CHAPTER 574: CHAPTER 553 FIRST UPDATE

"Reporting to Young Master, everything is well in Zheng Capital," the disciple of Ghoul Ravine knelt on the ground and reported immediately without waiting for the person above to settle comfortably.

The young man sitting in the seat of honor furrowed his brows at once. Just a few words, what does ’well’ mean? With his brains, he could surmise that things were not going well.

Elder Su became anxious right away, hastily glancing at his own disciple on the ground, thinking you blockhead, I told you not to tell everything, not to tell nothing, you blockhead.

"How is that a response? What does ’well’ mean? How many meals do they eat in a day? Speak up and say something," Elder Su immediately asked before his own Young Master could open his mouth, shooting meaningful glances at his subordinate.

"To, to answer the Young Master, the Commandery Princess has been staying in Chende Palace all along, and as for meals..." He hadn’t been keeping count, and besides, he wasn’t the one following her, he thought reporting back would be an easy job but now it seemed to be a deadly task, yet he dared not remain silent. "Regarding meals, these past few days she has especially favored fresh and tender fish, along with flaky pastries..."

The young man’s expression paused momentarily, he could hear that the other party was not talking nonsense, she had always liked these and had high requirements for the freshness of fish.

So, does this mean she is not angry?

Elder Su looked at Elder Can, aren’t you the best at wheedling our Young Master? Why aren’t you speaking now?

Elder Can was still lost in the words spoken by someone in the dungeon just a moment ago, mainly because that conversation was so information-rich. Why hadn’t their Young Master said a word to them? Also, what danger could there be in practicing spells?

They, the disciples of Qiandao Temple, have always absorbed the energies of heaven and earth based on their own talents, as do those from Ghoul Ravine, only the energies they absorb are different, and the path of practice is even more arduous. They originated from the same place, from Xiyu, Qiandao Temple had no issues for many years, why would problems arise upon reaching them of Ghoul Ravine?

It was simply laughable. Elder Can immediately concluded that the other party was certainly talking big. It was fortunate that their Young Master didn’t believe him. Hey, why are you poking me?

Elder Can looked up to find Elder Su giving him a pleading look.

Elder Can glanced at the disciple on the ground, whose lips were beginning to quiver, clearly on the verge of trouble.

Elder Can took another look at the young man sitting in the seat of honor, who was clearly oblivious to this issue, his brow still tightly furrowed.

"So, she hasn’t made any preparations yet?" She always needed to prepare many things before going out, even to visit Riverfood Restaurant, she would bring her own bowls, dishes, spoons, and even change the seat cushions and table decorations to her liking, never willing to use anything that wasn’t suited to her hands.

If it was long travel, there would definitely be boxes, big and small, packed full with all the things she would need.

The young man did not know when Zheng Nianru developed such habits, but they were there since he first met her. She never let her things pass through others’ hands, so aside from the bare essentials like tables and chairs, he hadn’t prepared anything else.

But, that wasn’t the crux of the matter. The main point was, Zheng Nianru didn’t want to come, otherwise why hadn’t there been any actions by now? One month, only a few days left in a month.

"Young Master, the Commandery Princess is a lady, naturally she will have worries in her heart, you should give her some time," Elder Can said smoothly, an all-purpose excuse, usable at any time.

Yin He looked toward Elder Can with suspicion, what did he mean? He had already given her a month.

Elder Can didn’t show any weakness, wasn’t it the Young Master himself who slipped away.

Yin He turned his head back to look at the disciple from Ghoul Ravine who, no matter how much he talked, could not make sense of things, his irritation rising.

"Get out—" The disciple of Ghoul Ravine immediately scrambled out, grateful to escape. Elder Su truly admired Elder Can’s ability to wheedle people at that moment, but he didn’t envy him; if things didn’t go well, it could cost him his life.

Elder Su immediately concocted a grand-sounding excuse to leave, only waiting for Elder Can to explain to the Young Master how to buy some time.

"Young Master, the situation is now in our hands, everything is under our control. The best course of action right now is to wait and let the Commandery Princess gradually come to realize your merits."

Yin He seemed to understand, yet not quite, but ultimately did not say anything more. Right or wrong, he would know once people arrived.

Whenever he thought of her impending visit, the young man’s mind became turbulent, and he instantly felt uneasy again.

...

For over half a month, Zheng Nianru went from being on tenterhooks to slowly letting her guard down, and then becoming suspicious again. However, the people from Ghoul Ravine weren’t lying; as long as she stayed more than a meter away, Zheng Congyuan would not cough up blood.

Of course, it wasn’t just her—this applied to all members of the opposite sex. Thus, all the Palace Maids in Chenyuan Hall had been removed and replaced by Palace Maids, and eventually, Qi Zhu was allowed to stay by Zheng Congyuan’s side.

Moreover, for ten consecutive days, Zheng Congyuan had been getting out of bed and even attending court without any issues.

It was as if everything had returned to normal, and the incident seemed to have been forgotten by everyone.

...

Prime Minister Lin, after stepping down from the morning court, did not hurry to leave but waited outside Chenyuan Hall, pacing back and forth, thinking about returning. Indeed, it wasn’t a good time, especially with such an incident occurring.

Just as Prime Minister Lin was about to leave, Ju Nanyi emerged from a corner, intending to come from Chenyuan Hall, thus they encountered each other.

"Lord Ju—" Prime Minister Lin greeted first, his admiration for Ju Nanyi evident inside and out. After this incident, Prime Minister Lin’s hair had become even whiter, his frame not as robust as before, and his salute much stiffer.

"Prime Minister Lin." Ju Nanyi didn’t stand on ceremony. Even though his position was now no less than Prime Minister Lin’s, he was still very respectful.

"Does Prime Minister Lin have matters to attend to?" As soon as Ju Nanyi spoke, Prime Minister Lin’s expression suggested he did, but Ju Nanyi didn’t feel there would be any significant issues, especially now when Ghoul Ravine had clearly become a force that had rapidly infiltrated the various powers. He indeed had underestimated Yin He.

Prime Minister Lin hadn’t intended to speak, but Nanmen State indeed had a closer relationship with Nanzheng State compared to other nations. Prime Minister Lin was just clinging to a faint hope that there might be a chance to salvage the situation.

"Nanyi, an envoy from Nanmen State delivered a greeting card yesterday. During the early court session, The Emperor was discussing the matter of connecting the northern and southern canals, which turned quite heated, so I did not bring it up. Moreover..." Prime Minister Lin also felt that Nanmen State sending a card at this moment seemed inopportune.

If it ended up displeasing that side...

"Nanmen State?" Ju Nanyi raised an eyebrow, recalling the appearance of that man. Prime Minister Lin had already handed over the card, which indeed had nothing to hide from Ju Nanyi, fearing only that during this sensitive period, it might displease the other side.

Ju Nanyi took the card, quickly scanning it to see that the message was earnest, merely stating that it had come to Nanzheng State to celebrate the new emperor’s ascension and to strengthen the friendship between the two nations.

Ju Nanyi scoffed inwardly, having forgotten about such a person. The news of Zheng Congyuan’s ascension could not be concealed, and the other side’s eager visit must have a motive, which Ju Nanyi could guess without needing to.

"What are Prime Minister Lin’s thoughts?" Ju Nanyi was in no hurry and handed the card back.