The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 171: Foxes of a Thousand Years

Upon learning that Du Peifang had been wronged, Mrs. Du went to seek justice the next day.

This was the first visit from the Du Family elders after Du Peifang married into the Duke Mansion.

Ji Mingzhu was out handling errands and happened to run into the visitor at the mansion gate.

"Your Duke Mansion is doing too much bullying. Our Du Family is not completely extinct. How dare you humiliate Pei Fang like this? Are you planning to tear all ties with the Du Family!"

Seeing Ji Mingzhu, Mrs. Du couldn’t control her anger and started scolding her.

"Your Duke Mansion is full of thieves and bandits, causing all sorts of trouble for others. My Pei Fang is truly unlucky to have entered this den of wolves!"

After all, she was her biological daughter, and even if Du Peifang had caused significant trouble, now that things were set in stone, Mrs. Du did not want to blame her for anything.

If she doesn’t support her daughter, sooner or later Pei Fang will be consumed by the demons and ghosts of the Duke Mansion with nothing left!

Stared down by Mrs. Du’s anger, Ji Mingzhu showed a calm face.

Although Yuan Changan survived, the fact remains he brushed death’s door.

And all of this stemmed from Du Peifang’s selfishness.

Including the later alliance between Du Peifang and the Princess to swap marriages, only to reap what she sowed.

Now Du Peifang wanting to ally with Duke Xie is undoubtedly declaring war against the Princess.

All these actions were initiated by Du Peifang, what do they have to do with anyone else?

Originally, Ji Mingzhu was contemplating whether she should give up the idea of a relentless fight against Du Peifang.

After all, Yuan Changan was still alive.

Seeing Mrs. Du’s antics now, she finally understood that being soft on enemies was being cruel to oneself.

"The world has truly changed. Those committing evil are not even keeping a low profile and dare run to the victims claiming grievance. Do they think honest people are easy to bully?"

Ji Mingzhu stood on the steps.

Compared to other women, she was tall.

At the moment, she wore a high bun, adding to her imposing presence.

Mrs. Du slowly ascended the steps, barely managing to level her gaze with Ji Mingzhu.

"You really are a sharp-tongued girl. No wonder the Princess doesn’t like you. As soon as you speak, you make people disgusted!"

The ridicule in Ji Mingzhu’s eyes deepened, "If you’re so eager for the Princess’s approval, you should advise Du Peifang to listen well to the Princess’s words and not let down the Lady’s earnest intentions."

Mrs. Du’s expression changed slightly.

When did she ever seek recognition from Princess An He?

She was here to seek justice for her daughter.

Not to beg Princess An He!

Her chest heaved twice, heavily releasing a breath of frustration.

Mrs. Du’s eyes held a threatening glint, "Do you think because the Imperial Concubine is in trouble, the Du Family will also be implicated?"

"Or do you think Xie Yunzhen’s close relationship with His Highness will ensure your prosperity forever?"

"Don’t forget that Peifang’s father is the Crown Prince’s teacher. When it comes down to making choices, who do you think the Crown Prince would choose?"

Three consecutive questions, each more imposing than the last.

This was the most amusing joke Ji Mingzhu had heard this year.

The mockery in her eyes faded, replaced by a gentle smile.

Her tone was sarcastic, "The Crown Prince is the heir; he shouldn’t need to make choices, right?"

If anyone annoys him, wouldn’t he just find a way to remove obstacles?

Only ministers speculate on the emperor’s thoughts.

If the reverse happens...it only indicates the position isn’t stable!

And asking His Highness to choose is, in essence, making things difficult for him.

Would someone with his character allow others to make things difficult for him?

Mrs. Du’s expression showed a hint of embarrassment for a moment.

Others would have panicked hearing such words, but Ji Mingzhu, as a young wife, was surprisingly challenging to deal with.

After the embarrassment came anger.

No wonder Peifang returned from Yangzhou angry and didn’t eat for days.

This damned girl quickly latches onto others’ words and waves the banner, making it impossible to refute.

Given Princess An He’s unruly temperament, she must have suffered plenty at Ji Mingzhu’s hands.

With someone like her in the Duke Mansion, how could Peifang ever have a good life?

Mrs. Du did not wish to engage in a verbal spat with Ji Mingzhu any longer.

She hadn’t yet avenged her daughter, and if she lost the argument now, how would she have energy to confront Princess An He later?

In a somber tone, she said, "We Du Family remember how you and Xie Yun Zhen bullied Peifang. As someone who’s been through similar things, let me advise you: leave room for maneuvering, so you can meet again one day."

Ji Mingzhu exposed a shallow dimple on her cheek.

"There’s no need for Mrs. Du to worry about how we conduct ourselves as a couple. I also have something I want to tell you."

To tell...

Mrs. Du was genuinely amused by Ji Mingzhu’s audacity.

During her youth she was a noble lady, later joined the Du Family, and although she was a second wife, her husband had her appointed with an honorific title, and she never lowered her head among other wives.

Ji Mingzhu was the first young wife who dared speak to her like this!

"I really don’t know how your parents and Mrs. Guan taught you, speaking so recklessly with no manners. Even with that, Xie Yun Zhen still treasures you."

Ji Mingzhu did not get angry, "With how awful I am, and still regarded as a treasure, those without anyone’s love might be utterly terrible, rotten to the core!"

"Ji Mingzhu, you..."

Ji Mingzhu interrupted Mrs. Du, "You advised leaving room to meet again...if others didn’t leave you room, perhaps you should reflect whether you’ve not acted virtuously in your daily life."

Mrs. Du paused for a moment. As she mulled over the words, Ji Mingzhu had already boarded the carriage at the mansion gate.

To her attendant, she said angrily: "Saying I haven’t acted virtuously, why didn’t she say it was her and Xie Yun Zhen being heartless and trying to destroy others utterly!"

The attendant advised, "She’s not important. Don’t take it seriously, lest you ruin your health and let the villain rejoice."

Mrs. Du’s eyes reddened, tears welling up.

"Whenever I think of Peifang dealing with these demons daily, my heart feels like it’s being cut by a knife. That child is naïve; how can she outsmart them?"

The attendant took a handkerchief to wipe Mrs. Du’s tears.

"Our battle hasn’t started yet. We mustn’t show fear; otherwise, they’ll think the Du Family is easy to bully, and our daughter would truly have no chance to rise."

Mrs. Du took the handkerchief, quickly wiping the corners of her eyes.

"I refuse to believe it; do they really ignore the face of the Du Family? If none of them are released today, nor any apology is made to me, I shall file a complaint to the Emperor, and include Xie Yun Zhen, that traitor who disrespects his teachers too!"

"Madam, lower your voice. Don’t let Xie’s family’s spies hear you."

Mrs. Du not only didn’t silence her voice, but raised her tone.

"If they dare, let them bully me too. I’m an Imperial-appointed first-grade lady; who dare touch me? This time, I absolutely won’t compromise!"

The carriage gradually moved away.

Gold said: "Leaving room for maneuvering, that actually makes sense, madam. In the future, don’t entangle with them, for I fear you’d suffer."

Ji Mingzhu sat perched on the soft seat, solely focused on the negotiations later to buy back the General Mansion.

Casually responding with an "Mm".

Gold thought she had listened, ready to breathe a sigh of relief.

Then she saw Ji Mingzhu’s lips move, spitting out, "A thousand-year-old fox still trying to fool people."

Gold: "..."