that staring any longer, they would smell the unworthy dust on themselves.

"That’s too perfunctory," complained Zheng Nianru, unappeased.

"Commandery Princess, it’s truly beautiful. In all my years, I’ve never seen such a beautiful piece," Steward Zheng quickly chimed in with a cheery smile, trying to smooth things over.

Zheng Nianru stood firm, and Fu Dong prepared to pull their Commandery Princess over; it was about time to go.

Zheng Nianru tugged at Zheng Congyuan’s sleeve, starting to get a bit angry.

Zheng Congyuan reached out to tap Zheng Nianru’s forehead.

"You’re beautiful in whatever you wear. It’s just a piece of clothing, and it’s only because you’re wearing it that it looks so beautiful."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Nianru looked up, her eyes sparkling, her smile as radiant as splendorous flowers, as if in that moment, she lit up the sunshine.

"Let’s go quickly, let’s go. Today I want to have a lot of fun," said Zheng Nianru as she walked toward the exit of the Crown Prince’s Mansion. It was only then that Qi Ling, Qi Yu, and the rest breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly followed her out.

The carriage was almost identical to the one from her previous life, understated and discreet; from the outside, it was nearly impossible to see any insignia, but the craftsmanship was meticulous, even the sealed parts of the carriage windows were sewn with real leather, and the interior space was larger than an ordinary carriage.

Zheng Nianru habitually opened the inner box, revealing four kinds of delicate pastries that were as pleasing to the eye as they were delicious. Fu Dong busied herself tidying the Commandery Princess’s clothes, settling on one side.

Zheng Congyuan had grown accustomed to Zheng Nianru getting into the carriage before him, he lifted his robe and got in, sitting next to Zheng Nianru.

Zheng Nianru remembered that in her previous life, Zheng Congyuan had taken her to Flower Street, half a month earlier than today. At this time, Flower Street naturally had little to offer; the beautiful flowers had long been bought at high prices, and those left were not to her liking at all.

"Brother Crown Prince, where are we going today?" Zheng Nianru asked curiously—since they were not going to Flower Street, there hadn’t been any gatherings recently.

"Listening to songs," Zheng Congyuan said, having thought for a long time before accepting Qi Yu’s suggestion. And she loved these things, just like the obviously fake stories of scholars and young ladies in the storybooks, which could easily make her cry.

"Brother Crown Prince, you’re the best," Zheng Nianru cooed, clinging to Zheng Congyuan’s sleeve, her hands intertwined, swaying with the movement of the carriage.

Zheng Congyuan closed his eyes, trying not to think about the arm incident, resting against the carriage. So, Zheng Nianru climbed up again, resting her chin on Zheng Congyuan’s shoulder, poking his shoulder bone with each jolt of the carriage like she had discovered a fun game.

Fu Dong, used to such scenes, closed her eyes for a nap. She hadn’t slept well for days, always feeling like there were thieves in Qishun Building.

There were many teahouses on Taiping Long Street, a favorite pastime of the nobility on ordinary days. Besides offering a full range of tea, teahouses were the best places for the spread of lyrics and tunes.

Therefore, teahouses were no longer simply for drinking tea. Songstresses who had a reputation had become the most important condition for attracting customers to the teahouses.

This newly opened teahouse became an instant success with a full house right from the start, thanks to a lyric composed by the newly crowned Tanhua.

As soon as Qi Yu got out of the carriage, the guards had already sealed off the entrance to the teahouse. The teahouse owner, obviously experienced, knew that an important person had arrived and kept clear the direct route from the main entrance to the best private room on the second floor.

Only then did Zheng Congyuan lead Zheng Nianru out of the carriage, heading straight for the private room. The guards then opened the entrance door and took up their posts outside the room.

The teahouse immediately resumed its usual bustle, with the songstress already taking the stage, beginning the day’s first performance.

Zheng Nianru cracked open a sliver of the private room window, which faced directly the stage below. The young songstress on stage was fresh-faced and innocent, and the moment she opened her mouth, she revealed her exceptional talent.

Indeed, singing was a god-given talent for making a living. The young girl’s hesitant voice was melodious and charming. From the moment she started singing, she conveyed deep affection. Zheng Nianru listened intently while Fu Dong peeled oranges, meticulously cleaning them and placing them on a white porcelain plate. Only after finishing an orange did she place it in front of Zheng Nianru.

Qi Yu brought in a pot of tea; the teapot and cups were clearly not from the teahouse but the set that Zheng Nianru was accustomed to using every day.

As Qi Yu set down the tea tray, preparing to leave, a cry for help suddenly broke in, right outside their private room.

"Noble ones, please save me—"

While listening to the young girl singing on the stage, the elegant and desperate cry for help outside seemed to blend together, forming a peculiar harmony.

"Nobles, please save me—"

Zheng Nianru frowned. The voice was too loud, making it hard to hear the young girl’s voice clearly.

The moment Qi Yu opened the door to leave, a particularly handsome face intruded into Zheng Nianru’s sight; the man’s attractiveness made it easy to draw attention.

Even though it was the second time Zheng Nianru had seen him, she naturally took note of such an unforgettable face and was quite astonished.

But the next moment, she was not surprised anymore.

The Eldest Princess was used to frolics, so her presence here was not unusual. The handsome gentleman kneeling at the entrance was the same one who had been with the Eldest Princess that day at the Riverfood Restaurant.