Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved-Chapter 650 - 629: One More Update

"My lady, the Prince has returned—" Zheng Nianru found nothing, and the attendant outside had already hurried over to announce.

"My lady, it’s good that the Prince has come back, ask him, maybe..."

"Brother Lin Sheng, it’s not just the Prince, there’s also the Monarch of Nanmen State, and..." The attendant quickly said, the hall was in such a state, how could they receive guests, and moreover, those people looked extremely wealthy and noble, the servants had already gone to greet the horses.

"Stop looking, everyone follow me inside—" Zheng Nianru immediately said to her people upon hearing this, but at the moment, only Nanny Yun and Fu Dong were in the hall. Where was Nian Xia?

Noises were already coming from the front gate, it was too late to call out now, and Zheng Nianru led her people toward the inner chambers.

Lin Sheng looked at the cluttered hall, vases, and antiques were everywhere, he was about to tidy up when he realized that voices were already approaching, and there was simply no time to finish.

Nian Xia had just carried out some pastries, with no thought of bumping into anyone in the front courtyard, and now she stood rooted to the spot in shock, but it was too late to turn around. Prince Duan entered with a group of people, and the moment Ju Nanyi caught sight of Nian Xia, he felt like a lie had been exposed, and he stood there dumbfounded.

Nanmen Yu’s gaze turned frosty for an instant as he recognized Nian Xia, feeling the surrealness amidst the vast changes of the world.

At that moment, Nanmen Yu was not surprised by the sudden appearance of Nian Xia, as Zheng Nianru had died, and her people could only stay at Prince Duan’s Mansion.

Zheng Boding took a step forward.

"Nian Xia, what are you doing here?"

Ju Nanyi wished he could rush out, how could he forget that Prince Duan was the most unpredictable factor, one moment he said something, and the next moment even he might not remember.

Nian Xia was also taken aback, but being braver, she quickly realized that standing there dumbfounded was the real problem.

Nian Xia slightly expressed her surprise to "Nanmen Yu," and then slowly started to answer the Prince’s question.

"My lord, these are freshly made pastries from the kitchen. I thought the Prince would be back soon, so I brought them over," Nian Xia immediately said, "My lord, the day has just started to warm up, you really should add another layer of clothing."

"The lady is right; it’s my old foolishness," Housekeeper He immediately nodded and followed up.

Zheng Boding was about to speak, but Housekeeper He quickly supported the Prince.

"My lord, you should add another layer of clothing, the wind is picking up—" Housekeeper He remarked.

"Nian Ru, Nian Ru..." Prince Duan called out as he looked at Nian Xia.

Nanmen Yu was about to ask questions, but Ju Nanyi quickly pulled Nanmen back, let out a sigh, and shook his head.

"The Prince’s illness is getting worse."

Nanmen Yu’s gaze darkened. On the journey here, he hadn’t failed to notice the Prince’s incoherent speech, at one moment he was the hostage again, Nian Ru was still alive, and another moment he was weeping at the grave. If Nanmen Yu harbored the last shred of doubt about all this, seeing Prince Duan crying so heartbreakingly had all but dispelled it.

Only...

He would rather it all be a lie...

"Monarch of Nanmen State, please go ahead—" Ju Nanyi beckoned for Nanmen Yu to enter first.

Suddenly, Nanmen Yu didn’t want to go in anymore, those items, he was unwilling to take, but with this excuse, he could look at Prince Duan’s Mansion one more time, even if just a glance...

But he had already come.

Nanmen Yu stepped towards the hall.

"This, this, this..." Prince Duan, seeing the hall in utter chaos, raised his hand and began to harshly scold Lin Sheng, who had come out to greet him.

"How did it get like this? And with honored guests present..."

Everyone was confused, and Lin Sheng was also very panicked at this moment of life and death, but he knew he had to plow ahead.

"Prince, you’ve forgotten. It was you who turned it over yourself. Before you left, you instructed me not to touch anything and to wait for your return. You were still looking for something," he said.

Prince Duan was startled and looked towards Housekeeper He. Was this true? He couldn’t remember.

Housekeeper He glanced at Lin Sheng, knowing that if Nian Xia was here, then the lady must have come, but clearly, she should not appear here now.

"Yes, yes, Prince, it was you who turned it over yourself," Housekeeper He followed suit.

"You should have reminded me earlier," Prince Duan immediately blamed Housekeeper He, who was supporting him.

"Prince, I reminded you on the carriage, but you forgot again," he said, looking towards Lin Sheng, "Lin Sheng, won’t you please lead our honored guests to the small study—"

"Esteemed guests, this way, please," Lin Sheng immediately went out, respectfully inviting everyone to proceed.

Nanmen Yu didn’t think too much about it, mostly immersed in these familiar memories, even remembering every single detail of his interactions with her distinctly.

Only now, even Prince Duan seemed to be forgetting.

"No need, Prince, I’m truly sorry for the intrusion. I have other matters and must take my leave," Nanmen Yu suddenly couldn’t bear to watch any longer, his feelings of guilt and self-reproach growing uncontrollably, making it hard for him to breathe, preventing him from facing the situation.

"Ah, ah, won’t you stay for a while?" Prince Duan found it strange; he was somewhat losing track of why these people were here.

Ju Nanyi was more than happy, quickly following Nanmen Yu out, with all the accompanying officials, large and small, leaving Prince Duan’s Mansion in unison.

"Monarch of the Nanmen State, there are a few more beautiful scenic spots in Zheng Capital. Wouldn’t you like to visit them?"

"No need, some other time. I am tired," Nanmen Yu bluntly declined and rode away, not giving Ju Nanyi any chance to speak again.

"My lord—" Lord Lin stepped forward behind Ju Nanyi, hesitating to speak. Nanmen Yu was being too arrogant, wasn’t he? This was Nanzheng State, not their Nanmen State, yet he behaved like this.

Seeing Nanmen Yu walking away, Ju Nanyi didn’t speak. His mind wasn’t on this, but in Prince Duan’s Mansion. From the beginning fear to astonishment, and until now, he felt a chill on his back.

Just why did Zheng Nianru come here? She should understand the priority of matters. Having made this decision, did she not know what consequences her appearance before Nanmen Yu might bring?

What on earth was she trying to do!

"My lord—" Lord Lin suspected that Lord Ju must be angry, given the Monarch of Nanmen State had been so discourteous.

"You all go back first. I have matters to discuss with Prince Duan," Ju Nanyi snapped back to reality, the fleeting display of emotion only adding to his irritation. It was just an accident that had unsettled him so much.

"My son, what are you looking for?" Prince Duan was confused again. Wasn’t it he who had ransacked the hall? Why was Nian Ru turning things over?

"Father, I am helping you look for something," Nian Ru took Prince Duan’s hand, pointing towards the cluttered mess in the hall, "Father, do you remember hiding something important in the hall?"

Prince Duan looked at the hall, baffled.

"These are all important things," he said, picking up a beautifully crafted porcelain vase, "Isn’t this a fine item!"

Zheng Nianru sighed inwardly, knowing she could not count on him.

"It’s not these—" Zheng Nianru shook her head, withdrawing her gaze.

Suddenly, Zheng Boding looked at Zheng Nianru.

"Nian Ru, aren’t you looking for an item?" Prince Duan watched Zheng Nianru intently, his expression free from the earlier bewilderment.