The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 86: Xie Yunzhen Is the Best

Ji Mingzhu was not as easy to deal with as imagined.

Without parents and estranged from the clan, she could speak and act without any scruples.

But Du Peifang could not.

If that remark reached His Majesty’s ears, at best the Grand Tutor and the Imperial Concubine would be neglected.

At worst, they would be suppressed and stripped of power.

Previously, she merely considered Ji Mingzhu as a romantic rival.

But now, Ji Mingzhu was an evildoer, scheming to cause the Du Family’s downfall.

Furious, she smiled mockingly, "Miss Ji, you really have a silver tongue. You almost frightened me, but rest assured, everyone in my family is loyal to the emperor, as visible as the sun and moon. His Majesty is wise and will not wrong his loyal ministers."

"It seems I misunderstood Miss Du’s intentions."

Ji Mingzhu earnestly said, "Ill words bring calamity. Miss Du must retract such words to avoid disaster."

Du Peifang’s intention was to let Ji Mingzhu see the reality clearly.

Not to entertain the idea of fighting her for a man.

Unexpectedly, she was outmaneuvered, feeling extremely uncomfortable inside.

Unable to bear Ji Mingzhu’s smugness, Du Peifang’s eyes shifted, and she smiled again.

"To be honest, it was the Commandery Princess who sent me to Yangzhou. No matter what the Young Master thinks, the Xie family acknowledges me as their daughter-in-law. Miss Ji, if the Young Master seeks you again next time, don’t be too flustered; he’s merely playing around."

The word "playing" was utterly insulting.

Gold, flushed with anger, glared at Du Peifang.

"Not yet married, but already setting herself up as the first wife. Anyone would think a widow whose husband died just arrived."

Du Peifang’s face reddened as she snapped, "Miss Ji, is this how you discipline your servants?"

Ji Mingzhu turned her head and playfully glared at Gold.

"Mind your words. What do you mean by first wife?"

Knowing her blunder, Gold quickly tried to apologize.

Ji Mingzhu continued, "You can say Miss Du bullies people with her power, or that she is arrogant, but you cannot say she’s posing as the first wife. Firstly, she is not the Young Master’s spouse; secondly, I am not her family’s concubine."

Gold appeared chastened, "I realize my mistake."

The master and servant sang in harmony, nearly driving Du Peifang to amused anger.

"Your upbringing is truly worrying."

Ji Mingzhu retorted, "A noble lady chasing love thousands of miles; is it deep love or self-degradation?"

Du Peifang’s breath caught for a moment.

Self-degradation?

It was clearly Yuan Changan who wrote to her, asking her to come to Yangzhou!

If she had known Xie Yunzhen had already returned to the capital, would she have made this trip?

Why endure insults from a declining household?

Du Peifang was internally burning with discomfort, with only one thought in mind.

If she had a tough time, Ji Mingzhu shouldn’t have it too easy either!

Coldly glaring at Ji Mingzhu, "Do you think because you’ve found a good man, you can wantonly mock others’ sincere feelings?"

If Ji Mingzhu knew that Yuan Changan wasn’t as righteous as he appeared, would she still be so proud?

Ji Mingzhu calmly picked at a snack and took a bite.

"Indeed."

Under Du Peifang’s knife-like gaze, she raised an eyebrow, "Wasn’t it Miss Du who came looking for trouble, self-inflicted disgrace?"

"I came looking for trouble myself?"

Du Peifang sneered, "Clearly it’s..."

"Miss Du coming to someone else’s home to flaunt power, isn’t it too discourteous?"

Yuan Changan quickly walked into the flower hall, cutting Du Peifang off.

He brought her to Yangzhou to restrain Xie Yunzhen.

But not to cause trouble for Mingzhu!

Seeing him, Du Peifang was momentarily stunned.

She had long heard that Yuan Family in Yangzhou had produced a talented individual, handsome and charming.

Before negotiating marriage with the Duke Mansion, her father said too much power invites trouble; he once considered marrying her into the Yuan Family.

At that time, her father was considering Yuan Changan.

Du Peifang quickly realized, Yuan Changan could not compare to Xie Yunzhen.

She wanted to marry a powerful man.

Xie Yunzhen was one of the best.

Besides a few members of the Imperial Family, no one could compare to him.

Yet those members had plenty of wives and concubines.

Comparatively, Xie Yunzhen was still the best choice.

She raised her chin slightly, "Young Master Yuan can protect, but shouldn’t ignore right and wrong."

Yuan Changan stood beside Ji Mingzhu, "Since it’s protection, does it matter about right or wrong?"

He lifted his hand, gesturing an invitation.

"I gather Miss Du hasn’t received the news; Young Master Xie has returned to the capital. We won’t entertain you further."

Du Peifang felt highly embarrassed.

Even though not many people were present.

Forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, "Birds of a feather flock together, ancient truth indeed!"

Stifling her anger, Du Peifang left the Yuan Family.

Yuan Changan’s heart did not settle.

He needed to find a way to make Du Peifang leave quickly. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

To prevent her from bothering Mingzhu again, or revealing the truth...

Yuan Changan didn’t want Ji Mingzhu to know he was a calculating man, afraid she would despise him.

And leave him.

Feeling guilty, he couldn’t meet Ji Mingzhu’s eyes directly.

"Did she bully you?"

Ji Mingzhu smiled, "Looking at her expression, does she seem like someone who bullied others?"

Seeing her smile, Yuan Changan’s mood automatically improved.

"I’ll ask the steward next time not to let her into the mansion."

Ji Mingzhu didn’t want to see Du Peifang either.

Besides her aunt’s family, anyone related to Xie Yunzhen, she preferred not to meet.

Moreover, the other party clearly had malicious intentions; interacting would be inviting trouble.

"Why are you back at this hour?"

Post-New Year, Yuan Changan had returned to the academy.

Usually at this hour, he should be in the academy.

Yuan Changan couldn’t confess. Upon learning Du Peifang arrived in Yangzhou, he hurried back.

Clearing his throat, "No urgent business, so I returned."

Ji Mingzhu did not inquire further, "If you’re free, shall we visit grandmother together?"

These days, Yuan Changan hadn’t spent much time with Ji Mingzhu.

With such a rare chance to be together, there was no reason to refuse.

"Just as well, I have something to discuss with grandmother."

Ji Mingzhu, curious, asked, "What is it?"

Yuan Changan lightly tapped her forehead, "A marriage proposal, I must go personally."

Previously, letting Mingzhu, a young lady, travel far to Yangzhou for negotiations had already been inconvenient for her.

This time, no matter what, he needed to make a trip to the capital.

To personally discuss the marriage with Aunt Guanjia.

This represented his sincerity to marry Mingzhu; he couldn’t slack off.

Ji Mingzhu didn’t wish to return to the capital, "Then I’ll await your news."

"Alright."

He also did not want Mingzhu returning to the capital, meeting that person.

On the other side, Du Peifang angrily left the Yuan Family.

Even upon returning to the inn, she couldn’t calm her agitated mood.

She asked, "Have you found out anything about the Young Master since he came to Yangzhou?"

"The details about the Young Master aren’t clear, but the Yuan Family caused quite a stir during the New Year, seemingly involving the Young Master."

Du Peifang urgently said, "Speak clearly."

The servant truthfully conveyed the information they had gathered to Du Peifang.

Upon learning Yuan Changan had entangled with an Oiran, she finally felt some relief.

Ji Mingzhu wasn’t so lucky.

She thought Ji Mingzhu had truly found a good man.

Her lips slightly curled, "Invite that Oiran over; I want to meet her personally."

Though eager to return to the capital, she planned to leave a parting gift for Ji Mingzhu before departing!