The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 131: The Crown Prince Favors Ji Mingzhu

Chapter 131: Chapter 131: The Crown Prince Favors Ji Mingzhu

Xie Yunzhen was once again irrationally jealous, but Ji Mingzhu didn’t feel flattered, instead she was awkwardly looking for a hole to hide in.

She wasn’t anything special, and the Crown Prince had surely seen countless girls; why would he compete with him?

Out of sight from others, she pinched Xie Yunzhen’s waist.

A warning: calm down!

An itched sensation ran sharply from his tailbone.

Xie Yunzhen’s eyes darkened, a tingling sensation ran through his scalp.

Alas, they were outdoors, otherwise...

He precisely grasped her slender wrist, feeling the smooth and delicate skin.

A fragrant picture appeared in his mind.

Not wanting to be discovered, Xie Yunzhen stayed silent and refrained from acting out.

Ji Mingzhu curtsied slightly and asked, "Your Highness, is there something you wish to instruct?"

The Crown Prince observed their silent exchange and suddenly felt envious of Xie Yunzhen.

Though he had suffered earlier, he ended up marrying his beloved.

The way they interacted wasn’t as bad as imagined.

Beneath the awkward facade, there was a harmonious understanding.

Though they seemed indifferent, their relationship was much more flavorful than many seemingly perfect couples.

He gazed at Ji Mingzhu’s long, pale fingers.

She wasn’t a lively or flamboyant girl, yet she always showed a girlish demeanor in front of Xie Yunzhen.

Perhaps even she hadn’t realized that, deep down, Xie Yunzhen was special to her.

In contrast to his situation in the Eastern Palace, where he didn’t have a woman to truly confide in, only act out social niceties.

The Crown Prince grew even more envious of Xie Yunzhen.

The thoughts quickly passed.

Ji Mingzhu’s words snapped the Crown Prince back to reality.

Clearing his throat, he seriously said, "In two months, it will be the Dragon Boat Festival, and the palace will host a banquet inviting court ministers and their families. Mother has entrusted the responsibility of organizing the Dragon Boat banquet to my consort..."

At this point, the Crown Prince paused.

He explained to Ji Mingzhu, "Consort Xu is a paramedic I brought back from the countryside, she saved my life once."

Ji Mingzhu understood, she’d heard about the Crown Prince and Consort Xu before leaving Yangzhou.

The world praised the Crown Prince for his gratitude and virtuousness.

She nodded, displaying an appearance of attentive listening.

The Crown Prince continued, "Xu grew up in the rural areas, she’s unlikely to manage the Dragon Boat banquet well. But now that Mother insisted on entrusting this to Xu, I’m worried she might mess up, so I wanted to find her some help. After consideration, I believe you’re the most suitable, Mrs. Ji, would you help me with this?"

The person before her is the Crown Prince.

Since he asked, ordinary people wouldn’t have the right to refuse.

Ji Mingzhu had no dealings with the Empress, nor did she know what kind of person Consort Xu was.

Thinking about her own interaction with Princess An He, she couldn’t help but suspect the Empress was setting up Xu for a fall.

The Commandery Princess carefully chose daughters from prestigious families for her son’s wife.

Much less would the mother of a nation do so.

While a concubine is not the main wife, she is still in the royal jade registry.

If Xu were merely a lesser concubine, perhaps the Empress would overlook certain issues.

Ji Mingzhu couldn’t be sure if she was being petty, suspecting the Empress of malicious intent.

But if the Empress truly wanted to groom Xu, she could easily assign her adequate staff to prevent mistakes.

Now, it seemed more like she was putting Xu down.

In-law relationships have been fraught since ancient times, Ji Mingzhu couldn’t guarantee her own serenity, much less want to meddle in others’ affairs.

In her mind, she pondered ways to phrase a refusal.

How to decline without disrespecting the Crown Prince.

Before she could speak, Xie Yunzhen refused on her behalf.

"Thank you for the honor, Your Highness, but Mingzhu has never organized a banquet; should something go wrong, wouldn’t it implicate Consort Xu?"

Ji Mingzhu was an orphan of a general’s family, she had learned the skills of managing a household and organizing banquets.

But it was all theoretical.

The palace depths were profound, and Xie Yunzhen wasn’t willing for Mingzhu to have much interaction with those inside.

The Crown Prince understood his concern.

"I’ll bear whatever happens, Ah Zhen, this is a great chance for Mrs. Ji to gain visibility; as her legitimate wife, you can’t keep her hidden away forever."

Ji Mingzhu wasn’t favored in the Duke Mansion, neither the matriarch nor the Commandery Princess considered introducing her to the noblewomen circle.

At such a position, social engagements were essential; trying to live privately was impossible.

The elders of the Xie family not taking Ji Mingzhu under their wing was undoubtedly sending a message to outsiders: they did not accept Ji Mingzhu.

In future outings, she might be snubbed by those with poor judgment.

Having Ji Mingzhu manage the Dragon Boat banquet, regardless of the outcome, would let the entire capital know, Xie Yunzhen’s wife is Ji Mingzhu.

The Royal Family supports this marriage.

"Of course, I have my motives, Xu saved my life; since I brought her into the Eastern Palace, I can’t let the elders hassle her."

"Other noblewomen are either arrogant, unwilling to associate with a common woman, or unfit for close interaction. Ah Zhen and I are as kin; having his wife stand in support means no errors could be pointed out."

The Crown Prince once more turned to Ji Mingzhu, "Mrs. Ji, will you help me with this favor?"

Distinctions between ruler and subject.

Xie Yunzhen had already refused once on her behalf; to reject again would show ignorance.

Ji Mingzhu curtsied, "True obedience is better than polite refusal; I thank Your Highness for the appreciation."

The Crown Prince laughed heartily, "Ah Zhen, your wife is much more straightforward than you are, splendid!"

Ji Mingzhu being praised, Xie Yunzhen displayed a proud expression, smiling uncontrollably.

Yet upon realizing the words came from the Crown Prince, the smile faded.

"Your Highness has many concubines and lesser wives in your palace, quite bustling with not a single bad rumor. I previously wondered why your women never sulk or stir trouble; now I see you excel at praising, balancing their relations. I must learn from you to please my wife, have her cherish me more."

The Crown Prince clicked his tongue; not only did this chap flaunt his marital harmony, he exposed his secrets.

If Ji Mingzhu weren’t married, he might’ve started having thoughts about her.

Wouldn’t this statement push her away? 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

He said, in a ghostly tone, "Lord Vice Minister, if you wish, I could present you with a few beauties, your courtyard would liven up and pleasing girls... becomes mere habit?"

Xie Yunzhen’s eyelids twitched.

Feeling he’d dug himself a hole.

Holding Ji Mingzhu’s hand, he blandly asked, "Your Highness wishes to break us apart?"

The Crown Prince choked; that wasn’t his intention.

Xie Yunzhen said in a ghostly tone, "It’s better to dismantle a temple than a marriage; surely Your Highness understands?"

Ji Mingzhu used her nails to pinch the back of his hand.

The Crown Prince is the heir; if he wants trouble, can he avoid pulling her down too?

"Don’t worry, His Highness is generous and won’t hold it against us."

The Crown Prince shook his head helplessly, "Talk more on the boat; the spectacle is about to begin."

Xie Yunzhen wished for Mingzhu to fully enjoy herself.

He rented her and Yun Ling a separate boat, complete with refreshments.

"I’ll be back shortly, at most a quarter of an hour."

Ji Mingzhu was eager for his departure.

She didn’t wish to engage with court officials.