The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 113: Sowing Discord

Gold has been staying in the Duke Mansion longer than Ji Mingzhu, and is well aware of how troublesome the Commandery Princess can be.

Disregardful, tyrannical, and unreasonable.

Now, taking advantage of the Young Master’s absence from the mansion, she summons the Madam to the main courtyard, hinting at some mischief brewing.

But living in the Duke Mansion, wanting to completely avoid her is impossible.

Ji Mingzhu instructed Gold, "Go and deliver the food to Aunt and Yun Ling. I’ll join them for a meal next time when I’m free."

Under her calm gaze, Gold hesitated, "Then I’ll come to the main courtyard to find you later."

"Alright."

Ji Mingzhu followed Princess An He’s entourage to the main courtyard.

Having been ill for several days, the Princess’s spirit was considerably diminished, dressed in plain clothes, her hair loose and unkempt.

Leaning on the beauty couch, weak and powerless, it seemed her body hadn’t fully recovered.

Ji Mingzhu raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering in her eyes.

Based on her understanding of Princess An He, no matter how severe the illness, she would never expose her vulnerable side before an "enemy."

That’s the Princess’s pride and armor.

Yet here she was, letting down her guard, presumably... to enlist her help against Du Peifang.

Du Peifang has the Grand Tutor Mansion behind her, as well as the Noble Consort in the palace.

If the Commandery Princess were to act personally, she would inevitably make enemies with those individuals.

Although the current situation is not much better.

Others marry for familial harmony, but the Duke Mansion and the Grand Tutor Mansion’s union is fraught with enmity.

If it weren’t for Xu Zhou’s interference, the families would likely have turned hostile.

Watching the sandpiper and clam fight is truly a smart idea.

Rarely in sync with the Commandery Princess, Ji Mingzhu’s lips curved slightly, a subtle smile appearing on her face.

Who wouldn’t want to benefit from the fisherman’s gain?

Bowing slightly, she asked with concern, "Commandery Princess, is your health improving?"

Princess An He lifted her chin slightly, whether adorned with luxurious clothes and jewels or not, her pride did not diminish in the least.

She intends to use indirect means, temporarily aligning with Ji Mingzhu.

But this doesn’t mean she would simply lower her stance.

If it weren’t for Du Peifang having backing, involving court disputes, and having been subtly warned by the Emperor, Ji Mingzhu wouldn’t have the qualification to be used as a tool.

Princess An He propped her forehead with her hand, her lids lifting to reveal a sharper attitude.

"Even though I don’t want to recognize you as my daughter-in-law, you and Ah Zhen are already married, the situation is as it is, I can’t exactly ask him to stop his wife and marry another, otherwise people would think I’m a malicious mother-in-law, unable to tolerate an orphaned girl with no support."

Ji Mingzhu said nothing, maintaining a posture of attentive listening.

Princess An He glanced at her briefly and continued, "The daily morning and evening greetings are basic rules, if you can’t even manage this little thing, I seriously doubt if you can be a good wife for Ah Zhen."

Seeing Ji Mingzhu still with a composed demeanor, away from the expected panic, Princess An Ho’s heart was ignited with an unexplainable anger.

She loathed Ji Mingzhu’s aloof attitude.

Clearly having nothing, yet her arrogance was repugnant.

Who was giving her this courage!

In a cold voice, she said, "Ah Zhen is the heir of the Duke Mansion. If you cannot fulfill the duty of being his wife, you’d better request to step down early."

Ji Mingzhu chuckled lightly, a shallow dimple appearing beside her cheek.

"It’s not that I don’t wish to come and pay respects, but that the Young Master doesn’t permit."

Princess An He’s face darkened, "You’re stirring conflict between us, Ji Mingzhu, how dare you!"

Innocence filled Ji Mingzhu’s eyes, "The Young Master knows you don’t favor me, and since you’re ill, he doesn’t want me to anger you, it’s out of filial piety, isn’t there a misunderstanding? I was praising your close relationship with him, how did it become sowing discord?"

Unable to refute her, Princess An He’s expression turned even uglier, as if she had swallowed a fly.

Previously, though Ji Mingzhu was unlikable, she never responded snidely.

Now having backers, she couldn’t see whether she had the qualifications!

"Whether there’s discord, I am well aware, you needn’t use Ah Zhen as a shield."

Ji Mingzhu nodded, "As you say."

Like punching cotton, Princess An He felt extremely aggrieved inside.

Gnashing her teeth, she thought, once Du Peifang is dealt with, she’ll deal with Ji Mingzhu.

Once the mansion is cleared out, then she’ll marry Ah Zhen to a suitable bride.

Men are all prone to novelty, with a father like that, Ah Zhen couldn’t possibly be romantic.

Before, not obtaining Ji Mingzhu caused him to long for her, even if it meant causing chaos to marry her.

Now he’s fulfilled his wish, any deep obsession will vanish in two or three years.

By then, whether Ji Mingzhu’s dead or alive won’t affect her bond with Ah Zhen.

"From now on, come to the main courtyard daily at the hour of Mao to receive instructions. Whatever I tell you to do, you must do. If you perform well, I will grant you some authority over the household."

Want the horse to run? You must feed it grass.

Ji Mingzhu has neither connections nor foundation in the Duke Mansion, battling Du Peifang could take an eternity?

Princess An He is willing to lend her a touch of assistance.

But the premise is Ji Mingzhu must be obedient.

In the past life, until dying from difficult childbirth, Ji Mingzhu never touched authority over the Duke Mansion.

Even the personnel in the courtyard were under Xie Yunzhen’s control.

Now, it’s truly reversed.

Xie Yunzhen has handed everything in the courtyard to her management, even Princess An He is willing to relinquish some power.

Ji Mingzhu snorted lightly, "At the hour of Mao, the Young Master is leaving, I must attend to him."

Having dealt with the dynamic between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in a previous life, Ji Mingzhu discerned the way to coexist.

No matter the issue, divert it onto Xie Yunzhen.

Though powers to manage the household are good, they’re currently of no benefit to her.

She has no foundation in the Duke Mansion, holding household authority is merely an empty title.

For any mishap, she’d take the blame.

Benefits wouldn’t fall upon her.

The effort would be wasteful, and might provide opportunities for others to criticize and plot against.

If the timing is suitable, she might accept.

However, proactively pursuing is unwise now.

Otherwise, given Princess An He’s nature, she would surely find ways to manipulate her.

Reflecting on her compromise in the past life, Ji Mingzhu felt ashamed to remember.

Avoiding Xie Yunzhen’s displeasure, she dared not complain despite injustices.

Only once did Princess An He punish her to stand for two hours.

Pregnant and physically strained, she failed to endure.

Afterward, she couldn’t help but complain to Xie Yunzhen, blaming his lack of mediation between them.

However, Xie Yunzhen didn’t take it to heart.

Now recalling, Ji Mingzhu’s eyes slightly stung, her mind somewhat bewildered.

A person so derisive and cold, would he ever love her?

Princess An He glanced sideways at Ji Mingzhu, "I heard you only rise after Ah Zhen leaves, is this what you call attending to him?"

Ji Mingzhu replied, "Then tomorrow I shall rise earlier."

Princess An He almost fainted with anger, pressing her temple.

"Aunt Du has been in the mansion for some time. During my illness, I forgot to inform her of the household rules."

Ask the matron to bring a tray, on top rested a pair of jade carved dolls.

"Run this errand to Aunt Du’s courtyard, deliver this to her, and inform that she should come to the main courtyard tomorrow to offer tea as a concubine."