The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 190: Mingzhu Confined
Beyond the palace gate, the Crown Prince stood in a pitch-black corner.
His emotions hidden, making it hard for anyone to discern his feelings.
He held a cloak in his hand, yet he couldn’t take that step forward.
Listening to the intermittent voices, the Crown Prince’s expression grew even darker.
The night was deep and the dew heavy; she was already unwell, would being in the cold like this worsen her condition?
But if he went out, how should he face the plea in Ji Mingzhu’s eyes?
If she cried like Yun Ling, his calm would surely be shattered!
He gripped the cloak more tightly.
For the first time in his life, the Crown Prince wavered, losing his decisive nature.
His heart felt stifled and uncomfortable.
He was angry at her for not taking care of herself, coming to kneel by the palace gate in the middle of the night.
But more than that, he realized that the couple’s relationship had truly improved.
Unlike before, when Ji Mingzhu appeared obedient, yet there was no warmth in her eyes.
Even when Ah Zhen offered her the best of everything, she remained unmoved.
The Crown Prince stood still as if frozen.
Eunuch Fu glanced in the direction of the Eastern Palace, "Your Highness, if you don’t return soon, the Crown Princess Consort will be heartbroken."
On the wedding night, the husband was absent from the bridal chamber.
Whether a common woman or a high-ranking Crown Princess Consort, none could endure it.
He tossed the cloak into Eunuch Fu’s arms.
The Crown Prince spoke coldly, "Tell her to return and wait for news, not to be an eyesore at the palace gate. I will handle matters fairly and won’t wrong the innocent."
"Ms. Xu is my concubine; she can’t die in vain. Inform Ji Mingzhu that she is not to kneel at the palace gate again, nor step out of the Duke Mansion. If she dares to feign suffering again, I’ll have Xie Yunzhen severely punished!"
"For every time she kneels, he’ll be beaten once!"
Eunuch Fu trembled upon hearing this.
He cautiously asked, "Then this cloak..."
"Give it to Yun Ling."
The tall man quickly departed.
He walked through the thick darkness, even his silhouette exuded a murderous aura.
Yet, such a person ran to the palace gate on the wedding night, hesitating for so long, just wanting to deliver a piece of clothing to the kneeling person.
Eunuch Fu silently sighed.
Matters of the heart, even those in high positions cannot avoid them.
Of all people, why does His Highness fancy Ji Mingzhu?
Not to mention she is already married.
And her husband is not an easy man to deal with!
His Highness and Mr. Xie were friends as close as brothers, yet now they both yearned for the same woman.
Who knows if this might lead to a massive conflict in the future?
Imagining such a scenario, Eunuch Fu felt overwhelmed.
Affairs of love truly make things difficult!
Ji Mingzhu knelt at the palace gate all night, eventually being sent away by people from the Eastern Palace, and ordered not to feign suffering again.
This incident spread throughout the capital overnight.
The Xu Family remained unmoved, but the Du Family was the first to accuse Xie Yunzhen.
Previously, Madam Du failed in her complaint at the palace, but this time the Du Family was determined not to let Xie Yunzhen off easily.
Saying he disrespected his mentors.
Acting recklessly, previously abandoning his duties to chase a woman in Yangzhou without reason.
Breaking an engagement without cause, ruining the life of a virtuous woman.
This is neither loyal nor righteous, not the act of a true man!
To make their words more persuasive, Princess An He’s misdeeds were listed in detail.
Including the recent incident of imprisoning Du Peifang, causing her to miscarry.
Like mother, like son; the possibility of Xie Yunzhen having killed Consort Xu was high!
Grand Tutor Du publicly declared that he severed his mentor-student relationship with Xie Yunzhen.
He bowed deeply, "I urge Your Highness to abide by the state laws and punish the murderer severely!"
The court hall was so silent that a pin drop could be heard.
Many did not expect that the first to accuse Xie Yunzhen would be his former mentor.
Though he was ruthless to the Du family’s daughter,
to be blunt, the Du family’s daughter wasn’t an unblemished white lotus either...
Mr. Xu paused momentarily, then stepped forward.
"To commit a crime in the Eastern Palace, this matter is exceedingly evil. If one can kill Consort Xu today, does it mean tomorrow they might..."
The implication was clear to everyone.
"Mr. Xu, you are mistaken. Now it is only said that Consort Xu is dead, but how she died is not yet clarified. We should not hastily conclude."
"Indeed, perhaps it was due to His Highness’s wedding that Consort Xu felt troubled and took it upon herself."
Mr. Xu was shocked by this rhetoric.
He inwardly cursed these people and Xie Yunzhen as brothers in villainy, always loving to twist facts!
He straightened his back and questioned: "Are you suggesting that Consort Xu’s death was the Crown Prince’s fault?"
A civil official resembling Princess An He, with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, retorted.
"Wasn’t the implication that Consort Xu was mentally unstable and got fixated on her troubles, how did it become the Crown Prince’s fault when it reached Mr. Xu’s mouth? Perhaps this is your true thought?"
Mr. Xu blew his beard and glared, "You’re speaking nonsense, Xie Yunzhen is your nephew, naturally you side with him! I think Consort Xu’s death must be thoroughly investigated, and moreover, you people should not be involved, lest you show favoritism and let her die unjustly!"
"You shouldn’t intervene either, who knows if you might resort to clandestine methods and fabricate the case!"
"You’re slandering!"
"..."
The two sides each held their own, quarreling in the court.
The Crown Prince, his expression grave, only pinched his brow after they had mostly quarreled.
"I, like Lord Vice Minister, am as close as brothers, and do not believe he would commit such an act. But Ms. Xu died on my wedding day; unless the truth is uncovered, I cannot be at ease."
Grand Tutor Du bowed again, "Your Highness is wise!"
Mr. Xu’s eyes subtly fell on the Crown Prince and the Grand Tutor.
The Crown Prince’s eyes wavered, seemingly unable to give up on Xie Yunzhen.
While Grand Tutor Du’s attitude was resolute, intent on using this opportunity to bring Xie Yunzhen down, to settle past scores.
Mr. Xu’s eyes flashed with amusement.
The hand under the official robe gently rubbed, knowing this incident alone might not bring Xie Yunzhen down.
If a bit of fuel is added, even if it can’t completely suppress him, at least it would send him far away.
Without the valiant and undefeated General of Constant Victory in the capital, the situation would be favorable for them...
Mr. Xu cupped his hands, "Your Highness, the Ministry of Justice should be in charge of the investigation, but I believe we need to appoint an upright person to oversee the progress of the case, as it concerns Your safety."
The Crown Prince’s eyes flickered slightly, "Does Lord Minister have a suitable candidate?"
Mr. Xu shook his head, "I have no suggestions; it’s entirely up to Your Highness."
The Crown Prince then asked the Grand Tutor, "What do you think should be done?"
Grand Tutor Du pondered for a moment, "Young General Xiao has long been stationed on the border and has had no interaction with Lord Vice Minister, making him a good candidate."
Because of the Crown Prince’s wedding, many officials from outside had returned to the capital.
Young General Xiao was among them.
Mr. Xu’s eyes brightened, and with excitement, his facial muscles twitched slightly.
Afraid of being seen as unusual, he lowered his posture further.
The corner of the Crown Prince’s mouth also curled subtly.
Yet all the officials had their heads bowed and noticed nothing.
"Then let it be as the Grand Tutor suggests!"
Before the morning court dispersed, suddenly a eunuch stumbled and rushed to the Jinluan Hall.
Shouting in a tearful voice, "Your Highness, the Emperor has passed away!"
"The Emperor has passed away!"
