The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 224 - 223: Killjoy Follies

Before departing for the expedition, Xie Yunzhen left some men behind for Yuan Changan.

At first, Yuan Changan was somewhat puzzled.

It wasn’t until the Hidden Guard, assigned to protect Ji Mingzhu, approached him that he finally understood Xie Yunzhen’s intention.

He was guarding against the Emperor!

The new emperor released news, saying Mingzhu was in the palace accompanying the Empress Dowager for prayer.

But the Hidden Guard claimed that she was actually in the Royal Villa.

Yuan Changan, of course, believed the latter.

This was someone Xie Yunzhen had left for Ji Mingzhu, surely trustworthy.

"The Emperor prohibits our people from entering the villa. As for the current condition of the madam, we’ve only heard from them without witnessing it ourselves. If anything happens to her, we won’t be able to explain to the Young Master."

The Hidden Guard considered a hard break-in, willing to risk their life to bring the madam out.

But they feared causing trouble for the Young Master.

Without a better plan, they came to seek Yuan Changan.

Since the Young Master entrusted some of his men to Young Master Yuan, they could trust Young Master Yuan!

Yuan Changan’s brow furrowed.

That person is the Emperor, wielding the power of life and death; taking Mingzhu from his grasp won’t be easy.

"Don’t worry, I’ll go into the palace to gather some news first."

If the Emperor is targeting Mingzhu, he probably won’t be so ruthless as to harm her physically.

Moreover, Xie Yunzhen is still fighting on the battlefield.

As long as he doesn’t commit treason, Mingzhu and the Xie Family are under the Imperial Family’s protection.

This matter needs careful consideration.

Impulsive actions must be avoided.

Yuan Changan hails from a prestigious family and has also uncovered evidence of the Yang Family colluding with traitors, secretly mining iron deposits.

He is a meritorious official, and seeking an audience with the Emperor isn’t difficult.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor refused to let him enter the palace citing busy governance affairs.

Yuan Changan is not naive.

Understanding the new emperor’s intentions, he no longer tried to enter the palace.

He summoned the Hidden Guard, carefully inquiring about the situation of the day, using it to deduce Mingzhu’s physical condition.

If he were to use unconventional means to bring Mingzhu out of the villa, the precondition is that she must be in good physical condition.

Otherwise, the ordeal could well harm Mingzhu’s body.

Yuan Changan inquired closely, focusing on: "Did she suffer any bone injuries?"

"She shouldn’t have any bone injuries, but the madam is pregnant. The situation that day was dangerous; I’m afraid..."

The rest of the words the Hidden Guard could not utter, but both parties understood what was left unsaid.

The matter of Ji Mingzhu’s pregnancy wasn’t widely announced.

Yuan Changan is a man, and given that the two had discussed marriage, Ji Mingzhu felt embarrassed, so she didn’t deliberately tell him about it.

After a moment of silence.

Yuan Changan walked to the window, his expression impossibly grave.

With Mingzhu’s character, if truly pushed to the brink, she would undoubtedly choose to confront head-on.

Even if the result were to be battered and bruised.

Such grievance, she could not endure.

If time dragged on, who knows what she might do.

Finger tapping against the window sill, Yuan Changan said: "Find a way to sneak into the villa, tell your madam not to do anything, and just wait for the right moment when we will take her away."

"What about the Emperor then..."

The Hidden Guard’s sole worry was that their actions might implicate the Young Master.

Yuan Changan squinted his eyes, "If anything happens, I’ll take the responsibility."

...

Inside the villa.

The doctor used the best medicine for Ji Mingzhu, so her health improved rapidly.

Although she still seemed lacking in vitality, at least her lips were no longer so pale.

There was a hint of light pink.

The sickly pallor on her face had also faded considerably.

The grazes and blade marks on her body were starting to scab, and as long as they were carefully tended, they would not leave scars.

The new emperor, amidst his busy schedule, took time to visit Ji Mingzhu, seeing that she could already get out of bed and walk, he was pleased.

Yet he feared moving too soon might leave permanent ailments.

He couldn’t nag Ji Mingzhu, afraid she’d feel annoyed, so he instructed those serving her, "Do not let the madam walk around."

The maid replied with her head bowed, "The doctor said some movement is acceptable as long as she doesn’t catch a breeze."

The new emperor glanced at the window, which was only slightly ajar for ventilation.

Sunlight streaming through the window lattice fell onto the bedding, making it appear warm and cozy.

Along with the person sitting on the bed, the coolness in her brows seemed slightly softened.

Instinctively, he approached Ji Mingzhu to ask, "How is your health?"

Her affairs were carefully reported by someone to him, including what she ate and drank daily, her mood, and such.

But he still wanted to hear it directly from Ji Mingzhu.

It was at this moment that the new emperor realized he and Mingzhu didn’t have much in common to talk about.

If he didn’t actively ask questions, she might never speak to him.

"It’s okay."

Ji Mingzhu replied perfunctorily.

The man before her hadn’t appeared for several days; she was living rather freely.

In Ji Mingzhu’s view, this room was her private space, and his sudden, unannounced visit seemed very rude!

The string within her tightened again.

Seeming to ignore the rejection in her eyes, the new emperor took a seat at a measured distance from her.

He tapped on his temple, "Do you recall anything?"

His gaze was tense and carried concern.

Ji Mingzhu didn’t know what answer he wished to hear.

She shook her head, "I haven’t recalled anything."

Then she asked, "I’d like to see my aunt, is that possible?"

"Of course."

The new emperor replied promptly, with not a hint of hesitation.

Ji Mingzhu’s prepared remarks went unused as she tentatively asked, "Can I truly see my aunt?"

During this period, she had thought about leaving, but those people always stopped her.

Though their attitude wasn’t forceful, and their words expressed concern for her, she simply felt imprisoned.

Wanting to see her aunt was a way to test the situation.

To determine if she truly lacked freedom.

Looked upon by those bright, deep eyes, the new emperor was delighted.

If Mingzhu’s eyes contained him, and she continually looked at him with such an unwavering gaze, he would undoubtedly be happy. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"You can see her."

The new emperor provided a definite answer.

Moved with excitement, Ji Mingzhu’s demeanor seemed more vibrant.

"When can I see her?"

The new emperor hummed in acknowledgment, "Once your health is fully restored, and you’re able to leave, you can see her."

Ji Mingzhu was furious; without thinking, she hurled a pillow at the man, "Get out!"

Inside and outside the room, people knelt down en masse.

The new emperor holding the pillow, was initially delighted that Mingzhu would make such a move towards him.

Not expecting the attendants to misread the situation.

Doing things that ruin the mood!

Ji Mingzhu’s gaze conveyed confusion; the new emperor hadn’t figured out how to explain his identity to her.

He placed the pillow back where it belonged, "I have urgent matters to attend to; I’ll visit you once they’re settled."

Seeing Ji Mingzhu’s expression revert to calm, the new emperor pinched the inner palm of his hand, "And I’ll have your aunt come too."

Ji Mingzhu no longer believed him at this moment.

Feeling that seeing her aunt would come at some cost.

Absent-mindedly, she nodded.

The new emperor wanted to speak but feared Mingzhu would pursue other questions, so he decided to return to the palace to attend to state affairs first.

In the following days, those serving Ji Mingzhu changed again.

This confinement-like existence made Ji Mingzhu restless, but she didn’t know whom to turn to for help to resolve her current dilemma.

During her anxious hours, a handwritten letter from Yuan Changan was delivered to Ji Mingzhu.

Unsure of her relationship with the note’s author, he mentioned bringing her away.

Ji Mingzhu wanted to give it a try.

If she had misjudged, she could only blame herself.

It would at least be better than being unclear and locked up here forever!