The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 186: Signs Before the Storm

The carriages from the Duke Mansion arrived sequentially at the palace gate.

Even the old matron came to this wedding banquet and shared a carriage with Princess An He.

She was currently being assisted down the steps.

Seeing Ji Mingzhu, she said, "Men and women are seated separately; don’t cling to Ah Zhen."

Ji Mingzhu glanced at Xie Yunzhen.

The man’s tone was flat, "Isn’t it me who is clinging to Mingzhu, Grandmother? This is your true granddaughter-in-law; you should treat her fairly."

There were already several carriages stopped at the palace gate, and the old matron couldn’t lose her temper.

Not only that, but she had to force a smile.

"This is your wife; how could Grandmother not dote on her? With so many people here today, let her follow me to prevent her from causing trouble again."

Eunuch Fu, who had been waiting at the palace gate for a while, saw them.

He quickly came over to invite them, "Lord Vice Minister, the Crown Prince has important instructions for you."

Another eunuch from the Empress Palace also came to invite Ji Mingzhu.

"Lady Princely Heir, the Empress said she hasn’t seen you in a long time and misses you very much. She asked you to visit the Middle Palace to pay your respects before attending the ceremony."

Ji Mingzhu didn’t tell Xie Yunzhen about the entanglement between General Ji and Empress Zheng.

But Xie Yunzhen could see that the Empress liked their family’s Mingzhu very much.

Moreover, considering the face of the Duke Mansion, she wouldn’t make things difficult for Mingzhu for no reason.

He squeezed her palm, "Go ahead and be cautious."

Ji Mingzhu nodded, bowed to the elders of the Xie family, and followed the palace attendant into the palace gate.

Inside the gate, a small sedan chair was waiting—an honor granted to her by the Empress.

The old matron was dumbfounded, "She, she has such favor with the Empress?"

If Ji Mingzhu had the Empress backing her, it wouldn’t be easy to take concubines for Ah Zhen!

Princess An He’s tone was somewhat bitter.

"She has a knack for pleasing people."

Ah Zhen is wrapped around her little finger.

As are Mrs. Guan, Yun Ling, and Master Xuan...

Now even the Empress praises her highly, showing how skilled she is at charming people.

She cursed inwardly: So good at pleasing people, why doesn’t she try to please her mother-in-law?

It was because she nodded her head that Mrs. Guan could take in Ji Mingzhu, enabling her to live in the Duke Mansion smoothly.

Betraying her own family!

Ungrateful wolf!

The mother- and daughter-in-law each immersed in their thoughts, walked through the long corridor on foot, increasingly realizing how much of an honor it was to be able to ride in a sedan chair!

"You’re right; we should wait on the matter of Ah Zhen taking a concubine."

Regardless of Ah Zhen’s attitude, considering the Empress’s regard for Ji Mingzhu, she might be angry with the Duke Mansion.

That would not be worth it.

The old matron thought this way.

Following behind them, Mrs. Guan was astounded that the old matron actually wanted to take a concubine for Ah Zhen.

No wonder there was a ruckus in the mansion before, with two illegitimate sons beaten half to death.

It was clearly to set an example!

Since Mrs. Guan is not Ji Mingzhu’s direct mother-in-law, she didn’t have to consider those prestigious reasons.

She said, "Ah Zhen and Mingzhu have been married for less than a year, and with the tense situation outside, it doesn’t feel stable, mother-in-law. You mustn’t bring in people with ulterior motives; it could ruin the couple’s relationship and even push our Duke Mansion into a dead end."

The old matron glared at her, "Don’t say unlucky things."

"Honest words are unpleasant; I’m giving you a reminder that our Ah Zhen is promising. Who knows how many schemers are eyeing him, just waiting to harm him if they get the chance!"

Mrs. Guan was absolutely sure, "Ah Zhen has a smooth career, not only because of his skills, but most importantly, because he keeps himself clean and gives no one the chance to plant spies."

Princess An He loved hearing people praise her son. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Originally, she didn’t agree to taking concubines so Ji Mingzhu could smoothly give birth to legitimate offspring.

Now listening to Mrs. Guan, she increasingly felt she was right.

Compared to his future, fleeting romantic affairs are like clouds passing by.

The unfaithful man in the mansion wasted his effort on women and lived his life in frustration!

Anyway, Ah Zhen is already married; as long as Ji Mingzhu can give Ah Zhen children, it doesn’t matter if he takes concubines or not!

"Sister-in-law makes a lot of sense."

Princess An He stared at the old matron, "Mother-in-law, you should stop thinking about taking concubines. Ah Zhen’s future is the most important."

The old matron gave them a cursory glance, "I never said I would immediately bring someone into the mansion. Besides, Ah Zhen is cautious in what he does; how could he be so easily manipulated?"

Mrs. Guan stopped when it was enough, afraid of provoking the old matron’s rebellious mindset, which would cause unrest in the household.

If Ah Zhen truly wanted to take concubines, as Ji Mingzhu’s maternal family, she would definitely stand on Mingzhu’s side.

She would assist Mingzhu in planning and teaching her how to protect her best interests!

Ah Zhen doesn’t lack support, but the only person Mingzhu can rely on is her.

Mrs. Guan was very clear about her position.

On the other side, Ji Mingzhu went to pay her respects to the Empress but didn’t see her.

After inquiring, she learned that the Emperor’s head ailment had recurred, and Empress Zheng had gone to Yangxin Hall to attend to the illness.

The Crown Prince’s wedding was a long-scheduled event, with the date specially chosen by the Astronomical Bureau.

Empress Zheng didn’t want the wedding to be postponed, so the Emperor’s illness wasn’t made public.

Ji Mingzhu felt conflicted.

Was she supposed to stay and wait for the Empress to return or go to the ceremony?

Palace attendants each performed their duties, serving Ji Mingzhu tea and then retreating.

All Ji Mingzhu could do was sit and wait.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick later, Empress Zheng finally returned from Yangxin Hall.

Her eyes were slightly red, her demeanor exhausted, but on closer inspection, there was excitement hidden in her eyes.

Ji Mingzhu quickly bowed her head and paid her respects.

She was just about to kneel when someone held her arm.

"Today is the Crown Prince’s wedding; it’s a good day; no need for formalities."

Ji Mingzhu still bowed respectfully and greeted the Empress.

Seeing her meticulous manner, the smile in Empress Zheng’s eyes deepened.

She held Ji Mingzhu’s hand and said, "After the Crown Prince is married, I’ll have easier days. You must visit me often then; if you’re always so reserved, won’t it be a punishment?"

Ji Mingzhu felt a little panicked inside, sensing there was more to the Empress’s words.

But she dared not think too deeply.

"Being able to accompany you and brighten your day is my honor as a subject."

Empress Zheng let go of her hand, her expression enigmatic, "After today, no matter what happens, don’t panic; the storm will pass quickly."

Ji Mingzhu wasn’t sure what kind of storm she was referring to.

She only knew that within the palace walls, she had to control her ears and mouth.

Having too much curiosity wouldn’t allow her to get out safely.

"You should go attend the ceremony."

Ji Mingzhu suddenly realized that the Empress had sent someone to the palace gate to fetch her, perhaps to give her honor.

Feeling grateful, Ji Mingzhu bowed deeply, "Please take care of yourself, Your Majesty. I wish you peace and good health!"

She had a premonition that things wouldn’t be peaceful from now on.

Perhaps her father’s matters were also about to reach a conclusion.

Ji Mingzhu felt inexplicably anxious, like a sign of an impending storm.

The closer she got to the Eastern Palace, the stronger this anxiety grew.

Until the wedding banquet concluded and she left the palace, Xie Yunzhen never appeared.

At this moment, Ji Mingzhu’s anxiety reached its peak.

Today is His Highness’s grand wedding; what could he have arranged for Xie Yunzhen to do?