Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved-Chapter 688 - 644: Another Update_2

"Mother, let’s not speak of this again. I’ve eaten my fill and there is pressing business in the palace. I must go now," Ju Nanyi stood up, suddenly feeling he had nowhere to find peace.

"Nanyi, Nanyi, why leave so soon after you’ve come back..." Mother Ju couldn’t stop him, nor dared to forcefully do so, and could only watch helplessly as her son, whose seat had barely warmed, left again.

"Inexplicable—" Ju Nanyi had just stepped into the palace when he spotted the attendants of the Eldest Princess, and without hesitation, he turned around only to find he had nowhere else to go.

He wasn’t in the habit of visiting teahouses or taverns; first, it was because he was poor, then busy, so he had no place he could slip into incognito.

Wandering aimlessly, Ju Nanyi found himself in a deserted area. As he recognized the place, he laughed at himself. It was ridiculous to have ended up here.

The overgrowth all around was even more rampant due to the lack of visitors, and unidentified vines could be made out among the wilderness.

Later, Zheng Nianru, upon returning to the palace, would be loath to even mention this place. In his past life, he knew of it but never intended to enter, for Nianru must have had her reasons for staying away.

Besides, in his past life, he was just the Regent Prince. To avoid suspicion, his comings and goings from the palace were under constant surveillance. Moreover, the weight of all Nanzheng’s affairs was on him, so in time, he too forgot this place, remembering only its name.

Continuing his stroll, Ju Nanyi walked through the wild grasses. Amidst the dilapidated courtyard was an exquisitely delicate greenhouse. The flowers, unattended by expert hands, grew in a wild, unrestrained bloom.

The path by the greenhouse was clear of weeds and vines. The warmth of spring transformed into lush, verdant leaves and grass, leaving only the eaves of the derelict building visible, their narrow, upward tilt home to a few swallows.

Brushing aside the wild grass as if clearing away an entanglement of vexing emotions within his heart, Ju Nanyi walked inward slowly.

Had things reached a point where they must be laid bare?

Though not completely back on track, Nanzheng State was showing signs of flourishing growth. He believed that if things continued along his envisioned path, the country would see drastic changes within a year. This time, Nanzheng State hadn’t been harmed at its core, and the fortuitous eradication of Qiandao Temple and Ghoul Ravine was, after all, a blessing in disguise for Nanzheng.

Hence, even standing before Zheng Congyuan, he wasn’t without leverage. Though lacking something to completely captivate the other party, Ju Nanyi believed there was still a chance worth taking.

The only thing undermining his confidence was Zheng Nianru. Her indecisiveness was the real issue.

He didn’t understand the relationship between Zheng Nianru and Zheng Congyuan. With memories of his past life, he could remain calm, no longer impulsively caught in bygone entanglements. He now thought more deeply about his relationship with Zheng Nianru than he had in his past life.

Whatever had transpired between Zheng Nianru and Zheng Congyuan, Nianru’s days in the desolate Cold Palace had been harsh. With Congyuan’s kind heart, the occasional extended help or life-saving gesture was, in those moments, akin to a Heavenly God for Nianru.

As for why Congyuan would do such a thing, his character was inherently noble; it was impossible for him to ignore others in distress. Whether these actions were meant to curry favor with Prince Duan in the future, or to counterbalance Empress Dowager Yan Ping, it had already happened. For Nianru, who lived and breathed within this world and had never seen a wider sky, thinking of Congyuan as her heaven was understandable; without him, she felt she couldn’t survive.

One thing Ju Nanyi was certain of was that Nianru could not discern the differences in these relationships. Thus, she couldn’t reject him, for she merely depended on Congyuan out of habit.

Ju Nanyi knew this wasn’t something that could change overnight. Dreaming of replacing Congyuan in just half a year’s time was foolish, but there had been progress. At least, that night, he had felt an indescribable sentiment from Nianru towards him.

Ju Nanyi paused in thought. He had always wanted to enter the Chenhe Palace openly. Though the guards had already been replaced by his own men, Nianru was reluctant to acknowledge their relationship.

Turning on his heel to leave, Ju Nanyi resolved that he needed to make things clear, regardless of the outcome. It was only right to clarify it with her.

When Nanny Yun suddenly saw Ju Nanyi in the Chenhe Hall, her heart nearly stopped with fright, thinking she had seen a ghost.