The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 173: It Was the Yuan Family That Deceived Mingzhu
Yuan Changan took out the deed and land deed of the mansion and pushed them in front of Ji Mingzhu.
Feigning lightness, "For your dowry."
As early as when Ji Mingzhu agreed to marry Yuan Changan, he was planning this matter.
He knew Mingzhu was close to Mrs. Guan and would surely miss her relatives in the capital city.
It’s not easy to marry far away; they could return to the capital for a short stay each year.
There are many mansions with good locations and beautiful landscaping in the capital, but Yuan Changan first thought of the former General Mansion.
That was where Mingzhu grew up, so her feelings were different.
To buy the mansion as soon as possible, Yuan Changan had already sent someone to purchase the property before he set off to propose in the capital.
According to the original plan, this gift would be presented on their wedding night.
Now, speaking of it again, it’s already useless.
To present the mansion as a wedding gift... Yuan Changan couldn’t bring himself to say any blessings.
Giving it to Mingzhu as a dowry is the best choice.
Looking at the papers, Ji Mingzhu’s eyelashes trembled slightly.
"This is too valuable; I can’t accept it."
Yuan Changan said, "I know very well why you entered Duke Mansion. Fortunately, Xie Yunzhen is still considered a man; otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to face you."
The world is harsh on women; once married, that’s a lifetime.
If Mingzhu didn’t live well, Yuan Changan would never be able to forgive himself.
After all, it was the Yuan Family’s deception that led to subsequent events.
"Just take it as letting me feel a little better. Mingzhu, please make sure to accept it."
Yuan Changan’s tone was sincere.
But that mansion is in a prime location, worth five thousand taels of silver, which is a significant expense.
One must not take rewards without merit, and Ji Mingzhu truly couldn’t accept it.
"Having the chance to meet again is the best result. As long as we clear things up, how to proceed with life is my own choice; it has nothing to do with you, and you need not feel guilty."
Yuan Changan gave a bitter smile. How could it be unrelated?
To avoid Xie Yunzhen, she even chose to marry far away.
Later, she was implicated by him, forced to return to the Duke Mansion full of schemes.
Invisibly sighed, "If you don’t accept it, I’ll never come to terms with it in this life."
Ji Mingzhu clenched her teacup.
For a moment, she didn’t know what to do.
She certainly hoped Yuan Changan would let go of everything and start anew.
But accepting such a heavy gift would be a real psychological burden.
Seeing the hesitation in her eyes, Yuan Changan pushed the paper directly in front of Ji Mingzhu.
In a relaxed tone, he said, "Once this matter is settled, I’ll head back to Yangzhou. If you don’t accept, I’ll keep pestering you."
Ji Mingzhu couldn’t help but laugh through her tears, "Chasing someone to give gold and silver, people who don’t know would think Young Master Yuan is a Money Scatterer."
Then she teased with another sentence, "Spending lavishly like this, if it were me, I would be scolded as a wastrel."
Originally, she intended to ease the atmosphere, but as soon as she said it, both of them fell silent.
Back in Yangzhou, Yuan Changan gave away the family treasures to save Ruan Mian.
At that time, there were gossipers behind their backs.
Saying that Yuan Changan was spending lavishly on an Oiran, and not even this good to his fiancée.
In the end, it was Yuan Changan who first spoke.
"In the future, if I see injustice, I will still draw my sword to help, but I won’t make the same mistake again."
Ruan Mian was already dead, leaving no corpse behind.
Respecting the deceased, Yuan Changan had nothing more to complain about.
It was his lack of control that gave Ruan Mian the chance to harbor unrealistic thoughts.
He wouldn’t make the same mistake in the future.
Ji Mingzhu averted her eyes; with their current relationship, Yuan Changan didn’t need to make any promises to her.
She refilled his tea.
Her red lips curved slightly, "Chivalrous spirit, acting with a clear conscience, that’s the Yuan Changan I know."
...
Yuan Changan was about to return to Yangzhou, but for the sake of his safety, the Crown Prince kept him to stay in the capital for another half a year.
Based on the clues provided by Yuan Changan, combined with the speculations of Ji Mingzhu and Xie Yunzhen, the Crown Prince believed the Yang Family’s private iron mining incident might be connected to the military camp.
If guessed correctly, those behind it wouldn’t spare Yuan Changan.
Killing him out of spite was entirely possible.
Staying in the capital is currently the best choice.
Once the situation clarifies, he’d return home.
This frustrated Xie Yunzhen.
All these romantic rivals, he didn’t want to see any of them, wishing to have them sent as far away as possible.
Never to appear in his and Mingzhu’s world.
Seeing Xie Yunzhen’s cold expression, the Crown Prince knew what he was thinking.
"To speak objectively, you are the one who took someone else’s fiancée first. Yuan Changan didn’t hold it against you, yet you’re the one harboring resentment."
Xie Yunzhen corrected, "I met Mingzhu first."
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow, "If you put it that way, Yun Xuan met Mingzhu even earlier than you."
Under Xie Yunzhen’s fierce gaze, the Crown Prince corrected, "Mrs. Ji."
And then added, "You’re quite cunning, sending Yun Xuan with me to reward the troops, just to get him out of the way so you can make your move, right?"
"Beautiful women, and both the man and woman are single; what’s wrong with me pursuing her?"
The Crown Prince shook his head helplessly, "You don’t like others pursuing her, but do you mean only you are allowed to pursue her in the whole world?"
"I didn’t stop them; they just lack the skill."
"I think you’re just incredibly shameless!"
Xie Yunzhen was almost fed up.
In such a small circle, there were actually three men watching his woman like hawks.
If Mingzhu went out a few more times, who knows how many troublesome suitors she might attract?
That crazy idea surfaced again.
Build a golden house and keep Mingzhu inside it, so day and night, she could only be with him...
Xie Yunzhen pressed his temples; if Mingzhu found out, she’d probably chase him to sleep on the couch again tonight.
He looked at the Crown Prince with deep meaning, "Regardless of the process, she is my wife now."
It’s often said that birds of a feather flock together, and people divide into groups; Xie Yunzhen’s heart was indeed uneasy.
A ruler taking his minister’s wife was not without precedent.
When he went to Yangzhou to pursue Mingzhu, he was prepared from the start.
Even if Mingzhu had married someone else, he was determined to take her back.
For now, the Crown Prince seemed a gentleman.
But who knows about the future?
When he was the one snatching away someone else, Xie Yunzhen was reckless; facing potential threats now, he was indeed troubled.
Anxious and uneasy.
Only seeing Ji Mingzhu eased his symptoms somewhat.
The Crown Prince lowered his gaze to the chessboard.
"Mother has already chosen a Crown Princess Consort for me, and I’ll be married this year."
This was not enough to put Xie Yunzhen at ease.
But he couldn’t show it, fearing that the Crown Prince, spurred by his provocation, might indeed do something dubious.
Speaking from experience, he said, "Since you’ve married, you should treat her well, don’t wait until she runs away to regret it."
The Crown Prince had a strange expression, "Looks like she knows how to manage her husband well to bring you to this realization."
"Mm."
It’s not that Mingzhu was skilled at managing her husband; it’s the bloody lessons he learned.
This life, whether grand or plain, he must guard Mingzhu well.
He can’t let the tragic events of the past life repeat.
Those regrets flooded his heart; suddenly, Xie Yunzhen missed Ji Mingzhu greatly.
He wanted to go back and hold her.
Kiss her.
So, he put down his chess piece, "It’s been several days since I returned home, who knows what Mingzhu is doing; Your Highness, may I have a leave of absence?"
The air fell silent for a moment.
With a clatter, the chess piece was set.
The Crown Prince sat against the light, his expression obscured.
His low voice resonated in the hall.
"Granted."
