The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 156: Guilt

The banquet was halfway through.

The flower contest was in full swing.

The Empress offered a prize: the final winner could win a golden phoenix crown.

This was a great honor.

Moreover, showing oneself in front of the Empress greatly increased the chances of being chosen as a Prince Consort.

With favorable conditions, being chosen as the Crown Princess Consort was not impossible either.

To showcase themselves, the noble ladies put in all their efforts.

Madam Du also brought an age-appropriate girl to the banquet, a concubine’s daughter from the family, who previously wasn’t qualified to attend such occasions.

Now, with both legitimate daughters falling into disgrace, the concubine’s daughter had the chance to stand out.

At this moment, she was brought by Madam Du to respond to the Imperial Concubine.

The banquet scene was lively and bustling.

For a moment, no one paid attention to Ji Mingzhu.

Except for Xie Yunzhen, sitting across the lake at the men’s table.

Knowing that today was not peaceful, Ji Mingzhu dared not relax, fearing that the Imperial Concubine might make a sudden move.

A string in her mind was tightly strung.

Even confrontations within the inner residence were full of hidden dangers.

Moreover, this was the deep palace, entangled with power struggles.

One careless move could lead to rivers of blood.

Having died once, Ji Mingzhu deeply understood the difficulty of surviving, and despite her calm demeanor, her heart wasn’t without a trace of fear. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

She glanced distantly at Xie Yunzhen, and the tense string in her mind finally relaxed a bit.

She had to admit, this lifetime’s Xie Yunzhen indeed provided her with enough sense of security.

Although Ji Mingzhu’s expression wasn’t clear, being glanced at by her made Xie Yunzhen’s heart leap with joy.

He heard that during the Dragon Boat Festival, people would gift colorful strings to the girl they liked, tying them on the wrist for peace.

Since he had nothing else to do, he asked for materials to be sent to him and started crafting personally.

The ends of the colorful string could be tied with a few small golden bells.

This way, he could always pay attention to Mingzhu’s movements.

With a smile on his lips, he imagined what Mingzhu would look like wearing it.

Her fair and delicate skin, slender wrists, this would surely suit her!

The Crown Prince had left the palace with His Majesty, leaving only a few Princes and members of the Imperial Family at the table.

The Empress arranged for them to choose wives, letting them take a look in person.

All attention was originally on the opposite side, until Xie Yunzhen began braiding the colorful string.

A man handling such a thing was quite an eyesore.

A playboy from the Imperial Family asked, "Lord Vice Minister, which lady is this for?"

Xie Yunzhen paused, glancing coolly at the speaker, "What do you think?"

"Surely not for your wife at home, since she’s already married, there’s no need to make such trinkets by hand to please her."

Xie Yunzhen’s gaze seemed to regard him as a fool.

"The treasure finally married home must be treasured, or else are you waiting to be abandoned?"

The words "abandoned" and "neglected" coming from Xie Yunzhen’s mouth had a remarkably powerful impact.

The table fell silent.

Everyone knew who the treasure he spoke of was.

Although Ji Mingzhu had a captivating appearance, she had no backing; was there really a need to be so tense?

She couldn’t run away!

And with so many beautiful faces around, as long as Xie Yunzhen was willing, finding another beauty wouldn’t be hard, would it?

Everyone’s eyes unconsciously fell on Ji Mingzhu.

Could it be that apart from beauty, she possessed some other extraordinary trait?

Otherwise, how could she capture Xie Yunzhen’s every thought?

Even though she was already married, he still feared being abandoned by Ji Mingzhu!

Ji Mingzhu was particularly sensitive to such scrutiny.

She was a bit puzzled.

Had Xie Yunzhen said something for those Princes to look at her like that?

Uncomfortably, she adjusted her bracelet.

Just as she was about to drink some tea to steady herself, the Imperial Concubine’s gaze swept over.

Ji Mingzhu dismissed the idea.

Reciting silently to herself: Be careful.

The banquet continued.

Sitting not far away, Consort Xu suddenly approached Ji Mingzhu.

In a low voice, she said: "My monthly time came, and my abdomen hurts badly. Could you help me to the nearby palace hall to rest and change clothes?"

To suddenly leave the seat, Ji Mingzhu felt a jolt inside.

An incredible thought popped into her head.

But the Crown Prince had told her that Consort Xu was his savior and that she should cooperate fully with Consort Xu.

Consort Xu and the Imperial Concubine... no matter how she thought about it, they shouldn’t be on the same side.

She tightened her grip on the handkerchief.

Finally, Ji Mingzhu stood up and supported Consort Xu.

"Is it serious? Would you like me to get an Imperial Physician for you?"

In just a moment, Consort Xu’s complexion had paled significantly.

She shook her head, "I myself am a physician; I know what’s happening."

Her grip on Ji Mingzhu’s hand tightened, "I didn’t prepare any menstrual cloths. If I delay any longer, it might become inappropriate behavior, and if the Empress blames me, I cannot bear it."

Tears welled up in Consort Xu’s eyes, full of pleading.

"His Highness instructed me. You’re the only one I can trust."

Ji Mingzhu instinctively looked at Xie Yunzhen.

He was also looking at her.

No longer hesitating, Ji Mingzhu supported Consort Xu to quietly leave the table.

Nearby was a palace hall specially prepared for banquet guests to handle emergencies.

Ji Mingzhu helped Consort Xu into the inner hall and noticed a bloodstain seeping through the back of her skirt.

It was really her time of the month.

The unsettling thought almost entirely dissipated.

Quickly, she ordered the palace maid to fetch water and prepare menstrual cloths and a change of clothes.

Consort Xu looked apologetic, "I didn’t expect my monthly time to come, and I wasn’t prepared with a change of clothes. It’s quite a distance from here to the Eastern Palace, returning and coming back would take considerable time. Could you stay with me? I’m afraid someone might suddenly break in."

She glanced outside, lowered her voice, and said mysteriously, "His Highness said something would happen today and that I should stick close to you."

Ji Mingzhu’s long lashes slightly moved, questioning if she was overthinking?

Clearing her throat, she said, "I’ll stand outside and keep watch."

Consort Xu bit her lip and finally agreed.

"If anything happens, I’ll call for you."

Ji Mingzhu discreetly sighed in relief, covering Consort Xu’s abdomen with a quilt, "During your monthly time, keep warm, or the abdominal pain will worsen."

Leaning over drew Ji Mingzhu and Consort Xu closer.

A strange fragrance hit her nose.

Before Ji Mingzhu could think, she collapsed softly beside the bed.

Simultaneously, she lost consciousness.

Xie Yunzhen’s tears finally fell, whispering, "I’m sorry."

She didn’t know what the Imperial Concubine had arranged next, only that her task was complete.

Perhaps the Imperial Concubine would send a man in.

To ruin Ji Mingzhu’s reputation and give vent to the woman named Du Peifang.

Or perhaps do something else to Ji Mingzhu.

In any case, Ji Mingzhu was doomed to disgrace.

Xu He felt guilt, but she had no choice.

She didn’t want the Eastern Palace to have a Crown Princess Consort.

The Imperial Concubine spoke the truth: she had no power or influence, and a future Crown Princess Consort wouldn’t tolerate her.

Those aspiring to be concubines would also see her as a thorn in the side.

She had to quickly bear a child to secure her position.

Ruining today’s bride selection banquet was her only way to buy time.

She moved Ji Mingzhu onto the bed and covered her with a quilt.

Then lit incense.

Finally glancing at Ji Mingzhu, Xu He followed the instructions given and found the entrance to a secret passage.

She knew someone was secretly following Ji Mingzhu, and leaving through the secret passage was the only way not to alert them.