Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved

The Crown Prince's Mansion was built beside the lake, where the majority of the spring snow had melted, leaving traces etched on the eaves and the lakeshore, tranquil and remote like a grand landscape painting.

Qi Zhu personally swept every path in the Crown Prince's Study Room, especially the smaller pathways, until he confirmed that there were no traces of snow from the west side door to every path leading to the Study Room, and he even leveled the uneven grounds.

Could it be that the snow on the small paths in the palace hasn't fully melted yet? What are those eunuchs in the palace doing? Such a small task, and they can't even manage it right.

Even Qi Jin and Qi Yu seemed somewhat emotional, though, in the past, especially when the Commandery Princess was around, they were more often rejecting than anticipating. Yet unexpectedly, one day, they found themselves hoping for that seldom-opened door to be pushed open.

But what does this mean? The Crown Prince and the Commandery Princess are the Tang siblings, and with the Commandery Princess's status, wouldn't it be better to have no contact?

Steward Hu brought out the meal, though it was touched, His Highness had already been in the Study Room all night, not to mention that in recent days, he was getting less than two shichen of sleep each night.

Qi Ling looked at Qi Zhu entering, unconcerned with the reluctant glances from Qi Jin and Qi Yu.

"What's the situation?"

"I haven't discovered anything," Qi Zhu said as he scratched his head. Everything seemed normal. Though their assigned people were far away, Qishun Building was such a small place and no one had even exited it. "Except…"

"Except what?" Qi Ling immediately asked Qi Zhu.

"We dealt with a eunuch yesterday." Qi Zhu spoke; this wasn't the first time. Xing Yu was strong, the killing was rough, but it did not cause much disturbance. After all, there are things in Qishun Building that must not catch the public eye, so they turned a blind eye.

"Just dealt with a eunuch?" Qi Ling was somewhat disappointed. Even if the Commandery Princess didn't have the capability, Prince Duan would have arranged such a person in Qishun Building. Wasn't there a bigger incident? It would be good to alert the Crown Prince as well.

Qi Zhu lowered his head.

"Should we send some jewelry over?" Qi Jin looked up; he was familiar with this task, having done it numerous times and more adeptly than anyone else.

Qi Zhu looked vaguely at Qi Ling. Send jewelry? Under what guise? As the Crown Prince?

...

"They say it's to pray for the Emperor's health, as a fulfillment of a vow," Nanny Yun carefully said, fearing any word might displease her master.

Zheng Nianru didn't want to go. Even if she had died once, there were things she simply did not wish to revisit, like those transcendental matters about life and death which did not exist.

"Commandery Princess—" Nanny Yun stepped forward, personally withdrawing the incense in front of the couch. Nian Xia's hands moved a jade roller gently around the eyes. Lifting her hands, Fu Dong softly placed a lukewarm handkerchief on the eyes.

The Commandery Princess seemed to have a heavier mood upon waking in the morning; everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

Seeing that it was getting late, Nanny Yun could not delay any longer; today's matter could not accommodate the Commandery Princess's moods, "Commandery Princess, Nanny Yun knows you don't want to go, but we can't afford to offend the Empress Dowager. Who knows, she might be pleased and allow you to meet Prince Duan."

Zheng Nianru coldly snorted internally at that old one. Even if she kneeled before her, the Empress Dowager wouldn't allow her to meet Prince Duan. She had attempted it before, fully aware of the dire consequences that followed. In Empress Dowager Yan Ping's eyes, her existence was an everlasting shame that Prince Duan couldn't erase, a sharp blade stuck in his heart and a shameful nail that fastened him to the column of disgrace.

"Commandery Princess, people from Xingqing Hall are urging us again," Xue Liu entered the hall and anxiously spoke.

Nanny Yun immediately signaled with her eyes, mentioning Xingqing Hall now of all times? Hurry out, is the sedan ready? Are the stoves prepared?

In the quiet of the hall, the scent of plum mingled with sandalwood spread wildly with a cold, steady composure. Fu Dong removed the handkerchief from the eyes and slowly helped the person on the couch sit up while Nian Xia helped with the shoes.

"Commandery Princess, the small begonia twining branch Yunyan exquisite garment you had the embroidery room make before the new year suits today's sun the most. Wearing it, you will definitely look beautiful amidst the freshly spiked green grass," Nanny Yun said with a smile, bringing the garment closer.

Zheng Nianru opened her eyes and the first thing she saw were three pairs of eager, rolling eyes, followed by the sight of the begonia blossoms in shades of rose pink, which were entwined with embroidered silver threads in layered richness, an utterly lifelike display. But even that wasn't the most exotic aspect—if it were in sunlight, those silver threads would refract a spectrum of colors, spilling a flowing light.

Zheng Nianru's mood somewhat improved, and a sparkle of energy animated her languid eyes, as if she were injecting a ray of light into the whole hall. It was as though a clear-bottomed teal pond had suddenly been channeled, and the limpid water began flowing.

"Let's go with this one—let's go," Zheng Nianru finally said, knowing well that even if she became the Empress Dowager, she couldn't always do as she pleased, and it was even less likely at this time.

Today's ritual prayer was for the Emperor's health, organized by a mage, requiring the presence of all in-charge from each palace. Therefore, even if the Empress Dowager was reluctant for someone like her to appear in public, for the sake of the Emperor's health, she had no choice but to let her attend.

The King of Nanzheng State, nominally her uncle, appeared in Zheng Nianru's memory as someone she had met no more than a handful of times, and even during those meetings, this uncle in name probably never truly saw her.

Sometimes, Zheng Nianru felt that her uncle didn't even know she existed.

Thus, she simply felt that her presence at the prayer wouldn't make any difference, and it might even cause trouble.

Those who were privy to the past events were few, apart from those who couldn't be kept in the dark; of those in the know, all who could die, had died. After Zheng Nianru became the Empress Dowager, it was by chance during an interrogation of an elderly palace attendant that this secret history was revealed.

Not only were her father's relations with her mother complicated, but so were her mother's relations with the current Emperor; even her uncle had been bedridden, all caused by her father.

So, was Empress Dowager Yan Ping really certain that she should participate in this ritual prayer?

As she passed through the side doors of Xingqing Hall, the crowds thickened. Upon Zheng Nianru's arrival, many already cast unusual glances her way.

Who was so bold as to arrive at Xingqing Hall while still seated in a sedan chair?

Zheng Nianru thought that no matter how cautious and discreet she was, or how hard she tried to win over the Empress Dowager's favor, she wouldn't change the Empress Dowager's resolve to liberate herself by ending her life; therefore, she might as well follow her own nature.

Zheng Nianru stepped down from the sedan, not the earliest to arrive. Those standing outside were characters of lesser stature compared to her.

Zheng Nianru glanced at these people with no intention of approaching, standing in the outermost corner. Nanny Yun followed closely beside, wary of provoking any disturbances.

This ritual prayer was held inside the Buddhist hall of Xingqing Hall, attended by the Harem's concubines, except for the Empress, Noble Consort Wen, Consort Huide, and Consort Ling Xian who could accompany the Empress Dowager in the Inner Hall. Meanwhile, others like Su Zhaoyi, Lin Zhaorong along with Chong Rong, Talented Lady, Selected Women, and other concubines numbering more than twenty, followed by several princesses not yet assigned to a residence, waited outside the hall.

Zheng Nianru's late arrival was conspicuous, making her impossible to ignore. But even with that notice, she was only among the lesser significant concubines on the periphery, not causing any stir within the hall.

"Qing Yue sister, do you recognize the person who just came in?" Could it be that they had been in the Harem for too long and now didn't even know when a new person entered the palace? Talented Lady Jing whispered discontentedly to Liang Chongrong beside her.

Liang Chongrong, known as Qing Yue, whose beauty had once favored her with the Emperor's attentions when he was still robust, looked over. But she was struck by the stunning presence of the other woman.

How unaware this woman was! At such a time, who wouldn't choose the most solemn attire, even taking extra care in dressing and headdress? Who would dare to…

"All concubines, please enter the hall," an old nanny's stern voice suddenly carried over, instantly silencing the crowd as everyone filed in, one after another.

Zheng Nianru deliberately stood at the very back, as she had wished.

"Look, Qing Yue sister, definitely a newcomer without even a rank," Talented Lady Jing grumbled still discontented. The Emperor's condition had shown some improvement; all this while, it had been she and Qing Yue sister who tended to his illness. Could it be that they now had to make room for someone else?