The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 22: Ji Mingzhu Is Different

To let off some steam, Xie Yunzhen invited Du Peilan to the garden to brew tea, claiming it was to reminisce about old times.

Du Peilan was flattered and did not refuse.

In her heart, she agreed with Xiao Feixue’s words; Xie Yunzhen indeed couldn’t forget about her!

This move didn’t upset Ji Mingzhu but startled the elders.

A man and a woman, with an awkward status, how could they brew tea alone!

In the end, it was the Commandery Princess who stepped in to entertain Du Peilan, preventing others from gossiping.

Xie Yunling came to keep Ji Mingzhu entertained and naturally brought up the matter.

"Sister Mingzhu, when you came to the Duke Mansion, my brother had already left to gain experience, so you might not know about his relationship with Madam Zheng."

Xie Yunling said mysteriously, "They can be considered childhood sweethearts, often going out together and attending banquets. One year during the Lantern Festival, my brother even won a lantern for Madam Zheng."

"It seems he can’t forget about Madam Zheng, which is why he’s remained a bachelor."

Speaking very softly to avoid being overheard, Xie Yunling continued.

Ever since Du Peilan got married, my aunt forbade anyone in the mansion from mentioning her, fearing it would tarnish my brother’s reputation and make it difficult for him to marry in the future.

"You should have seen my aunt’s face just now; it was very displeased. If my brother weren’t present, she might have driven people away."

Ji Mingzhu didn’t care about these matters.

Seeing Xie Yunling’s look of amusement, she followed along and said, "A guest is a guest, the Commandery Princess would not be so reckless."

"Given the unusual relationship between Madam Zheng and my brother, you surely know what kind of person my brother is. For Madam Zheng, he even changed his plans and personally brought her into the mansion, a treatment I, as his sister, have never experienced."

Ji Mingzhu thought to herself: this is just the beginning?

In a past life, to accompany Du Peilan on a trip, he didn’t even care about the lives of his wife and children.

Sighing deeply, she tried to calm her emotions.

She knocked on Xie Yunling’s forehead, "You’re so young and only interested in trivial matters. Instead, you should be lying on the bed gaining some weight like me!"

Xie Yunling laughed, "Isn’t life too boring? Something new happened, so I wanted to share it with you."

"I don’t want to hear it." Ji Mingzhu’s tone was ambiguous, making it hard to tell her true feelings.

"Ah?"

Xie Yunling blinked, looking puzzled.

"I just offended the Young Master and Madam Zheng; I can hardly avoid them, let alone listen to their romantic past."

Romantic past...

Xie Yunling laughed uncontrollably.

"I think you’re quite bold. It’s fine for us to talk about this, but don’t let my brother know, or he won’t forgive us."

Ji Mingzhu nodded disinterestedly; as long as certain people didn’t bother her, she wouldn’t mention them.

Joking aside, Xie Yunling had strong opinions about Du Peilan.

"I don’t think she had any intention of apologizing. I was also in the carriage that day; if she cared, she would have handled things properly."

"But she only came to see you, and you couldn’t get up. I suspect she did it on purpose, wanting others to think you’re bad-tempered, unreasonable, and petty."

Ji Mingzhu’s eyes flickered.

A sense of wariness towards Du Peilan grew in her heart.

One should not harm others, but one must be on guard against them.

She had no intention of provoking others, but who could guarantee that others wouldn’t come after her?

Like in a past life, she liked Xie Yunzhen but never thought of forcing him to take responsibility that way.

Yet, she was schemed against in the end.

Within the high walls, one could lack anything, but not awareness!

She patted Xie Yunling’s hand, "It doesn’t matter if she’s sincere; as long as we’re okay, it’s fine."

"I’m just upset that my brother is not siding with us!"

"As you said, their relationship is unusual. I don’t know the Young Master well, so his actions are understandable."

"It would be great if Second Brother were here; he definitely wouldn’t allow anyone to bully you."

Ji Mingzhu soothed, "You being here is just as good."

Xie Yunling pouted, "Others took the doctor away; what good is it for me to be here?"

"That’s because others lack virtue, not your fault."

Xie Yunling suddenly leaned closer, her clear eyes staring, making Ji Mingzhu uncomfortable.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Sister Mingzhu, something’s off about you."

"What’s off?"

"You used to remind me to be cautious and discreet, but it’s like you forgot those words when it comes to my brother."

No matter how calmly Ji Mingzhu behaved, her resentment toward Xie Yunzhen inadvertently surfaced.

Clearing her throat, "There’s no one else here, just speaking idly."

Xie Yunling was dismissed without further questioning.

Meanwhile, Du Peilan had just left the Duke Mansion when Princess An He called Xie Yunzhen to the main hall for a conversation.

She got straight to the point, "It’s absolutely impossible between you and Du Peilan; give up that idea!"

Xie Yunzhen frowned, "You’re overthinking again."

Princess An He just assumed he was making excuses.

She gritted her teeth and asked, "She’s a widow, yet you stay close to her. Are you afraid others won’t gossip about you?"

"In public, what could they say? The innocent fear no rumors."

He just wanted to provoke Ji Mingzhu and never intended to ruin Du Peilan’s reputation.

The garden was a public place, open to anyone; it wasn’t a secret meeting, so Xie Yunzhen didn’t see any issue.

Seeing his stubbornness, Princess An He became angrier, "You men are all clueless!"

Xie Yunzhen didn’t want to hear it, "If there’s nothing urgent, I’ll go back to my work."

This attitude made Princess An He even more furious.

"You’re eager to accompany Du Peilan when she visits, but when your own mother tries to speak sincerely, you barely let her start before leaving. And you claim you’re not interested in her!"

Xie Yunzhen felt bewildered, "According to you, any contact with a woman means having an affair. When Ji Mingzhu stayed in the east wing a few days ago, you didn’t react like this. Why are you picking on Du Peilan today?"

This was something Xie Yunzhen truly couldn’t understand.

Logically, when he brought Ji Mingzhu back to the east wing, his mother came quickly, presumably to admonish Ji Mingzhu.

But she left without saying anything.

Afterward, when he proposed that Ji Mingzhu stay in the east wing to recover, his mother didn’t object.

If his mother could accept that arrangement, why was brewing tea in public a huge issue?

Princess An He’s expression became more serious, increasingly convinced that her son had feelings for Du Peilan.

He was usually reticent, but today, for Du Peilan, he retorted every time she spoke.

And he still claimed innocence!

She snorted, "Ji Mingzhu is different."

"How is she different?"

They’re both women, and Xie Yunzhen couldn’t see the difference.

If anything, Ji Mingzhu being single without even a betrothal posed a greater threat.

"Your second aunt has already found a match for Ji Mingzhu. Once the new year is over, the engagement will be settled, and in several months, she’ll be married."

Like a bolt of lightning, the words exploded in his ears.

Xie Yunzhen was stunned, unable to recover for a long time.