The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 57: Mingzhu, Long Time No See

With Yuan Changan traveling along, there wasn’t any trouble afterwards.

Yangzhou was close at hand, just two hours away from the destination, so the group stopped to rest.

The carriage Ji Mingzhu sat in had a soft couch, but staying inactive for long, the body couldn’t bear it.

Holding onto the gold’s hand, she slowly stepped down from the carriage using the ladder stool.

Without needing to go out and host guests, she didn’t dress elaborately, just casually tying her black hair with a red silk ribbon at the back.

The breeze brushed her face, the ribbon fluttering.

Unrestrained yet graceful.

Yuan Changan’s eyes brightened.

"Miss Ji, Yangzhou is almost here. The guest courtyard at home is ready; after a short break, we will head directly home."

Ji Mingzhu was uncertain on how long she would stay in Yangzhou, "We have many people, it’s still convenient to rent a courtyard."

"You’ve traveled a long way; we should be given the chance to host you."

Not wanting her to refuse, Yuan Changan spoke earnestly, "If you live at home, Aunt at the Duke Mansion can rest assured, and I won’t be scolded by the elders."

Mrs. Guan indeed wanted Ji Mingzhu to stay with the Yuan Family for better care.

But Ji Mingzhu wanted to live more freely, hence her plan to rent a courtyard.

If she hadn’t met Yuan Changan, she would have settled outside first and then met the Yuan Family elders.

By then, it wouldn’t be too awkward to decline.

But now...

Ji Mingzhu appeared conflicted, but finally said, "To accept rather than decline the courtesy, then excuse the intrusion."

"The elders and siblings at home are all easy to get along with; Miss Ji should treat it like her own home."

Yuan Changan’s gaze was calm, without any hint of difficulty or force.

For some reason, Ji Mingzhu suddenly felt a bit nervous.

Could it be she was wrong earlier, and Yuan Changan wasn’t avoiding settling down?

Even though the purpose of this journey was to discuss marriage, when it really came to this matter, Ji Mingzhu still felt uneasy.

Lowering her gaze, she said, "Before coming, I heard that the younger generation of the Yuan Family is talented; if I benefit from their influence and make some progress, it would be worth the trip."

Seeing her unease, Yuan Changan dropped the topic.

After resting for two quarters of an hour, the team set off again.

In Yangzhou City.

Xie Yunzhen arrived first.

After resting for a few days on the ship, his condition appeared much better than before.

There was still residual poison in his body, but his steps were steady, his breath was long, and anyone unaware wouldn’t notice anything unusual about him.

Following them all along the way, after confirming Xie Yunzhen wouldn’t die anytime soon, Xi Yu didn’t want to travel with him anymore.

Left a prescription, tossed it into Tianshui’s arms, "Whether he lives or dies in the future, don’t bother me."

"Ah, Divine Doctor..."

Tianshui wanted to say something, but Xi Yu was already gone, as if chased by dogs from behind.

He could only first put away the prescription, thinking this journey had indeed troubled Divine Doctor Xi.

Had he not "made an unwise choice of friends", he could have lived a carefree life but was now quite tormented...

Tianshui quickly halted his thoughts, sneaking a glance at the silent man.

Cautiously asked, "Young Master, should we first find an inn to stay?"

"To the Yuan Family."

So saying, he lifted his leg and walked away.

...

After Xie Yunzhen left the capital, Mrs. Guan’s letter was finally sent out.

Resulting in him being at the Yuan Family already while the letter hadn’t reached the Yuan Family members.

The mansion had long been prepared to welcome Ji Mingzhu’s arrival.

They arranged guest rooms, restored the garden.

Even cleaned the whole mansion inside and out, just to leave a good impression.

Unexpectedly, Xie Yunzhen was the first to arrive, which surprised the Yuan Family.

Fortunately, the year hadn’t ended, and all the sons were home, so there was no shortage of people to entertain him.

Xie Yunzhen was led to the front courtyard guest lounge, and as soon as he sat down, a maid came to serve tea.

Lady Yuan heard the news and came over laughing, "Had I known Ah Zhen was also coming to Yangzhou, I should have let Mingzhu travel with you, and I could have seen my future daughter-in-law sooner!"

Between noble households, the kinship relations were intricate, and the Xie family and Yuan Family could genuinely be considered relatives.

Lady Yuan and Mrs. Guan were peers, and calling him Ah Zhen showed closeness.

The term daughter-in-law pierced Xie Yunzhen’s heart.

That was his wife; how did she become Yuan Family’s?

His hand resting on his knee tightened, but he still revealed a slight smile.

"I too heard Mingzhu was coming to Yangzhou, so I took this trip, intending to bring her back to the capital."

"This..."

Lady Yuan hesitated, exchanging a glance with her husband, both unsure of his meaning.

Xie Yunzhen was the heir of the Duke Mansion, and Princess An He had high standards, definitely choosing daughters-in-law from illustrious families.

And he had been away on campaigns for the past few years, likely not having deep ties with Miss Ji.

They shouldn’t be that type of relationship.

Otherwise, Mrs. Guan wouldn’t have proposed Ji Mingzhu to meet Changan.

Lady Yuan thought for a moment, guessing Xie Yunzhen might be traveling for business, coincidentally coming to Yangzhou to pick up Ji Mingzhu.

"Your second aunt said to let Mingzhu stay longer in Yangzhou, to sightsee and to develop feelings with Changan."

"If they fancy each other, your second aunt will personally come to Yangzhou to discuss the marriage."

After saying this, Lady Yuan changed her words, "Marriage is a significant matter; how could the woman’s family travel? We will go to the capital to propose, send Mingzhu back, and at the time of the wedding, let Changan bring her back."

These words hit precisely at Xie Yunzhen’s sore points.

Tianshui’s scalp tingled; fearing the master might suddenly flare up.

Contrary to his expectation, Xie Yunzhen was unusually calm.

Playing with the cup, a faint smile on his lips, "Develop feelings?"

"They haven’t met before, so indeed they must cultivate for a while to live happily and sweetly after marriage."

Mingzhu happy and sweet with someone else, what about him, what should he do?

"This marriage..."

Can’t be mentioned anymore.

Before finishing his sentence, the steward appeared inopportunely.

"Madam, Miss Ji is here!"

Lady Yuan immediately stood up, her smile became more genuine.

"She should be at the gate now; I must go personally to greet her..."

Yuan Changan escorted her to the gate, arranged for the servant to unload the luggage, knowing there were people at home to attend to Ji Mingzhu, then went to deal with other matters.

"Miss Ji, settle in at ease; if anything is unsatisfactory, feel free to speak."

Seeing he was in a hurry, Ji Mingzhu didn’t speak much.

"You go ahead with urgent matters, don’t delay."

Hearing his mother’s voice from afar, Yuan Changan nodded slightly.

He left.

A richly dressed woman came out to greet, eyes sparkling as she held Ji Mingzhu’s hand.

Carefully studied her features, "What a beautiful face, I’ve truly seen it today."

Ji Mingzhu’s cheeks flushed, she quickly bowed slightly, "Greetings to Lady Yuan."

Lady Yuan nodded incessantly.

Her demeanor was poised and graceful, polite and well-mannered, worthy of being taught personally by General’s wife and Mrs. Guan.

Just about to mention Xie Yunzhen’s presence in Yangzhou, footsteps sounded growing near.

"Mingzhu, long time no see."