The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 28: Ji Mingzhu Is the Greatest Rival

The Duke Mansion is located in the eastern part of the city, inhabited by noble families.

It is a long distance from the bustling market, and one must take a carriage to go out.

The last accident left a psychological shadow on Ji Mingzhu, and she felt a sense of breathless weakness even before getting into the carriage.

The wound at the back of her head has healed, but the shaved hair has not grown back.

Fortunately, she has thick hair, and with Gold’s skillful hands, the hairstyle just conceals the scar on the back of her head, avoiding an embarrassing appearance.

As she was about to board the carriage, Ji Mingzhu uncontrollably thought, if the carriage overturns again, would she still be lucky enough to survive this time?

"Sister Mingzhu, why aren’t you coming up? Are you feeling unwell?"

Xie Yunling appeared carefree but was actually attentive to details, quickly noticing Ji Mingzhu’s uneasiness.

"Is it because the injury hasn’t healed and you feel dizzy again?"

Ji Mingzhu shook her head, "It’s nothing, I just suddenly thought of Second Brother going to the border. I don’t know if he is riding a horse or taking a carriage."

Xie Yunling didn’t care how her own brother went to the border. Men have thick skin and enduring some hardship is nothing.

"Are you really alright?"

In front of her younger sister, how could Ji Mingzhu show fear?

She tapped her forehead, "If we dawdle any longer, it’ll be dark soon."

Xie Yunling closely observed her complexion, finding no abnormalities, finally feeling relieved.

She instructed the coachman, "Drive slower, and avoid collisions with others."

Last time going out was quite unlucky, if they run into another mishap this time, perhaps it’d be better to stay in the mansion from now on.

Xie Yunling thought.

...

The Zheng family’s house was far from the Duke Mansion, but Du Peilan had sent someone to keep an eye on the mansion’s residents’ movements at all times.

Thus, she received the news as soon as Ji Mingzhu went out.

Lately, hearing that her stepmother met with Princess An He, and Du Peifang frequently went to the Duke Mansion, she felt uneasy.

She wanted to visit Ji Mingzhu several times, using it as an opportunity to get closer to the Xie family, but was refused with the excuse of recovering from an illness.

Being famous for her talent, Du Peilan had never been treated so coldly from childhood to adulthood.

Having her pride disregarded repeatedly by Ji Mingzhu, she truly wanted to see this person.

Where does an orphan like her get such airs, not even giving her face?

Du Peilan was about to step out of the mansion but remembered Xiao Feixue’s evaluation of Ji Mingzhu.

Not wanting to be outdone, she turned back to her room to reapply her makeup and dress up.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Du Peilan’s thoughts drifted far away.

She heard Ji Mingzhu is a top beauty, with a slim waist and curvy hips, graceful figure, able to captivate men with just her silhouette.

Looking at the plain clothes on herself, though elegant and dignified, they seemed to carry a lifeless air.

Men who see her, presumably, would hardly feel impulsively attracted.

Du Peilan suddenly felt a bit dejected.

Young girls, even without stunning beauty, can easily fascinate men with their mere cuteness and charm.

Does she really stand a chance against Ji Mingzhu?

Mei Xiang, Du Peilan’s trusted maid since childhood, knew what she thought as she watched her cover her face and look lost in the mirror.

Appearing casual, Mei Xiang said, "Young Master is of noble character, he wouldn’t fancy such alluring and seductive vixens. Taking them out for social occasions might make others mistake them for an Oiran serving wine. Whoever marries her would be disgraced."

Currently, Du Peifang poses a greater threat.

But due to that dream, Du Peilan felt Ji Mingzhu was the real rival.

Since she was a love rival, Du Peilan couldn’t treat Ji Mingzhu with an ordinary heart.

She sighed, "Heroes struggle before beauties, and although Ah Zhen isn’t fond of women, if she shamelessly pursues him, I’m afraid one day she’ll succeed."

"She’s just come of age, with plenty of time to win Ah Zhen’s affection, while I am no longer young and don’t have enough time to waste with her."

Du Peilan examined her brows and eyes carefully; even though she maintained herself well, there were still traces of time.

Her eyes weren’t as clear, and her skin wasn’t as firm as a young girl’s.

If Ji Mingzhu were just an ordinary girl, she might use her charisma to suppress her. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

But beauties naturally possess an intimidating aura, making others hesitant.

Du Peilan, while seeing Ji Mingzhu as an empty-headed vase, not to be feared,

also worried about her youth and beauty.

Before the confrontation even started, she felt disheartened.

Mei Xiang once had a loved one in the capital, a teacher from an ordinary family.

Being a noble maid, marrying into a smaller family was easy enough, but opting for a teacher was more than adequate.

However, at that time, the teacher was engaged, and she was accompanied to Jiangnan.

Now having returned to the capital, Mei Xiang learned that the man she loved had long lost his wife.

Mei Xiang’s heart was moved; she wanted to stay in the capital.

Moreover, she needed support, so her mistress had to stay in the capital as well.

She softly advised, "Mistress, you shouldn’t get stuck in the details. Young Master is not one to covet youthful appearance, no matter how Ji Mingzhu tries to please him, it’s of no use."

After speaking, she sharply mocked, "Hasn’t everyone been young? What’s there to be proud of? Unless Ji Mingzhu doesn’t live past twenty, using youth as a bargaining chip would really be laughable!"

Du Peilan suddenly laughed.

Indeed, not living past twenty; in that dream, Ji Mingzhu died early.

She had just returned to the capital, yet hadn’t had the chance to meet her, and Ji Mingzhu met a fate of death with two lives.

Sadly, the dream was too short, and the latter events weren’t revealed.

Du Peilan thought, without Ji Mingzhu as an obstacle, she and Ah Zhen should have achieved their desired outcome, right?

They had been apart for so many years, they couldn’t miss the chance again.

She took a deep breath and finally adjusted her expression.

Mei Xiang smiled obsequiously, "Mistress, don’t forget, you were once a renowned beauty in the capital, and along with your talents, no matter how beautiful Ji Mingzhu is, compared to you, she would appear unbearably ordinary. To say something harsh, Ji Mingzhu is a fallen wild chicken, how could she compare to the phoenix on a branch?"

Du Peilan felt a wave of comfort.

But still, she reprimanded, "Miss Ji is, after all, from a military family, not to be underestimated. In the future, do not speak disparagingly of her; otherwise, people might think I am hostile towards her."

Mei Xiang nodded repeatedly, "I understand, I won’t disgrace you."

Sometimes, the servant’s attitude reflects the master’s attitude.

Mei Xiang’s careless words might make others view Du Peilan as unable to control her maids.

After finishing her grooming, Du Peilan changed into a moon-white dress.

Her waist was cinched slender, and as she moved, it swayed like a willow, her face adorned with light makeup, removing much of the lifelessness.

Mei Xiang thought to herself: The old saying goes, if one wants to look pretty, wear mourning clothes. These words truly hold meaning.

Now her mistress looks like a delicate bindweed, and if Young Master sees her, he would surely feel deeply concerned.

A feeling of concern is also a form of affection.

As long as Young Master cares, marrying Mistress into the house would follow naturally!