The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 144: Truly My Woman

Du Peifang entered the palace to meet the Imperial Concubine, and Ji Mingzhu took notice.

Whenever the Imperial Concubine was present, she avoided her whenever possible, and when they did meet, she was careful with her words and actions, giving no opportunity for criticism.

Surprisingly, the Imperial Concubine had yet to make a move.

The more this happened, the more tightly strung Ji Mingzhu felt inside.

People have an extraordinary sense of intuition when facing danger.

On the surface, everything seemed calm, but Ji Mingzhu’s heart felt uneasy, as if she was being watched.

Her intuition had always been accurate.

Moreover, one must always be vigilant against others.

So that night, she took the initiative to talk to Xie Yunzhen about the matter.

"The Hidden Guards you’ve arranged, can they enter the Imperial Palace?"

Xie Yunzhen shook his head.

If his men really went in, the Duke Mansion might be accused of treason.

Lowering his eyes to look at Ji Mingzhu, he said, "The Crown Prince’s men are following you."

Ji Mingzhu was surprised, "When did they start following me? Why don’t I know about it?"

Instinctively, she raised her head to look at Xie Yunzhen, only to bump into his sharply defined chin.

The man let out a muffled groan, "Ji Mingzhu, you’re trying to kill your husband again!"

Ji Mingzhu propped up her upper body, giving him a sidelong glance, "There’s no blood, so what are you fussing about?"

Xie Yunzhen: "..."

Feeling wronged, he said, "Can’t you feel sorry for me?"

Ji Mingzhu wouldn’t banter with him, "The day Du Peifang entered the palace, I don’t know what was said to the Imperial Concubine, but I feel like she’s plotting something big. These days, she hasn’t been her usual critical self during our encounters."

Seeing Ji Mingzhu’s uneasy expression, Xie Yunzhen regretted it.

He should have known better than to accept the Crown Prince’s proposal.

Reputation can’t be eaten; their fortunes were jointly held. If he had a place in court, who would dare belittle his Mingzhu?

If she didn’t enter the palace, she wouldn’t have to worry so much.

She wouldn’t have to be on edge, fearing being calculated against.

In the future, he wouldn’t let Mingzhu handle such thankless tasks.

Xie Yunzhen gently patted Ji Mingzhu’s back, as if soothing an agitated cat.

"Don’t be afraid. I will talk to the Crown Prince and ask for more manpower."

Pausing, he added, "Tomorrow I’ll escort you to the palace and take the opportunity to request the Empress to look after you a bit more."

Ji Mingzhu awkwardly touched her nose.

Ever since learning about the entanglements between her parents and the Empress, she had felt uneasy every time she faced her.

"Do you know what you look like doing this?"

Xie Yunzhen raised an eyebrow, "Like what?"

"Like a parent sending their child to an academy, asking the teacher to take special care of them."

Xie Yunzhen’s expression changed several times.

In the end, he couldn’t hold it in, his laughter bubbling up and even shaking his chest.

Ji Mingzhu was annoyed, "I’m talking about serious matters!"

Xie Yunzhen tried to act serious, but Mingzhu’s words were too amusing. He couldn’t help it.

He caressed her bare back.

His fingers hooked into her sash, moving along the mark,

Finally slipping into her undergarments.

Teasing her intentionally, "By age, you should call me brother."

Ji Mingzhu choked on her own saliva.

Covering his mouth, "Stop talking nonsense."

Xie Yunzhen wasn’t happy.

Mumbling, "You used to call Xie Yunxuan ’brother’ too!"

During those years he was away fighting, he didn’t know what happened between her and Yunxuan.

Suddenly, Xie Yunzhen became jealous again.

He insisted that Ji Mingzhu call him Brother Yunzhen.

As if it could somehow make up for the lost years.

Ji Mingzhu flung his hand away.

"Second brother wasn’t as unreasonable as you."

Xie Yunzhen glared, "How dare he!"

Mingzhu belonged to him, inside and out.

He wouldn’t allow anyone to touch her!

Ji Mingzhu was startled by his gaze.

Suddenly recalling that time in Yangzhou when she held hands with Yuan Changan, Xie Yunzhen gave them that same chilling stare.

As if he wanted to tear Yuan Changan apart.

Thinking of Yuan Changan, Ji Mingzhu restrained her expression.

No longer wanting to argue pointlessly with Xie Yunzhen, she said, "What if I have someone tie up Du Peifang and ask her directly what she told the Imperial Concubine? What do you think?"

Even though someone was secretly following her, Ji Mingzhu didn’t feel secure because she couldn’t see them.

She couldn’t handle the people in the palace, but she could take action with Du Peifang.

Rather than waiting nervously for a sword to fall, she preferred to take the initiative.

Whatever the outcome, she would give it a try first.

Xie Yunzhen let out a breath, dispelling the gloom on him.

"Whatever you want to do, I have no objection."

"Really?"

"Have I ever lied to you?"

Ji Mingzhu just looked at him, saying nothing.

Silence spoke louder than words.

Xie Yunzhen blushed, "Those were all well-intentioned lies."

Thick-skinned and cunning, that’s how Ji Mingzhu evaluated Xie Yunzhen.

At this moment, his face seemed even thicker.

Xie Yunzhen cleared his throat, deliberately changing the subject.

"Give me some incentive, and I’ll go tie up Du Peifang tonight. I’ll interrogate her overnight and deliver the confession by morning."

Ji Mingzhu shot him a look.

She got up to leave the bed.

Just as she was about to step over Xie Yunzhen, the man grabbed her ankle.

"Where are you going?"

"To handle proper business."

She didn’t want to wait any longer.

Crises often occur in an instant.

If she procrastinated until she was in danger, Ji Mingzhu would regret it.

The person before her was light on her feet, wearing only a red peony-patterned silk undergarment.

Red and white, like a feast for the eyes.

Xie Yunzhen looked up at her.

No matter how many times he saw her, he still couldn’t help but be moved.

Holding onto her ankle, he didn’t let go, "You think your husband is dead? Do you have to do this yourself?"

Ji Mingzhu wanted to finish her tasks and sleep for two more hours.

She held the bedpost, bent her leg for leverage, but still couldn’t pull her foot away.

Angry, she kicked his chest.

"Will you ever stop?"

Xie Yunzhen’s smile was wide, "I didn’t even say what I wanted to do."

His words had a dubious undertone.

Sure enough, he lowered his head and kissed Ji Mingzhu’s foot.

The tingling sensation starting from her toes made Ji Mingzhu lose her balance, falling back into the bedding.

He leaned over her.

Bending her leg to rest in his arm, "Zhu Zhu, wear this next time too."

Ji Mingzhu’s legs were long, well-proportioned, fair, and smooth.

Xie Yunzhen liked them very much.

Moving along her knee, he planted countless kisses.

It wasn’t until Ji Mingzhu flared up again that he stopped.

He pulled a light cover over her, "Sleep well, I’ll be back soon."

Ji Mingzhu held onto his wrist, "Don’t alert the enemy."

If the Imperial Concubine was really plotting something, trouble on the side of Du Peifang might make her change her plans.

Heavy-handed interrogation could easily leak information.

Xie Yunzhen pinched her cheek, eyes filled with amusement.

"That’s my woman, so smart!"

Ji Mingzhu kicked him, "I was born by my parents, what does it have to do with you?"

Xie Yunzhen kissed her hand, "Father- and mother-in-law made you well. When the big matters are settled, take me to pay respects to them and give me a chance to express my gratitude."