The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 38: Leaving the Capital

Living under another’s roof, one must learn to bend and adapt, bowing when necessary.

But Mingzhu did not want to take the blame unjustly.

From beginning to end, it was Yun Zhen who brought the danger to her.

She should not be the one punished.

She respectfully bowed to the old matriarch.

Mingzhu spoke calmly, "I willingly prayed for the Young Master’s well-being, after all, I have been under the protection of the Xie Family for three years. Even if it means kneeling in the Buddha Hall or performing prostrations to ask for a peace charm, I would not refuse as a way of repaying kindness."

"However, you say the Young Master was in danger because of saving me, that I cannot agree with."

The old matriarch’s face darkened, her eyes filled with danger.

Gripping the chair’s armrest tightly, she asked in return, "You disagree?"

Mingzhu nodded straightforwardly, "The Young Master was supporting Madam Zheng, causing trouble for me, and even forced me to leave the city with him. If indeed I had wronged Madam Zheng, then I would deserve it, and you and the Young Master could punish me as you see fit, but the facts are not so."

"The sage says one should distinguish between gratitude and grievances. I hold in my heart the grace shown by the Xie family, but the so-called lifesaving grace of the Young Master, I think, at most cancels out with grievances."

"When it comes down to it, I am also a victim. Being slapped and then given a sweet date, yet expected to be grateful—Mingzhu believes this is rather forcing others."

No one in the Duke Mansion dares to contradict the old matriarch.

Even the outgoing Princess An He, in front of her mother-in-law, can only bow her head.

The more Mingzhu spoke, the darker the old matriarch’s expression became.

In a cold voice, she asked, "Your point is that all this is Ah Zhen’s fault? He is the main culprit?"

Understanding the ways of the world and being able to read expressions, this principle Mingzhu understood.

Otherwise, she would not have endured Yun Zhen’s repeated difficulties in silence.

But this time, the matter was too significant, and if something happened to Yun Zhen, she couldn’t predict what awaited her.

Continual retreating might trap her in a dead end, and this time Mingzhu did not want to swallow her teeth and blood.

If the Xie family presses relentlessly, she might as well report it to the authorities.

Alone and without ties, she really had nothing to worry about.

Facing the old matriarch’s questioning, Mingzhu replied firmly, "Yes."

There was a crashing sound as a tea cup shattered by Mingzhu’s side, the hot tea soaking the hem of her clothes.

Luckily, it was winter, so the thick socks and shoes weren’t scalded.

If the old matriarch weren’t aged and lacking strength, Mingzhu believed the tea cup might have hit her head.

No one dared to make a sound in the hall.

In the past, Mingzhu would minimize her presence at times like this.

This time, however, she looked directly at the old matriarch without flinching.

Since it wasn’t her fault, no matter how the Xie family vented, she wouldn’t accept this unjust blame.

Seeing her stubborn demeanor, the old matriarch said "good" three times in a row, "I underestimated you, always talking about gratitude to the Xie family, yet now that you’re asked to kneel in the Buddha Hall, you show such unwillingness."

Snorting, "It seems you’re planning to sever ties with our Xie family?"

The implication was that if Mingzhu didn’t obey the old matriarch’s orders, she was choosing to break relations with the Duke Mansion.

Mingzhu’s hand tightened on her handkerchief.

Her eyes lowered, "If it’s my mistake, I will admit it. Otherwise, I will not assume responsibility that isn’t mine—that would be either foolish or base."

The old matriarch laughed in anger, "You are not a Xie family member—I cannot punish you with family rules, and there’s no reason to drive a guest away, but Miss Ji seems to have objections to my arrangements and presumably wouldn’t disdain leaving."

Mrs. Guan hadn’t rested yet, hearing that Mingzhu had been taken to Crane Dance Hall, she feared her mother-in-law would trouble her, so she hurriedly came with Yun Ling.

Wanting to clarify the situation and defend Mingzhu.

Entering just in time to hear these words, she immediately became anxious.

"Mother-in-law, by no means."

Disregarding her manners, Mrs. Guan hastily walked into the hall.

"Mingzhu’s mother and I were close as sisters. Before she passed, she entrusted the child to me. If I abandon Mingzhu now, how could I face Mingzhu’s mother in the future?"

Mrs. Guan came from a reputable family, and the old matriarch had to give her face.

Her expression softened somewhat, "I’m not making things difficult for her—she won’t listen to instructions, and I’m left with no choice."

Mrs. Guan knelt in front of the old matriarch, "Mingzhu is alone and powerless. If she leaves the Xie family, she will be vulnerable to bullying. Mother-in-law, please be magnanimous and don’t hold it against her."

The old matriarch glanced at Mingzhu from the corner of her eye—she still maintained that unyielding demeanor.

At other times, she might praise the young girl’s integrity as a good thing.

But now, opposing her, this stubbornness became an eyesore, a thorn in the flesh.

If not destroyed, others in the house might follow this example, and that wouldn’t do.

She sneered softly, "It’s not that I won’t give you face. Why not ask her if she wants to leave the Duke Mansion or listen to an old woman’s arrangements?"

With her understanding of her mother-in-law, Mrs. Guan knew Mingzhu wouldn’t be in mortal danger, but punishments like kneeling were certainly unavoidable.

She gave her daughter a meaningful look.

Yun Ling, quick-witted herself, immediately fell at the old matriarch’s knee, crying.

"Elder brother was severely harmed by Du Peilan. If she hadn’t insisted on seeking Physician Xi for his leg, he wouldn’t have left the city; had he not left, he wouldn’t have been ambushed!"

"In the end, it’s all Du Peilan’s fault. Grandmother, you must not let her off!"

The old matriarch certainly wouldn’t let Du Peilan off, but it was also a fact that the eldest grandson was injured because of Mingzhu.

Each issue was separate, neither party would have peace!

She patted Yun Ling’s shoulder, "You’re giving me a headache—today, even if you cry your eyes out, those deserving punishment won’t escape."

"Grandmother, even if punishment is required, it should go to the true culprit. Sister Mingzhu is innocent."

"You’re just a child, keep out of adults’ affairs."

The old matriarch’s cloudy eyes were full of certainty—if Mingzhu could push Ah Zhen that far, she was not innocent.

If it went on unchecked, all the sons of the Xie family would be ruined by her.

Mingzhu didn’t want her aunt and Yun Ling to face difficulties.

To her, leaving the Xie family was only a matter of time, but it was different for her aunt and Yun Ling.

They were Xie family members, inevitably facing the old matriarch often, and straining their relationship wouldn’t benefit them.

She bowed to Mrs. Guan, "Aunt, I am willing to leave the Xie family."

Mrs. Guan’s face turned pale, hastily embracing Mingzhu’s shoulders to comfort her.

"Since aunt promised your mother, she must protect you. Even if you must leave the Xie family, it should be after your betrothal, allowing you to marry openly and honorably."

Leaving the Xie family under these circumstances might lead outsiders to think Mingzhu had committed some major error.

Rumors spreading could ruin Mingzhu’s reputation.

The Yuan Family was far in Yangzhou, yet had close friends in the capital.

If rumors reached them, affecting Mingzhu’s marriage prospects—what then?

Mingzhu understood Mrs. Guan’s concern.

If the Yuan Family doubted her due to gossip, then the engagement wasn’t worth having.

She didn’t seek wealth, only sincerity from her partner.

If even sincerity wasn’t there, she might as well establish her own household.

Mingzhu’s heart settled in reality, all unease dissipating at that moment.

"Aunt, I shall leave the capital tomorrow."