Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 97: Found a Clue

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Found a Clue

Prince Duan immediately looked at Nanmen Yu in front of him with an inquisitive expression. Gone was his previous impulsiveness. All these assets are Nian Ru’s?

Nanmen Yu bowed deeply.

"Prince, these are all the shops and investment returns that the Commandery Princess funded. As a junior, I constantly remember the life-saving grace of Her Royal Highness and dare not forget it. My only wish is to diligently ensure Her Royal Highness has a basis for standing on her own in the future, to offer her an additional layer of security." Second Uncle Jing winced a bit—that was a lot of money, and the Princely Heir had just handed it over to the Princess.

Uncle Jingmen patted Second Uncle Jing, "Be content, after all, you’ve lived through the days of being a refugee; the toughest times are behind us, how can you still be unsatisfied?"

Second Uncle Jing pursed his lips, it was just a pain in his heart.

Prince Duan was slightly taken aback. As far as he knew, it had only been a few months since purchasing the shops, and the young man had a very sharp eye for business—all the shops were in prime locations and they were continuously appreciating in value. The businesses operating in those shops were thriving.

To achieve this in such a short time...

Prince Duan felt that the information he had gathered was somewhat weak, seemingly insufficient to support the very commercially minded young man before him.

"All of it?"

"All of it," Nanmen Yu answered with certainty. What he could produce was genuinely earned by him and could withstand scrutiny from anyone, achieving the maximization of benefits in the shortest time possible.

Uncle Jingmen and Second Uncle Jing might not have been great with the Jing Tribe’s family business, but they were skilled merchants; they just had never shown their full capabilities initially to avoid startling the enemy.

"If that’s the case, then it’s inconvenient to keep these with you. How about I take them with me?" Prince Duan said. If so, then it was all the more unsuitable to leave these in the hands of an unfamiliar man. What could his identity bring to Nian Ru? A hostage from Nanmen State, who had lost his standing, had now even degraded to a merchant, and moreover, the capital was initially supplied by Nian Ru. Taking them back was entirely reasonable.

"Of course," Nanmen Yu did not hesitate at all. Even if Prince Duan had not come today, he would have sent these items to Nian Ru before leaving. Every word he said to Prince Duan was from the heart, and all he did was for her security.

"Your Highness the Princely Heir, I won’t beat around the bush any longer. Let’s get straight to the point," Prince Duan, having secured the items, looked at the young man in front of him, now seeing his composure as not entirely without merit—at least the upcoming pros and cons would be weighed by him.

"Please speak frankly, Prince," Nanmen Yu’s heart raced, knowing the importance of what was to follow, although he was reluctant to discuss it at the moment. Currently, he had no reason to catch the Prince’s eye, nor could he offer any conditions worth considering. Even promises seemed somewhat hollow and ridiculous.

Yet, reality didn’t grant him the time, and even so, Nanmen Yu had no intention of avoiding it.

"Well, I am well aware that you have been struggling greatly in my Nanzheng State, and accomplishing so much to this day has not been easy. But I have only Princess Chao Ren as an heir. I merely wish for her to live a peaceful and carefree life," Prince Duan slowly began, directly broaching the topic—as men, it was clear what intentions they harbored. "I am unwilling for her to further fall into the rumors and gossips of two nations."

Nanmen Yu’s heart sank. He knew something about Nian Ru’s mother. Originally, Nian Ru’s mother had come to Nanzheng State as the Princess of Nanmen State; officially speaking, he and Nian Ru shared a blood relation.

If he denied it, then it would mean not acknowledging the Princess of Nanmen State’s identity.

Nanmen Yu had thought about this matter, aware that quite a few people in Nanmen State knew about it. He had also struggled with it.

"Has Prince ever considered something?" Nanmen Yu spoke up, "If Nian Ru stays in Nanzheng State all her life, then the rumors about both nations will accompany her forever. Does Prince intend to give her a peaceful and joyful life by choosing someone he can control? Even if he can control this person, can Prince guarantee that this man will get along with Her Royal Highness without any strife or quarrel for their entire lives?"

Prince Duan opened his mouth, wanting to say something in retort. Gradually, a wave of anger grew—what did he mean by ’cannot guarantee’? Why curse Nian Ru?

"Prince, I am merely speaking truthfully. I understand the deep love you have for your daughter, I empathize, as Her Royal Highness often mentions it," Nanmen Yu quickly added, "I also know that at this moment, I cannot offer any commitments convincing enough for Prince. I only hope that one day, Prince will reconsider this matter."

"Reconsider?" Prince Duan was briefly stunned, then it clicked, "No need to think further, I can satisfy one condition for you. Moreover, Nian Ru is still young, I plan to keep her by my side for a few more years." That would even it out.

"Prince, everything I have done for Nian Ru has been from the bottom of my heart without seeking any return. My affection for Her Royal Highness is longstanding and I will wait until the day Prince feels assured to hand her over to me," Nanmen Yu earnestly said, "Rest assured, Prince, I will only marry Her Royal Highness after gaining your approval, openly and honorably."

Prince Duan paused, almost ready to reject outright but then reconsidered, wondering if maybe Nian Ru also harbored such intentions. Besides, this young man at least looked decent. Not securing his trust now, in case he resorted to underhanded tactics...

"Alright, I will tentatively trust you," Prince Duan turned and walked away, handing the items to Housekeeper He.

...

While Ju Nanyi was busy with the flood control of the Zheng Capital riverbanks, he did not neglect the Crown Prince’s orders. Despite extensive investigation, he had not uncovered any useful information. The refugee villages around the city and all the refugees roaming in Zheng Capital had almost been turned upside down, yet there was still no sign of those assassins.

Although these villagers did not have any special backgrounds.

The statements obtained were merely impulsive—because the Prefectural Governor was under the Crown Prince, they had harbored such thoughts, and moreover, after half a month of investigation, there was no trace of any mastermind.

Or rather, there might not have been a mastermind at all.

However, this theory still lacked a strong piece of evidence.

That was the two villagers who had managed to slip away, seemingly vanishing from Zheng Capital.

As Ju Nanyi was considering that as long as these people were in Zheng Capital, there would be traces somewhere—eating, drinking, sleeping, and relieving themselves—he expanded the investigation from refugees to hawkers and menials, and the investigation method gradually shifted from overt to covert. Ju Nanyi was not in a rush; all he needed was a corroborating piece of evidence.

Moreover, a few escaping villagers couldn’t change the situation.

Just then, a message suddenly reached Ju Nanyi’s hands, even dragging out three unaccounted for villagers.

Ju Nanyi’s brow furrowed slightly—this inn?

Ju Nanyi did not startle the snake, but prepared to make a personal visit instead. The emergence of three more people made him unsure about his own assumptions, and what was the history of this inn?

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