The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 98: Betrothal Gifts

Three days later, Xie Yunzhen was finally satisfied with the list of betrothal gifts and personally led a team to deliver the items to the west of the city.

The boxes were marked with the character for happiness, and at the front was a cage containing a pair of geese, unmistakably a betrothal gift.

The procession was grand and stretched as far as the eye could see.

Onlookers were bewildered; not long ago, the Duke Mansion had sent a betrothal gift to the Grand Tutor Mansion.

The protagonists were the Young Master and the Du Family’s legitimate daughter.

How has it suddenly turned around, with the Young Master personally delivering a betrothal gift to Miss Ji?

"We never heard that the two families canceled the engagement; is this marrying a wife or taking a concubine?"

"The pomp and the number of gifts make it unlikely to be a concubine."

"But hasn’t the Young Master already been engaged to Miss Du? Can he marry another wife?"

"Perhaps he’s marrying a concubine."

"And the Du Family has no objections? They’re so tolerant; if it were any other family, they’d be up in arms!"

"Miss Du adores the Young Master; for him, she even dared to go to Yangzhou alone. Her elders probably couldn’t persuade her otherwise."

"Miss Ji is really lucky. With nothing to her name, yet she’s caught the Young Master’s eye. Even as a concubine, she would live a life of endless wealth and prosperity."

"But she’s a general’s descendant; becoming a concubine... how’s that any different from merely surviving?"

"There’s no choice. Her previous fiancé died early. Who among the acceptable families would want to marry her? Being a concubine to the Young Master of a noble family is not disgraceful."

People on the streets were buzzing with discussion.

Suddenly, the betrothal team began scattering wedding candies.

An old matron exclaimed happily, "Today, the Young Master is betrothing Miss Ji. Here, have some wedding candies!"

Even before the grand wedding day, they were already distributing wedding candies. With such a scene, who would dare say it’s for a concubine?

Exclamations rose and fell in waves.

Some were busy grabbing candies, while others whispered among themselves.

"In this situation... has Miss Du been abandoned?"

"Unheard of and unseen, if I were Miss Du, I’d have no face to show myself in public anymore!"

When Xie Yunzhen started preparing the betrothal gifts, the Du Family already received the news.

Du Peifang was furious.

She had taken action to ruin Ji Mingzhu and bring misfortune upon her!

Yuan Changan, rumored to be a gentleman, would surely take Ruan Mian back as a concubine if they became intimate, family teachings notwithstanding.

Women from the brothel had extraordinary means.

Ji Mingzhu dreaming of a peaceful life was just that—a dream!

Du Peifang was enraged, having risked offending the Yuan Family with her actions.

But it wasn’t for Ji Mingzhu to return to the capital and win over Xie Yunzhen!

Cursing Yuan Changan’s early death one moment,

She pleaded with the elders to stay calm and sent someone to the Xie family to inquire about the situation.

The response from the Commandery Princess was that the Duke Mansion only recognized Du Peifang as their daughter-in-law.

They also asked if the Du Family wished to continue the engagement.

If they did, the Commandery Princess would personally visit the Du Family to discuss countermeasures.

"Mother, I really like Xie Yunzhen. Please persuade Father not to break the engagement with the Duke Mansion."

Having such an eager daughter, the Du Madam felt utterly humiliated.

She jabbed her daughter’s forehead, "If you’re willing to lose face, that’s your business. Don’t drag me and your father into it! This engagement must be broken!"

Leaving the daughter as an old maid at home was better than being so utterly humiliated.

Previously, Du Madam found Xie Yunzhen more and more satisfactory.

Among the young talents in the capital, none could surpass Xie Yunzhen.

Both scholarly and martial talents coupled with good looks.

Being on friendly terms with the Crown Prince, he was also favored by the Emperor.

Already a minister at a young age, with the Duke Mansion’s backing, there’s no telling how high he might climb in the future.

With such a son-in-law, every member of the Du Family would bask in glory.

Little did she expect that Xie Yunzhen would show no face at all.

Not only did he not appear on the day the betrothal gifts were sent; after returning to the capital, he didn’t even visit.

Again and again, he was impolite; now, despite an existing engagement, he’s proposing to Ji Mingzhu.

This is outright disrespectful!

Du Madam clenched her teeth, "This engagement must be dissolved. Then, have your father request for a marriage decree so you can enter the Eastern Palace, let the entire capital see that without Xie Yunzhen, a daughter of the Du Family can still marry well!"

"Mother!"

Du Madam loved her daughter, but there was no room for negotiation on this matter.

If they continued indulging Xie Yunzhen’s antics, and if they kept trying to ingratiate themselves, the Du Family would be utterly humiliated.

Breaking off the engagement would preserve their honor.

As the wronged party, anyone trying to mock them would find no foothold.

"I’ll go to your father immediately to return the betrothal gifts. This engagement is off!"

She then ordered, "From now on, you will stay in the mansion and wait for marriage. You’re not allowed to set foot outside!"

Meanwhile, Xie Yunzhen personally delivered the betrothal gifts to the Ji Family.

At the Grand Tutor Mansion, gongs and drums sounded as the betrothal gifts were lively sent back.

Announcing the annulment of the engagement.

Hearing the maid’s report that the betrothal gifts were sent back to the Xie family, Du Peifang collapsed onto the table, crying.

She had been engaged to Xie Yunzhen and was so close to fulfilling her wishes, yet everything had turned to dust.

It was one thing for Ji Mingzhu to steal her love, but her own family also didn’t support her.

Sorrow, grievance, anger... a mix of emotions swirled together.

Du Peifang cried even louder.

With no outlet for her resentment, she turned and smashed the vase holding fresh flowers.

"What has happened to my sister that she’s so furious?"

The wheelchair rolled over the paving stones, making a rumbling sound.

Du Peilan, pale as a ghost, was pushed into Du Peifang’s courtyard by her maid.

In the past, Du Peifang handled matters with some prudence.

But Ji Mingzhu returned to the capital, ruined her plans, and shattered her composure.

"What are you doing here, hoping to see me make a fool of myself?"

"You’re my own sister. How could I possibly want to see you make a fool of yourself? I’m concerned about you."

Du Peilan’s demeanor was serene, but Du Peifang felt she had ulterior motives.

"Get out!"

Even without a positive reception, Du Peilan was not annoyed.

She gestured to have her maid push her forward, "I’m here to offer you advice. There’s no need to be so hostile towards me."

"The weasel wishing the chicken a New Year; you definitely don’t have good intentions!"

Ignoring her hostility, Du Peilan asked, "Between you and Ji Mingzhu, who does the Commandery Princess favor?"

"Of course, she favors me. The Commandery Princess said she’d help me as long as I’m willing to marry Xie Yunzhen!"

A flash of resentment passed through Du Peilan’s eyes.

Years ago, the Commandery Princess disdained her, insisting that Xie Yunzhen marry a royal relative.

But now, why did she find Du Peifang acceptable?

The stepmother and her offspring were both detestable!

Du Peilan’s lips curled. In a few days, she’d leave the capital. Since the stepmother treated her harshly, she’d ruin Du Peifang.

A payback for a payback!

As for Xie Yunzhen... she couldn’t outmaneuver him.

Provoking Du Peifang to cause trouble was her small revenge.

"Since the Commandery Princess is willing to help and you want to marry Xie Yunzhen, why not seek her help?"

Du Peifang wanted to, but with her elders disagreeing, what could she do?

As if sensing her thoughts, Du Peilan soothingly said, "Once you become the Young Master’s wife and can bring benefits to the Du Family, even if Father and Mother are angry, they won’t sever ties with you."

Du Peifang’s eyes flickered. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"The Commandery Princess’s solution might not work."

"Then prepare two plans; find a way to abduct Ji Mingzhu and replace her in the wedding sedan!"