The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 68: Paying the Price

The architectural styles of Yangzhou and the capital are distinctly different, and so are the cultures.

Compared to the dazzling opulence of the capital, this place exudes elegance and a sense of leisure.

On the bustling long street, Ji Mingzhu surprisingly feels a sense of tranquility and peace.

It seems as if her mind and body have been purified, and she feels completely relaxed.

Putting aside those troubling matters, she really likes this place, Yangzhou.

She would even be willing to live here for a lifetime.

The girl with stunning beauty wears a smile, with a small dimple appearing on her cheek.

Emotions are contagious, and Yuan Changan’s mood also reaches its peak.

He was born in Yangzhou and grew up in Yangzhou.

He always felt from a young age that Yangzhou is a good place.

Now that Ji Mingzhu is here, he feels that this place is even better.

The place Mingzhu likes is the best place.

Yuan Changan thought this way.

"Wait a moment."

As they were walking, Yuan Changan suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm?"

"I’m going to buy something small."

He then quickly walked toward a small stall.

Ji Mingzhu, puzzled, also followed to the stall.

The vendor was an artisan selling sugar paintings.

The strong aroma of malt sugar wafted around, and as soon as Ji Mingzhu got close, she smelled the rich sweet scent.

Without any warning, she suddenly remembered an old incident.

On a street in the capital, a little boy said she was cute, like a glutinous rice dumpling, and stuffed a sugar rabbit into her hand.

The sugar rabbit, made of malt sugar, was golden and particularly adorable in the sunlight.

She held the little wooden stick tightly, reluctant to eat it.

Ji Mingzhu’s long lashes fluttered as if she saw her young, innocent self.

Born with a silver spoon, yet a sugar figure made her so happy.

It’s a pity that in the end, she never tasted the sugar figure.

That day, the news of her father’s death in battle was sent back to the capital.

Her mother fainted on the spot, and she threw away the sugar rabbit, sitting on the ground helplessly crying.

After that, her mother was bedridden, and wolves surrounded their family, eyeing the Ji family’s business greedily.

She was scared and dared not leave her mother’s side.

Afraid that in the blink of an eye, her mother would follow her father.

During those years, she hardly stepped out of the house.

Even learning to read, write, and study artistic skills, she did within her mother’s courtyard.

Later, when her mother’s health improved a bit, she learned to manage household affairs and finances.

She had a lot to learn, and when she occasionally went out to check the shops, she no longer thought of buying sugar to eat.

While she was lost in thought, a golden phoenix was placed in front of her.

"A phoenix’s rebirth from the ashes, wishing you a new life."

Ji Mingzhu’s eyes became moist, her long lashes shielded her clear eyes, preventing her tears from falling.

Pretending to be relaxed, her tone held a faint self-mockery, "I fled to Yangzhou, can this be considered a new life?"

"It can."

Yuan Changan bravely reached out and touched her hair bun.

"Of the thirty-six strategies, escape is the best; you’ve succeeded by finding your way to Yangzhou, haven’t you?"

Ji Mingzhu was amused by him, letting out a burst of laughter.

In a public place, this was not the demeanor of a lady, so she quickly covered the lower half of her face with a handkerchief.

The woman’s laughter was as clear and melodious as the song of an oriole.

Her round eyes curved into a beautiful arc, sparkling like a starry river in a summer night sky.

Her fingers, fair and slender, like peeled green onions.

Holding a plum-red silk handkerchief, her skin appeared white as snow, charming and unparalleled, drawing everyone’s gaze.

From the tall building, Xie Yunzhen blankly watched Ji Mingzhu.

Such a joyful smile, he had never seen in either of his lives.

In the past, Ji Mingzhu would smile at him too.

But those smiles had more flattery and cautious probing.

Back then, he always felt Ji Mingzhu wasn’t sincere, as if she was plotting something.

Now, looking back, he realized that those cautious actions were actually expressions of love.

Because she liked him, she cared about his feelings.

And because she liked him, she always wanted to explore his thoughts.

Ji Mingzhu had no ill intentions; she was merely trying to worm her way into his heart in her own way.

Unfortunately, he was too obtuse and had let Ji Mingzhu down.

In his line of sight, she accepted the sugar figure Yuan Changan gave.

He had no idea what that man said, but her smile grew even brighter.

Xie Yunzhen longed to see Ji Mingzhu smile, but he didn’t want another man to be the one making her laugh.

Inside, he felt a dull ache.

"Just a sugar figure, is it really worth that much joy?"

If she wanted, he could give her countless sugar figures.

Xie Yunzhen felt a sour feeling in his heart.

The sadder he felt, the more he understood how much of a jerk he had been in his past life.

At that time, Ji Mingzhu was pregnant, and an expectant mother is emotionally sensitive, yet he used another woman to upset her.

If the incident with Du Peilan hadn’t happened, she might have survived the difficult delivery, right? 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

His prominent hand gripped the railing tightly, asking, "Was the letter to the Zheng Family sent out?"

Tianshui replied, "It was sent out at galloping speed, and will soon be in the hands of the Zheng Family."

Xie Yunzhen tapped on the railing, pondering deeply.

If the rumors and Du Peilan were linked in the past life, could the same things happen in this life?

He naturally thought of that calamity.

The horse, usually well-behaved, suddenly lost control...

Was it an accident or a deliberate act? Previously, he hadn’t given it much thought, but now, doubts arose.

In the last life, Du Peilan returned to the capital after the floods, with rumors flying that he had brought her back.

But in reality, it was Du Peilan who wanted to return to the capital and proposed to accompany him.

Considering it was his mentor’s favor, he did not refuse her.

Later, the rumors grew increasingly outrageous, even reaching Ji Mingzhu’s ears.

Leading to the tragedies that followed.

In his deep eyes, a cold glint flashed; Du Peilan returning to the capital early and intentionally approaching him...

Everything is different from the past life.

"Retrieve the letter."

Tianshui: "Huh?"

He had only heard of women being fickle, but how did the Young Master also change his mind faster than flipping a book?

Xie Yunzhen gritted his teeth in frustration; he used to think this person was clever, but now he seemed utterly dense!

"Hurry up and get it done, are you waiting for me to invite you?"

Tianshui realized and rubbed the imaginary sweat on his forehead, "I will arrange it right away."

Once again, he was alone in the private room.

Xie Yunzhen summoned a Hidden Guard, "Go check on Du Peilan, and if necessary, restrain her."

He had wronged Ji Mingzhu in the past life.

He acknowledged that.

No matter how Ji Mingzhu chose to punish him, he had no complaints.

This was a matter between husband and wife, not allowing a third party to interfere.

If Du Peilan really did harm Ji Mingzhu, then sending her back to the Zheng Family would be too merciful.

Not to mention the carriage accident that left Ji Mingzhu unconscious for three days.

She lost so much blood.

Even now, there remains a scar on the back of her head where the hair hasn’t grown back.

Ji Mingzhu, who loves beauty, surely feels troubled over the scar every time she combs her hair.

If Du Peilan truly planned it all, wherever Ji Mingzhu was hurt, she must repay it doubly.

This time, he wouldn’t spare the face of the Du Family.

Whoever harmed Ji Mingzhu would pay the price.

Including himself!