Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved-Chapter 715 - 653: Another Update_2
"Prime Minister, inside," a trusted aide immediately said, accompanying Ju Nanyi into the building. Indeed, they saw the middle-aged man sitting leisurely at the table, drinking on his own, and he did not look up as Ju Nanyi entered.
Just as the trusted aide at his side was about to speak, Ju Nanyi stopped him and stepped forward instead.
"Sir, please forgive our inadequate hospitality," Ju Nanyi said with a calm voice, though his complexion was somewhat pale and his eyes betrayed a weariness from a night without sleep.
Only then did the middle-aged man look up and glace at Ju Nanyi, then at the group following him—it was clear they were all skilled fighters. The man could not help but snort coldly; their precautions were all too apparent on their faces.
"Prime Minister Ju, I dare not," the middle-aged man said, but his demeanor showed not the slightest semblance of humility, nor did he make a single accommodating gesture, a clear display of extreme discourtesy.
The people at Ju Nanyi’s side immediately looked angrily at the man, but he remained completely unfazed.
"Prime Minister Ju, since I’ve already agreed to your request, I shall surely fulfill it. I haven’t got the time to dawdle here, having heard that my family has already arrived at Zheng Capital. Why not get started right away?" the middle-aged man said.
Ju Nanyi paused briefly, eagerly wanting to proceed quickly. He had thought such terms would entice Zheng Congyuan, but now it appeared that complications had arisen.
"What’s the matter?" The middle-aged man seemed to sense something was amiss in Ju Nanyi’s gaze and asked with suspicion.
"Please, don’t rush, esteemed guest. It won’t be too late once all your family has arrived. Besides, we need to make some preparations on our end," Ju Nanyi replied, to the surprise of even the trusted aide by his side.
Why wait when they’d worked so hard to find this person? The aides immediately thought of a few reasons. Could it be that The Emperor didn’t trust Prime Minister Ju?
Or did he not trust the man before them?
The middle-aged man looked at Ju Nanyi and suddenly let out a mocking laugh.
"Fine, since I’ve promised you, I will naturally abide by your arrangements," he said.
"Then, please wait patiently for another two days," Ju Nanyi said. After a brief further exchange, he promptly left.
He had come straight here from the palace, firstly, because he was uneasy about this location, and secondly, because the people here were from the Northwest Border.
Although he knew that whether he headed to the Western Border was no longer for him to decide, the sudden attack by Nanmen State had disrupted his plans.
More importantly, why had Nanmen State suddenly attacked Nanzheng?
The question preoccupying Ju Nanyi now was precisely this. There were only two possibilities: either Nanmen Yu knew that Zheng Nianru was still alive, which would have impelled him to attack in a fit of rage, or, knowing of Zheng Nianru’s supposed death, and thus unhampered by further concerns, he had moved with such haste.
No matter the situation, there were advantages and disadvantages. But the fact was established, and Ju Nanyi did not dwell on why Nanmen Yu had attacked Nanzheng.
"Prime Minister—" At this moment, the people following Ju Nanyi had arrived at the study in front of the courtyard. Ju Nanyi stopped, obviously having something to discuss with them, and everyone became instantly alert.
Accustomed to the battlefield, these men were wholeheartedly loyal to Prime Minister Ju, who had always treated them well. However, it was the battlefield where they truly belonged.
"Prime Minister, we’ve heard that Nanmen State has mobilized troops in the Western Border?" Impatient to wait for Ju Nanyi to speak, one of them couldn’t help but blurt out his question.
Ju Nanyi looked at the man and nodded.
"Yes, Nanmen State’s invasion this time may have been long in the planning," Ju Nanyi said, knowing Nanmen Yu well enough to understand that his quick reclaiming of the throne after returning to Nanmen State was not the act of someone impulsive over a single issue.
Besides that, compared to invading the border, Nanmen Yu could have used more direct and effective means.
Like sending someone to sneak into Nanzheng and abduct Zheng Nianru.
"Prime Minister, what are we waiting for then? We swear to follow you to the frontline and fight to the death," they said, eager for action. At those words, Ju Nanyi clearly felt the room surge with fighting spirit.
Ju Nanyi looked around, knowing what they were all waiting for.
"However, The Emperor has not yet made the final decision," Ju Nanyi said. The situation had arisen suddenly, and even with the best intentions, he had not had time to plan in advance.
Moreover, he had received the news even later than Prime Minister Lin. This meant that Zheng Congyuan had been wary of him for more than a day or two.
