The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 172: Surprised to See Me?

Ji Mingzhu had an appointment to meet someone at the restaurant.

They were discussing the sale of a house.

The restaurant was located in the city center, bustling with people on the long street.

Having not gone out for a long time, coupled with her return to the capital this time, Ji Mingzhu hadn’t experienced such vibrant energy in a while.

She stepped down from the carriage and paused by the street.

Seeing someone selling sugar paintings, Ji Mingzhu suddenly thought of her days in Yangzhou.

So, she bought a vividly lifelike sugar painting of a koi fish.

With the sugar painting in hand, Ji Mingzhu laughed, "If people knew what I bought, even Yun Ling would probably make fun of me."

Gold also laughed, "As long as we’re happy, it’s fine."

"That makes sense."

After walking a few steps, Ji Mingzhu casually gave the sugar painting to a child by the roadside.

Then she took Gold into the restaurant.

The restaurant was part of Xie Yunzhen’s estate.

As soon as Ji Mingzhu appeared, the shopkeeper recognized her.

"Madam, the Young Master’s box on the top floor is still available. Shall I take you up?"

Ji Mingzhu had agreed on a meeting place but hadn’t reserved a box.

Thinking of the broad view from the top floor, she could linger a bit after finishing her business.

So, she didn’t refuse.

She nodded slightly, "Thank you for the trouble."

She followed the shopkeeper to the top floor.

Xie Yunzhen didn’t come often, but the box was cleaned daily.

The decor was elegant, and there was a huge screen.

It depicted a scene of a solitary smoke in the vast desert and the sunrise.

The farthest Ji Mingzhu had traveled since childhood was Yangzhou.

Along the way, she had seen many beautiful landscapes.

During her time in Yangzhou, she experienced the local customs with Yuan Changan.

But she had never seen the scenery on this screen.

Subconsciously, she looked closely.

Perhaps because she hadn’t been outside the border, she felt the painting’s atmosphere was very mysterious.

A solitary smoke in the desert should signify desolation.

But the painter’s strokes contained power, with life bursting forth.

It had a carefree and unrestrained flavor.

Having seen many landscape paintings, Ji Mingzhu found the one before her very interesting.

"Whose work is this?" she asked.

The shopkeeper replied with a smile, "It’s by the Young Master!"

Ji Mingzhu’s expression was a bit strange.

She had never seen Xie Yunzhen engage in such elegant pursuits.

Then she recalled the praise people in the capital had for Xie Yunzhen — outstanding in both literary and martial arts.

If his temperament wasn’t so picky and cold, he might be a charming and elegant scholar.

Ji Mingzhu remarked, "It’s well-painted."

The shopkeeper wiped his sweat; the Young Master was modest and never promoted his paintings.

But anyone who knew art praised it highly.

How did it become just ’well-painted’ to the Young Madam?

He quickly placed a booklet, which he had been carrying all along, on the table, "Madam, what kind of tea and refreshments would you like?"

Ji Mingzhu didn’t know what the person she was meeting liked to eat.

Judging the time, they should arrive soon.

"Bring a portion of each specialty snack and a pot of Longjing tea. I’ve arranged a meeting and will bring them up directly."

The shopkeeper agreed.

Not long after, a servant came up to deliver tea and snacks.

Avoiding any slight to Ji Mingzhu, the food was all meticulously prepared, even the presentation was impeccable.

Gold stood by the window and saw a carriage arriving across the street.

A man in a dark blue silk robe alighted from it.

Before he could look over, Gold quickly withdrew her gaze and even stepped back.

Noticing her odd behavior, Ji Mingzhu asked, "Who did you see that scared you like this?"

Gold thought: If Young Master Yuan knew Madam was here, he might come up looking for her.

This is the Young Master’s territory, and it wouldn’t be possible to hide whom Madam met here.

The Young Master is jealous, and by then, it would definitely be endless turmoil.

And Madam won’t be returning to Yangzhou, so it’s better not to get entangled with Young Master Yuan anymore.

She shook her head, "Didn’t see anyone."

The two of them spent the longest time together, day and night.

Ji Mingzhu tapped the table, "Did you see Yuan Changan?"

Gold was shocked, "Madam, how did you know?"

Ji Mingzhu said helplessly, "Guilty conscience is written all over your face. I’m not blind."

Ji Mingzhu pursed her lips and walked toward the window.

She and Yuan Changan were no longer possible, but there was no need to avoid him.

That would be too hurtful.

For Yuan Changan, it was also a kind of humiliation.

After all, he was not someone who would cling on persistently.

Accidentally meeting each other, exchanging a few words, this could not be considered crossing the line.

When Mingzhu walked to the window and leaned out to look, Yuan Changan’s figure was already gone from the street.

The carriage was nowhere to be seen.

Mingzhu rested her hand on the windowsill, looking at the long street bustling with people, silently, lost in thought.

It wasn’t until the door of the private room was knocked that she withdrew her gaze.

"Madam, your guest has arrived."

"Come in."

Mingzhu turned around calmly, just about to sit back in her seat, when a tall figure appeared in her view.

Wasn’t it the person she was just looking for?

Compared to the last two meetings, Yuan Changan seemed calm this time, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Just as before.

"Surprised to see me?"

His voice was like a spring breeze, just like when they were still in Yangzhou, getting ready to discuss marriage.

Mingzhu asked, "Was it you who has been writing to me these past few days?"

Yuan Changan nodded, "It was me."

Mingzhu did not ask why the handwriting on the letter wasn’t his.

She gestured with her hand, "Please sit, Young Master Yuan."

The smile on Yuan Changan’s lips faded a little, pain surging in his eyes.

Young Master Yuan...

It seemed they had grown so distant.

Maybe it was because he had been seriously ill, his reactions had dulled, and Yuan Changan was still immersed in the atmosphere of an impending wedding.

In the original plan, he would make a trip to the capital to propose to his aunt from the Guan family.

Now he was indeed in the capital, yet Mingzhu was someone else’s wife.

Still maintaining this detached attitude towards him, Yuan Changan found it hard to accept.

But there was nothing he could do.

Because this was Mingzhu’s own choice, she wanted to start anew with Xie Yunzhen.

Yuan Changan gripped the folding fan with force, veins protruding on the back of his hand.

God knows how hard he had to work to maintain this damned composure!

If he had a choice, he also wanted to learn from Xie Yunzhen, to recklessly snatch back the one he loved.

But when he calmed down, he couldn’t do it.

He was afraid of seeing the look of resentment in Mingzhu’s eyes.

Also afraid that the ensuing gossip would hurt Mingzhu.

Yuan Changan bitterly smiled in his heart, maybe he’s a coward to the core.

That’s why he kept losing to Xie Yunzhen.

Suppressing the bitterness in his heart, under Mingzhu’s gesture, Yuan Changan sat down opposite her.

The two who got along well in Yangzhou were now silent in each other’s presence.

Yuan Changan scrutinized Mingzhu’s eyebrows inch by inch.

She should be well cared for.

Compared with the first meeting, her complexion was rosy, her brows relaxed, and her face had a bit more flesh.

Round and radiant, this state belonged to those leading a comfortable life.

Yuan Changan suddenly realized that beside Xie Yunzhen, Mingzhu could also live well.

Not as he imagined, suffering unbearably every day.

Knowing Yuan Changan was looking at her, Mingzhu did not shy away.

She poured him a cup of tea herself, placing it in the right position, "One with injuries should not drink alcohol, use tea instead, and may your future be boundless."

The way she spoke was as gentle as ever.

Like a flowing stream, conveying a feeling of only peace and tranquility.

Yuan Changan thought: It’s not like that, in front of Xie Yunzhen she would be angry, complain, cry... and laugh. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The more he understood this, the more bitter Yuan Changan felt inside.

The former Xie Yunzhen did not cherish her, acted tough, and often broke Mingzhu’s heart.

At that time, he could talk about marriage with Mingzhu, not without a sense of taking advantage.

Now that Xie Yunzhen was repentant, he no longer had a chance.

His distinctly jointed hand lifted the teacup.

The tea was fragrant, but Yuan Changan could only taste the bitterness.

The bitter taste lingered on his tongue, traveling down to the beating place of his heart.

Even though he had accepted reality, he still felt unwilling.

Just a little bit more, and he could have married Mingzhu...

He drank the tea in one gulp with his head thrown back, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Ji, and may you have a smooth path ahead and a carefree life."

The words "Madam Xie", Yuan Changan couldn’t utter.

In his heart, the one he loved would always be Miss Ji.

Though this might seem childish and unbecoming, Yuan Changan wanted to be willful once.

He also wanted to tell Xie Yunzhen.

If he dared to betray Mingzhu, even if separated by vast distances, he would come to the capital and take Mingzhu away again.

When that time comes, he will not let go!