The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 147: Zhu Zhu Is So Obedient

"Seems like someone is calling me."

Ji Mingzhu leaned over, wanting to push open the window to see what was happening.

But the man’s arm wrapped around her waist, "Sit tight, what if you fall?"

Xie Yunzhen’s reaction seemed off.

If she had earlier suspected it was just her imagination, now she was certain someone really was calling her.

And most likely it was the person being blocked outside the mansion.

Ji Mingzhu’s eyes showed curiosity, "Did you do something shady behind my back?"

"Yes."

His admission came too quickly, leaving Ji Mingzhu without the interest to pursue further questions.

"Why don’t you ask?"

"Ask what?"

Xie Yunzhen chuckled, "It’s you who didn’t ask, so I didn’t deceive you."

"Then tell me."

Xie Yunzhen tilted his head, leaning on Ji Mingzhu’s shoulder, "There was only one chance, and you wasted it."

Ji Mingzhu leaned her shoulder, trying to push him away.

Xie Yunzhen took advantage of it, boldly laying his head on her lap.

"I haven’t slept since last night, let me lay here for a bit."

Ji Mingzhu moved her leg, "Don’t lean on me."

"Just for a moment."

He closed his eyes, looking weary.

His eyelashes were long, his nose straight, lips neither thin nor thick, and up close, his features appeared even more profound.

Ji Mingzhu’s outstretched hand paused, slightly curling, murmuring, "I have nowhere to put my hand."

"You can hold me."

With his eyes closed, the man accurately caught her hand.

Guiding Ji Mingzhu’s hand, making her wrap it around his upper body.

With a delightful curve at the corner of his lips, "Zhu Zhu is so obedient."

Ji Mingzhu’s cheeks turned a little red, "Why so much talking?"

The man immediately fell silent, not daring to say more, afraid of being thrown out of the carriage.

The wheels rolled smoothly, arriving at the palace gates.

Ji Mingzhu also forgot the incident just now.

Xie Yunzhen indeed accompanied her to the middle palace, where they met the Empress.

Upon hearing about the Imperial Concubine’s scheme, Empress Zheng was not surprised.

Though this matter was risky, if successful, it would greatly benefit the Concubine and her child.

Within the deep palace, who isn’t fighting for their life?

Sometimes, one must be a bit bolder.

Fearing the wolf ahead, the tiger behind, how can one preserve the current power and glory, and ascend to greater heights?

Understanding Xie Yunzhen’s intention, Empress Zheng stated, "The palace has its rules; as long as she hasn’t done anything wrong, no one can touch her."

This was a promise to protect Ji Mingzhu.

Dismissing Xie Yunzhen, Empress Zheng kept Ji Mingzhu in the middle palace to verify the banquet menu.

Empress Zheng said, "It’s said that a mother is noble by her son, but if the mother isn’t favored, how can the child catch the father’s eye?"

Ji Mingzhu felt the Empress was hinting at something.

Daring not to guess wildly, she nodded, making a posture of listening attentively.

Empress Zheng showed disdain, "The waters of the Duke Mansion run deep, don’t you have any means at all?"

Ji Mingzhu replied, "This is not the Duke Mansion."

The nobles in the palace could not be provoked by her.

Not speaking words that shouldn’t be spoken, acting discreetly when it’s time to act—this is the way to preserve one’s life.

Empress Zheng gave her a cold glance, "Others have already plotted against you, and you still act like a quail. If your father knew, I wonder what he’d think."

Ji Mingzhu respected the Empress, but knowing her parents’ past, these words made her feel uneasy.

Other matters she didn’t want to explore and had no interest in.

But one thing was clear to Ji Mingzhu.

Even after decades, the Empress still harbored animosity toward her mother.

She quietly exhaled.

"My mother taught me when I was young, if encountering a formidable adversary, either wait silently for the right opportunity to strike decisively, or retreat intelligently. As long as you can protect yourself, patience is not shameful."

Looking the Empress in the eye, Ji Mingzhu said, "My father told me my mother taught me well."

She had her father’s blood running through her veins.

But from the day she was born, it was her mother who raised and taught her.

Even when she fell seriously ill later, she was still trying her best to plan for Ji Mingzhu’s future.

She wouldn’t allow anyone to smear her mother’s name time and again.

Not even a high and mighty Empress.

Unlike her usual restraint, Ji Mingzhu’s eyes were full of fearlessness at this moment.

Even if it cost her life, she wouldn’t beg for mercy on her knees.

Empress Zheng scoffed, "Just a joke, why are you so anxious?"

Ji Mingzhu respectfully bowed, "However, what I said was no joke. My mother was a good person. If there is any fault in me, it was not due to my mother’s teaching but my own stupidity in not understanding her good intentions."

The air grew heavy.

Yet Ji Mingzhu’s mood relaxed.

Her mother had protected her for so many years; standing up for her once, even if punished, wasn’t a big deal.

Her mother was genuinely good.

Good enough not to need anyone else’s acknowledgment.

Empress Zheng’s expression softened slightly, "If nothing else, there’s proof of her success just from how you defend her so fiercely."

Ji Mingzhu bowed politely, "If my mother knew of the Empress’ praise from the heavens, she would certainly be very pleased."

Empress Zheng felt at a loss for a moment.

When did she praise that woman?

Knowing full well her connection to Mr. Ji, yet she still went to the border to pick up the pieces...

Pressing her temple.

"Fine, it’s all in the past now."

Empress Zheng returned to the topic, "Since the Imperial Concubine wants to entrap you with love affairs, then use her own methods against her."

Ji Mingzhu had a guess in her mind suddenly.

But that was too shocking.

She couldn’t grasp the Empress’ intention.

Tentatively, she said, "The Ninth Prince already has a reputation for being a libertine; they say his house is full of concubines. Such rumors might not affect the Ninth Prince."

Empress Zheng let out a cold snort, "Who said he was the target?"

Her guess proved to be true, and Ji Mingzhu’s heart raced suddenly.

If something happened to the Imperial Concubine, it wouldn’t just affect the Ninth Prince.

Empress Zheng calmly sipped her tea, "Du Peifang really is something; she’s from the Du Family, yet she wants to cozy up to an outsider aunt. Fine, take this opportunity to keep some distance between the Crown Prince and Grand Tutor."

By familial relation, the Grand Tutor and the Ninth Prince were kin.

In a life-and-death struggle, who could guarantee that the Du Family wouldn’t betray them?

This time Du Peifang made a mistake, so distancing from the Du Family was completely justified.

There was no need to worry about the officials accusing the Crown Prince of disrespecting his elders.

Previously, when Xie Yunzhen had a falling out with Grand Tutor Du, he was impeached once.

Empress Zheng’s tone turned slightly cold, "You cooperate well, if you fail, whether the Crown Prince will be in trouble, I’m not sure, but you will definitely implicate Xie Yunzhen. He almost lost his rank of scholar for you; if there’s trouble again, his career would truly be ruined."

Ji Mingzhu suddenly looked up, "I ask the Empress for guidance."

Even Empress Zheng was surprised, "He went to Yangzhou twice to see you, delaying his duties. Not only was he scolded on the Golden Throne by civil and military officials, but he was also penalized for three years of salary. You didn’t know about this?"

Ji Mingzhu shook her head.

She didn’t know; Xie Yunzhen hadn’t said anything.

For someone so proud, to be publicly reprimanded...

Ji Mingzhu couldn’t bear to think about such a scenario.

Empress Zheng clicked her tongue, "You are lucky to have met someone so dedicated."