Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved-Chapter 643 - 622: Second Update

"No need to bother with him—" Ju Nanyi put down the letter in his hand and snorted inwardly, wondering just how shameless Nanmen Yu could get. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Lord Lin was startled, somewhat surprised by Lord Ju’s reaction. Lord Ju was usually prudent and calm; why was he being so stubborn on this matter?

Moreover, Nanmen Yu’s arrival had been announced in a letter that was already very polite and sincere, as Lord Lin himself could see.

"Lord Ju, now that the new Monarch of Nanmen State has just secured his position, his visit to our Nanzheng must either be to forge an alliance with us to counter those powers within his country or to use this opportunity to engage in a battle with Nanzheng State, dissipating those forces," Lord Lin analyzed. Furthermore, this was pretty obvious; Nanmen Yu’s eagerness to come to Nanzheng was clearly for one of these two reasons.

Ju Nanyi glanced at Lord Lin before him but did not speak. In his previous life, the two states had battled for many years with varying outcomes. Was Nanmen Yu simply aiming to exhaust military forces? Was his past self foolish?

Suddenly, Ju Nanyi’s gaze darkened—Nanmen Yu wasn’t irrational; he had another purpose, and it involved Zheng Nianru. Ju Nanyi snorted inwardly, thinking he must be out of his mind.

"My lord—" Lord Lin clearly felt something was off with Lord Ju. Was there something else he had not considered? Right, Lord Ju could often perceive what others could not; perhaps they had overlooked something.

"Please enlighten me, Lord Ju," Lord Lin immediately said respectfully and with much humility.

Ju Nanyi collected his thoughts, knowing that since he was here, he wasn’t without options. Rather than dragging things out, it was better to let him give up hope.

"He’s already here, we can only take it one step at a time," Ju Nanyi finally spoke, "But first, let’s leak the news of the Emperor’s severe illness."

Lord Lin was stunned, this...

But the next moment, he obeyed the command and left.

On the third day, Zheng Nianru was barely able to get up, naturally slowing down the procession, but Ju Nanyi was in no hurry. If Nanmen Yu was willing to wait, then there was no rush for these day or two.

...

"Monarch of Nanmen State, I hope you are finding your accommodations satisfactory?" Eunuch He started obsequiously, his plump body swaying slightly as he pointed to the jade curtains beside him. "This is the finest ’Zhu Yu’ jade in Nanzheng, as red as blood and with a glossy finish—a rare treasure indeed."

"Not bad, the Emperor is considerate," Nanmen Yu nodded, "I just wonder when Lord Ju will return?"

"Monarch of Nanmen State, rest assured, Lord Ju immediately set out as soon as he received the decree and will be back in Zheng Capital within a couple of days," Eunuch He promptly replied.

Nanmen Yu remained silent. Zheng Congyuan was ill? No wonder no information could be gleaned about the Nanzheng Imperial Clan. If he hadn’t come himself, he might never have gotten the true answer.

"If there is anything Nanmen State can do to help with the Emperor’s illness, just say the word—" Nanmen Yu spoke immediately, with genuine sincerity.

"Oh, I give thanks in advance on behalf of Nanmen State, your servant will definitely relay your message," Eunuch He immediately responded, visibly moved.

After finally sending Eunuch He away, Nanmen Yu’s men were already waiting inside the inn.

"Monarch, we’ve looked into it, and it’s impossible to enter Prince Duan’s Mansion," the same news was reported back by a disheartened man, his head hung low in disappointment at not being able to make his lord proud.

Nanmen Yu’s expression slightly darkened. It was the third wave of people, not even including those he had sent personally in public, but the entire Prince Duan’s Mansion was like an impregnable fortress.

If one were to force entry, it wasn’t that they couldn’t successfully do so, but at this moment, in Nanzheng State, Nanmen Yu dared not act rashly.

Moreover, he had not come here to make enemies, so he found himself restricted.

What baffled Nanmen Yu was that something seemingly simple had become so complicated in Nanzheng State.

The Emperor of Nanzheng State was unavailable, supposedly due to illness—a reason that matched the recent news about the Imperial Palace summoning famous doctors from all around. What baffled Nanmen Yu further was why even meeting Prince Duan was so problematic.

"Has Prince Duan not made an appearance at all?" Nanmen Yu frowned. He wasn’t here for revenge. It was even a perfect opportunity for fruitful cooperation between the two states, and with his current identity, marrying Prince Duan’s daughter should have pleased the Prince.

"Monarch, no." This perplexed them as well; not a single person had left Prince Duan’s Mansion in quite some time.

"Have Song Gao and Song Yuan still not been found?" Nanmen Yu asked further.

"No, the trail for Song Gao and Song Yuan ended at a farmhouse in the Southern Suburb, and no other clues have been discovered since."

Nanmen Yu fell silent.

"However, Monarch, we found some suspicious things in that farmhouse." The guard spoke hesitantly, seeing his monarch’s lack of interest, nevertheless, he persisted, "It seems a person of noble identity stayed there, particularly a woman, indicated by a piece of embroidered fabric we found there."

Upon hearing this, Nanmen Yu turned to look at the guard, seeing only a piece of frayed fabric held out by the guard’s hands. With just one glance, Nanmen Yu’s heartbeat slowed, and he took it into his hands the next moment.

It was a begonia flower the size of a thumb, with its silky fabric torn; Nanmen Yu recognized it instantly.

Hers, how could her belongings be at the farmhouse? Suddenly, Nanmen Yu understood why Song Gao and Song Yuan had been at the farmhouse.

"When was this found?" Nanmen Yu immediately asked.

"It was during our last visit to Nanzheng, while we were tracking Song Gao and Song Yuan." The guard paused, sensing that this might be an important clue.

"Why mention it only now?" Nanmen Yu’s voice deepened, discontent evident. These men were newly assigned to him, not as reliable as the old ones, but he had chose them for his visit to Nanzheng State to avoid familiar faces, which might give away their intentions.

The guard panicked, sensing Nanmen Yu’s growing anger and promptly knelt down.

"I had always planned to report it, but just hadn’t found the opportunity—" the guard hurriedly explained.

Nanmen Yu hesitated, pondering what a piece of fabric could prove when the person was right there. Why fuss over a piece of fabric?

Nanmen Yu suspected he was being too sensitive; Zheng Capital had been chaotic, surely she had been frightened, hence why she hadn’t left Prince Duan’s Mansion.

"Leave for now. As soon as Ju Nanyi arrives at Zheng Capital, report to me immediately," Nanmen Yu instructed, deciding it was best to be patient. He knew now was not the best time to visit Nanzheng State. Nanzheng was barely past its recent turmoil, with ongoing power struggles and factions vying for control, and Qiandao Temple clashing with Ghoul Ravine for power; indeed, these were not easy times, but they also presented him with the best opportunity to propose to Nian Ru.

After all, each parent wished for their child’s safety, and he hoped Prince Duan would agree on this basis.

Nanmen Yu reminded himself again not to rush. The current situation in Nanzheng was not personal against him. As the monarch of another state, natural suspicions would arise, but as long as he sincerely explained his origins and made his offers with Ju Nanyi, he had no worry that Nanzheng would not agree.