The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 78: The Inside Story

Ji Mingzhu woke up in the guest courtyard of the Yuan Family.

"Don’t move."

A pair of large hands pressed down on her shoulders, "There are needles on your head, you mustn’t move."

The speaker’s voice was gentle.

It was Yuan Changan.

Ji Mingzhu instinctively scanned the room, but did not see Xie Yunzhen.

"He has returned to the capital."

Yuan Changan understood Ji Mingzhu’s thoughts and said, "If there’s nothing urgent, he probably won’t come back to Yangzhou."

Ji Mingzhu’s expression looked slightly dazed, seeming relieved, "That’s good."

She obediently lay on the couch, her expression calm.

Neither happy nor sad.

Yuan Changan felt inexplicably disappointed; Mingzhu should have loved Xie Yunzhen.

Perhaps in her heart, there’s still a place for him.

Otherwise, how could someone as clear-headed as her be so overly stimulated to pass out?

Suddenly his throat felt a little tight, "He left because he was concerned about your health."

Xie Yunzhen is his rival, but Yuan Changan disdains using deceit to win Ji Mingzhu’s affection.

As he said, the choice to stay or leave is in Ji Mingzhu’s hands.

He loves her but cannot force her to act against her will.

Ji Mingzhu’s eyes flickered slightly, she hummed tenderly, "He infuriated me to the point of fainting, and knowing I don’t wish to see him, anyone with a bit of self-awareness would leave voluntarily."

Yuan Changan could not understand Ji Mingzhu’s thoughts.

Or perhaps, he was afraid to probe them.

A slight smile tugged at his lips as he tentatively grasped Ji Mingzhu’s hand.

"You need to recover quickly, or you’ll miss out on this year’s good days."

Yuan Changan admitted to his own pettiness, using this method to test Ji Mingzhu’s attitude.

His gaze lingered on Ji Mingzhu, eyes tense, fearful of seeing rejection on her face.

Ji Mingzhu tilted her head to look at him and seriously asked, "What is your relationship with Miss Ruan?"

In the past, she was deeply concerned about the relationship between Xie Yunzhen and Du Peilan.

Leading herself to suffer greatly.

This time around, she resolves not to get entangled in such petty affairs again.

If Yuan Changan indeed shares a romantic involvement with that lady, or... even without personal affection, yet he is unconditionally protecting her.

This marriage proposal should be abandoned quickly.

Ji Mingzhu is clear about what she wants; if it cannot be unwavering loyalty, lifelong singlehood is no major issue.

She refuses to live a muddled life.

She must make Yuan Changan aware of her boundaries.

If he knowingly violates them, no matter how the world praises him, she will not accept.

"I don’t like deception."

Ji Mingzhu stated thus.

Her eyes were bright and clear, never tainted by dust, despite all she had been through.

Yuan Changan’s heart softened entirely.

He felt fortunate that Mingzhu was still willing to give him a chance.

"Won’t deceive you."

Yuan Changan disclosed everything, "I am friends with Ruan Mian’s brother; he comes from a humble background but is highly talented, the headmaster himself discovered him as a promising talent, unfortunately losing both parents. Studying at the academy, he left his sister in the care of his uncles."

"Five years ago, he disappeared mysteriously, the final discovery at the brothel found him dead, outsiders claimed he went for pleasure, only to die suddenly within that bed."

Ji Mingzhu’s expression turned serious, "So Miss Ruan risked herself to investigate her brother’s death?"

Yuan Changan shook his head.

Just felt Mingzhu is still too naive, not knowing how dark human nature can be.

"She was sold to the brothel, after her brother’s death, her uncles harbored wicked thoughts and sent her as a concubine to a wealthy gentleman, the gentleman’s wife could not tolerate her and falsely accused her of being involved with their servant."

"Having a friendship with Ruan Mian’s brother, I hoped to offer Ruan Mian some care, upon my visit to the Ruan Family, those uncles did not speak the truth, only said she married afar."

"That family clearly bore ill intentions, as I sought her in distant places, no one was found, and upon return to Yangzhou, she had been placed into the brothel by the gentleman."

Then the gentleman declared that Ruan Mian was promiscuous, fond of seducing men, so she could indulge herself at the brothel.

Those humiliating words, Yuan Changan could not utter, only using normal words to convey the unpleasant truth.

"Ruan Mian was once the gentleman’s concubine, official records noted, with rare opportunities to leave the home. The gentleman deemed it family disgrace, knowing few know Ruan Mian as his concubine; returning her to the estate was intentional torment."

Ji Mingzhu asked, "So you urgently returned to Yangzhou for Miss Ruan’s rescue?"

Yuan Changan nodded truthfully, "To sever Ruan Mian’s ties with that family, I was extorted."

The final phrase carried a tone of grievance Ji Mingzhu detected.

The blockage in her heart slightly eased.

Ji Mingzhu remained puzzled, "Since you have freed her, why did she return to the world of brothels? Perhaps I am too harsh, prioritizing self-preservation, placing oneself in such environments seems... foolish."

Yuan Changan also grappled with headaches over this subject.

"She stated that matters concerning Brother Ruan had developed, resolving to stay at the brothel and investigate further."

Ji Mingzhu still did not understand, "If she relayed the clues to you, your help in investigating would be more secure. Firstly, she resolves personal threats, secondly, you are relieved of worry, preventing alarming suspicions which may lead to her captivity as hostage."

Yuan Changan thought similarly; he hadn’t abandoned seeking truth these years, beginning to see some light.

Linked to the Yang Family.

Brother Ruan was exceptionally talented, many esteemed gentlemen wished him as a son-in-law.

The Yang Family was among them.

Frequently inviting Brother Ruan to visit their estate.

He might have discovered something extraordinary, leading to silencing his voice.

Ruan Mian sought to delve deeper through Yang Er.

No matter how Yuan Changan persuaded, she refused to alter her resolve.

Saying she had been defiled, even submerged in the mire, she must uncover the truth of her brother’s death.

Ji Mingzhu offered deep sympathy for Ruan Mian’s plight.

However, she expressed her stance unambiguously, "You can assist her, whether uncovering the truth or supplying Silver Coin for starting anew; I hope for a third party’s involvement, rather than secret exchanges between you two."

After speaking, Ji Mingzhu tugged at her lips once again, "I took it for granted, perhaps confidentiality is necessary."

Between significant and trivial matters, Yuan Changan understood.

He immediately stated, "I am but a powerless scholar, unable to personally investigate—this task is entrusted to professionals, as for Ruan Mian, if she requires aid, only you can step forward to provide solace."

This incident taught Yuan Changan a lesson; he may assist Ruan Mian but must remain mindful of boundaries.

Not every matter requires his involvement, merely heightening misunderstandings.

After some thought, Yuan Changan spoke once more, "If Ruan Mian remains stubborn, oblivious to risks, completely disregard her."

His bond was with Brother Ruan; uncovering the truth suffices in honoring their camaraderie.

Ji Mingzhu was astonished, "Could you bear it?"

Yuan Changan’s face showed embarrassment, increasingly aware of his previous foolish conduct.

It was surely his transgression that led to Mingzhu’s misconception.

"I hold no responsibility towards her; sympathy has limits, I am at peace with my conscience."