"Isn’t it true that the Emperor never leaves Chenyuan Hall?"
The guard wanted to go in to announce his arrival, but it was already too late. Zheng Congyuan raised his hand to stop him and was already walking inside.
This was a simple side hall; beyond the main house were two rows of side buildings forming a U-shaped courtyard that lacked even flowers or plants, only paved with tiles.
Zheng Congyuan had not yet reached the corridor when he heard a soft singing voice from inside, a man’s delicate and lingering voice, accompanied by the scent of wine drifting out.
Zheng Congyuan’s expression darkened slightly, and the guard standing at the door kneeled down abruptly.
"Paying respects to the Emperor—" his voice was loud and forthright, clearly ant to alert soone inside. The singing inside suddenly stopped, followed by the subtle, sneaky sound of clothing rustling.
By the ti Zheng Congyuan entered, three people were already kneeling on the floor.
Zheng Tianxin sat in the chair Ju Nanyi usually sat in, just raising her eyebrows slightly; her face flushed, she had put down the cup in her hand.
"What brings the Emperor here today?" Zheng Tianxin stood up and casually perford a greeting.
Zheng Congyuan looked at Jin Luo and a few other female servants kneeling on the floor. Among them, dressed in splendid clothes, was a man, now with his head bowed to the ground, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably.
"If Imperial Sister continues to stay here, I’ll have even more free ti," Zheng Congyuan said calmly, glancing at the docunts on the table, so of which had already fallen to the floor.
"Emperor, do you think Ju Nanyi is blind?" Zheng Tianxin asked with a smile, stepping forward unsteadily; Jin Luo hurriedly supported her, looking worriedly at her princess, wanting but not daring to speak.
"Yes, he is blind," Zheng Congyuan said briskly, not wanting to engage in pointless talk. "Otherwise, he wouldn’t still be unmarried, but I have already decided to grant him a marriage to a mber of the Aristocratic Family of Ju."
Zheng Tianxin looked at Zheng Congyuan sowhat surprised but then suddenly laughed, clearly not agitated by his words.
"Are you sure he will follow your arrangents?" Zheng Tianxin shook her head. "As soone who has been through this, let tell you, he must already have soone he loves dearly; otherwise, why wouldn’t he even glance at ?"
"You’re overthinking it," Zheng Congyuan dismissed it. If Ju Nanyi already had soone he loved dearly, getting married would be a smooth process.
"Don’t you believe ?" Zheng Tianxin asked, her eyes dreamily amused, pointing at the young man on the ground.
"You see him; although he appears submissive, the only thing I see in his eyes is sycophancy and opportunism. Having seen so many n, how could I not recognize..."
"The Eldest Princess is drunk. Take her back," Zheng Congyuan said, avoiding the approaching Zheng Tianxin, not taking her alcohol-laden words to heart, and instructed calmly.
"Yes, thank you, Emperor, thank you, Emperor—" Jin Luo quickly kowtowed, calling the guards to co in and take the Eldest Princess away.
Eunuch Du finally breathed a sigh of relief; now it was quiet at last.
"You may leave—" Zheng Congyuan glanced at Eunuch Du, knowing what he was thinking. "From now on, when such things happen, do not hesitate, report them directly."
"This servant obeys, this servant obeys—" Eunuch Du imdiately knelt down and responded quickly.
Zheng Congyuan turned and left. Eunuch Du had been careful and ticulous these days, indeed capable of handling matters, which was why Zheng Congyuan even offered an extra word, hinting at grooming him for more responsibility.
Zheng Congyuan had just stepped out of the side hall, and Ju Nanyi was already kneeling outside.
"This servant pays respects to the Emperor—" Ju Nanyi’s voice was calm, betraying no emotion. "Thank you, Emperor—"
Zheng Congyuan had not yet felt anything odd when he heard Ju Nanyi change the subject.
"Rise, Nanyi. The Eldest Princess won’t co here anymore," Zheng Congyuan said.
"This servant thanks the Emperor—" Ju Nanyi’s voice was still calm, causing Zheng Congyuan to turn his head in sudden puzzlent.
"Nanyi, I have seen the candidates selected by the Empress, and all are very good. Since the Eldest Princess is my Imperial Sister, if you truly want to get rid of her, it would be best to marry and end her expectations," Zheng Congyuan said.
"Emperor, I have no plans to marry yet," Ju Nanyi said imdiately.
"Oh? Why is that?" Zheng Congyuan asked, looking at Ju Nanyi, suddenly recalling Zheng Tianxin’s words about having a beloved.
"My affairs are minor. Besides, I believe the Nann Aristocratic Family holds greater significance for Nanzheng," Ju Nanyi said without murmur or complaint.
Zheng Congyuan felt a slight stir within. He had considered the risks, not without reason.
"Let us not discuss this now, just bring the docunts over," Zheng Congyuan said, believing it too early to discuss these matters; he needed to think carefully as he walked away.
Ju Nanyi stepped aside, respectfully watching the man leave.
Zheng Congyuan was deeply preoccupied, his thoughts affected by Ju Nanyi’s re words, while Eunuch Du dared not utter a word beside him.
Though Pri Minister Ju’s words were brief, Eunuch Du perceived their potential to drastically change Nanzheng.
Suddenly, Zheng Congyuan stopped, his gaze contemplative as he looked down the path, seemingly lost in thought.
Eunuch Du quietly waited, feeling that Pri Minister Ju was being too impetuous.
"Du Sheng, which way did Pri Minister Ju co from just now?" Zheng Congyuan suddenly asked, Ju Nanyi’s appearance having been abrupt, and at this ti, he should not have been entering the palace. Moreover, this was not the main point—the main issue was the faint scent on the man’s clothing.
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