The entire Prince Duan’s Mansion was awash with jubilation, and the few house servants of Prince Duan’s Mansion were all secretly curious to see what the Commandery Princess was like. free𝑤ebnovel.com

However, Prince Duan had thought of this early on, so the only few old women available were assigned to the courtyard where Zheng Nianru currently resided, with two more stationed at the gate.

Looking at the somewhat familiar courtyard, with newly planted trees emitting the fresh scent of soil, the note still dangling from them, Zheng Nianru noticed their presence.

"These trees will come to life in a few days’ time," Prince Duan remarked with emotion as he touched the trees in the yard, incessantly scrutinizing Zheng Nianru.

"What is Father looking at?" Zheng Nianru turned her head and looked candidly toward Prince Duan, who then diverted his gaze, feeling somewhat uneasy, and pointed toward the front yard.

"Quick, take a look at your room. If there’s anything unsatisfactory, I’ll have it changed immediately," Zheng Boding said as he pulled Zheng Nianru into the house. Upon seeing the room, which was somewhat blurred in her memory, a rush of emotions surged up within her, and the bitterness in her heart, along with the grievances from her past life, came flooding out, bringing tears to the corners of her eyes.

"Everything here is naturally fine, much better than Qishun Building," Zheng Nianru said sincerely. Although she hadn’t lived here for long in her previous life, and didn’t find the furnishings as handy as those in Qishun Building, they were all personally arranged by Zheng Boding. Seeing it all now, this place, filled with Prince Duan’s care, was indeed something she had taken for granted.

Upon hearing her words, Zheng Boding immediately realized he had spoken out of turn, reminding Nianru of the suffering she endured at Qishun Building. Even though he hadn’t seen for himself how she lived in the palace, and their limited annual meetings were at Xingqing Hall, he could guess from the obviously brand-new clothes she wore, the uncomfortable way she donned them.

"It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back," Prince Duan took two steps forward, raising his hand to embrace his daughter, only to realize that she had grown so tall. Her face, already broadening, was becoming more strikingly beautiful, and Zheng Boding could only pat his daughter’s shoulder with his hand.

Based merely on her looks, Nianru, in Zong Sheng Residence, could have won over Zong Yunqian’s heart, not to mention the life-saving favor she owed him.

"Father, everything here is good, and if anything is missing, I’ll have Nanny Yun ask Housekeeper He," Zheng Nianru smiled and said, admiring the layout of the room. This pleased Prince Duan a great deal, who went on to share the origin and materials of the furniture, as Zheng Nianru nodded along, not objecting. Although the tables and chairs were not made of the most expensive wood, they were simple yet not monotonous, and one could tell at a glance they were the work of a master, evidence of Prince Duan’s thoughtfulness everywhere.

"Oh, there is still a calligraphy piece missing here. I was thinking of waiting for you to return and come up with a few characters yourself, what do you think?"

"Prince—" Nanny Yun came in holding tea, and Prince Duan took the tea, for he had indeed said a lot and was quite thirsty.

"Prince, you’ve been back all morning, and the Commandery Princess was busy packing until late last night. She must be tired by now. Why not let the Commandery Princess rest for a while, and during lunchtime..."

Zheng Boding quickly nodded, his eyes looking at Zheng Nianru with sudden tenderness.

"I forgot everything in my excitement. You should rest first. Now that you’re back, we have plenty of time to spend together," Zheng Boding said hurriedly, no longer lingering, and he left Zheng Nianru’s courtyard.

As soon as Prince Duan left, Nanny Yun immediately closed the door and looked around warily.

"Commandery Princess—" Nanny Yun seemed anxious. How could her princess be so careless? How could things with the Crown Prince be settled so hastily with just a letter?

"You need to come up with a plan for the Crown Prince," Nanny Yun said urgently.

Zheng Nianru looked at Nanny Yun. Hadn’t she already left a letter?

Nanny Yun shook her head. How could that be enough? But this matter wasn’t without any room to maneuver. The urgency of leaving the palace had been inescapable, yet now that they had returned, what if the Crown Prince came barging in again?

"He won’t," Zheng Nianru knew what Nanny Yun was worried about. However, how much she had hoped back then for Zheng Congyuan to return even just once, so she could completely let go and free them both. She sent letter after letter, even begging Prince Duan to arrange a meeting, but even by the time she wed Zheng Congyuan, he never appeared.

Hence, in this lifetime, she only left one letter and since the last time she returned from the Crown Prince’s Mansion, things there had quieted down considerably. Therefore, Zheng Nianru did not regret her impulsiveness. What could be done in the past life had been done; this time around she wanted to try other methods, even if they scared him off. After all, the outcome could not be worse than in the previous life.

Nanny Yun seemed on the verge of speaking but ultimately let out a deep sigh, choosing to remain silent.

In her view, they still had to secure the Crown Prince’s stability and give him time to accept the situation, didn’t they?

...

Prince Duan’s Mansion was indeed hiring. Because of Zheng Nianru’s return, they felt the mansion was indeed short-staffed, particularly in need of strong and capable men to guard and manage the household.

Just as Prince Duan stepped out of Zheng Nianru’s yard, Housekeeper He was already waiting outside.

"Quite a few people?" Prince Duan frowned slightly. The matter wasn’t urgent originally, but Nian Ru’s return was so abrupt that they had to hasten the process. "Go and take a look."

It wasn’t that Prince Duan didn’t trust Housekeeper He, but he would be assured only after reviewing the situation himself.

Housekeeper He had already ordered the house servants to call in those who were waiting in the outer courtyard.

Yin He and Elder Can stood out among the group of applicants, both feeling they did not fit in with the others.

After much consideration, Elder Can decisively smeared some dirt on his face, mussed up his neat hair, and got some dust on his face as well. Coupled with the rough clothes they could change into, he indeed looked the part.

Yin He turned back and frowned at Elder Can’s appearance. He didn’t want this. If the Commandery Princess saw him like that, she would like him even less; she always preferred cleanliness.

"Young Master, if you wish to enter Prince Duan’s Mansion, you must be prepared to endure some hardship," Elder Can said, gesturing with his dust-covered hands.

Yin He, though half-doubtful, wasn’t entirely devoid of sense and gave Elder Can a look of resigned trust. Elder Can decisively messed up the young man’s hair and imitated the stance of other young men, standing askew with a drooping gaze, which made him look quite convincing.

"Quiet, quiet, I’m taking you in now. However, before we enter, here are two rules. First, when you see our Prince, you answer what he asks and keep quiet otherwise. Anyone who talks too much will be the first to be thrown out," the house servant came in and glanced over the several dozen applicants standing in the outer courtyard.

"Second, don’t look at what you shouldn’t see and don’t touch what you mustn’t touch. Anyone who takes an extra step will also be thrown out immediately."

After laying down the rules, the house servant, contented, opened the door and led the people inside.

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