Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved-Chapter 516 - 495: First Update

The news of Wen Qun’s troop mobilization spread in an instant, followed by the immediate rise of the Wen Family Army from the Southeast Border, albeit, with some deviations from the plan they had originally received.

However, the very next morning, the news of Master Huo Yi from Qiandao Temple arriving at Zheng Capital had already spread. This allowed the commanding generals of the various branches of the Wen Family to breathe a sigh of relief.

This meant that there were no changes to the situation, and it was within reason for the Qiandao Temple’s itinerary to be delayed by a day.

Currently, all the powers in Nanzheng State were holding their forces at bay, largely due to the prophecy. Although this prophecy was a secret of the Nanzheng Imperial Clan, the Aristocratic Gentry Clans were naturally well-informed, and some had vaguely heard hints of it years ago, not discounting the possibility that the Wen Family had deliberately leaked the information.

Now, the Aristocratic Gentry Clans were taking a wait-and-see approach. After all, they weren’t concerned about who exactly would take the throne. What mattered more to them was their own interests and what the new Emperor could offer them.

The news of Qiandao Temple’s arrival in Zheng Capital relieved everyone. From the beginning, the Wen Family seemed to have everything under control, which made everyone suspicious— could the outcome of Qiandao Temple’s prophecy really be the Fourth Prince?

Prime Minister Lin was getting restless.

Years ago, the prophecy had stated that the Child of Heavenly Selection was not the Crown Prince. Yet, Emperor Jingzhi had not perished, so one could say that the prophecy had not been fulfilled.

Now, the Wen Family insisted that Qiandao Temple publicly reveal the prophecy, an unprecedented move in the entirety of Nanzheng. Yet, it can’t be denied that it successfully captured the attention of many.

"Prime Minister Lin, will you say something? What should we do?" Inside the grand hall, the officials, seeing the stage the Wen Family had set up well in advance, which revealed great confidence in the outcome, grew restless.

"If the prophecy is not about the Crown Prince, then the heavens must be blind," Prime Minister Lin couldn’t believe it. If Zheng Congyuan couldn’t inherit the throne, what would become of Nanzheng State? One Emperor Jingzhi was problematic enough — did they need another absurd Emperor?

Hearing this, the officials below nodded their heads; indeed, if it was not the Crown Prince who took the position, they might as well not serve as officials at all.

"But right now, the Crown Prince hasn’t shown the slightest sign of action, giving the Wen Family the perfect opportunity," some officials were very anxious. At the beginning, they thought that the Crown Prince certainly had moves to make. But after two days, they were trapped in Chenhe Hall, and the Crown Prince was confined there too, equally inactive.

Prime Minister Lin glanced at the Crown Prince. Although during these two days, the Crown Prince seemed immersed in sorrow over the death of the Former King and seldom conversed with them, Lin was still convinced the Crown Prince would not let others control his fate.

"As the saying goes, ’one should remain calm during major events’, the Crown Prince is indeed the person to achieve great things," Prime Minister Lin said slowly.

The officials were extremely anxious at that moment. Chenyuan Hall was heavily guarded, preventing any information from leaking out. Having heard what Prime Minister Lin said, they could only half-believe it, not knowing what was happening outside in the world.

However, Prime Minister Lin believed that the heavens had eyes and would definitely not choose the Fourth Prince to inherit the throne. As for success or failure, it was still uncertain.

"Imperial Grandmother—," Zheng Congyuan still bowed respectfully, "my actions have implicated you and left you trapped here; I have been unfilial."

In one corner of Chenyuan Hall, heavy curtains had been drawn to create a secluded space where Empress Dowager Yan Ping, accompanied by Empress Xiao and the concubines of the Harem, had gathered.

Tiredness was evident on Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s face, but she still raised her hand and waved it, signaling there was no need for such trivial talk. Moreover, it wasn’t Fu Gong’s unfilial acts that had caused this situation but the excessive ambition of the Wen Family.

Yet, even now, Empress Dowager Yan Ping couldn’t figure out what exactly Zheng Congyuan was thinking. Would it come down to just waiting?

"Fu Xun, what exactly are you planning?" Empress Dowager Yan Ping couldn’t hold back any longer. Dragging this on was no solution, "Do you truly have confidence in the prophecy...?"

"Imperial Grandmother, please be patient a bit longer, I believe Qiandao Temple will be fair to me," Zheng Congyuan began slowly, "Moreover, if this matter is not resolved, it will inevitably cause trouble in the future."

Empress Dowager Yan Ping heard this and, after a long moment, nodded. Although she did not know why Zheng Congyuan remained so calm to this point, she was anxious, but she didn’t have any other options.

Only, she could not understand why Zheng Congyuan had asked her to fabricate that false Imperial Edict. If he had known that the Wen Family had the Imperial Edict, why not just steal the Edict directly?

Zheng Congyuan bowed again, preparing to leave, when Empress Xiao suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Fu Xun, you..." Empress Xiao was uncertain. She had seen the prophecy with her own eyes, and although back then, Qiandao Temple’s predictions had been wrong since Emperor Jingzhi did not die, but would another prophecy definitely mean Zheng Congyuan?

"Mother," Zheng Congyuan looked at Empress Xiao, extending his hand to gently pat the back of her hand, "Don’t worry."

Then, Zheng Congyuan turned and walked away. Empress Xiao still wanted to say something, but Zheng Congyuan had already left and resumed his vigil in front of the Palisade Coffin.

At that moment, a commotion arose outside the door, and numerous soldiers streamed in. Just as everyone was unsure of what was happening, Old Master Wen Kang stepped into Chenyuan Hall, his usually mild demeanor replaced with confidence. First, he glanced at everyone and then announced loudly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Master Huo Yi has arrived, and by noon, you will see with your own eyes whether what my Wen Family claims is true or false." Having said that, he didn’t wait for a response before turning and leaving the hall.

No sooner had Wen Kang left than the hall erupted into fervent discussion. Even Prime Minister Lin’s heart throbbed because Wen Kang’s confidence seemed too certain...

...

"Did you find anything?" Noble Consort Wen grasped the armrest and immediately straightened her posture upon the arrival of the reporting guard, fearing she might miss any bit of news.

"Your Highness, a guard reported seeing the Fourth Prince meeting some people in Chenhe Hall." The guard was surprised when he brought up this news. According to the account, those individuals were merely Palace Maids and eunuchs, and since Cang Er personally led them, it wasn’t considered important.

However, upon further investigation, when no other clues were found, they slowly recollected this incident. Upon checking further, they realized something was amiss.

"Who were these people?" Noble Consort Wen was stunned. Her mind was in disarray, but this seemed to be the only clue.

"I couldn’t find out, nor were there records of them leaving the palace. However, those individuals appeared to have come from the direction of the Cold Palace, so it’s possible they belonged to Chenhe Hall."

Noble Consort Wen frowned. What nonsense about the Cold Palace, what a mess! Just as she was about to dismiss the guard with a wave of her hand, she suddenly paused. The Cold Palace, the direction of the Cold Palace—Noble Consort Wen suddenly thought of someone.

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