The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 71: Mingzhu, Don’t Be Afraid

Xie Yunzhen did not stay long, he left after his outburst.

He didn’t burn Ji Mingzhu’s dress as he said he would.

If not for hearing those words and losing his mind, he wouldn’t have shown up.

Ji Mingzhu was furious and took off the dress, not wanting anything he’d touched.

She tossed it to Gold, "Take it and burn it!"

The dress was cut from fine material, with a peony embroidered in gold thread that was both elegant and beautiful.

Gold thought it was a shame, but didn’t dare ask more.

While rolling up the dress, she secretly observed Ji Mingzhu.

Although her face showed anger, everything else seemed fine.

Compared to last time, the Young Master seemed to have restrained himself.

The bite marks on her neck had hardly faded; if it happened again, it would soon be noticeable.

Gold silently prayed that tomorrow would pass and the New Year would end.

Hopefully, the Young Master would hurry back to the capital!

After handling the dress, Gold returned to the room to make Ji Mingzhu’s bed.

She then cleaned up the crushed dried flowers.

"Miss, rest early; tomorrow there’s a Lantern Festival banquet at the mansion. Many socialites from the city will attend—it’ll be lively. You won’t be able to take a break."

After the commotion, Ji Mingzhu was mentally exhausted.

Lying on the bed, she couldn’t help but think of Xie Yunzhen’s words.

She hadn’t known Yuan Changan long, but felt he was of good character.

Hearing is misleading.

She wouldn’t take those slanderous words to heart.

But... with Xie Yunzhen’s methods, he’d likely investigated Yuan Changan secretly.

What did he find?

Would he use this to stir trouble?

If Yuan Changan were truly evil, Xie Yunzhen would have shown her proof immediately.

But he didn’t.

So he must be plotting something.

Regretfully, she patted the pillow, realizing she should have asked him more earlier, to catch his words!

After her anger, worry began.

If Xie Yunzhen requested a marriage decree, it would make things worse.

She had spoken of not marrying Yuan Changan in anger.

Having accepted his feelings, they would face anything together.

As long as Yuan Changan didn’t betray her.

She wouldn’t easily abandon this marriage.

Ji Mingzhu suddenly felt a headache, touching where she’d been hit previously.

Her hair hadn’t grown back properly, only sparse strands could be felt.

Since Xie Yunzhen returned to the capital, she’s been injured more than in her entire previous years.

Once again, she affirmed that Xie Yunzhen was a calamity, bringing her only misfortune.

She needed to stay far from him.

Farther away!

Xie Yunzhen went to Ji Mingzhu’s room; others didn’t know, but Yuan Changan noticed.

More accurately, it was Xie Yunzhen intentionally leaving a clue.

To provoke him into acting irrationally.

Hearing Ji Mingzhu had rested and was fine, Yuan Changan didn’t disturb her.

In front of Ji Mingzhu, he pretended not to know about this.

If not, she’d feel distressed and want to break off the engagement, leaving him without a bride.

Responding in kind is etiquette.

Knowing the Duke Mansion intended to marry into the Du Family, Princess An He frequently invited Du Peifang over.

Yuan Changan decided to immediately send a letter to the Du Family.

If Du Peifang wanted to be the Princely Heir’s wife, she would surely act.

Whether the Duke Mansion pressures him or she herself comes to Yangzhou to find Xie Yunzhen.

As long as someone provokes Xie Yunzhen to stop bothering Mingzhu, that’s good.

...

The Lantern Festival arrived as planned.

Considering families gather at night, the banquet was set for daytime.

To liven things up, they specially invited an opera troupe to the mansion to perform. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Early on, drums and gongs could be heard coming into the guest courtyard.

This was Ji Mingzhu’s first Lantern Festival with the Yuan Family.

To show importance, Yuan Changan personally came to accompany her to the front yard to watch the opera.

Upon entering, he saw Ji Mingzhu in a Shao Yao embroidered silk dress, like a slender willow in spring, standing in the center of the courtyard.

The large flowers, vividly embroidered, spread from her chest to the hem, dazzling and dizzying.

Her hair was styled in a high bun, revealing her swan-like neck.

Her neck and ears bare of adornments yet enchanting enough.

She came with graceful elegance, her figure lithe, like a delicate willow in the wind.

As she moved, the hem of her dress swung softly, revealing embroidered shoes obscured beneath.

Large flowers embroidered above, but Yuan Changan dared not look closely, fearing to offend his beloved.

His gaze landed on her head, drawn by the tassel hairpins.

As she moved, the tassels swayed in the air, captivatingly beautiful.

An exquisite beauty, now before his eyes.

Ji Mingzhu blinked, "Why are you standing there frozen?"

Yuan Changan finally came back to his senses, smiling, "There’s talk outside, saying I’m quite old yet lucky, for the girl I’m engaged to is a stunning beauty."

Speaking earnestly, the man nodded, "It’s true."

Ji Mingzhu was slightly embarrassed.

This man was only in his early twenties; where was he old?

Her limpid eyes widened, "Stop flattering yourself."

Laughter spilled from the man’s mouth, and he couldn’t stop it, even his chest vibrated.

Yuan Changan, handsome as a prince, charming and gallant, smiled with risen charisma.

The maids in the courtyard lowered their heads, not daring to look too much.

This time, Yuan Changan boldly grasped Ji Mingzhu’s fingertips.

"Not boasting, it’s true."

Yuan Changan’s hand was slightly cool, different from Xie Yunzhen’s warm and sometimes startlingly hot hand.

Ji Mingzhu instinctively wanted to withdraw her hand.

But thinking of their relationship, she held back.

Being bold once was already crossing the line.

Though reluctant to let go, Yuan Changan released her hand.

Naturally, he placed his hand behind his back, stroking it, then curled his fingers.

As if to preserve the soft, smooth texture.

With a smile on his face, "Let’s go, the show’s about to start. Grandmother said you should select the first play."

In the old lady’s eyes, Ji Mingzhu was endlessly adored; she felt moved, yet uneasy.

Until matters were settled, she couldn’t feel wholly at ease enjoying the old lady’s affection.

Always fearing Xie Yunzhen would stir trouble, dismaying those who cared for her.

Yuan Changan, sharp and aware, noticing Ji Mingzhu’s somber expression, knew what was on her mind.

Once more, he held Ji Mingzhu’s hand.

"Mingzhu, fear not."

"Move boldly forward, I’m always here."

Ji Mingzhu was touched, tears glint in her eyes, afraid to smudge her makeup, she quickly took two deep breaths.

Only then did she manage to restrain the urge to cry.

In return, she grasped Yuan Changan’s hand, wide sleeve falling to conceal their joined hands.

Beneath the sleeve, the man once again boldly intertwined their fingers.

"Mingzhu, it seems I cannot let go."

Even if fighting Xie Yunzhen to an endless, dire struggle, he wouldn’t give up his beloved.

As long as Mingzhu is willing, she shall be his wife.

He will protect her with his life!

Ji Mingzhu’s lips curled, displaying a relaxed smile.

"What a coincidence, I feel the same."