Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved-Chapter 689 - 644: Another Update_3

She looked outside and saw that it had already gotten dark, as if the night itself was a piece of cloth meant to cover one’s shame. Prime Minister Ju would not have barged in like this during the daylight.

Fu Dong and Nian Xia came in and out, invariably giving Prime Minister Ju, who was sitting in the chair inside the hall, a few more glances than necessary.

Nanny Yun went out for a bit in the afternoon, the lady had sent her to see Prince Duan with several sets of spring outfits.

Nanny Yun hastily pulled Fu Dong aside, "Did the lady allow him in?"

Fu Dong shook her head slightly, "The lady is bathing in the hot spring at the back of the palace and hasn’t come over yet. They were coming to fetch something and happened upon Lord Ju—Ah, Prime Minister Ju."

Instantly confused, Nanny Yun would have doubted that Ju Nanyi, sitting so comfortably in the chair, had sneaked in, had she noticed even the slightest bit of unease about him.

Nian Xia also shook her head, "When I came in, Prime Minister Ju was already here. The lady didn’t send for him."

Naturally, Nanny Yun dared not ask directly and instead had no choice but to go to the back palace. Zheng Nianru had just finished bathing and came out of the bath.

"He came?" Zheng Nianru turned her head towards Nanny Yun, who cautiously refrained from saying more. But seeing Zheng Nianru’s surprising tone, Nanny Yun was also startled. The lady did not send for him, so did Prime Minister Ju come in on his own?

Immediately, Nanny Yun glanced around, feeling as guilty as a thief.

What was Prime Minister Ju here for? Was Prime Minister Ju courting death? If he wanted to die, he shouldn’t drag their lady down with him.

"Lady, shall we send him away?" A moment later, Nanny Yun felt that they couldn’t delay any longer. Initially, she thought the lady had summoned him, but it was clear that Zheng Nianru was unaware of the matter, meaning the situation was dangerous.

Nanny Yun immediately turned to leave.

"Wait, since he is here already." Zheng Nianru spoke up. When she heard Nanny Yun’s words, she was somewhat surprised. Would Ju Nanyi come uninvited? What had become of all his studies?

Nanny Yun glanced at Zheng Nianru.

"My lady—" You cannot be so indecisive. Regarding Prime Minister Ju, we still should—

"Let’s go—" Zheng Nianru, having dressed, let her freshly dried long hair hang loosely down her back. The back palace was connected to the front palace, and passing through a series of corridors, Zheng Nianru could already see the brightly lit front hall. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

With a few more steps, Ju Nanyi was sitting next to the chair she used to occupy, lounging casually yet respectfully, with the new album that Eunuch Zheng had just brought up after lunch in hand.

So it was about this matter. Zheng Nianru had a guess in her heart. She thought that Ju Nanyi would go directly to Zheng Congyuan to reject the marriage proposition since ultimately, it was Zheng Congyuan who had the final say. Approaching it from Zheng Congyuan’s side was much more legitimate than from her side.

The album had only reached his hands that morning. Ju Nanyi’s hasty arrival meant that he was either angry or eager to prove something.

The man, sensing a sound, lifted his head, his gaze following the orange candlelight towards Zheng Nianru. His deep eyes seemed as if soaked in water, and then he remembered that the person in that album had "carefully" selected it for him.

There stood Zheng Nianru. Now that he was her subject, had he forgotten even the basic courtesies?

Nanny Yun seemed to sense the tension in the room right away, feeling that something was amiss. Just as she was about to speak, Zheng Nianru beat her to it.

"Prime Minister Ju, is there something you need?" Zheng Nianru averted her gaze; the man before her was too dazzling. That’s why in her past life, she had harbored such thoughts. Zheng Nianru sat down in her own place.

Fu Dong brought in tea and hesitated, unsure of whether she should also serve tea to Prime Minister Ju.

Ju Nanyi showed no embarrassment about coming uninvited. Her presence made him feel more at ease, and this comfort even made him somewhat addicted to it. The lively Fu Dong and Nian Xia by his side made him feel alive with reality.

"My lady, I have no plans to marry. Please retract your order and do not waste your efforts," Ju Nanyi spoke directly, reminding himself of the purpose of his visit that day.

Zheng Nianru was not surprised. Nanny Yun sighed inwardly; she knew trouble was brewing.

"It seems to me that Prime Minister Ju has forgotten his age..." Zheng Nianru spoke up. Do you think you can just decide not to marry?

Ju Nanyi looked at the woman before him, his gaze unwavering.

"My lady should know that my heart already belongs to someone else, and it cannot accommodate another," Ju Nanyi said, word by word. He had more courage than in his past life; he needed to let her know that he was more than just a sense of duty.

Zheng Nianru paused slightly, her heart fluttering as she saw the man’s resolute gaze. It was different from his past life, yet not entirely different.

In a daze, Zheng Nianru had to admit that in the earlier part of her past life, Ju Nanyi had truly loved her wholeheartedly; that was because they were betrothed, but what she sought was never that. Even when their relationship had become irreparable in the latter half of her past life, Zheng Nianru believed the fault lay more with herself.

However, what meaning did his words hold in this new life with such a beginning?

"It seems Prime Minister Ju has forgotten his status," Zheng Nianru said. "It appears you’ve also forgotten mine. Otherwise, how could you so confidently utter such disgraceful words?"

Zheng Nianru smiled slightly, her smile tinged with mockery as she looked toward Ju Nanyi.