The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 135: The Past

The Crown Prince is the legitimate son of the central palace.

Empress Zheng, as the biological mother, how could she allow others to tarnish her son’s name without reason?

She glanced at the Imperial Concubine with a chilling gaze.

It seemed almost tangible, as if cutting someone into a thousand pieces.

The fierce expression vanished in an instant, replaced by a smiling demeanor.

Looking at Mingzhu, there was a hint of strange affection in her eyes.

"You might not know, but I went to the Women’s Academy with your mother as classmates and friends, before we came of age."

"Just separated by palace walls, later we lost contact. The Crown Prince is a filial child; knowing the friendship between me and your mother, he wanted to find a way for you to come to the palace to chat with me, but feared the vinegar jar in your family might not let you go. Thus, he arranged a position for you. From now on, we can meet often."

There was once a Women’s Academy in the capital.

It taught not only music, chess, calligraphy, and painting but also the six arts of the gentleman.

At its most famous, noble ladies from various places came to study.

Gaining cultivation internally and forging connections externally.

Some families, to send their daughters to the academy, were willing to part with most of their wealth.

However, later when the female headmaster passed away, those who took over the academy accepted bribes and colluded with villains... slowly, the academy went downhill.

Until a minor official’s daughter was abducted by a flower thief at the academy, to protect the academy’s reputation, the headmaster claimed she eloped with a man.

When the truth came to light, the academy’s reputation was completely ruined, and the headmaster’s evil deeds were exposed.

A woman’s purity is of great importance; even when a new headmaster took charge, no one believed they could protect the female students.

High-ranking families stopped sending their daughters to study.

Even those of lower rank were unwilling to spend half their wealth for it.

The once-famous Women’s Academy crumbled.

When Mingzhu needed to study, there wasn’t another Women’s Academy in the capital.

Fortunately, the Ji Family was large and wealthy, hiring a private tutor for her was not difficult.

She studied whatever other noble ladies studied.

She even learned archery and riding, which fewer people studied.

If her mother hadn’t protected her despite illness after her father passed away, she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to study.

Otherwise, she might be blind even if she has her eyes open.

Mingzhu knew her mother attended the Women’s Academy but didn’t expect her to be classmates with the Empress.

If they were truly close, her mother wouldn’t keep silent about it.

Even her aunt didn’t mention it.

Mingzhu sank into deep thought.

Could it be... there was a grudge between her mother and the Empress?

Her speculation was yet to be proven, as she saw Empress Zheng beckoning her.

"Come closer so I can take a good look at you."

Mingzhu bowed before taking small steps forward.

A palace maid placed a cushion for her, and under the Empress’s indication, Mingzhu knelt before her.

Empress Zheng studied her brows and eyes carefully, smiling as she said, "At a distance, you appear graceful and stunning, up close even more extraordinary, with flawless skin, eyes like paintings, no wonder Ah Zhen isn’t interested in anyone else."

Empress Zheng mentioned her friendship with Mingzhu’s mother to clarify the Imperial Concubine’s malicious conjectures.

Now she said Xie Yunzhen isn’t interested in others, clearly slapping the Imperial Concubine’s face.

The matter of Du Peifang’s embarrassment had long spread widely.

As a result, Madam Du hadn’t attended a banquet for quite some time, nor visited the palace.

The Imperial Concubine looked distressed.

Silently cursed Du Peifang for having a pig’s brain.

The Emperor didn’t want courtiers forming cliques, but if she pleaded on behalf, Peifang might really marry Xie Yunzhen.

Even if Xie Yunzhen married Mingzhu first, couldn’t he still abandon a wife and remarry?

Du Peifang was simply foolish, unable to stay calm, thus falling into Princess An He’s trap.

Marrying Duke Xie as a concubine isn’t as beneficial as entering the palace and helping her secure favor!

Foolish.

So foolish!

The Imperial Concubine cursed countless times in her heart, just mentioning Du Peifang left her lacking confidence.

Many present were her rivals.

Unwilling to be ridiculed, the Imperial Concubine gracefully rose, adjusting her hair.

"It seems the Empress wants to reminisce with Madam Xie, I won’t disturb you."

Empress Zheng and the Imperial Concubine had been rivals for half their lives, their verbal sparring just minor battles.

This path was paved with blood, competing over who had the harder heart, whose tactics were superior.

She raised her hand, "Everyone, disperse."

Under orders, the Concubines withdrew one by one.

Only Mingzhu remained in the hall, the atmosphere suddenly felt oppressive.

Mingzhu was determined, but Empress Zheng, having weathered storms in the deep palace for decades, made Mingzhu’s resolve seem insufficient.

"Are you afraid of me?"

Compared to her earlier cheerful demeanor, Empress Zheng’s voice now felt much calmer.

Mingzhu affirmed.

Her mother had no lasting affection with the Empress.

Slightly lowering her head, Mingzhu respectfully replied, "It’s my first time in the palace, fortunately summoned by you, naturally there’s some nervousness in my heart."

Empress Zheng raised her eyelids, "You’re quite honest."

Smoothing her wide sleeves, Empress Zheng stood up.

Looking down at Mingzhu, "Honest words are spoken openly; I won’t beat around the bush with you."

Mingzhu nodded, "It’s my honor if I can alleviate your troubles."

Empress Zheng regarded her, clicking her tongue, "General Ji was straightforward, always rigid in speech and actions. Didn’t expect his daughter to have such a sweet tongue. Your mother indeed deserves credit."

Mingzhu’s gaze slightly shifted.

Unclear why the Empress now brought up her father’s matter.

Following the principle of fewer words means fewer mistakes, Mingzhu didn’t speak, waiting for the Empress’s next words.

Empress Zheng, observing Mingzhu’s docile and cautious demeanor, felt inexplicably irritated.

How could someone as upright as General Ji have such a complacent child?

Coldly she said, "For this Dragon Boat Festival banquet, follow my arrangements."

What ought to come has arrived.

Mingzhu silently sighed in her heart.

When gods fight, it’s the little devils that suffer.

Couldn’t they solve their family matters behind closed doors?

"Why, are you unwilling?"

Empress Zheng’s tone was full of authority, Mingzhu’s breath halted for a moment.

Honestly, "I understand your intentions. It’s not unwillingness but wondering how to explain to His Highness. If I don’t act according to His Highness’s wishes, will it affect Ah Zhen’s relationship with him?"

Pausing, she continued, "You’re likely aware of my situation in the Duke Mansion. Without Ah Zhen’s protection, I’m alone, unable to progress even a step."

"I’m somewhat worried, if Ah Zhen considers me useless and becomes angry at me, those people in the mansion might seize the opportunity to make things worse, cutting off my livelihood."

The statement was half-true, yet Mingzhu’s attitude appeared earnestly genuine.

Empress Zheng, having lived most of her life, never witnessed someone behaving like this.

Her expression was a bit rigid, as if pressing down her emotions without release.

"You think I’m a wicked mother-in-law harassing my daughter-in-law?"

"Absolutely not my intention."

Empress Zheng snorted, "You and Ms. Xu are both young daughters-in-law; wanting to ally against mother-in-law types, I can understand."

"It’s not my deliberate intention to make difficulties; actually, her status is too low, the position of Crown Princess Consort in the Eastern Palace remains undecided, and the positions of two concubines... Ms. Xu occupies one, being a civilian girl. Among those willing to offer assistance to the Crown Prince, who would be willing to stand equally with her?"

Mingzhu couldn’t understand why the Empress explained so much to her.

But she grasped the underlying meaning.

The Empress intended to make Consort Xu commit a mistake, take the chance to penalize her, and lower her rank.

This way, the concubine position opens up, allowing two noble ladies to rise.

Neither does it offend the noble ladies nor does it add strength to the Crown Prince.

Regarding court matters, Mingzhu was somewhat knowledgeable but lacked full understanding.

She didn’t desire involvement.

Yet all sorts of people and events pushed her toward the whirlpool.

Since retreat wasn’t an option, it was better to face it calmly.

Mingzhu performed a bow.

"Thunder and rain alike are kindness from the ruler; His Highness, being the nation’s Crown Prince, whatever the royal family bestows upon the concubine’s position, subjects should be grateful without objection. Where’s the room for picky reasoning?"

Moreover, the supreme ruler isn’t necessarily willing to see his successor’s power grow too strong.

With Consort Xu’s presence, it might be reassuring.

Mingzhu didn’t articulate this thought.

Fearing that one misspoken word might invite disaster.

Empress Zheng stared steadily at Mingzhu without uttering a word; the air seemed frozen.

After a long while, a soft laugh reached Mingzhu’s ears.

"You and he indeed share some similarities."