The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 222 - 221: Waiting for the Right Moment

The new emperor’s breath faltered for a beat.

His hand on his lap clenched tightly, maintaining a semblance of calm.

"Why do you think I’m not?"

"Intuition."

Though marriage is a matter decided by parents and through the words of a matchmaker.

Ji Mingzhu felt that even if she had no romantic feelings for her husband, there should be some form of admiration.

From the first glance at the man before her, the response from deep within her was one of resistance.

And the urge to escape.

This was not the state a normal couple should be in.

But then again, some couples were no different from enemies, so perhaps this was the case between herself and the man before her.

Ji Mingzhu suddenly lost some of her confidence.

She glanced at the man.

Could this really be her husband?

The new emperor stared intently at Ji Mingzhu, catching her uncertain expression, and suddenly laughed.

He leaned over to tuck her in.

His tone was gentle yet lingering, "You’ve forgotten a lot; it’s not your fault, so I don’t blame you."

Ji Mingzhu’s uncertainty deepened.

Not wanting to shy away, she asked directly, "Are you really my husband?"

The new emperor smiled slightly, "What do you think?"

Of course Ji Mingzhu thought not!

If they were husband and wife, why would she feel suffocated and have the urge to flee?

Furthermore, her heart was heavy.

It was as though she had forgotten something very important.

Ji Mingzhu pondered silently, if they really were married, it likely involved mutual deception.

Now without her memory, she didn’t know if she would fall into his trap.

For now, observing for a while might be more prudent.

Thinking this way, no matter what he said, Ji Mingzhu remained silent.

The more you say, the more mistakes you make.

At this time, she should listen and observe more, to avoid being deceived and doing something she’d regret.

Seeing her lips tightly pressed and her determined look, the new emperor chuckled at Ji Mingzhu’s reaction.

He tentatively touched her head, half-smiling as he asked, "Afraid I’ll dig a pit for you?"

Ji Mingzhu’s brow creased slightly.

A flash of displeasure passed through her eyes.

Like being burned on the fingertips, the new emperor immediately withdrew his hand.

Thinking his reaction was too much, he feigned calmness, "I won’t harm you."

Ji Mingzhu truly didn’t sense malice.

But this only meant they weren’t yet at the point of wishing each other dead.

She didn’t know the person in front of her.

But she knew herself.

Perhaps because her father passed away early, she really yearned for love.

After her mother’s death, she had experienced the feeling of isolation and helplessness, thus she longed for affection even more.

Someone who genuinely treats her well, she shouldn’t, in theory, reject.

Ji Mingzhu didn’t want to listen to what others said, nor fill her mind with things of uncertain truth.

That would affect her judgment.

Since she had no memory, she should follow her heart even more.

Perhaps before, the words and actions she did were all a performance with a mask?

Following her feelings, even if it meant taking the wrong path, she would have no regrets!

She pulled the quilt up slightly, revealing a vulnerable expression, "I’m a bit tired, I want to sleep for a while."

Only by regaining her strength could she have the energy to understand her situation.

This was the priority!

Out of trust for Mrs. Guan, Ji Mingzhu felt that once she could see her aunt, things would become clear.

Thinking of Mrs. Guan, Ji Mingzhu felt reassured.

The confusion and unease she felt upon waking gradually faded away.

This person either dodged the issue or gave her ambiguous answers, there was likely a real problem.

Dealing with him was merely a waste of time.

Ji Mingzhu’s face was still very pale, possibly due to her strenuous thinking earlier, making her look even more frail.

The new emperor also wanted her to rest well and recover soon.

But she hadn’t taken her medicine yet.

Previously, the medicine was fed through a tube into her mouth; now that she was awake, drinking it would be easier.

"Drink the medicine first."

Ji Mingzhu’s eyelids quivered.

The new emperor’s gaze was teasing, with a hint of amusement, "Afraid I’ll poison you?"

At the same moment, a sharp pain pierced his heart.

Casting back to his past words and actions, only that time in the palace had he frightened her.

Beyond that, he had always been gentle and polite to Mingzhu, never doing anything to harm her.

The new emperor felt somewhat troubled.

Why had Mingzhu become more guarded against him after losing her memory?

This was completely contrary to his expectations...

Ji Mingzhu composed her emotions, calmly saying, "You wouldn’t harm me; otherwise, there’d be no need to save me."

Unless she had other value.

Ji Mingzhu considered this.

A simple sentence instantly brightened the new emperor’s mood.

Mingzhu wasn’t entirely resistant to him.

As long as he spent more time to allay her defenses, the situation would surely improve.

A maid brought the decoction, intending to feed Ji Mingzhu.

"Let me."

The empty hand, the soup bowl had already fallen into the man’s hand.

The maid dared not look, nor hear anything.

She helped Ji Mingzhu sit up, letting her half-lean against the bedhead, then quickly lowered her head and withdrew.

Ji Mingzhu noted this detail.

Could not help but speculate about the man’s identity before her.

Why did the maid seem to not dare even breathe before him?

The spoon filled with medicine interrupted Ji Mingzhu’s thoughts.

The hand gripping the spoon handle, its joints pronounced, slender middle finger calloused, evidence of frequent writing.

His skin, though not as fair and delicate as a woman’s, was evidently well-maintained, indicative of someone accustomed to luxury.

Following the principle of not moving until the enemy does.

If he didn’t take the initiative to speak, Ji Mingzhu wouldn’t ask.

The spoon reached her lips, Ji Mingzhu reflexively drew back slightly, "Let me do it."

She, too, was injured, though fortunately not to the bone.

Knowing her temperament, the new emperor didn’t argue, simply handing the spoon to Ji Mingzhu.

"I’ll hold it for you, it’s hot."

The concern in his eyes was genuine, yet Ji Mingzhu felt more stifled.

The urge to toss the spoon and leave surged within her.

Seeing she hadn’t yet taken the medicine, the new emperor’s voice carried authority.

He commanded sternly, "Drink."

The new emperor had no intention of intimidating Ji Mingzhu.

But the dominating aura of someone long in power unconsciously exuded, naturally imposing on others.

Ji Mingzhu took the bowl from his hand, downing it all in one go.

The medicine was extremely bitter, just the smell provoking a retch.

But Ji Mingzhu merely frowned without a word of complaint.

Enduring the pain in her body, she lay back down.

Her eyes signaled that he should leave.

The new emperor glanced at the plate on the table, ultimately lacking the courage for the gesture of feeding her honey.

He rose gracefully, smoothing his sleeve.

"Take good care of yourself, I’ll come see you in a couple of days."

Ji Mingzhu murmured assent, her expression somewhat dazed, it was unclear if she’d understood him.

The new emperor felt a bit bitter.

Back when Ah Zhen went to Yangzhou, how did he withstand her aloofness and indifference?

Then what did he do to make Mingzhu open her heart to him?

Was it just because he investigated General Ji’s matters?

The flood of regret, these things he could equally do for Mingzhu...

Only with Ji Mingzhu did the new emperor experience the feeling of being ignored.

He couldn’t abase himself to beg for love.

But he could bide his time!

Quickly adjusting his mood, before leaving, the new emperor left one more word.

"Next time we meet, you can call me Yinli."