The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 178: She Is Ah Zhen’s Wife

Empress Zheng was satisfied with the Crown Prince’s reaction.

She seemed to reflect on her past and sighed.

"If Mingzhu and Xie Yunzhen regard each other with disdain, I wouldn’t oppose you bringing her into the palace. Even if she doesn’t become the Crown Princess Consort, in the future when you ascend the throne, giving her a title as a concubine wouldn’t be impossible."

"Unfortunately, she and Xie Yunzhen’s entanglements run deep. Now it seems, the couple’s feelings are improving. She won’t agree to enter the palace."

The Crown Prince hung his head low, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table as if plotting something.

Empress Zheng felt her heart skip, afraid she had moved him with her words.

She advised the Crown Prince again, "Once a woman’s heart is stirred, it is difficult to change. Her heart holds Xie Yunzhen. Even if you forcibly bring her into the palace, with her temperament, she won’t submit. If pushed into desperation, she might even perish alongside you."

Back then, when Xie Yunzhen chased her to Yangzhou, he couldn’t bring her back.

Instead, he shaved his hair completely.

His gesture indeed made one think he intended to become a monk.

If not for the troubles at the Yuan Family, Ji Mingzhu wouldn’t have returned to the capital.

Nor would she have married into the Duke Mansion.

These matters aren’t secrets; the Crown Prince, being Xie Yunzhen’s friend, knows more of the inside story.

"Mother, I never thought of it that way."

The Crown Prince’s tone was firm, "She is Ah Zhen’s wife, I will never touch her."

Empress Zheng fiddled with her gemstone ring.

There was suspicion in her eyes.

Sitting on boundless power, whatever he desires, people will find ways to fulfill.

Having enjoyed such a thrill, can he truly endure the agony of unattainable love, the feeling of his heart being clawed?

Facing the suspicious gaze from his mother, the Crown Prince sighed helplessly.

"I can’t control my feelings, but I can control my actions and words. Not to mention she is Ah Zhen’s wife, daughter of a hero who defended our nation; even an ordinary virtuous woman, if she refuses, could I possibly force her?"

"It’s best if you think that way. That Wei Family’s daughter is gentle in character and acts appropriately; she can be a suitable Crown Princess Consort."

Originally, Empress Zheng favored her niece.

Unexpectedly, the situation within the court became so complex; that Wei Family holds military power, marrying their daughter is most fitting.

The Crown Prince hadn’t met the Wei Family’s daughter.

He didn’t care about her appearance or temperament as long as she didn’t hinder his major affairs.

The Crown Prince’s marriage is a significant affair.

The Ministry of Rites will be responsible for preparing the grand wedding.

Due to the Emperor’s illness, Empress Zheng decided to set the wedding date in two months.

She said it would be a happy event to seek a good omen.

After concluding these major affairs, Empress Zheng thought of someone.

"What about Ms. Xu?"

"Still in the Eastern Palace."

Since the banquet, the Crown Prince had been busy and nearly forgot there was still a person imprisoned in the Eastern Palace.

Talking about Xu He, Empress Zheng showed an expression of annoyance.

If it weren’t for Ji Mingzhu’s sake, Ms. Xu would have long been found at fault and expelled from the palace.

Unexpectedly, she repaid kindness with vengeance.

Ignoring the Crown Prince’s favor and Ji Mingzhu’s help, she actually went and joined forces with that wicked person.

Truly hard to tell if she is foolish or wicked!

Pinching her brows, "Get rid of her soon, lest the Wei Family comes to the palace and gets harmed by her."

Medical skills can save people, but they can also harm.

Having been schemed by Xu He once, the Crown Prince no longer trusts her.

Furthermore, he doesn’t dare let her near medicines.

Afraid Xu He might concoct something harmful again.

After a moment of contemplation, "Once Ninth Brother leaves for the capital, let her out of the palace."

Empress Zheng nodded, "That’s sensible, prevents her from causing disruptions."

However, letting Xu He off so easily left a lingering resentment in her heart.

She said, "Remove all the attendants serving her, just leave an old woman delivering her meals. Deliver a cold bun once a day. Since she cannot have a good life, let her suffer some hardship, make her realize how ungrateful she was before!"

The Crown Prince had long since withdrawn Xu He’s serving people.

But three meals daily were still sent on time.

"She saved my life; isn’t withholding food a bit too much?"

"Even if she saved your life, didn’t you spare her? Previously, she enjoyed the prestige of the Imperial Family; such divine grace should have been repaid."

The Crown Prince pressed his lips without speaking.

Afraid he might grow soft towards Xu He, Empress Zheng said, "If you can’t bear it, hand her over to Xie Yunzhen. Don’t forget, Ji Mingzhu was also wronged by her. To appease his wife, Xie Yunzhen would be glad to deal with Xu He."

The Crown Prince’s expression slightly changed.

He had always remembered the life-saving grace but forgot that Ji Mingzhu suffered injustice due to that matter.

Though no major harm occurred in the end, her grievances, fear, and discomfort at that time couldn’t be erased.

Xu He’s mere hunger doesn’t compare to the harm Ji Mingzhu suffered.

"Mother, then I’ll follow your suggestion."

Empress Zheng was finally satisfied.

She then inquired about the Yangzhou matters, "Have they identified the person behind it?"

"There are clues, but definite evidence is needed."

Empress Zheng was weary of waiting.

"What evidence do you want, create it. Do I need to teach you such a simple principle?"

The Crown Prince was mildly amused.

"This tactic isn’t infallible either."

If it were that simple, wouldn’t things become chaotic?

Empress Zheng replied calmly, "Being overly cautious achieves nothing; the goal comes first. Only winners have the right to speak, whether methods are clean isn’t important, effectiveness is."

When Empress Zheng married the Emperor, the Regent King held power.

From her marriage to the Regent King’s demise, Empress Zheng witnessed too much bloodshed.

Therefore, her methods were exceptionally resolute.

This was one reason Princess An He feared Empress Zheng.

Those who pulled themselves from the whirlpool of power, despite having lost their edge, are still formidable.

The Crown Prince understood his mother’s temperament and did not attempt to argue.

Everyone adheres to their principles; as the Crown Prince, if he continually took shortcuts, who knows when he might suffer from backlash?

He bowed and saluted, "Mother, you are right. Being overly careful achieves nothing; I have made up my mind."

The person behind had remained inactive, so it’s time to lead them out.

Empress Zheng was confident in her son.

They say things of a kind gather, people of a kind come together; Xie Yunzhen, notorious for his unscrupulous tactics to achieve goals.

Yinli is his good friend; what mercy can one expect from them?

Looking towards the direction of Yangxin Hall.

Now she hopes that person quickly makes way for her son.

When Yinli ascends securely to the throne, she won’t have much to worry about.

After an hour, the dispatched Imperial Physician returned to Zhong Palace.

The Crown Prince wanted to wait there to hear the results.

Empress Zheng accompanied him, as long as he doesn’t do anything foolish.

Her son, like her, was also born to a life of hardship.

Since he couldn’t be with his beloved, then... the power must be firmly grasped!

"What’s the situation at the Duke Mansion?"

The Imperial Physician spoke with some embarrassment, "The Princely Heir’s wife’s health is in fine condition."

"Then why is Ah Zhen so anxious?" The Crown Prince pursued.

The Imperial Physician cleared his throat, "It’s due to indulgence in the bedroom, causing some depletion in the Princely Heir’s wife’s health. A couple of medicinal patches will suffice for recovery."

The silence was palpable.

Empress Zheng waved her hand to dismiss the Imperial Physician.

After he left, she reminded once more, "Seems like their marital relations are quite well; you should let go."

Men and women have different attitudes towards conjugal matters.

To women, if they don’t love the man, bedroom activities can be painful.

Monthly compliance once or twice are already considerable.

Ji Mingzhu isn’t exceptionally wise, but she has her cleverness.

If she didn’t agree, she wouldn’t let Xie Yunzhen indulge.

Creating a depletion due to indulgence...

They might not feel ashamed, but listeners surely blush!

Empress Zheng quietly thought, is this what they call love-hate relationships?

The Crown Prince composed himself.

"Mother, then I’ll take my leave."

Empress Zheng nodded, "Remember to handle that person cleanly; don’t leave any trouble behind."