Chapter 14 The Same Stubbornness
Zheng Nianru's brow was slightly furrowed. With such a frail body, let alone killing someone, as she had personally witnessed, a few eunuchs could easily render him helpless. Zheng Nianru looked at the young man doubtfully. Could he be hiding something?
"Won't you resist?" Zheng Nianru mused. Although later, she had facilitated Nanmen Yu's return to Nanmen State, she definitely hadn't played the main role. But she regretted it as soon as she let him go, breaking the promise of 'no contact at all costs,' they were estranged immediately.
The young man trembled slightly, his pale face and skin extremely white, with his capillaries almost clearly visible. Then, Zheng Nianru saw a delicate blush spread along those capillaries, intricate like a spider web, beautiful as exquisitely embroidered patterns.
Zheng Nianru couldn't help but reach out her hand. In the past, if it was a particularly difficult task, just a slight sweetening of the deal would get the young man to agree. Perhaps this method would also work to coax the truth out of him.
The young man, eyes wide like a frightened deer, suddenly looked at Zheng Nianru. It was the first time he had seen a young girl from such a close distance — she was delicately beautiful, like an untouchable painting on the wall.
Confused, the young man reached out, pushing away Zheng Nianru's hand. But why did he do that? He, he wanted to escape, to run away...
Zheng Nianru was startled and withdrew her hand. His temper seemed the same as before.
"I will send someone to check on your servant, if he is still alive," said Zheng Nianru. She had never tried to involve personal feelings or favor to engage Nanmen Yu, but she wanted to try.
Nanny Yun pursed her lips. Saving a hostage was one thing, but to save a servant? The hostage was brought in by the Fourth Prince, but who would bring in a servant? Even if she went, they had to be willing to release him.
Naturally, Nanny Yun wouldn't intervene directly; she stood at a distance, directing two cleaning eunuchs to look for the person. The place wasn't large; Nanny Yun planned to just take a glance and leave. If there was no one, she could return and report.
The eunuchs were seasoned workers in the palace, efficient in their duties. It was unlikely they would have left the man right where he was.
No sooner had the two eunuchs reached the spot than they found no one; the ground was even freshly covered with yellow earth, leaving no trace visible. Suddenly, two figures emerged from the darkness, startling the eunuchs almost to the point of screaming.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, young man, we are good people." The people who emerged quickly spoke, Eunuch Kang Ning had personally instructed them to be polite and sincere, not to offend anyone.
"Which palace are you from?" the frightened eunuch asked, stretching out his hand. Nanny Yun internally groaned, 'Oh, dear ancestors, why ask that? Let's just leave. Isn't it clear there's no one here? Let's go back and report.'
"Don't, don't, are you looking for someone?" the eunuch hastily spoke, wishing he could just silence the other. In the dead of night, patrolling guards could appear at any moment.
"We aren't looking for anyone."
"Right, right, you aren't looking for anyone, is it the servant who got beaten during the day?"
The people with Nanny Yun were stunned. Why were things being laid out so clearly? Were they waiting for them? Were they setting a trap?
"Don't go, the person is here. We have been waiting for you to come fetch him. He's not dead. His wounds have been dressed and with proper care at home, he should recover within half a month," the eunuch hastened to say, grabbing someone. How could they leave? They had finally found the person; how could they let them go now? Otherwise, how would they explain to Eunuch Kang Ning?
This task was truly unprecedented. They were accustomed to killing and hiding bodies but never to rescuing someone, treating his wounds, and dressing them properly.
Before the eunuchs from Qishun Building could react, two eunuchs gestured decisively, and another two eunuchs emerged, supporting an unconscious man and directly placing him into their hands.
"The person has been given to you. Take him back and care for him well."
"Hold on, hold on, this is medicine, and the method of application is carefully written inside." Thus, two more eunuchs were stuffed with a bundle of medicine. The four eunuchs didn't give them a chance to refuse and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
...
As the Emperor of Nanzheng State's health stabilized, although he was not yet able to attend the court in person, the machinery of Nanzheng State had largely returned to normal. The panic of the recent events was over, and the measures deployed were gradually taking effect.
But now, what was most crucial for Nanzheng State was the infusion of new blood, to disperse a system that had decayed into rot, to curb the disputes among various factions, and to pull the faltering Nanzheng State back on track.
As usual, the Crown Prince acted on behalf of the state affairs. The first order of business in court was to personally reward those who had contributed valiantly to the disaster relief and to promote capable officials.
The court was unusually harmonious and festive.
Weng Zhi, currently a Chief Secretary of the Privy Council from the first rank, came from a lineage that had served in the Privy Council for generations. Those from his family permeated the imperial court as silently as spring rain moistens the earth, unobtrusive and seamless. At this moment, Weng Zhi stepped forward, with several candidates in mind, not all of whom were his own people; some were even from the Crown Prince's side.
"Your Highness, concerning the recent disaster relief, Junior Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Zeng Fan, and Academician from Hanlin Academy, Ju Nanyi proposed very practical suggestions at the onset. The chief officer of the Ministry of Revenue, Nanan Qi, personally went to the disaster front, dispatching emissaries for consolation and relief exemption, enabling timely control of the century's worst snow disaster. It is said that clear rewards and punishments lead to effective governance. This minister humbly requests that these three gentlemen be commended to demonstrate our court's discernment in rewarding and punishing."
"This official seconds the motion."
"This official seconds the motion."
Zheng Haoyuan could go wherever he wanted; was there any place in this Imperial Palace he couldn't visit, even if it was attending the court? How did it matter if he just passed by?
"Fourth Prince, Fourth Prince, shall we wait until court is dismissed before going?" Eunuch Ho Sheng was increasingly anxious. This was no trifling matter.
"I'll just slip by quietly. Who dares to stop me?" Zheng Haoyuan couldn't believe it. He had waited all morning; how could it still not be finished?
"Fourth Prince, Fourth Prince, this is not appropriate—" Eunuch Ho Sheng hurried to stop him but didn't dare to actually obstruct him. Half-heartedly ushering him, they had already reached Hanyuan Hall. Seeing almost no one, he held a sliver of hope that the prince didn't mean to go into Hanyuan Hall but had to pass it to reach Qishun Building.
"Stop—" Eunuch Ho Sheng felt he was just unlucky.
"Officials, our Fourth Prince is just passing through." Eunuch Ho Sheng hurriedly stepped forward. As the supervisor inside the hall, he was the most miserable one, living a life of constant fear. He was about the same age as Eunuch Kang Ning and the others, yet he had many more white hairs.
"What's blocking the way? I'm going to Xingqing Hall, can't I pass through here?" Zheng Haoyuan clamored, truly annoyed.
"Fu Gong." Before Zheng Haoyuan had time to lose his temper, he heard a voice from behind, his face still carrying traces of baby fat now tinged with panic, yet stubbornly refusing to leave quickly.
"This servant pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince. The Fourth Prince was feeling down after meeting Her Majesty the Empress Dowager the other day, hence his worry," Eunuch Ho Sheng said smoothly. It was indeed the way to Xingqing Hall.
"Have you completed today's lessons? Are the diligence policies assigned by the Emperor last time written up? Her Majesty likes tranquility, and does not wish for many to disturb her. Since you have already visited her the other day, why not return to the palace and show me the policies? It would also comfort Her Majesty greatly to know about it," Zheng Congyuan said, his gaze shifting from the item Zheng Haoyuan had been hiding behind him and continuing past without pausing, but that did not mean he did not recognize it.
How could he have Nian Ru's belongings?