The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 248 - 247: The Hot Potato

Ji Mingzhu’s expression didn’t change.

There was a light smile on her face, as if she didn’t catch the dissatisfaction in Princess An He’s words.

Mrs. Guan didn’t want them, as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, to harbor any misunderstanding. She patted Ji Mingzhu’s hand and said, "Once we return to the mansion, we can talk properly."

Xie Yunling had also matured a lot by now, speaking and acting less recklessly than before.

She softly reassured Ji Mingzhu, "Auntie has always been hoping for you and elder brother to come home. Even if she seems a bit fierce, it’s probably just her being jealous. She won’t make things difficult for you like before, so don’t be afraid."

Ji Mingzhu chuckled helplessly and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "The commandery princess doesn’t bite, and I’m not a coward either."

Xie Yunling thought to herself, Sister Mingzhu is indeed not a coward.

Otherwise, how would she have dared to provoke elder brother back then?

At that time, elder brother was almost obsessed beyond control.

To have tamed a person into complete compliance, Sister Mingzhu truly is formidable!

Amidst everyone’s gaze, Ji Mingzhu still displayed composure.

She went to sit beside Princess An He.

She lowered her head demurely, looking very obedient.

Princess An He felt satisfied and said, "Ah Zhen is a man and will surely drink later. If you stay by his side, he won’t be able to relax. Just sit here and don’t spoil his enjoyment."

Those around heard this and thought Princess An He was selecting a concubine for Xie Yun Zhen.

Otherwise, why wouldn’t she let Ji Mingzhu accompany Xie Yun Zhen?

Every woman attending the feast was a legitimate daughter of her family.

However, in many families, there were also concubines’ daughters of marriageable age waiting in the wings.

Getting connected with someone of Xie Yun Zhen’s stature would be a golden opportunity!

In an instant, more glances were directed toward Xie Yun Zhen.

He was so young yet had already inherited a title, and with the merits from his recent exploits, he was sure to be richly rewarded. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Sending a woman into his household could bring immeasurable benefits.

Back then, Xie Yun Zhen had nearly gone mad in his resolve to marry Ji Mingzhu.

The outrageous things he did were still vivid memories.

The feelings between a man and a woman fade quickly.

Having been married to Ji Mingzhu for so long, Xie Yun Zhen probably had little novelty left.

What remained was merely responsibility.

If a woman were presented to him now, the likelihood of him accepting would be high.

Moreover, Ji Mingzhu had never borne any children; it was hard to believe Xie Yun Zhen would throw away his lineage just to stubbornly stay loyal to one person.

With this in mind, those with ulterior motives looked on with more certainty.

Ji Mingzhu was beautiful indeed, but beautiful women were not hard to come by. Possessing one was another matter entirely.

Xie Yun Zhen hadn’t cast her aside for another, which was already a lot of respect for her.

If she didn’t know when to stop, it was then Ji Mingzhu’s fault.

In no time, more curious eyes were sizing up Ji Mingzhu as well.

Having been away for almost a year and returning to the capital, Ji Mingzhu wasn’t quite accustomed to the atmosphere.

But she had married Xie Yun Zhen, so such situations were unavoidable.

She was wondering whether to let others scrutinize her as they pleased or to take the initiative, perhaps offering tea to those who kept glancing and whispering among themselves,

when she saw Xie Yun Zhen at the other end of the hall suddenly stand up and walk toward her.

Though Xie Yun Zhen served in the court, it didn’t mean he was ignorant of the affairs within the household.

The women’s looks seemed as if they were eyeing a delicious piece of meat.

Since his youth, he had witnessed such scheming often.

He could handle those glances, but when they began looking at Mingzhu with a faux understanding, he lost his patience.

He and Mingzhu had been away for a year, out of sight of these people.

No one in the capital knew what had happened between them.

What do these people truly understand!

Xie Yun Zhen’s expression turned stern, and the aura of hostility around him was hard to hide.

Once he moved, everyone’s gaze shifted with him.

Seeing him approach Ji Mingzhu, they assumed she must have done something wrong and was about to be scolded publicly.

Unexpectedly, Xie Yun Zhen knelt on one knee beside Ji Mingzhu and reached out to touch her knee.

"Sitting like this, are you uncomfortable?"

They were using low tables at the feast, with soft cushions, so she shouldn’t be uncomfortable.

Ji Mingzhu pushed away his hand, "It’s alright."

Xie Yun Zhen’s gaze then fell on her stomach, "I’ll have someone get you a higher table."

They were already conspicuous enough; getting a separate table would only draw more attention.

Ji Mingzhu felt vexed, "Spare me, please—I’d rather not be stared at."

Xie Yun Zhen had his back to the crowd, so others couldn’t see his expression, but Princess An He could see clearly.

Her gaze also landed on Ji Mingzhu’s abdomen, which was flat with a waist belt, revealing nothing.

Princess An He’s heart was in disquiet.

She couldn’t figure out what her son was implying by looking at Ji Mingzhu’s stomach.

Was she expecting?

Or was she injured, whereby Ah Zhen was so protective of her?

Princess An He wanted to ask directly, but it was not the right occasion, and given past misfortunes, she dared not be high-profile anymore.

She had no choice but to suppress her questions.

A welcoming banquet was also arranged at home; once they left the palace and returned home, perhaps they could discuss it in detail.

Princess An He exhaled to calm her thoughts quickly.

With a composed face, she said, "If you’re worried, bring her with you so she doesn’t accidentally get hurt again and I get the blame."

Though Princess An He’s tone was odd, it reflected her sincerity.

She was truly fearful.

Afraid of good intentions turning sour again.

If Ji Mingzhu truly was pregnant and something happened by her side, Ah Zhen would likely resent her immensely!

With this in mind, to Princess An He, Ji Mingzhu became a hot potato.

She was eager for Xie Yun Zhen to take her away swiftly.

Her reluctance, seen by others, seemed as if Princess An He very much despised Ji Mingzhu.

The people in the capital well knew this commandery princess was exceedingly haughty.

She didn’t even necessarily think highly of noble ladies from noble families.

Only daughters from the royal family gained her approval.

Ji Mingzhu, an orphaned descendant of generals, without support, was already fortunate enough to become Xie Yun Zhen’s principal wife.

Gaining Princess An He’s approval was truly challenging.

The relationship between Ji Mingzhu and the commandery princess was not good, and returning to the capital, she did not intend to mend her relationship with her mother-in-law.

Keeping things as they were in the past was fine for the future.

Therefore, once Princess An He spoke, Ji Mingzhu held onto Xie Yun Zhen’s arm to stand.

The man instinctively wanted to support Ji Mingzhu’s waist but withdrew his hand embarrassedly when she glared at him.

He said to Princess An He, "Mingzhu brought back some rare items from beyond the pass; they must have arrived at the mansion by now. Mother, please decide how to distribute them."

Princess An He quickly asked, "You’re not going back to the Duke Mansion?"

Mingzhu had already compromised once for his future; even when she felt uneasy, she returned to the capital.

Xie Yun Zhen didn’t want to make it hard for her again.

She liked staying at the Ji Mansion, so they would continue living there.

Without giving a direct response, Xie Yun Zhen only said, "If there’re problems at the mansion, I will return to resolve them."

Princess An He’s previously joy-filled heart suddenly dropped.

She had accepted Ji Mingzhu by now.

And wanted to mend their relationship.

Even if not as close as mother and daughter, they could at least unite against external forces and respect each other mutually.

She wouldn’t critique Ji Mingzhu anymore.

Truly wouldn’t!

Princess An He’s emotion uncontrollably sank into disappointment.

Without Ah Zhen, what was the point in guarding such a vast estate?