Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved-Chapter 644 - 623: One More Update

Zheng Nianru had just returned to the Imperial Palace when she heard the news of Nanmen Yu’s arrival. She was surprised but also felt a bit guilty; naturally, she couldn’t forget the years of chaotic battles between Nanmen State and Nanzheng in her previous life, which brought about immense suffering to the people and a precipitous decline in national strength.

Therefore, in this life, it would be best to never have any dealings with that Nanmen Yu again.

So, she shouldn’t have provoked Nanmen Yu in the first place.

"Nanny Yun, you didn’t know that this young man would become the Monarch of Nanmen State back then either," Nanny Yun quietly comforted her, noting how uneasy Zheng Nianru had been since receiving the news.

Zheng Nianru looked towards Nanny Yun. She vaguely remembered that in her previous life, Nanmen Yu waged war to weaken the local powers in order to consolidate imperial authority.

That was Ju Nanyi’s judgment, and everyone believed it without doubt.

But, Zheng Nianru felt that Nanmen Yu was rather strange. Now that he had become the King, he should just be a good King. Why cling to the past?

"Your Highness, should we summon Lord Ju to ask for a countermeasure?" Nanny Yun had no idea herself and felt that only Lord Ju could make a sound judgment.

"Your Highness—" Ju Nanyi appeared quickly; from the moment Zheng Nianru gave the order to his arrival, he just had to travel the distance from Chenyuan Hall to Chenhe Palace.

Ju Nanyi bowed respectfully. Even though they were alone in Chenhe Palace, he did not contemplate taking advantage of their relationship from that night.

"Did Lord Ju already know of the Nanmen monarch’s visit to Zheng Capital?" He had received the news while he was at Bu Er Temple. Yet he hadn’t said anything and had traveled to Zheng Capital at a leisurely pace, taking two days. This was the moment Zheng Nianru realized, was Ju Nanyi deliberately keeping her in the dark?

Yet, Ju Nanyi probably didn’t know about her acquaintance with Nanmen Yu. Perhaps she was overthinking it.

Nanny Yun immediately winked at her mistress, signaling for Zheng Nianru to stay calm. Wasn’t this the time to let Lord Ju come up with a solution?

Ju Nanyi was not surprised by Zheng Nianru’s panic and sneered to himself. It’s not that he didn’t want to tell her, he just didn’t want to utter the name of any man related to her.

"The Monarch of Nanmen arrived in Zheng Capital three days ago. Previously, emissaries from Nanmen State had presented visitation requests several times, all of which were rejected by our nation. However, this time the Monarch came personally, and in accordance with the diplomatic customs between two countries, we in Nanzheng cannot refuse," Ju Nanyi stated calmly.

"Then why leave him in the cold?" Alright, she wouldn’t pursue that matter. What she had heard was that Nanmen Yu had been kept waiting in the post house for two days without reception, and from yesterday evening till now, another night and half a day passed without any action. That was a blatant slap in the face.

Had she not gone to Chenyuan Hall by chance and encountered the anxious Lord Lin and other court officials, she might still be in the dark.

By doing this, wouldn’t Ju Nanyi completely infuriate Nanmen Yu? Wasn’t that playing right into the enemy’s hands?! If a war broke out between the two nations, then it would be better to meet her death sooner rather than later.

"Your Highness, don’t be hasty. Having just returned to Zheng Capital, I naturally had to discuss matters with The Emperor. Moreover, the Monarch of Nanmen has been inquiring several times in Zheng Capital, and we’ve captured five or six spies alone. His intentions may not be pure," said Ju Nanyi, but before he could finish, they heard the sound of a teacup lid falling, and tea spilled across the table.

"Your Highness, please be careful—" Nanny Yun hurriedly came forward to tidy up, subtly steadying Zheng Nianru’s hand.

"What are they investigating?" Zheng Nianru glanced at Nanny Yun. She knew that ever since Song Gao and Song Yuan had been captured by Zheng Haoyuan, she wished to save them but was powerless to do so. And in the end, hadn’t Prince Duan already clearly refused Nanmen Yu?

With a look, Nanny Yun reminded her mistress, "Your Highness, you have forgotten that you were thinking of ’fishing.’"

"Your Highness, rest assured. Nanmen Yu will find out nothing. The news of The Emperor’s critical illness has always been contained within the Imperial Palace. Nanmen Yu’s men can’t take even half a step inside, and besides, my lord has also secured the residences of several Princes who know this secret very strictly," Ju Nanyi explained, not wanting to see her unrest. Why the panic? Was it because she knew the purpose of Nanmen Yu’s visit and was afraid?

If I had known all this beforehand, why would it have come to this?

Zheng Nianru calmed down. Right, right, right, it wasn’t the first time someone from Nanmen Yu had come, and all the guards at Prince Duan’s Mansion had been carefully selected. How could she have forgotten?

"Also, I decided to meet with the Monarch of Nanmen State because I don’t want to place all my hopes on the Young Master of Ghoul Ravine to fulfill the Emperor’s wishes."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Nianru looked at Ju Nanyi. So, are you planning to save Zheng Congyuan? Zheng Nianru couldn’t even fathom what was going through Ju Nanyi’s mind. She had spent her life avoiding him as much as possible, and even when avoidance wasn’t possible, she had made it clear she wanted to distance herself from this man. Yet, in the end, their paths still crossed.

Just like how Qiandao Temple was destined to be destroyed.

Even so, Zheng Nianru wasn’t certain whether Ju Nanyi’s last action had directly caused Master Huo Yi’s death. So, in the end, did Qiandao Temple still fall because of Ju Nanyi?

Then, what about Zheng Congyuan...

That’s why Zheng Nianru couldn’t bring herself to believe that the other party sincerely wanted to save Zheng Congyuan.

"So, what are Lord Ju’s thoughts?" Zheng Nianru withdrew her gaze and was not in a hurry. At least for now, Ju Nanyi wouldn’t make a move, and she could get rid of him before he did.

Zheng Nianru suddenly remembered something her father had once given her.

Previously, Ju Nanyi felt uneasy under that unreservedly suspicious gaze, which easily provoked his temper, but Ju Nanyi knew he mustn’t be hasty. He didn’t even know how much of what he had done and promised while drunk that day she had taken to heart, or if...

Ju Nanyi knew her temperament, the lack of a proper sense of right and wrong in such matters, which was why he dared to...

But what exactly was she thinking...

Ju Nanyi even doubted whether it was his behavior that night...

However, as the gaze was quickly withdrawn, Ju Nanyi’s momentary restraint was instantly broken, and he felt more uncomfortable about that night...

Zheng Nianru frowned, somewhat surprised that Ju Nanyi had yet to speak. When Ju Nanyi spoke, it was always after careful thought, and by the time his words came out, he had already considered seven or eight steps ahead, with all possible outcomes under control.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I have already sent people in secret to the Western Border. Both Qiandao Temple and Ghoul Ravine originate from the Western Border, so the clues to the spells found in Ghoul Ravine must also be traceable there."

Zheng Nianru nodded. The grapes in the glazed bowl in front of her were fresh and green, reflecting against the maid’s pale and delicate fingers.

"Your Highness, Prince Duan requests an audience—" the eunuch hurriedly reported.

Zheng Nianru immediately lost interest in seeing Ju Nanyi and let him leave, as Prince Duan had already approached the hall.

"Father—"

"Nian Ru, I heard you were ill?" Prince Duan asked as soon as he entered.

"It’s nothing serious, just a bit of fatigue. How are you feeling today, father?" Zheng Nianru smiled, glancing at the receding figure of Ju Nanyi. Hmm, she should have her own people now.