Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved-Chapter 655 - 633: First Update_2
"Wait for his return and summon him to the palace," Zheng Congyuan said, his voice laced with concern. Had something gone wrong during Nanyi’s absence? Congyuan naturally trusted Ju Nanyi’s competence, but could Nanmen Yu be that easily deceived?!
Eunuch Du promptly responded, carefully picking up the bowl Zheng Congyuan had just set down, making sure not to touch where Congyuan had touched it. Indeed, his longevity so far might be attributed to such caution.
But even after waiting for nearly two Shichen, the men sent still couldn’t find anyone in Lord Ju’s residence. Lord Ju’s trusted aides had searched every possible location to no avail.
Suddenly, everyone became nearly frantic with worry, while Zheng Congyuan, having not seen Ju Nanyi for a long time, realized the situation was more difficult than he had imagined.
As time passed, the atmosphere in Chenyuan Hall grew increasingly tense.
"Your Majesty, the servant sent people to the post house, and the Monarch of Nanmen State hasn’t returned either. Perhaps Lord Ju is still accompanying the monarch," they reported.
Zheng Congyuan remained silent, his unease growing at the thought of Nanyi being with Nanmen Yu. Although he believed there was no flaw in Nanyi’s plan, what if the problem lay with Prince Duan?
Zheng Congyuan was aware of Prince Duan’s current state, speaking nonsense—could Nanmen Yu truly be so dimwitted as not to see through it, or was it that he was unwilling to believe?
"What about Prince Duan? Has Prince Duan returned?" Congyuan doubted Nanmen Yu would believe Prince Duan’s words, but what if he did?
"Servant, I’ll immediately send someone..." Eunuch Du started to say.
The sky was dimming, and sure enough, the backyard of Prince Duan’s Mansion remained as Housekeeper He had described—unchanged.
Housekeeper He had visited twice, asking with a joyful expression whether to prepare the evening meal for the guard at the gate, Nian Xia.
"No need, no need. Her Highness is probably just tired from the past few days and is sleeping deeply. When she wakes, she’ll regret the lost time. You can go on with your duties, Housekeeper He," said Nian Xia hastily, but she thought to herself, ’Why hasn’t Her Highness come out yet?’
"Understood, Miss Xia," Housekeeper He quickly nodded and walked away but still thought it best to be prepared, just in case Her Highness felt like eating—after all, who could say for certain?
He also considered the possibility that Prince might ask to retain someone when he woke.
"It’s getting late," whispered Zheng Nianru as she turned in bed, sitting up to reach for the curtain only to have her hand enveloped by Ju Nanyi’s large palm.
"Don’t return tonight," Ju Nanyi’s voice spread out lazily, his husky tone a seductive blend of softness and the man’s usual cold indifference, as if he were a tempter longing to keep someone at his side.
Zheng Nianru paused slightly, somewhat surprised that Ju Nanyi would utter such words.
In the past, those bed games she thought useless against Ju Nanyi, the ice mountain, desperate as they were; even if she pushed him to extremes in a past life, he would only turn red-faced, not letting out a sound before fleeing without a trace, as if chased by a ghost.
Utterly dull.
Turning around, Nianru examined the man in the dim light, his unclothed state revealing the contours of his chest under the brocade quilt, a testament to his impressive physique.
She didn’t deny Ju Nanyi’s excellence—a rare combination of both talent and good looks.
Ju Nanyi held onto her hand without retracting it, as if he realized he had missed out on many pleasures in his last life. But by the time he reflected on it, there was no turning back between them.
"Nianru, don’t go back to the palace," he said, his hand stroking her fingers, feeling the skin so soft and smooth. Suddenly he wanted nothing more, nothing else mattered; he wished he could take her away and flee far. With his current wealth, he could do it.
"And then?" Nianru was still not content; this version of Ju Nanyi who had let go felt much more appealing than the one from the previous life.
"I think we could try to be together forever," Ju Nanyi ventured bravely, but before he could finish, Nianru coldly withdrew her hand.
"Lord Ju, I didn’t think you were one to be easily confused and blinded by happiness," Nianru said as she lifted the curtain, with Nanny Yun quickly stepping forward to attend to her and not daring to utter a word.
The statement snapped Ju Nanyi back to reality, the absurdity of his blissful infatuation even laughable upon reflection.
Two lives, two lifetimes, and was he still a fool in a dream?!
"Lord Ju, it’s late. I must return," said Nianru as she donned her cloak and left.
Suddenly, Ju Nanyi was left alone in the room, the coldness and loneliness assailing him in an instant.
So-called infatuation...
He got up swiftly, dressing in a flash. With Nianru’s departure, the warmth in the room seemed to evaporate all at once.
