The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 182: Ah Zhen Has His Own Reasons

When Xie Yunzhen returned to the courtyard, he had already composed himself.

Ji Mingzhu didn’t ask him what the Old Madam had said.

Anyway, if it wasn’t something beneficial to her, hearing it would only affect her mood.

It would be better not to listen.

Pretend to know nothing.

She didn’t ask, but Xie Yunzhen still took the initiative to speak up, afraid that someone might use it as an opportunity to stir trouble and cause a misunderstanding between them again.

The painful lesson from his past life taught him that, regardless of the matter’s magnitude, he had to make things clear with Mingzhu.

He would not give others the chance to sow discord!

"Grandmother said she wanted to get me a concubine, but I didn’t agree."

Ji Mingzhu was not surprised and nodded, "Understood."

Seeing that she didn’t overthink it, Xie Yunzhen felt extremely relieved.

Something as simple as this, just a few words would suffice.

Why was he so awkward in his past life, refusing to have an open and honest talk with Mingzhu?

Ji Mingzhu glanced at the sky.

If they didn’t leave soon, it might delay important matters.

She told Xie Yunzhen to go eat, "I saved some crab roe tofu pudding and soup dumplings for you, go have some."

Xie Yunzhen nodded obediently, "Then wait for me."

Ji Mingzhu responded with a hum, took the gold to the small kitchen, and brought the steamed rice cakes she just made.

This was a food that her mother loved when she was alive.

It didn’t require the meticulous craftsmanship of other pastries, and it had a mild sweetness mixed with a rice fragrance.

Just smelling it was very enticing.

Ji Mingzhu didn’t know what her father liked to eat.

But she thought that if her mother liked it, her father might like it too.

Xie Yunzhen ate quickly, but his every move exuded an air of elegance, without any hint of rudeness.

By the time Ji Mingzhu had packed everything, he had put down his chopsticks.

Tianshui led the group carefully as they moved things outside the mansion.

Xie Yunzhen held Ji Mingzhu’s hand as they walked at the end.

Going to pay respects to his parents was a spontaneous decision, Ji Mingzhu asked, "Returning to the city before noon, will it affect your important matters?"

The hand holding hers tightened.

Then it was gently brought to his lips, kissed tenderly, "It’s alright, I can work through the night."

Ji Mingzhu couldn’t help but burst out laughing, giving the man beside her a meaningful look.

Xie Yunzhen didn’t understand at first, and just laughed along with her.

It wasn’t until he saw the jest in her eyes that he understood what she was laughing about.

Annoyed, he pinched her waist and asked through gritted teeth, "What do you take me for?"

Ji Mingzhu blinked, "I didn’t say anything."

Xie Yunzhen laughed in exasperation; she hadn’t said anything, but that meaningful look spoke volumes!

He said angrily, "I shouldn’t have let you go last night, considering you still have to take medicine, I might as well make you have a few more doses!"

Ji Mingzhu lowered her gaze, quietly putting some distance between them.

This person was shameless enough to say such things!

Xie Yunzhen, dissatisfied, pulled her back to him.

Only walking side by side with Mingzhu, arm touching arm, could he feel at ease.

As they passed through the winding corridor, they saw someone in a pink dress rushing towards the front courtyard.

Crying and yelling, "Lord! Help!"

"Heng Er is being beaten to death by the Young Master’s men!"

"Please, go save him!"

Ji Mingzhu was surprised, "Why are you hitting people?"

"Not in a good mood."

Ji Mingzhu: "..."

Not wanting their trip to be delayed by trivial matters, Xie Yunzhen held her hand tightly, leading Ji Mingzhu smoothly out of the mansion.

Princess An He had not left Crane Dance Hall when she heard about the beating of the illegitimate child.

The corners of her mouth couldn’t help but lift.

She had long wanted to deal with those eyesores.

But as a legitimate wife, it wouldn’t make sense to act against an illegitimate son without reason.

Though she didn’t care about her own reputation, matters concerning heirs were precarious, and carelessness could lead to disaster.

Unlike a child without prospects, even a low-ranking illegitimate son couldn’t be casually beaten or killed.

Even for her son’s sake, she had to put on a show and tolerate those illegitimate sons and daughters.

But Ah Zhen was different.

They were of the same generation, and if conflicts arose, it could be easily dismissed as sibling play.

Princess An He felt refreshed and appeased.

In a good mood, she didn’t want to make things difficult for the young couple.

"Ah Zhen doesn’t have legitimate children yet, so the matter of taking a concubine can wait. We shouldn’t bring in a disgraceful person who might harm the legitimate children."

Originally, it was to brush off the Old Madam, but after speaking, Princess An He felt it made sense.

At least during Ji Mingzhu’s pregnancy, the matter of taking a concubine shouldn’t be brought up.

Otherwise, if someone ambitious pushed Ji Mingzhu, then her legitimate grandchildren would be in danger!

The Old Madam’s face darkened, the loose eyelids drooped, her eyes beneath them murky, making her appear even more acerbic.

With Buddha Beads tightly gripped in her hand, she said, "Ah Zhen is beating others, and you seem very happy."

Princess An He not only didn’t restrain her smile but looked proud instead.

"Ah Zhen has his reasons for what he does. Didn’t Mother always praise him for being decisive and having a long-term vision?"

The Old Madam was furious, "That was when he was dealing with outsiders, how can this be the same?"

Princess An He toyed with the Jade Bracelet on her wrist, smiling.

"It’s the same thing."

People’s hearts are inscrutable. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Those illegitimate children didn’t crawl out of her belly, how could they be of one heart with Ah Zhen?

Not vying for the title with him was good enough; being underhanded would be the least of their issues!

So, considering it that way, those illegitimate children were also Ah Zhen’s enemies.

What’s wrong with being a bit harsh to them?

"Those who behave themselves, Ah Zhen did not hit, Mother should consider if these two did something wrong."

The Old Madam laughed in anger.

"They were just a bit spoiled, does that warrant being beaten half to death?"

"Being spoiled is a mistake!"

Princess An He’s gaze was contemptuous, "Do what’s appropriate for your status. Behaving spoiled in front of an heir is being out of line; getting beaten serves them right."

The Old Madam felt extremely aggrieved.

Suddenly, she felt sorry for her own son.

Having lived with such a controlling daughter-in-law for more than half his life, no wonder he always wanted to take a concubine.

Clearly, he couldn’t take the oppression and was seeking comfort elsewhere!

The skin on her face trembled slightly.

In the end, she could only suppress her anger within.

After all, her daughter-in-law was a Commandery Princess, and her son was particularly accomplished?

The Old Madam sighed, waving her hand, "I’m old, I don’t want to deal with these affairs anymore, you all can do as you like, just don’t let it lead to any deaths."

The corners of Princess An He’s mouth lifted more and more.

The reason she gave the Old Madam face was that the woman understood the situation clearly.

Unlike the heartless man, who was always opposing her!

She said warmly, "Those are Xie family’s children, they are Ah Zhen’s siblings, Mother, you’re overthinking it. Besides, murder is against the law, how could it lead to death?"

The Old Madam’s lips moved slightly, as if sighing or advising Princess An He.

"We are a family, where kindness can be shown, it should be. If we fight amongst ourselves, there’s no need for others to do anything; we’d bring down the Xie family ourselves."

This struck a chord with Princess An He.

She had endured so much, wasn’t it all for the sake of the Duke Mansion?

Everything here belonged to her son; if it collapsed, it would do them no good.

"Mother, I agree with letting Ah Zhen take a concubine, but it should not be rushed, at least wait until Ji Mingzhu has given birth to a couple of children."

Pausing for a moment, she added, "If Ah Zhen wants to take a concubine during this time, I won’t stop it."