Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved-Chapter 519 - 498: Second Update

The next moment, Housekeeper He saw the Commandery Princess being led out and instantly his face turned pale, no longer concerned about the Fourth Prince.

"Commandery Princess, Commandery Princess..." Housekeeper He immediately tried to push forward but was blocked by two guards.

"What are you doing?" Housekeeper He, disregarding his own life, exclaimed, "The Commandery Princess must not be taken away, she is the Prince’s lifeline."

Zheng Nianru, hearing Housekeeper He’s voice, turned to look at him.

"Housekeeper He, rest assured, I doubt they would dare to harm me," Zheng Nianru said, then turned and walked away.

"Commandery Princess, Commandery Princess..." Even as Zheng Nianru got into the carriage, the crying voice of Housekeeper He could still be heard behind her; the moment Zheng Nianru and her female servant got into the carriage, it had already started moving quickly forward.

"Housekeeper He, Housekeeper He, now is not the time to cry, we need to think of a way to send a message to the Prince," the house servants grabbed Housekeeper He, who was attempting to follow.

Housekeeper He immediately nodded, yes, yes, he was being foolish. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

...

The sun slowly rose to its zenith, and at that moment, the civil and military officials of Chenyuan Hall had been brought to the open space in front of Chenyuan Hall. A wooden platform had been erected there, with a two-person tall liuli glass standing in the center, on which the sunlight cast a spectrum of colors, painting the outer walls of Chenyuan Hall in multicolored, bizarre light.

Everyone stood quietly in place.

Old Master Wen Kang personally walked into Chenyuan Hall, followed by Noble Consort Wen and Wen Han.

"Crown Prince, please—" Old Master Wen Kang said coldly.

Zheng Congyuan remained kneeling in front of Emperor Jingzhi’s Palisade Coffin and did not respond to Old Master Wen Kang’s words, which made Old Master Wen Kang’s expression grow even colder.

"Crown Prince, this matter of divine selection is also a traditional mandate in Nanzheng State, and Nanmen State has a similar practice. If the Crown Prince truly is the chosen one, what is there to fear from verification?"

"Even if it is traditional, no previous generations started with rebellion. Old Master Wen Kang, your participation in this uprising has been confirmed; even the matter of divine selection cannot cover that," Zheng Congyuan slowly said, his tone still distant and cold.

"Whether it can or not, we’ll see based on the results," Old Master Wen Kang snorted coldly, as if they weren’t aware, as if such divine matters could so easily be changed—they hadn’t before, nor was it likely now.

Hearing this, Noble Consort Wen felt somewhat worried, as nothing was set in stone yet; she subconsciously tightened her grip on her sleeves, masking the nervousness inside.

However, fortunately, before the divine selection, Zheng Haoyuan had already been found, which gave Noble Consort Wen some comfort, suggesting that perhaps Zheng Haoyuan was indeed the person destined by divine selection.

"Let’s go—" Zheng Congyuan bowed several times before standing up and slowly walked out of Chenyuan Hall, Empress Dowager Yan Ping and Empress Xiao involuntarily followed, their bodies tense, supporting each other.

As soon as Zheng Congyuan exited Chenyuan Hall, all eyes immediately fell on him, filled with excitement, worry, and anticipation.

Zheng Congyuan looked straight ahead, stopping for no one, and walked directly towards the wooden platform.

The area outside Chenyuan Hall was utterly silent; then the palace gate was slowly opened, and a group of people came from under the sun, led by Mage Huo Yi in white clothes, blending into the pale sunlight. Mage Huo Yi walked slowly, nearly at the same pace as Zheng Congyuan. Mage Huo Yi reached the platform first, and the mages behind him immediately withdrew to the surroundings of the platform, forming a circle, their expressions solemn and calm.

The arrival of Master Huo Yi and his colleagues immediately cast a sacred glow over Chenyuan Hall, dispelling any lingering suspicions that the Wen Family already controlled everything.

The existence of Qiandao Temple seemed destined to make people willingly pay their highest respects.

This was precisely why the Wen Family quickly managed to control the rebellion and stabilize the situation entirely. No factions dared to stand out, as Qiandao Temple played a significant role in this.

Almost all forces within Nanzheng State were waiting for the result of the divine selection, focusing on the stance of Qiandao Temple.

As Zheng Congyuan took steps toward the wooden platform, the nerves of everyone intensified; Empress Xiao tightly grasped Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s arm—losing all strength to even stand.

At this point, Master Huo Yi stood upon the high platform; this wooden platform, built within a single day and merely two meters high, was bathed in sunlight. The light reflected off the glaze and high walls of Chenyuan Hall. Under the watchful eyes of all, everyone would witness the outcome themselves.

"Are you ready?" the voice of Master Huo Yi came as if arriving from the warm sun, carrying a pleasant warmth that comforted the body and soul. At this moment, the two figures standing on the platform, slender as jade and with peerless demeanour, seemed to embody the flowing charm of Nanzheng, momentarily making one forget the current situation.

Zheng Congyuan nodded.

"Please—" Zheng Congyuan’s voice was calm.

Master Huo Yi stepped forward and personally lit the vibrant red incense sticks on the side table next to the glaze.

As the incense was lit, a rich and exceptionally unique fragrance slowly spread, entering the noses of everyone outside the hall. The scent, unlike ordinary incense, was intense and spicy, causing everyone’s skin to suddenly contract before relaxing expansively; their vision started to blur as the tall wooden platform seemed to grow significantly larger.

When the rich incense enveloped the whole platform, nearly encasing it, Master Huo Yi stepped aside and invited Zheng Congyuan to stand in front of the glaze.

Zheng Congyuan nodded again, stepping into the smoke. Empress Dowager Yan Ping immediately tightened her grip on the door frame, while Empress Xiao closed her eyes, unable to watch the final outcome.

Everyone intently watched the glaze and the changing lights on the walls of Chenyuan Hall. As time slowly passed, from the initial nervousness, excitement, and anticipation until the colorful mottled colors on the hall’s walls showed no changes, it felt like a stone slowly sinking underwater, not stirring a single wave.

The air seemed frozen, Prime Minister Lin stared incredulously at this outcome, no, no, it couldn’t be like this—it just wasn’t enough time, it must be so.

Zheng Congyuan did not move, as was the case with everyone standing outside Chenyuan Hall.

Old Master Wen Kang’s gaze was glued to the wall, ecstasy slowly rising in his chest, his eyes nearly popping out, eager to blurt out the result, yet he dared not speak first because Master Huo Yi had not opened his mouth.

Prime Minister Lin collapsed to the ground with a thud, losing control over his body, followed by his disheveled officials, who looked as if frostbitten.

Master Huo Yi looked towards Zheng Congyuan; the result was now clear.

Zheng Congyuan’s calm expression hardly changed; rather, he turned and walked down the platform.

"No, no, the Crown Prince is not the chosen one—" someone blurted out first followed by an uproar. Empress Dowager Yan Ping suddenly collapsed to the ground, while Empress Xiao sharply opened her eyes, disbelievingly staring at the wall.

No, no, how could this be, how could it be.

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