The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 166: Love Me Boldly

Xie Yunzhen didn’t learn the recipe in vain.

This time, he finally made a decent dish of Gold Fragment Rice for Ji Mingzhu.

The taste was neither too salty nor too bland; it was palatable.

The control of the heat wasn’t perfect, which resulted in a layer of crust at the bottom, but it wasn’t burnt. Otherwise, all the effort would have been wasted.

Having labored through the night, Ji Mingzhu didn’t find eating this greasy at all.

Instead, she felt a renewed sense of energy.

Xie Yunzhen ate the same dish with her.

Perhaps because he made it himself, he found it even tastier than mountain delicacies.

He thought to himself that Yuan Changan probably couldn’t cook.

As for the Crown Prince, there’s even less to say.

If it weren’t for the annual plowing ceremony, where they have to personally cultivate the fields, he might not even be able to distinguish between the five grains.

In this round, Xie Yunzhen was the victor!

"Why are you smiling?"

"Nothing."

Seeing Ji Mingzhu delicately holding a small spoon to eat, Xie Yunzhen felt his appetite open up.

His eyes held a tone of triumph, "Whenever you want to eat in the future, I’ll cook for you."

Ji Mingzhu raised an eyebrow, "Even a five-year-old can make Gold Fragment Rice. Next time, I want Buddha Jumps Over the Wall."

At this moment, brimming with confidence, Xie Yunzhen nodded slowly, "Okay, I’ll make it for you."

Since the day they met, it was the most harmonious atmosphere between them.

Even the gold, who was serving tea and water on the side, felt an unprecedented ease.

The clouds that had been hovering overhead completely dissipated.

The smile on Gold’s lips couldn’t be suppressed.

If only the Young Master and Madam always got along so harmoniously.

Not only would they be sweet and happy together, their good mood would also make things smoother for the servants below.

After dinner, they returned to their room. With no one else present, Ji Mingzhu spoke to Xie Yunzhen about that matter.

"Does Mr. Xu have an illegitimate child?"

Xie Yunzhen’s expression froze, "Why do you ask?"

"Xiao Feixue came to the manor and let it slip."

Ji Mingzhu said, "From what I know, all of Xu Family’s sons are in the capital, but Xiao Feixue said Mr. Xu’s son is still being trained under General Xiao’s command."

The word "still" was unconsciously spoken by Xiao Feixue.

She later tried to cover it up by mentioning Xu Zhou.

If Ji Mingzhu hadn’t paid attention, she would’ve been fooled by her.

Thinking back, it must be that Madam Xiao instructed Xiao Feixue not to reveal this affair.

That’s why she tried so hard to conceal it.

This point is really unusual!

Ji Mingzhu looked at Xie Yunzhen and asked, "So, does Mr. Xu have an illegitimate child or not?"

The saying goes that a wife is inferior to a concubine, and a concubine is inferior to a mistress.

Even in a noble family, where beauties abound, many keep mistresses outside.

Ji Mingzhu first thought that Mr. Xu kept a mistress and fathered an illegitimate child.

He just couldn’t let his wife know, so he’s kept it hidden all along.

"I haven’t found out he has an illegitimate child."

If not even Xie Yunzhen could find it, then it can only mean that very few people know.

It could really be Mr. Xu’s illegitimate child.

Or perhaps not.

The difference between these two possibilities is monumental.

"Then who exactly is under General Xiao’s command?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Even Xie Yunzhen felt this matter was getting more and more mysterious.

Rubbing his wrist bone, "Maybe this person has a special identity that, once exposed, would cause an uproar."

People hold blood relations in high regard.

Especially so in noble families.

Mr. Xu wouldn’t acknowledge a son without reason.

Having recognized a son, sending him to the military camp for training, and keeping the news tightly wrapped.

Who exactly is he guarding against?

Such contradictory and complex behavior, it’s hard for Ji Mingzhu to believe there isn’t a hidden agenda.

Following Xie Yunzhen’s line of thought, Ji Mingzhu speculated, "Could they be plotting something so that if anything gets exposed, they will use the claim of an illegitimate child to cover up?"

It’s as if a backup plan is in place...

Ji Mingzhu’s thoughts were a tangled mess, impossible to unravel.

Frustrated, she drank a cup of cold tea to refresh herself.

Xie Yunzhen was considering how the current Emperor had once been undermined by the Regent King and was particularly wary of ministers forming factions.

What exactly was Mr. Xu’s ultimate goal in painstakingly drawing in General Xiao?

But being provoked by Ji Mingzhu’s conjecture, his heart leaped.

Under the entire heavens, involving imperial court struggles and military affairs with special individuals, which identities could they possibly involve is not hard to guess.

If they really are plotting something, it must be a matter that would shake the nation’s foundations.

They have to hurry and investigate thoroughly!

Gripping Ji Mingzhu’s hand tightly, Xie Yunzhen sternly instructed, "This matter cannot be disclosed to anyone, including Second Aunt and Yuan Changan."

Ji Mingzhu understood the seriousness of the situation and didn’t even disclose a fraction to the intimately acquainted Gold.

Without Xie Yunzhen to share the burden with her, she’d either have to keep this matter buried in her heart forever or find a way to investigate on her own.

"I won’t bring danger to them."

The more one knows, the more dangerous it becomes.

Whether it’s Mrs. Guan or Yuan Changan, Ji Mingzhu wouldn’t involve them in her matters.

Xie Yunzhen remained uneasy, "Don’t send anyone to investigate the Xu Family, nor get in touch with Xiao Feixue again. If they notice, this lead might break."

Ji Mingzhu nodded repeatedly.

Unable to resist, she asked Xie Yunzhen, "Does my father’s death have anything to do with this matter?"

"Very likely."

General Ji’s character is well spoken of.

He was a true hero, upright and unswerving.

If those people indeed sent someone with a special identity into the military camp.

Xie Yunzhen guessed, perhaps General Ji discovered something, or maybe he disdained to associate with certain people, which led to him being conspired against and replaced by the more amenable Xiao Family...

Having been planning since over a decade ago, or even earlier, is enough to show how grand this scheme is.

Things have reached the point where those in the dark are likely eager to come to light.

Originally planning to spend a day at home with Mingzhu, Xie Yunzhen now felt restless.

"The Emperor has regained consciousness, but the situation isn’t good. The Emperor might suspect the Imperial Concubine, but he went along with the situation and stripped her of her title."

"Judging from the Emperor’s intentions, he plans to grant the Ninth Prince a fief and let him leave the capital with the Imperial Concubine."

Ji Mingzhu pursed her lips, "Is the Emperor trying to protect the Ninth Prince and the Imperial Concubine?"

"Yes, that seems to be the intention."

"There’s also Consort Xu. His Highness plans to send her out of the palace once things settle. She saved His Highness’s life, but she didn’t help me. Since she bullied you, I will definitely make her pay."

Just lightly passing over it, wouldn’t Mingzhu’s suffering be for naught?

He absolutely disagrees!

Ji Mingzhu felt uneasy, "Won’t His Highness feel like this is a slap in the face, given that Consort Xu is still his intimate companion?"

"Then should I be more discreet?"

Ji Mingzhu chuckled softly, clearing away the tense atmosphere.

"If what you do gets exposed, you explain yourself to His Highness, and if you end up in prison, then it’s your own doing."

Ji Mingzhu didn’t want to trouble others.

But Consort Xu had indeed plotted against her. If events had gone as planned, her life might have been in peril.

If Xie Yunzhen helped her get revenge, why should she stop him?

Touching Ji Mingzhu’s head, Xie Yunzhen wore a serious expression, "The waters have become very murky now. Mr. Xu and General Xiao won’t remain inactive for long. Soon, things will become clear, so just wait confidently."

Ji Mingzhu felt a sourness in her nose.

Inhaling deeply, "I’m not in a hurry. You take your time investigating, be cautious, I don’t want you getting into trouble."

Her words were so straightforward.

How could Xie Yunzhen still doubt her intentions?

Mingzhu has indeed accepted him!

His eyes grew moist, and Xie Yunzhen held Ji Mingzhu tightly, burying his head in her neck.

"Zhu Zhu, thank you."

"Shouldn’t I be the one thanking you?"

Without Xie Yunzhen, she might never have discovered that her father’s death had hidden circumstances.

Nor would she have the means to seek justice for her father.

Xie Yunzhen’s efforts could no longer go unnoticed by her.

Her forehead received a strong kiss.

"This time, I won’t let you down, Mingzhu. You can trustfully and boldly love me."