The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 163: A Weasel Paying Respect to a Hen
Outside, the wind whispers ominously. Although Xie Yunzhen hasn’t returned to the mansion, he sent someone back with a message.
He instructed Ji Mingzhu not to go out in the coming days.
Afraid someone might take advantage of the chaos, wanting to stir trouble involving her.
Ji Mingzhu lost her father in childhood, and before reaching maidenhood, she lost her mother too.
Her personal experiences taught her.
You must heed advice; if there’s danger outside, she simply won’t leave.
To avoid harm to herself and others.
However, even though she didn’t step outside, someone still came seeking her.
When the doorman reported the Marchioness was visiting, Ji Mingzhu was in the flower hall managing accounts.
After contemplating for a moment, she remembered Xiao Feixue had sent her a note previously.
This person was once Du Peilan’s friend and of one mind with Du Peifang.
If it weren’t for her organizing the Dragon Boat Festival banquet and gaining the Empress’s favor, Xiao Feixue probably wouldn’t have come knocking.
"Where is she?"
"At the front gate..."
The doorman spoke softly, afraid of being scolded by the Princely Heir’s wife for neglecting the guest.
The rules are set by the Commandery Princess; for anyone who comes knocking, the masters of the mansion must agree first.
The Marquis Mansion holds a noble title in name only, with no capable members to discuss matters in court, essentially a hollow shell.
To a noble family, wouldn’t that be akin to a fallen household?
Ji Mingzhu tapped the table lightly, with contemplation in her eyes.
Regarding her father’s matter, Xie Yunzhen has found some leads already, though he’s kept it quiet.
Afraid to alert the snake.
Xiao Feixue has long been married off; coming now to establish relations, she likely knows nothing of her family’s current stance.
Just uncertain how much Xiao Feixue knows of past incidents.
Calmly she ordered, "Invite her to the front courtyard flower hall; I’ll be there shortly."
Setting down the account book, she instructed someone to guard it, ensuring it won’t be moved.
After entertaining the guest, she still needs to continue managing accounts.
Upon exiting the east courtyard, Gold remarked, "Madam, Xiao Feixue and Du Peilan are in cahoots, her coming today must be with ill intentions, like a weasel visiting a chicken—a concern, indeed."
Ji Mingzhu teased Gold, "Look whose territory this is; Xiao Feixue finding trouble here, did she perhaps eat lion’s courage and leopard’s guts?"
Gold stomped her foot, exclaimed with a sigh.
"I’m serious!"
Ji Mingzhu chuckled, "Don’t worry, she won’t take advantage of me."
Upon returning to the capital, she learned many things from Xie Yunzhen.
Including Xiao Feixue instigating Du Peilan to spread rumors, attempting to ruin her reputation.
But they hadn’t acted before being nipped in the bud.
Du Peilan brought misfortune upon herself.
Became the one with a ruined reputation.
Neither her husband’s family nor her maiden family had a place for her anymore.
As for Xiao Feixue, Xie Yunzhen hasn’t taken action against her for now, intending to investigate the General Xiao behind her.
Unexpectedly, the investigation uncovered links to Minister Xu.
Minister Xu holds high rank and power; digging deeper would certainly stir the court.
Some matters cannot be rushed.
Rushing leads to errors; if efforts go to waste, she might never be able to seek justice for her father in this lifetime.
Ji Mingzhu understands, thus she never urged Xie Yunzhen.
The journey must be taken step by step for stability.
With thoughts swirling, Ji Mingzhu instinctively glanced toward Du Peifang’s courtyard.
That person might have witnessed Du Peilan’s tragic state and decided to use the same method to ruin her?
The more she thinks, the more plausible it seems.
She clicked her tongue, "These two sisters are quite alike."
Gold listened in a daze, exclaiming, with a face full of confusion.
Ji Mingzhu pinched her cheek, "Weren’t you being so clever earlier?"
Gold giggled, "I occasionally act silly."
Ji Mingzhu’s mood lightened somewhat.
Appearing before Xiao Feixue, she still had a serene smile on her face.
Xiao Feixue detested beautiful women.
At this moment, her sentiments hadn’t changed.
If her husband’s family hadn’t pressured her to forge a good relationship with Ji Mingzhu, she wouldn’t have posted a note to the Duke Mansion previously.
Nor would she personally visit today!
Ji Mingzhu possessed striking beauty, with ivory skin and a delicate rosy complexion. Her smile brought a shimmer to her eyes, her features dazzlingly beautiful.
She wore a pink silk dress, her hair tied in a simple bun with ribbons.
With each step, her long legs momentarily revealed themselves, ribbons fluttering in the breeze, her slim but curvy figure impressively alluring even in silence.
Xiao Feixue’s eyes briefly flashed with disdain.
No wonder Ji Mingzhu could keep Xie Yunzhen tightly in grasp; any man would be entranced by such beauty.
Just uncertain how long such affection would last.
Once age takes its toll, this sort of vixen relying on looks would endure a miserable fate, wouldn’t she?
Ji Mingzhu sensed disdain in her gaze instantly.
Thinking to herself: She remains unchanged, not a hint of transformation.
"Marchioness, what a rare guest, I’m sorry for not greeting you earlier, forgive the oversight."
Xiao Feixue inwardly sneered.
Having barred her outside instead of letting her wait inside with a prompt message wasn’t a mere oversight.
It was outright disregard!
The Duke Mansion might be rotten throughout, leaving only Xie Yunzhen competent, ensuring connections remain in the noble circle!
Suppressing discomfort within, Xiao Feixue rose to meet Ji Mingzhu.
"I blame myself for not posting ahead, being blocked outside, yet seeing you today made it worthwhile; the wait was nothing."
Xiao Feixue maintained a smile, tone intimate.
Attempting to grasp Ji Mingzhu’s hand.
Yet she evaded it.
Ji Mingzhu strolled leisurely to the head seat and took her place, ordering tea for Xiao Feixue.
"Purely on today’s visit, what’s the purpose of your visit, Marchioness?"
Ji Mingzhu exhibited an attitude of getting straight to business, stirring irritation in Xiao Feixue’s heart.
Had Ji Mingzhu not ascended, being the Princely Heir’s wife offering her silver, she wouldn’t have given Ji Mingzhu a second glance!
Withdrawing her hand, under the cover of wide sleeves, pinching her palm fiercely, she controlled her facial expression.
Sitting on a guest seat at the side, Xiao Feixue smiled warmly, "I’ve long wanted to visit you, Mingzhu sister. You stole the spotlight before the Empress, with no time for me. I waited and hoped until today to step into your house."
Ji Mingzhu’s lips curved slightly, "I am the only daughter in the family; the term sister, I truly cannot bear."
It’s at this moment, Ji Mingzhu comprehended, that feigning oblivion and playing along, how incredibly challenging it is.
She too wished to maintain the pretense with Xiao Feixue, yet remembering Xiao Feixue colluding with Du Peilan to harm her.
Also, that General Xiao’s ambiguous ties with Minister Xu possibly obstructed assistance deliberately, causing her father’s battlefield demise!
Each thought stirs uncontrollable anger deep within.
Entertaining Xiao Feixue calmly, she finds impossible.
Xiao Feixue’s smile faded slightly.
"Still upset with me, sister?"
Feeling amused, Ji Mingzhu laughed aloud, "Marchioness, what are you saying?"
"I previously got along with Du Peilan pretty well, Du Peilan and the Princely Heir... Nevermind, it’s all past, no need to mention."
Xiao Feixue cast a sympathetic glance at Ji Mingzhu, as if hinting at unclear relations between Du Peilan and Xie Yunzhen.
If she were the Ji Mingzhu of last life, bound by insecurities, Xiao Feixue’s ploy would have worked.
Alas, she is not!
