The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 201: Portrait

After leaving the main courtyard, they went to pay respects at the second house.

Xie Yunxuan had not yet left home.

Xie Yunzhen gently tapped Ji Mingzhu’s back, "You go find Second Aunt, I have something to say to Yunxuan."

Ji Mingzhu was not at ease, "Don’t bully Second Brother again."

Second Brother...

This title was still as jarring as ever.

It was impossible to ignore!

Xie Yunzhen pinched Ji Mingzhu’s face, "Try calling him that again, and see if I don’t chase him off far away!"

He behaved inappropriately in public.

Ji Mingzhu pulled at his wrist, "Let go."

Xie Yunzhen refused to let go, "Promise that you won’t make the same mistake again."

"Fine, I promise."

This was too perfunctory, and Xie Yunzhen snorted, "No sincerity."

Ji Mingzhu sighed, "Then from now on I’ll call him... Yunxuan?"

Imagining her calling Xie Yunxuan that way, Xie Yunzhen’s jealousy intensified.

Compared to calling him Second Brother, there wasn’t much of a difference!

"From now on, call him Second Brother!" Xie Yunzhen insisted.

He then released Ji Mingzhu’s cheek.

Seeing a pink mark left behind, he sheepishly rubbed it a few times with his thumb.

Trying to make the mark disappear.

Ji Mingzhu was too lazy to argue with him.

Since childhood, both she and Yun Ling called Xie Yunxuan Second Brother.

Now, using "Second Brother" to address him suddenly just didn’t come naturally.

It was more comfortable calling him by his name.

"You go find him."

Knowing they had important matters to discuss, it might take a while.

Ji Mingzhu blinked, "I might as well stay here for a meal."

During breakfast, Xie Yunzhen mentioned wanting to make her lunch.

There is a strong suspicion that Mingzhu was deliberately staying at the second house to avoid eating his cooking.

Testing the waters, "Then I’ll make you steamed fish tonight."

Ji Mingzhu exhaled, "Young Master, as long as you’re happy."

This was said with reluctance.

It was certain, Mingzhu just didn’t want to eat his cooking...

Not seeing Xie Yunzhen, Mrs. Guan asked, "Where is Ah Zhen?"

"He went to find... Yunxuan."

Calling him directly by name, Ji Mingzhu still felt unaccustomed.

But calling him Second Brother confused the generations.

Mrs. Guan also found it somewhat awkward, clearing her throat, "It’s good he’s not here, we can have a heart-to-heart."

Ji Mingzhu nodded, "Where’s Yun Ling?"

"She went to study with the teacher."

To let Xie Yunling learn more, Mrs. Guan even hired a female teacher for her.

Second Young Master Xie thought of letting his illegitimate daughter study with Yun Ling, but later learned the cost was covered by Mrs. Guan’s dowry.

He had to give up.

When Ji Mingzhu was at home, her mother also hired a teacher for her, understanding the benefits of studying.

"Studying makes one wise, otherwise why would families with a bit of silver send their children to school? Let Yunling study well, and if the teacher gives a good review at year’s end, I’ll give her a big gift."

Mrs. Guan teased, "You just spoil her."

"I only have one sister, who else would I spoil?"

Seeing her so relaxed, Mrs. Guan was a bit puzzled, "Isn’t the matter with Ah Zhen serious?"

Ji Mingzhu couldn’t say much, "Waiting for the Emperor’s decision. He was injured a lot while battling outside earlier, then stabbed and poisoned. A common person might not have survived. Being grounded this time is like recuperating in the mansion."

Mrs. Guan sighed, "You youngsters think about things so clearly; even at my age, I’m not as open-minded as you."

In prominent families, the words heard most often are about future prospects.

Now that Ah Zhen has been stripped of his position, others in the same situation would probably be living in constant fear.

The two of them still had the heart to joke around, showing true open-mindedness!

Ji Mingzhu held Mrs. Guan’s arm, just as she did before marriage.

"It’s not that you’re not open-minded; it’s just that you have too many people to care for, tying your hands and feet."

She and Xie Yunzhen were different.

She had no blood relatives.

For Xie Yunzhen, perhaps there are too few people who could truly enter his heart.

With fewer burdens, isn’t it easier to be carefree?

...

Xie Yunxuan was tidying books and paintings in the study, planning to take some to the academy.

He found a portrait in the hidden compartment.

It was drawn the year after Mingzhu came to the Duke Mansion.

In the bright spring sunshine, in the dazzling peach blossom garden, a young girl in a pomegranate skirt lay on the flower branch.

The skirt swayed in the breeze, its colors vivid.

It was at that time that Xie Yunxuan noticed the difference in Mingzhu compared to others.

The daughters of other families wouldn’t climb trees.

Nor would they ride horses or shoot arrows.

Although she looked fragile on the outside, in her bones flowed the spirit of a military family.

A large hand caressed the wind-blown hair of the person in the painting.

Even though it was only a side profile, without detailed features drawn, Xie Yunxuan could depict the scene with his eyes closed.

Silently reciting a word—Mingzhu.

A bitter taste surged from his heart instantly.

This was someone he cherished ever since his youthful affections first bloomed. They shared memories from when they were young. Why did his mother say they weren’t suitable?

If from the beginning, his mother had agreed to this engagement.

Then today, he would be the man standing by Mingzhu’s side, right?

"Second Young Master, the Young Master has arrived."

The servant announced at the study’s entrance.

Xie Yunxuan was suddenly startled awake, instinctively wanting to hide the painting.

Mingzhu was already married; he had to hide his feelings well, not causing her any trouble!

Xie Yunxuan hurriedly rolled up the scroll, fearing he might tear it, and his hesitation resulted in Xie Yunzhen entering the study before he could fully put it away.

Seeing his panicked expression, Xie Yunzhen’s eyes involuntarily fell on the scroll.

The top half of the painting had already been rolled up, leaving only the crimson skirt visible.

It was obvious who was in the portrait.

The hand behind his back inexplicably itched.

He said in a deep voice, "Hand it over."

Xie Yunxuan stiffened his neck, "This is mine, what’s with your attitude?"

Although Mingzhu was married to his brother, at the time the painting was made, his brother might not even have been around.

Demanding the painting now was simply too domineering!

Glancing at the Living Yama, Xie Yunxuan quickened his pace rolling up the scroll.

Just when he was about to put it back in the hidden compartment, his shoulder suddenly felt heavy, and he lost strength in his arm.

Xie Yunzhen pressed down on Xie Yunxuan’s shoulder with one hand and reached for the scroll with the other.

"Are you a robber?"

"Just think of me as one."

Xie Yunzhen, holding the scroll, sat down by a chair and opened it, revealing Mingzhu.

Though just a profile, her attire and demeanor were very youthful.

It was a version he hadn’t seen in this or his previous life.

This side of Mingzhu intrigued Xie Yunzhen.

His fingers brushed her cheek; his gaze softened.

Xie Yunxuan tried to retrieve it, "It’s mine."

Xie Yunzhen asserted, "She is my wife. You drew her portrait without my consent, so I’m confiscating it!"

Xie Yunxuan gritted his teeth, "Back then, you and she hadn’t even met."

These words had no effect on Xie Yunzhen.

He was never one to follow reason.

Carefully admiring Mingzhu’s youthful appearance, he asked without looking away, "Any more? Bring them out."