Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved-Chapter 645 - 624: Second Update

"Nian Ru, I have brought the person you wanted," said Prince Duan, glancing around. Although he did not know why Nian Ru wanted him to be secretive, he complied nonetheless.

Being part of the Imperial Family, he understood a few things. Zheng Boding sighed, knowing that although Nian Ru had taken this path out of necessity, it was also her choice. He believed that she was reluctant, but for the sake of Nanzheng, she had never expressed dissatisfaction. Zheng Boding knew he had wronged her.

In the midst of their conversation, a person walked up beside Zheng Boding and respectfully greeted Nian Ru above. The newcomer was dressed in a eunuch’s attire, yet his posture was upright. Even though he was dressed as a eunuch, Nian Ru, having grown up in the palace and accustomed to seeing eunuchs, could tell at a glance that it was a facade.

But that did not matter as Nian Ru had no intention of keeping him in the palace.

"There’s no need for such formalities. Since my father has recommended you, I naturally trust you," Nian Ru nodded and dismissed the man.

"Father, do you remember, once you gave me something?" Nian Ru dismissed everyone else before she spoke to Zheng Boding.

Zheng Boding was stunned, looking blankly at Nian Ru. When Nian Ru brought out the item, Zheng Boding still looked very clueless.

"What is this? Did I give it to you? Why can’t I remember?" Zheng Boding exclaimed in surprise, taking the item from Nian Ru’s hands and examining it closely.

"This thing..." Zheng Boding suddenly said, prompting Nian Ru to sit up straight, "looks so familiar. It shouldn’t be mine." The next moment, Zheng Boding shook his head with certainty.

Upon hearing this, Nian Ru sat back down like a deflated ball, her question as good as unasked. Her father’s memory was deteriorating, especially after the rebellion; he was increasingly forgetful.

"Father, let’s not look at it anymore. Have your noon meal before you leave, and I will accompany you," Nian Ru decided to drop the subject, as Zheng Boding would only feel guiltier if he could not remember. It seemed the timing was not right; perhaps if it was before the rebellion, her father might still remember something.

This matter would need further consideration.

In the afternoon, Nian Ru had the man remain with Prince Duan as they left the palace. She had been informed of Nanmen Yu’s arrival in Zheng Capital, and she needed her own informants to understand his true intentions, as Lord Ju was not aware of the real situation.

...

In the afternoon, Nanmen Yu finally met Lord Ju. The man approaching wore the deep blue official robe of Nanzheng, which adhered to a meticulous and conservative design, with a straight robe body and a wide waist, which even sturdier belts failed to make look spirited, much like the current state of Nanzheng - oppressive and melancholic. However, the person in front of him, Lord Ju, surprisingly embodied a relaxed, vibrant vitality akin to mountain cliffs, his stature surpassing jade, causing Nanmen Yu to narrow his eyes.

Such a remarkable figure, even among the circle of Nanmen State, would be considered incredibly rare.

Prince Duan, eager to look for a son-in-law, naturally would not forget such an individual.

Though the information he gleaned was limited, he knew that Prince Duan and the currently favored Zheng Congyuan were on close terms, frequently seen in the palace, and even the guards at Prince Duan’s Mansion were from the Imperial Forest Guard.

"Monarch of Nanmen State—," Lord Ju, unaware of Nanmen Yu’s thoughts, stood and took the lead. "This humble official dares not act recklessly towards our monarch. Thus, I rushed back to Zheng Capital last night, bathed, and prayed at dawn and dusk before daring to come and greet the Monarch."

"Lord Ju, your courtesy has deeply moved me," you can make things up, but currently, Nanmen State is still a subsidiary of Nanzheng State, temporarily; that may change after I marry Nian Ru."

"The Emperor is unwell, and as an official entrusted with his great responsibility, I must properly host the Monarch. I am anxious and if there’s any impropriety, I beg for your understanding, Monarch."

"Not at all, it’s rather my sudden visit that’s at fault." Nanmen Yu didn’t want to speak in riddles, "Lord Ju, my recurring visits are a sincere effort to maintain good relations with Nanzheng, not daring to come uninvited if the Emperor were not ill."

Upon hearing this, Ju Nanyi looked up; the Nanmen Yu he saw was no longer the frail teenager in the side palace who was all skin and bones. In just a year, the man had grown significantly taller, even taller than him, and no trace of frailty could be seen in the robust man before him.

"Truthfully, having lived in Nanzheng for many years, I hold a special affection for it. It is for this reason that I will speak frankly."

"Your Majesty, feel free to speak," Ju Nanyi bowed again as the official behind him who had come to receive them also bowed. They knew that the Monarch of Nanmen State had originally been a hostage—they were clear about the conditions and this profound affection referred to... 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Could it be that the Monarch of Nanmen State has a masochistic tendency?

"Lord Ju, I heard about the Emperor’s illness, and specially brought a valuable medicine," Nanmen Yu moved closer to Ju Nanyi, not having time to beat around the bush. He had set aside many matters to resolve this issue and naturally wouldn’t waste time, moreover, Nanmen Yu believed his terms to be sufficiently tempting.

Ju Nanyi indeed looked up at Nanmen Yu, who faced him calmly. The illness of Zheng Congyuan was beyond his expectations, but some things didn’t need to be spied upon. Even standing within this inn, he could sense the oppressive dark aura from the Imperial Palace, and he naturally guessed what kind of ailment Zheng Congyuan suffered from.

"The Monarch’s words..." Ju Nanyi immediately dismissed his assumption. It was not that Nanmen Yu’s man had infiltrated the Imperial Palace to get this information—first, he couldn’t infiltrate it, and second, if he had, he wouldn’t be standing here so casually and composed.

It was not hard for Ju Nanyi to figure out how many times Nanmen Yu’s men had been to Prince Duan’s Mansion, and why he was so restrained and polite, Ju Nanyi understood clearly.

He had been involved in the initial incident, after all.

"Lord Ju, you might have forgotten, Qiandao Temple, and Ghoul Ravine trace back to my Nanmen State," Nanmen Yu said, gesturing to a guard nearby, who immediately emitted a blue mist from his mouth.

Ju Nanyi didn’t react yet, but the accompanying officials already showed signs of excitement, undoubtedly revealing themselves.

"If the Monarch of Nanmen can save the Emperor..." seeing this, Ju Nanyi immediately said, having released this news himself, "Monarch, you will be our ally in Nanzheng."

"If that’s the case, we should not delay. If it can benefit the Emperor, the sooner the better," Nanmen Yu said immediately.

"Monarch, please—" Ju Nanyi began, without a hint of reluctance, and his demeanor was flawless.

Upon entering the Imperial Palace, Nanmen Yu gave his men a look; the guard, understanding, though few, were no ordinary individuals and possessed abilities beyond those of regular people.

Therefore, as soon as they entered the Imperial Palace, one guard quietly released a bird hidden in his sleeve that instantly flew towards the palace wall.