Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 84: Failure

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Failure

"Believe whom?" Zheng Haoyuan asked, puzzled as he looked towards Zheng Nianru, the breeze gently lifting the hair by her ears, softening her features. The sunlight emanated from behind the girl, making her figure appear as if it were translucent, giving Zheng Haoyuan the sense that the girl before him might at any moment sprout a pair of light wings and soar into the sky, as beautifully as a bird.

Zheng Haoyuan was somewhat spellbound, his cousin always evoked feelings in him that he could never quite grasp; making it all too natural to treat her well, no matter how much care was given, it was only proper.

"Master Ling Yi," Zheng Nianru said as she sat on the rooftop, glancing at Zheng Haoyuan’s position. That was usually her spot, but after all these years, she let it go.

Zheng Haoyuan shyly averted his gaze, still unsure why he felt bashful, and simply nodded in confusion.

"My mother consort said that the reason Father Emperor has lived for so many years is all because of Master Ling Yi’s prayers. She also mentioned that Master Ling Yi could draw life from the healthy and pass it to those on the brink of death."

Zheng Nianru didn’t respond, not quite believing those ethereal and mystical tales from Qiandao Temple.

Her Imperial Uncle only had a few years left, given his repeated severe illnesses. Commandery Princess Zheng Congyuan, the Empress, and other concubines had exhausted all their filial piety. When his end truly neared, he passed away quietly one midnight, without any forewarning, in his sleep.

Master Ling Yi, Zheng Nianru couldn’t remember well; this mage was very different from Master Huo Yi.

Master Huo Yi was extremely loyal to the Nanzheng Imperial Clan, personally taking action after her rebellion. Many mages from Qiandao Temple died in the rebellion, leaving behind only a few insignificant survivors. By the time they took stock, Master Ling Yi had already vanished without a trace.

"I believe too," Zheng Nianru nodded, her sincerity unmatchable, "Master Ling Yi is indeed the most popular mage in the Imperial Palace."

The sun rose slowly, and warmth began to build up on Zheng Nianru’s back. The prolonged and monotonous chanting that had started earlier continued, destined to last nearly a Shichen Chinese Time from the beginning of the prayers till the end.

However, Zheng Nianru did not dislike the chanting; instead, she found unprecedented peace within it, but evaluating her past and present lives, she now also considered the future.

"Cousin, if I encounter Master Ling Yi, I will definitely ask for a talisman for you," Zheng Haoyuan said, feeling as if Zheng Nianru was right next to him, a feeling of fulfillment devoid of any regret, and comfortably serene as if he were bathed in the surrounding view.

"Good, I want a Matchmaking Talisman," Zheng Nianru smiled slightly, watching as Master Ling Yi brought out the familiar Gold Banner. The dazzling gold, illuminated by the gaze of light, magically lit the Emperor’s figurine surrounded by an illusory glow, the scene stunningly impactful. Even for Zheng Nianru who watched from afar, it was an emotionally moving experience, let alone for the concubines standing below.

Zheng Haoyuan, too, stared dumbfounded at the spectacle, the golden glow seemingly sentient, with the chanting inadvertently becoming louder and more urgent, as if reaching the climax of prayers. Flags all around fluttered with the wind, capturing everyone’s attention.

It took Zheng Nianru a while to recover; such prayer indeed could mesmerize, seamlessly drawing one in, fostering a natural sense of faith, as if only the man before her could redeem everything.

In her past life, Zheng Nianru didn’t believe in these things because she knew, no matter what, no one could save her from those mad, sinful desires for Zheng Congyuan, and those from Qiandao Temple were especially untouchable; with one touch, they would unearth her inner thoughts, as if exposing them under the broad daylight.

"Cousin, let’s go—" Zheng Haoyuan suddenly stood up, pulling Zheng Nianru to leave.

Nanny Yun approached anxiously, Fourth Prince, be careful, this is a rooftop; what if you fall?

Zheng Haoyuan didn’t care, he pulled Zheng Nianru down from the rooftop at breakneck speed, circling around the back as the praying ceremony concluded, and waited on the path leading to Xiongji Hall.

"You want to see Master Ling Yi?" Zheng Nianru seemed to guess what Zheng Haoyuan was up to and tilted his head to ask.

"Yes, I want to request a Matchmaking Talisman for my cousin." Zheng Haoyuan waited confidently.

Sure enough, Master Ling Yi had already come out from the Sunny Hall, walking towards the Imperial Garden, followed by a Junior Mage who walked with his head bowed.

Zheng Nianru felt a moment of panic. She still remembered word for word the criticisms Master Huo Yi had made of her years ago, criticism that had brought almost disastrous changes to her life.

Zheng Nianru stood still, feeling as if Heaven had given her a second chance at life just for this moment. She wanted to see what kind of criticism she would receive now that she stood here.

"Master Ling Yi—" Zheng Haoyuan had already stepped forward, very courteously.

"Fourth Prince, may you always be in good health." Master Ling Yi spoke gently, his robe as white as snow and flawless, and his gentle voice made one feel as though bathed in the warmth of spring, naturally attracting people.

It was the first time Zheng Nianru had such a close look at Master Ling Yi. She suddenly felt that what she had seen from a distance was just a shadow, and now, the Master Ling Yi standing before her, without uttering a single word, exuded an aura that demanded reverence.

"Master Ling Yi, I would like to request a Matchmaking Talisman for Commandery Princess Chao Ren," Zheng Haoyuan said boldly, referring to the talisman that belonged to the two of them.

Master Ling Yi’s amiable, spring-like expression did not change even slightly, and his gaze that landed on Zheng Nianru’s face was clear and piercing like a spring, devoid of any emotion, making Zheng Nianru feel for a moment as if all her thoughts were seen through in that spiritually clean gaze.

"Fourth Prince, Commandery Princess Chao Ren’s sincere heart naturally leads to smooth sailing in everything..."

"Fu Gong, how come you are here?" Just then, a voice came from behind, that of Empress Xiao, causing a flicker of panic in Zheng Haoyuan’s eyes, though he quickly regained his composure and stood his ground.

"Fu Gong—" Hearing the hurried news delivered by a Palace Maid, Noble Consort Wen immediately followed without hesitation.

Lady Wen, Fu Dong, and others watched the scene unfold with some trepidation, while Nian Xia almost dragged her commandery princess by the sleeve, intending to turn around and leave.

Zheng Nianru felt that leaving now would make things even more suspicious, whereas asking Master Ling Yi for a talisman now offered a perfectly reasonable explanation.

"Mother Empress, Mother Consort." Zheng Haoyuan was compelled to greet them.

"Empress, Noble Consort Wen." Zheng Nianru also greeted them.

"Fu Gong, why are you here?" Noble Consort Wen took the initiative to ask directly.

"Mother Consort, your son was asking the Mage for a talisman..." Zheng Haoyuan began, but before he could finish, Noble Consort Wen had already slapped him across the face.