The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 167: Ji Mingzhu, She’s Gone Mad!

Princess An He hadn’t seen her son for a long time and was deeply concerned.

Upon hearing that he had returned to the mansion, she asked someone to invite him and Ji Mingzhu to the main courtyard to talk.

Unfortunately, they were a step too late.

Xie Yunzhen had already left the mansion to attend to some matters.

Seeing Ji Mingzhu come alone, Princess An He asked persistently, "Where is Ah Zhen?"

"He went out to work."

Princess An He sneered, "Indeed, when one has a wife, they forget their mother; there’s time to fuss in the kitchen but no time to greet elders!"

Since Xie Yunzhen had expressed that they could move out, Ji Mingzhu felt much calmer seeing Princess An He again.

She pretended not to hear the grievance in the princess’s words.

She said, "Regarding the matter in the palace that day, you were a witness. Now the Emperor is determined to protect Noble Consort. If that one knows that Noble Consort lost her honor, the whole circle of nobles knows it already. Tell me, who will the Emperor suspect of spreading the rumors?"

Princess An He’s attention was successfully diverted.

"I didn’t spread this matter."

"It doesn’t matter whether you spread it or not. There were only a few people present at the time. If the Emperor wants to investigate, it would actually be quite easy."

Ordinary people value their reputation, let alone the supreme ruler.

Apart from the Noble Consort’s lineage, the Emperor is likely the person most unwilling for the matter to be spread.

Princess An He’s face darkened, "Are you threatening me?"

"How could that be?"

Ji Mingzhu shook her head, "Since entering the Duke Mansion, we are like ants on the same string. What good does it do to threaten you with this matter for me?"

Princess An He gave her a cold look, "What exactly are you trying to say? Don’t circle around with me."

Ji Mingzhu sat upright in the chair, nodding slightly, appearing completely non-threatening.

She seemed no different from an obedient, gentle newlywed, but having suffered in her hands, Princess An He no longer underestimated Ji Mingzhu.

If she pretends, thinking she is a docile pet without temper, that would be a colossal mistake!

Being watched with wary eyes, Ji Mingzhu sighed.

"You are Ah Zhen’s mother; blood is thicker than water, surely hoping he will have everything good while I am his wife; husband and wife share glory and disgrace. Naturally, I also wish for his bright future."

It was as if she heard something unbelievable.

Princess An He pinched her ear, doubting she heard wrong.

Her eyes filled with inquiry, "Weren’t you always hoping for Ah Zhen’s misfortune so you could stay loyal to Yuan Changan?"

Ji Mingzhu fiddled with the colorful cord on her wrist, "I have considered his misfortune, but I never intended to drag myself into it. What good does his misfortune do for me?"

Princess An He’s face was dark and gloomy.

Her son, a noble character with a dignified appearance, is the finest young man in the capital.

Ji Mingzhu gained advantage but doesn’t know gratitude.

Truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

A heartless woman!

"You admit to being bad to my son; are you not afraid I will punish you?"

Thinking of something, Princess An He snorted.

"Even if you gained the Empress’s favor, her reach cannot extend too far. If this princess wants to punish you, it is as easy as flipping her palm!"

Ji Mingzhu’s lips curled slightly, "Then you may not know, your son has assigned Hidden Guards to me. Unless I willingly accept punishment, it seems like it’s not so easy for you to punish me."

This was unknown to Princess An He.

Ji Mingzhu wasn’t a significant figure; her activities were limited to the Duke Mansion.

If she truly needed to leave, she could take the mansion’s guards.

But Ah Zhen arranged Hidden Guards for her—who exactly is he guarding against?

Princess An He’s chest heaved violently, and her breathing became heavy.

This was the reaction only when someone was extremely angry.

She gripped the armrest tightly, keeping herself composed.

"Are you showing off?"

Ji Mingzhu shook her head, "You are his mother; I am his wife. Different identities, what am I showing off to you?"

"Then what do you mean by telling me these things?"

Ji Mingzhu spoke frankly, "If it was before, I wouldn’t have come to the main courtyard to listen to these useless words from you, nor did I intend to deliberately annoy you. The best state between us is for each to mind their own business."

"Since I’ve come, then let’s put everything on the table. I know you look down on me, think I am a poor noble not fit for the immensely powerful Xie Yunzhen. I haven’t hoped for you to change your view of me, but there is one thing I want to clarify."

"Although the Ji Family has fallen, my father sacrificed his life for the country and was a hero standing upright. We haven’t done anything against conscience; even if prosperity is gone, we shouldn’t be ridiculed without reason. The stability and wealth you enjoy may have some contribution from my father’s bloodshed!"

"I don’t have a powerful natal family to bring support to Xie Yunzhen. You feel your son has suffered a loss, but I don’t think so. Other noble ladies may learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; I do too. They learn household management and accounting; I also do. In being a wife, I am no worse than anyone else."

"Power is double-edged; sometimes support can turn into a knife against oneself. In the future, perhaps you should look more at the good sides of having me as a daughter-in-law and stop focusing on trivial matters. After all, your dissatisfaction with me changes nothing; it’s better to open your mind."

Princess An He listened in astonishment.

She’s always been the one to chastise.

Yet now someone straightens her out with a lecture, expecting her to accept a worthless daughter-in-law.

Ji Mingzhu, she truly is crazy!

With a cold laugh, she said, "You’ve brought so much trouble to Ah Zhen; do you think I’m blind that I can’t see it? If so, why should I go out of my way to think about the benefits of marrying you? Isn’t that self-deception?"

Ji Mingzhu nodded knowingly, "So, what has it brought you, not deceiving yourself?"

Princess An He had no answer.

All she knew was that ever since Ji Mingzhu’s appearance, her son became like a different person.

For Ji Mingzhu, he could do all sorts of ridiculous things!

"I called you not to preach!"

Ji Mingzhu’s expression was calm, "If you seek a submissive, accepting daughter-in-law, I’m afraid I can’t do that."

Gracefully rising to her feet, she said, "Today I came for another matter, Du Family’s connection with the Noble Consort and Ninth Prince is clear to you. If you truly care for your son, you best keep an eye on Du Peifang."

"Last time in the palace, the Noble Consort wanted to set a trap to make Ah Zhen against the Crown Prince. Who knows if they might use the same trick again in the future."

"Du Peifang is in the Duke Mansion, also her pillow companion. To use her for some scheme against the mansion is not impossible."

"Instead of picking fights with me, an orphan girl, it’s better to spend more thought on your son."

Finally, she glanced at Princess An He, "I lack any significant abilities; I’m unable to assist with court affairs, but I can help Xie Yunzhen keep the inner mansion stable, not drag him down. This clear advantage, if you don’t see it, I’ll say it to you—don’t pretend you don’t see it from now on."

With that, Ji Mingzhu felt refreshed.

She left with Gold.

She wasn’t some plight-ridden noble lady.

Her father was a hero who died for his country; as his daughter, she shouldn’t live so miserably!