The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 49: Stealing My Wife—How Can They Be Innocent?
Mrs. Guan was kneeling in the Xie family ancestral hall, praying for Xie Yunzhen.
As long as Ji Mingzhu was unharmed, kneeling before her ancestors was nothing to Mrs. Guan.
Although Xie Yunzhen had no blood relation to her, once a woman was married, her husband’s family was her family, and that made him her nephew.
Now that his fate was uncertain, being able to pray for her nephew brought Mrs. Guan peace of mind.
After all, she was unskilled in medicine and couldn’t be of help.
So she could only seek some spiritual consolation.
The sound of footsteps on the wooden floorboards made Mrs. Guan think it was a maid bringing in food.
Without turning around, she routinely asked, "Is there any news? Has Ah Zhen woken up?"
"Thank you for your concern, Auntie."
The speaker’s voice was hoarse and weary. Mrs. Guan turned to see Xie Yunzhen.
After a severe illness, he appeared much thinner and somewhat disheveled, far from the awe-inspiring General of Constant Victory.
"Ah Zhen, why have you returned?"
"Is your health alright? Why did you come back so suddenly?"
Mrs. Guan quickly stood up to inquire about Xie Yunzhen’s condition.
But having knelt for too long, her legs were numb and she sat back onto the prayer mat as soon as she stood up.
Xie Yunzhen respectfully helped her up like a filial junior.
Although he was always considerate, gifting his elders during festivals or assisting them in times of need.
Yet for some reason, Mrs. Guan felt uneasy.
Her nephew seemed unusually somber.
Before she could delve further, she heard Xie Yunzhen say, "Auntie, please send a letter to the Yuan Family in Yangzhou."
He spoke with an air of nonchalance, his tone calm, but there was no room for negotiation.
Mrs. Guan frowned, "Ah Zhen, what do you mean by this?"
Xie Yunzhen didn’t beat around the bush, "Ji Mingzhu cannot marry Yuan Changan."
Even engagement discussions are out of the question.
Besides him, Ji Mingzhu should not look at any other man as a potential partner.
Though his reasoning seemed justified to him, it frustrated Mrs. Guan.
Mingzhu had already suffered greatly because of him, and now he wouldn’t let go. Was he intent on ruining her entire life?
Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself.
She earnestly advised, "Marriage is traditionally decided by parents and matchmakers. Your mother and grandmother have already found a match for you, the daughter of the Du Family, Du Peifang."
"Miss Du is gentle and charming, with considerable talent, reputed to be skilled in the arts, comparable to her elder sister."
"Having such a well-matched wife to manage household affairs for you will allow you to focus on your endeavors outside."
Mrs. Guan coaxed kindly, "You aren’t getting any younger, it’s time you married. Delaying it benefits no one."
Xie Yunzhen maintained his composure, "I will not marry Du Peifang."
Aside from Ji Mingzhu, he would not marry any woman.
His wife, the mother of his child, could only be Ji Mingzhu!
Thinking of the little one who had not even had the chance to open its eyes to the world before perishing in his hands, a pang gripped Xie Yunzhen’s heart.
There must be no more children.
It would endanger Ji Mingzhu’s life!
As long as Ji Mingzhu remained safe, he was willing to be without heirs.
Seeing the firm expression on Xie Yunzhen’s face, Mrs. Guan felt a rising dread.
She hadn’t anticipated Ah Zhen’s stubbornness to this extent.
Reasoning seemed futile; she could only try a softer approach.
"Mingzhu is a pitiable child; marrying into a simple family would afford her a lighter life."
"Since General Ji’s demise, she and her widowed mother have known no peace, always wary of grasping relatives that drain their spirit."
"Mingzhu’s mother worried herself into an early grave."
"Ah Zhen, you tread the path of sunshine, while Mingzhu treads a lonely bridge; let her go." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
Xie Yunzhen fingered the jade beads, small and clear, which he had just picked up in Xiao Xiang Courtyard.
It had a tiny hole, likely once strung into a bracelet by Ji Mingzhu.
But the bracelet had broken, causing the beads to roll into a corner, where he happened to find it.
This was fate between him and Ji Mingzhu.
Otherwise, why hadn’t someone else picked up the bead?
Although it no longer carried her essence, to Xie Yunzhen, it was priceless knowing the bead had once been close to Ji Mingzhu.
He grasped it firmly in his palm.
"You said marriage is decided by parents and matchmakers, so you writing to the Yuan Family to cancel the engagement is entirely appropriate."
No longer wanting to hear more persuasion, he spoke plainly, "Regardless of any agreement with the Yuan Family, this engagement is void. Should compensation be required, I will bear all costs."
"Just one thing, Ji Mingzhu cannot marry into the Yuan Family, nor to anyone else."
Mrs. Guan’s temples throbbed with anger, "Mingzhu doesn’t desire to marry you; you are neither related nor connected. Why interfere in her marriage?"
"I intend to marry her."
Mrs. Guan was taken aback, "There can be no possibility between you two. You should give up this notion before it takes root."
Even if Mingzhu had feelings for Ah Zhen, the situation was not easily resolved.
It would be better to marry into a less demanding family than face meddling elders.
Mingzhu had assets and could manage household accounts. She was well-versed in the arts like other ladies.
Crucially, she was smart.
As long as she wasn’t entangled with a powerful family, she could take care of herself without family backing.
Everyone opposed him marrying Ji Mingzhu, which steeled Xie Yunzhen’s resolve.
If he had married her in a past life, he could do so again!
"If Auntie intends to make things difficult by not writing the letter, it doesn’t matter."
The corners of Xie Yunzhen’s mouth lifted in a faint smile, "I will go to Yangzhou and bring her back!"
By then, he would keep Ji Mingzhu forever by his side.
Xie Yunzhen’s expression was full of determination.
Seeing this, Mrs. Guan felt a tremor of fear.
"Don’t act impulsively; consider the bigger picture, and don’t make things hard for a helpless girl like Mingzhu."
Xie Yunzhen asked one last time, "Auntie, are you truly unwilling to write to Yangzhou to cancel the engagement?"
Mrs. Guan didn’t answer directly, "The engagement’s success isn’t assured; Mingzhu must meet the Yuan Family and decide for herself."
She silently prayed: Mingzhu harbors no interest in him. What good is writing a letter?
May this ancestor not cause further commotion!
"She won’t like Yuan Changan."
Xie Yunzhen stated with certainty.
He glanced at Mrs. Guan, "Since Auntie won’t stand by me, when I go to Yangzhou, it might offend the Yuan Family and strain your relationship with Auntie Guan’s kin."
"I apologize to you in advance."
He bowed and turned to leave.
Mrs. Guan grew anxious; before her stood her nephew, but also a powerful minister.
If he acted willfully, few could restrain him.
She urged, "Whatever you plan, don’t involve innocent people."
Xie Yunzhen smirked, "To take my wife—is that innocence?"
