Zheng Nianru’s eyes curved in delight, seemingly unable to believe she could play with the other girls.
This expression on Zheng Nianru’s face caused Zheng Boding’s brows to furrow with a touch of sadness. He had intended to talk more with his daughter but now felt it was not as important. It wasn’t easy for Nianru to co out on an excursion; marrying into a family without a substantial background would likely an even fewer opportunities in the future.
"Father, I’ll just stay with you," Zheng Nianru said, taking Prince Duan’s arm again. The thought of playing felt like seeing toys she never had as a child, but Zheng Boding was more important. She had resolved to accompany Prince Duan well in this life and try her best not to anger him.
"Go on, your father still has to serve as a Judge Officer. However, do not wander too far, and do not let Xing Yu leave your side," Zheng Boding said, still worried.
"Okay," Zheng Nianru replied obediently, nodding her head.
Seeing this, Zheng Haoyuan sulked. He had wanted to play with his cousin, but now there was little hope.
"Fourth Prince, you can take the middle passage up. When you get to Listening Maple Pavilion, you can et up with the Commandery Princess and go on the painted boat," Qi Zhu considerately arranged Zheng Haoyuan’s itinerary. Just as he spoke, Prince Duan, hearing the noise, looked over with a displeased expression. Why hasn’t this boy left yet?
Zheng Haoyuan imdiately softened and bowed respectfully at once.
"Then, Imperial Uncle, cousin, Fu Gong will take his leave first," Zheng Haoyuan rarely bowed so formally and naturally did so awkwardly. Knowing this, he hurriedly left in a rush, not daring to linger and cause displeasure.
Zheng Nianru, with Fu Dong, Xing Yu, and Yin He in tow, approached the entry to the won’s area, but Yin He was stopped.
"Miss, n cannot enter here," the guard, not recognizing Zheng Nianru, intercepted them.
Fu Dong, Xing Yu, and the others beca anxious. Why wasn’t it allowed? With Yin He’s presence, Xing Yu hardly ever needed to act. How could Yin He not stay by her side?
Fu Dong tugged at Zheng Nianru’s sleeve, suggesting they not go in, or perhaps they should go find the Fourth Prince?
"Let Yin He stay behind," Zheng Nianru turned and said. She couldn’t bring male relatives, and naturally, other ladies from prominent families couldn’t either, so there was no issue.
"Commandery Princess—" Fu Dong was anxious. How could this be allowed?
Zheng Nianru stepped forward and walked inside. Her ti was precious, and she rely wanted to look at the flowers without venturing too far. What could possibly happen?
Fu Dong and Xing Yu imdiately followed and quickly instructed Yin He to hurry back and catch up with Zheng Haoyuan, hoping to et at Listening Maple Pavilion ahead of ti.
With that, Yin He had no choice but to turn around and imdiately pursue the party of Zheng Haoyuan through the central passage.
However, after only a few steps, a sudden darkness appeared in an uninhabited place. Even before Yin He’s heart could raise its defenses, he slowly collapsed.
Lan Xing and the mysterious black-clothed man who erged from behind the bushes let out a cold snort and quickly dragged away the unconscious Yin He.
...
"Imperial Uncle—" Prince Duan, just about to rush back to the central pavilion, heard verses from the next session already beginning, only to hear Zheng Congyuan’s voice and halted. It really was Zheng Congyuan.
"Crown Prince?" Prince Duan was sowhat puzzled. Zheng Congyuan’s task today was supposed to accompany the heirs of a few aristocratic families, thereby fostering closer ties between the imperial family and the aristocracy. Besides, the Shiping Aristocratic Clan made such a grand entrance today, their purpose was clear without stating.
Therefore, Prince Duan was quite perplexed to see Zheng Congyuan here at this mont.
"Heir Zong wanted to take a stroll by himself, so I returned first. I didn’t expect to run into Imperial Uncle right here," Zheng Congyuan said, without the intention to simply greet and walk away.
Zheng Boding listened and nodded. It seed reasonable; Heir Zong’s unique status made his actions less surprising.
"Is Imperial Uncle worried about Commandery Princess being alone in the ladies’ guest area?" Zheng Congyuan saw that Prince Duan had not walked far, still standing on this path looking at the Hundred Flower Garden. "Imperial Uncle need not worry; I will have Qi Zhu wait at the exit of the ladies’ guest area and directly escort her to Fu Gong’s boat."
"Then I thank Crown Prince deeply." Zheng Boding imdiately expressed his gratitude upon hearing this, "I was just about to leave."
"Imperial Uncle, it just so happens that we can go together. I have just admired the poetry of your disciple Mu Qingfeng; indeed his ideas are innovative, a rare talent not to be missed."
Upon hearing this, Prince Duan imdiately nodded in agreent, acting with steadiness, handling affairs efficiently, and being extrely astute. He was the first to find him, to declare his intentions. Of course, these weren’t his concerns, but rather that Mu Qingfeng had said he did not care about career prospects but valued Nian Ru instead.
Zheng Congyuan did not speak, his gaze wandering to one side of the small path.
"Has Imperial Uncle already made a decision?" Zheng Congyuan asked, hearing footsteps from afar, then turned his gaze back, walking forward with Zheng Boding.
Prince Duan nodded.
"It’s pretty much settled, Nian Ru didn’t have any objections either." Especially today, he thought, his daughter truly did not have any noteworthy strengths to speak of.
"Lord Mu, just now I heard that poem of yours, and I was deeply impressed."
Prince Duan’s steps faltered. Lord Mu, which Lord Mu?
Zheng Congyuan glanced at a group of people coming into view. From their location on this small path looking down toward the ladies’ guest area, among the rockery, Miss Xia from the Jiumu Aristocratic Clan was gazing affectionately.
It was hard for Prince Duan to admit a mistake, especially standing above, where people below could see everything clearly. This was particularly true at the corner where several trees had suddenly disappeared, which made visible the sight of the young lady walking very close to Mu Qingfeng.
"Miss flatters too much, it was just a spontaneous creation. At the Hanlin Academy..."
Prince Duan swayed slightly as the group turned past the rockery, slowly heading towards the ladies’ guest area, with Lin Haosi teasing the last young lady, eliciting a wave of maids covering their faces in laughter as they walked away.
"This, this..." Prince Duan, pointing at the departing crowd, reddened in embarrassnt, not knowing what to say.
Zheng Congyuan only frowned slightly, pondering for a mont.
"That’s likely the eldest Miss of the Jiumu Aristocratic Clan, sister to Ding General."
Prince Duan imdiately looked at Zheng Congyuan, only to see the man before him with an undisturbed gaze, turning back around.
"Imperial Uncle, as the saying goes, ’People strive for higher ground.’ So things cannot be forced."
Prince Duan felt a surge of anger rising from his chest to his head, then abruptly vanishing like a burst balloon. Even Zheng Congyuan had seen through it; what was there left for him to doubt? Yet, he looked at Mu Qingfeng...
He didn’t seem...
Prince Duan suddenly felt like soone had drained him of all his strength, aging in an instant. With a wave of his hand in resignation, he said,
"Imperial Uncle, look at it this way: if cousin were to really marry such a man, she probably wouldn’t be happy. Discovering this now must be Heaven’s way of looking out for you. Don’t worry; there is still the unified examination next year. It’s not too late to make a careful selection then..." Zheng Congyuan offered consolation.
Upon hearing this, Prince Duan thought it made a lot of sense, fortunate to have discovered it early; otherwise, Nian Ru’s future days...
Prince Duan nodded helplessly, letting out a sigh.
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