The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 160: Peace and Safety Year After Year
The ladies attending the banquet were all sent out of the Imperial Palace, while the courtiers waited outside Yangxin Hall for the Emperor to wake up.
The festive atmosphere was completely gone.
Dense clouds obscured the sun, and a gloomy atmosphere hung over the palace.
Empress Zheng swiftly dealt with the Imperial Concubine and then dismantled her hairpins and jade ornaments to personally attend to the Emperor’s illness.
The tense atmosphere spread to the central palace.
The Imperial Physician was not summoned, but with Xie Yunzhen there, Ji Mingzhu remained safe.
The enchanting aura gradually dissipated, and Ji Mingzhu felt increasingly uneasy.
Sitting on Xie Yunzhen’s lap, she dared not move.
In a muffled voice, she asked, "Will the Empress punish us?"
In different circumstances, Xie Yunzhen might have teased her.
But having just suffered, Xie Yunzhen couldn’t bring himself to scare her.
His strong arm encircled her waist, giving her a sense of security.
"If there’s a punishment, it should be for my inadequate protection, letting something happen under my watch."
"Actually, it’s not your fault."
With Consort Xu there, how could Xie Yunzhen, an outsider, accompany them in the hall?
Besides, who could have known there was a secret passage there?
Thinking of Consort Xu, Ji Mingzhu felt no sympathy.
The Crown Prince was her only support, yet she chose to ally with the Imperial Concubine.
So, whatever outcome she faced was her own doing! 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
"I also let my guard down. Fortunately, no major mistake occurred, or I might have dragged you into it."
For the first time since her rebirth, Ji Mingzhu showed closeness to Xie Yunzhen.
No coercion, no pretense.
Yet Xie Yunzhen couldn’t feel happy; he hadn’t protected Mingzhu well, after all.
Mingzhu didn’t need to make excuses for him.
With one hand, he held Ji Mingzhu’s shoulder, letting her lean back a little.
He took out a recently braided colored rope, "I hope this can protect you, keeping you safe for a lifetime."
The colored rope wasn’t well made, with some parts thick and some thin, looking a bit crooked.
But it was the best one.
There was no need to ask; it was clear Xie Yunzhen made it himself.
Ji Mingzhu’s nose tingled inexplicably, and she almost felt like crying.
Feigning ignorance, she asked, "Did you make this?"
Xie Yunzhen nodded.
Looking embarrassed, he said, "It’s my first time making it, not very good. I’ll practice more and make you a better one next year."
In the years to come, he would make colored ropes for Mingzhu every year.
He wished for Mingzhu to live a long life!
Looking at Ji Mingzhu, his eyes filled with expectation, "Shall I put it on for you?"
Ji Mingzhu turned her head, quietly exhaling a breath.
Only then did she suppress her bittersweet feelings.
"If I disagree, you won’t put it on me?"
The man shook his head honestly, "I’ll put it on, whether you agree or not."
Ji Mingzhu pounded his shoulder, her legs involuntarily swaying a little.
"Then why ask hypocritically?"
Feeling her relaxation and closeness, Xie Yunzhen’s heart was filled with joy.
But he dared not be sure.
Afraid it was just his illusion.
He wanted to ask but didn’t dare, fearing the answer wouldn’t be what he wished for.
Seeing his anxious expression, Ji Mingzhu’s heart rippled.
She extended her hand to him, "Then put it on. I also want to be safe."
His tense expression gradually softened.
Xie Yunzhen’s smile widened, immediately taking hold of Ji Mingzhu’s hand, as if afraid she might regret it.
It wasn’t easy to put the rope on with one hand, yet he was reluctant to let go of Mingzhu.
Holding Ji Mingzhu’s slender waist, he gently lifted her, changing her sitting posture.
Leaning against Xie Yunzhen’s chest, his chin resting on her shoulder, he encircled her in his embrace.
With a serious expression, he tied the colored rope around Ji Mingzhu’s wrist.
The rope had two small golden bells that emitted a clear sound when the wrist moved.
If the movement was controlled well, it wouldn’t make any noise.
Xie Yunzhen played with Ji Mingzhu’s hand, admiring how beautiful it looked.
He even spread his fingers open, comparing them with Mingzhu’s.
One large, one small; one dark, one pale.
"A perfect match."
The man looked satisfied.
Ji Mingzhu turned to look at him, "Yun Ling once had a raccoon slave that wore a small bell."
Xie Yunzhen raised his hand in oath, "I didn’t mean it like that!"
Firstly, he wanted to be aware of Mingzhu’s movements at any time.
Secondly, he thought the golden bell looked nice; a plain rope didn’t suit Mingzhu.
Seeing Ji Mingzhu’s suspicious look, Xie Yunzhen dared all, snuggling her neck, "When we get home, you can put one on me too, like a little raccoon, around my neck, alright?"
He hurriedly added, "I won’t wear it when going out to the office."
Ji Mingzhu wouldn’t let him off.
"Can you wear it at the mansion? Won’t your mother scold me?"
Imagining himself wearing a small bell, flaunting it in the mansion, Xie Yunzhen’s mouth twitched.
In the end, he said, "Only in our room."
"Really?"
"Yes, whoever backs out is a dog."
Ji Mingzhu didn’t respond further.
She rubbed the colored rope a few times, looking worriedly outside the hall.
Although she didn’t go out to see, she knew chaos had ensued outside.
"When will we leave?"
A kiss landed on her cheek.
The next moment, Xie Yunzhen lifted her in his arms, "We’ll leave now."
After all, these matters had nothing to do with Mingzhu.
If she didn’t want to stay, he’d take her away.
Nothing was more important than Mingzhu.
Before the Crown Prince left, he mentioned Ji Mingzhu had injured her leg, and the situation was serious.
Now as Xie Yunzhen carried her away, no one thought it was strange.
They were a proper married couple.
A bit of intimacy was beyond others’ interference.
Ji Mingzhu felt a bit embarrassed, "I can walk by myself."
Xie Yunzhen said, "I want to carry you."
"But it’s uncomfortable this way."
Being carried sideways, she also had to exert some effort, her body not relaxed.
Hearing this, Xie Yunzhen put her down.
Then he crouched in front of Ji Mingzhu, "Come up, I’ll carry you."
Without a response, Xie Yunzhen reached back, directly lifting her onto his back.
Afraid Ji Mingzhu might feel uncomfortable, he adjusted her position.
"Zhu Zhu, do you feel sorry for me?"
"I don’t."
Pulling his ear, Ji Mingzhu said, "I just don’t want to be stared at."
Xie Yunzhen hummed, "Didn’t use much strength just now..."
"Shut up!"
The next moment, a fair hand covered his mouth.
Amusement sparkled in his eyes; Xie Yunzhen felt this incident hadn’t left a shadow on Mingzhu.
If so, then all was well.
Carrying Ji Mingzhu steadily along the palace path, the Crown Prince standing high saw their figures.
Previously, it was rumored their relationship wasn’t good.
Ji Mingzhu was forcefully married into the Duke Mansion.
But seeing them now, it seemed their relationship had improved.
Even the famously loving couples didn’t seem as close as they were.
The Crown Prince continuously turned his Jade Ring, a habit when he felt agitated.
The Emperor still hadn’t awakened, but fortunately, the Crown Prince had long been established, preventing panic among the people.
"Your Highness, should we invite Lord Vice Minister to discuss matters?"
"No need."
Let him spend some good time with Ji Mingzhu.
As compensation...
