The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 134: Inquiring About Ji Mingzhu’s Preferences

Chapter 134: Chapter 134: Inquiring About Ji Mingzhu’s Preferences

Ji Mingzhu entered the palace with great pomp.

The families near the Duke Mansion watched with their own eyes as she went towards the Imperial Palace in a sedan chair.

For a time, they all sent people to inquire.

What exactly did Ji Mingzhu do to be elevated to this point?

How is this different from a sudden stroke of extraordinary luck?

In the circle of noblewomen, everyone said Ji Mingzhu relied on her beauty to secure the position of the Princely Heir’s wife.

Moreover, she had no support from her maternal family, and the female elders of her husband’s family didn’t give her any face either.

The noblewomen tacitly excluded Ji Mingzhu from their circle.

No one sent invitations to Ji Mingzhu for the recent flower appreciation banquets.

Now that the situation had changed, some noblewomen had already sent people to find out Ji Mingzhu’s preferences.

If she truly gained the favor of the Royal Family, she must have a place at future banquets.

...

Ji Mingzhu was carried into the Eastern Palace and met the consort Xu, who came from the common folk.

Ms. Xu had a graceful appearance and a slender figure.

Her eyes were clear, and she seemed to have no aggressiveness.

Ji Mingzhu curtsied, and the other party quickly helped her up.

"His Highness told me that you came into the palace to help me, so there’s no need for formalities in the future."

Etiquette cannot be discarded, but Ji Mingzhu did not argue.

"This is also my first time organizing a banquet. If there are any oversights, I hope His Highness and Your Highness will instruct me."

Ms. Xu smiled, but there was distress hidden in her eyes.

With a sigh, she said, "That’s still better than me."

Everyone knew about consort Xu’s background, and Ji Mingzhu found it difficult to continue the topic.

If not handled well, it was easy to offend people.

She followed consort Xu into the hall.

Ji Mingzhu said, "Thanks to your and His Highness’s trust, how much silver is budgeted for the Dragon Boat Banquet this time, how many officials’ wives and families are invited, and other related matters, please advise me. I will do my utmost to relieve your worries."

Ms. Xu laughed, "No wonder His Highness sought you to assist me. Madam Xie, you’re too anxious. Let’s have a cup of tea first."

The three words "Madam Xie" still sounded awkward to Ji Mingzhu.

She was seated by consort Xu.

Just as she was about to say something, the other party spoke first.

"Is Madam Xie taking medicine?"

Saying this, Ms. Xu wrinkled her nose, as if discerning the ingredients of the medicinal fragrance.

Ji Mingzhu’s heart skipped two beats.

She was indeed taking medicine.

The birth control medicine she had taken before was tasteless.

Strangely, the newly opened bottle today had a strong medicinal scent.

If not for the fact that the items showed no signs of tampering, she might have suspected that her medicine had been swapped by Xie Yunzhen.

Thinking of this, Ji Mingzhu’s eyelashes trembled.

Actually... it wasn’t impossible.

After all, from the day she returned to the capital, Xie Yunzhen had sent people to follow her.

He knew exactly who she met and what she did.

With his controlling nature, he would surely interrogate the doctor afterward...

Ji Mingzhu frowned in annoyance.

If it weren’t the wrong occasion, she really wanted to slap herself.

How could she overlook such an important matter!

Xie Yunzhen, being demanding, always wanted more at night.

This morning, he had made a fuss again before leaving.

Ji Mingzhu knew that consort Xu was skilled in medicine, but she hadn’t expected her nose to be so sensitive.

"Thank you, consort, for your concern. My health is fine; I’m taking restorative herbs."

A suitable blush appeared on her face.

"My mother-in-law is anxious for a grandchild and sends medicinal tonics to our room daily."

Consort Xu nodded, "If I wasn’t mistaken, there is indeed a medicinal scent meant for women’s health nourishment."

Her guess was mostly confirmed.

Ji Mingzhu felt vexed yet slightly anxious.

If Xie Yunzhen knew she was taking birth control medicine, why was he so calm, pretending not to notice?

With his temper, shouldn’t there be a big commotion?

Seeing Ji Mingzhu’s serious expression, Ms. Xu thought she was worried about the banquet matters.

She comforted her, "The Crown Prince has said that he will send capable female officials to assist us, so you need not worry too much, Madam Xie."

Ji Mingzhu nodded with a teasing tone, "With you and His Highness overseeing, I’m quite at ease."

Consort Xu chuckled, "You’re right, if the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. With His Highness on our side, there’s nothing to fear, just handle the arrangements boldly."

Mentioning the Crown Prince, consort Xu’s spirit lifted, and her eyes shone brightly.

Different from the women in the deep palace.

Ji Mingzhu thought, the Crown Prince must treat consort Xu very well to keep her so innocent.

After chatting for a while in the hall, consort Xu had a palace maid present the list of invitees to Ji Mingzhu.

Each name and status of the invitees, along with any taboos, were clearly marked.

Ji Mingzhu had not yet had time to look closely when Eunuch Fu arrived with a message.

"Madam Xie, the Empress has sent someone to invite you to the Middle Palace for a discussion."

Consort Xu cast a worried glance at Ji Mingzhu, "Do not be afraid, madam. I will go find His Highness to accompany you. Since he made the decision, he can’t just let go."

The Empress did not like consort Xu.

This matter was also intentionally meant to challenge.

By supporting consort Xu, Ji Mingzhu was, in a way, opposing the Empress.

Ji Mingzhu sighed inwardly.

She knew it would be like this.

Being caught between a typical mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was already tricky.

These weren’t typical in-laws.

One wrong move could lead to serious trouble.

Gathering her thoughts, Ji Mingzhu gracefully stood up, "No need to worry, Your Highness. I will go by myself."

The people from the Middle Palace were already waiting outside the hall, so consort Xu had no choice but to let her go.

She herself went to the place where the Crown Prince was discussing matters to find someone.

Since she had mentally prepared, by the time she met the Empress, Ji Mingzhu was calm.

Following the palace attendants into the grand hall.

The architecture was magnificent, yet the interior decorations were quite simple.

Potted plants full of greenery were placed in the corners, breaking the dullness of the hall, giving off a vibrant energy.

The concubines of the harem were also present, seated on either side.

The one sitting at the highest position was elegant and dignified, wearing a crown, dressed in a stately and elegant palace garment.

This was the current Empress, Ms. Zheng.

The woman at the forefront of the lower seats was also dressed grandly, with an arrogant demeanor.

Her gaze towards Ji Mingzhu was filled with disdain and aversion.

With a sidelong glance, Ji Mingzhu understood her identity.

It was the Noble Consort.

Also Du Peifang’s proud aunt.

Ji Mingzhu saluted and greeted, but before the Empress could speak, the Noble Consort spoke first.

"Pei Fang often mentions you."

Her gaze swept over Ji Mingzhu, "Indeed, a beauty, no wonder Xie Yunzhen fell in love at first sight."

Empress Zheng agreed, "Rumors do not do justice to reality; truly a stunning beauty, making all the flowers in the garden pale in comparison."

The concubines’ expressions changed slightly.

Praising someone shouldn’t be at their expense...

The Noble Consort’s expression was mocking, "Naturally, for such a beauty, why wouldn’t the Crown Prince lower himself to personally send someone to fetch Madam Xie?"

The words "Madam Xie" had an inexplicable undertone.

As if implying the Crown Prince had questionable morals, engaging ambiguously with a minister’s wife.