The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 188: Sharing Hardships and Joys

"Sister Mingzhu, wait for me, I’ll go with you!"

Xie Yunling chased after her.

Princess An He followed her out.

Only a few decision-makers of the Xie family and Mrs. Guan were left.

Mrs. Guan was anxious, "I’ll send a message to my family right away, asking them to put in a good word."

The old madam nodded repeatedly, "Ah Zhen is the pillar of our Duke Mansion. He must not get into trouble. By any means necessary, he must be cleared of this matter!"

Mrs. Guan agreed and went back to the courtyard to write the letter.

Looking at Duke Xie standing still, the old madam said irritably, "Your own son is in trouble, shouldn’t you hurry to the palace gate and kneel, begging the Emperor for mercy!"

Duke Xie was also anxious, and upon hearing this scolding, he felt extremely displeased.

"That boy never consults me in his affairs, now he’s in trouble and expects us all to clean up his mess, it’s simply outrageous!"

The old madam was so angry that her chest hurt, "At such a time, you still have the mind to scold Ah Zhen. If something happens to him, our Duke Mansion will become destitute!"

There are more sons in the family than just Xie Yunzhen, but he’s the most promising.

Xie Yunxuan is also promising, but he’s from the second house.

Duke Xie doesn’t want the family business to fall into the hands of the second house.

No more complaints, "You’re elderly and can’t help, just go back to Crane Dance Hall to rest. Don’t make yourself sick with worry. Ah Zhen isn’t a fool. Even without help, he can handle the trouble, especially with so many supporting him. Rest assured, it won’t be a big deal."

The old madam couldn’t be at ease unless she saw her grandson return home safely.

Like Mrs. Guan said, many people outside are watching Ah Zhen.

This time he’s involved with a life, and that person is a concubine of the Eastern Palace.

Many will seize the chance to stir trouble.

Trying all means to pull Ah Zhen down from his high post.

Just dealing with the Xu Family is difficult enough, now they’ve offended the Du Family too...

These people will certainly add insult to injury!

Thinking of the Du Family, the old madam thought of another person.

She quickly stopped Duke Xie, "First take Du Peifang back to her courtyard, see that she is well cared for, don’t let the Commandery Princess torment her again!"

These past months, Du Peifang had been learning the rules in the main courtyard.

Princess An He’s methods of torment were endless, both the old madam and Duke Xie knew how miserable Du Peifang’s days were.

While the Commandery Princess was out of the mansion, it was indeed a good opportunity to take her away from the main courtyard.

There’s still plenty to be busy about with Ah Zhen’s matter, even if the Commandery Princess knows, she won’t have the energy to cause more trouble.

Duke Xie promptly went to the main courtyard.

When he saw Du Peifang, her emaciated appearance shocked him.

Biting his teeth, he lowly cursed, "Vicious woman, when this is over, watch how I deal with her!"

Du Peifang’s expression was bleak, she couldn’t even muster tears.

"Lord, why did you come only now?"

Duke Xie looked away, "The Commandery Princess’s temper is as such, don’t take it to heart. In the future, I’ll find a way to seek justice for you."

Du Peifang’s hand rested on her belly, expression sorrowful, "But our child is gone."

Duke Xie was shocked.

Then he remembered, when Du Peifang entered the mansion, An He gave her a bowl of concoction to prevent childbearing.

But she didn’t drink it.

The veins on his temples throbbed, but he couldn’t utter harsh words.

In the end, he could only say, "You are still young, you can have children in the future. I won’t let her bully you again."

Du Peifang’s heart sneered.

Although Princess An He’s father was a leisure Prince, he was truly a relative of the royal family.

And Duke Mansion was lead by Xie Yunzhen.

No one could protect her.

She could only rely on herself!

Du Peifang leaned against Duke Xie, "I don’t want to stay here, can you take me away?"

She was so frail a gust of wind could blow her away.

Duke Xie truly felt heartbroken.

Du Peifang was his concubine, even if she did something out of line, she shouldn’t be so humiliated!

He lifted her up horizontally and swiftly left the main courtyard.

...

At night there’s a curfew, and no one was on the road.

Ji Mingzhu reached the palace gate, using half the usual time.

The palace gate was already closed.

She pleaded for someone to relay her message to the Empress’s palace, but no one responded to her.

Helplessly, Ji Mingzhu could only kneel before the palace gate, knowing that her actions would reach those in power.

She knelt willingly.

After all, Xie Yunzhen risked his life to help her investigate her father’s matter.

To her, this was a favor.

Even if their relationship hadn’t improved, she would plead for Xie Yunzhen.

Seeing Ji Mingzhu kneeling, gold immediately followed suit.

Xie Yunling did the same.

In Ji Mingzhu’s eyes, she still seemed like a child, unfit for such punishment?

In a calm command, "You should go back first."

Xie Yunling shook her head, her eyes full of determination.

"The one in trouble is my brother. As long as it can move the higher-ups to have mercy, I’m willing to kneel for however long it takes."

After speaking, she fervently kowtowed.

Xie Yunling gripped Ji Mingzhu’s hand, "Sister-in-law, I can’t help in other ways, but I can always be here with you. However long you kneel, I will kneel too."

The chaotic emotions found an outlet, and Ji Mingzhu’s vision blurred instantly.

The moisture in her body rushed to her eyes, threatening to spill forth.

She took a deep breath and managed to hold back her tears.

"Thank you, Yun Ling."

In Duke Mansion, she also had support.

Even in her most destitute years, there were people helping her, moving forward with her.

She always said she had no one, but now, Ji Mingzhu felt ashamed for it.

She was never alone.

Weren’t those words negating the love and support her aunt and the others gave her?

The palace gate incident indeed reached Empress Zheng and the Crown Prince.

"If she wants to kneel, then let her kneel." Empress Zheng’s tone was indifferent, as if she wasn’t the one embarrassing Ji Mingzhu.

"Xie Yunzhen is suspected of murdering the Crown Prince’s concubine, it hasn’t been investigated. They are husband and wife, naturally they share the burden."

"If she can’t endure, send her back to Duke Mansion. But if she wants to plead for Xie Yunzhen, we are powerless to intervene, as national laws and family rules prevail!"

The Crown Prince stared in the direction of the palace gate, silent.

Fingers whitened from gripping a jade pendant, indicating his exerted strength.

After feeding soup medicine to the weakened Emperor, Empress Zheng, holding a handkerchief, gently wiped his mouth.

Without looking at the Crown Prince, "On your wedding night, why aren’t you with your Crown Princess Consort, but standing here?"

The Crown Prince squeezed his palm, "My father..."

Empress Zheng’s eyes became gentler, "It’s a chronic illness, your father managed last time, he can manage again."

On the Dragon Boat Festival day, the Emperor suddenly suffered a head illness, falling into a coma for days.

His spirit hasn’t been well since, sleeping all day was common.

Court affairs are now handled by the Crown Prince.

"If you don’t return, the Crown Princess Consort might overthink."

The Crown Prince’s gaze darkened, he responded softly.

Loosening his grip, the jade pendant fell back alongside his waist with the cord.

He bowed slightly, "Mother, I await your news."