The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 30: The Princely Heir Might as Well Get His Eyes Checked
Du Peilan got off the carriage and walked toward Ji Mingzhu, a light smile hanging on her face.
"Miss Ji, what a coincidence, you’re out shopping too?"
Ji Mingzhu nodded, "Madam Zheng, I didn’t expect to meet you here."
The words ’Madam Zheng,’ Du Peilan had heard for many years and had long been accustomed to them.
But now, coming from Ji Mingzhu’s mouth, it felt uncomfortable everywhere.
Was this person doing it on purpose, subtly mocking her for having married?
Confronting the rival in love, Du Peilan’s thoughts became sensitive, and her smile turned forced.
Sensing this, Ji Mingzhu felt pleased inside.
If this person had no hidden motives, why would her expression change over a mere address?
The other side was ill-intentioned, and she didn’t need to worry much.
Reciprocation, that’s all.
Otherwise, these people would truly think of her as a pushover!
The brief interaction made Du Peilan realize that Ji Mingzhu was not as foolish as she had imagined.
To understand her thoroughly, more encounters were needed.
Quickly adjusting her mood, "I’ve sent invitations to Miss Ji several times, but all were declined. I thought Miss Ji was truly too ill to rise."
Pausing, she continued, "Now seeing you’re well, perhaps it was the servants acting on their own, not delivering the invitations to you?"
If Ji Mingzhu replied that she never received them, Du Peilan could propose visiting the Duke Mansion the next day.
If she’d received them but pretended to be sick, and snubbed her, with Ji Mingzhu undermining her like this, she could write to Ah Zhen.
Ask him if she had done something wrong, upsetting Ji Mingzhu?
No matter how Ji Mingzhu answered, it would help her see Ah Zhen.
With this thought, Du Peilan’s mood improved again.
Xie Yunling was so angry her little face turned red, wanting to step forward and argue with Du Peilan.
This person is truly shameless!
If Sister Mingzhu didn’t care about her rudeness, she should secretly relish it, yet she dared to use sarcasm!
She grabbed Xie Yunling’s wrist, preventing her from starting a quarrel with Du Peilan.
Ji Mingzhu’s lips curled, "I know Madam Zheng didn’t purposely spur the horse, thinking to let bygones be bygones. But now it seems you feel uneasy for not apologizing."
With the word ’purposely,’ Ji Mingzhu slowed her tone.
Her intention was to use the other’s method against her, deliberately to irk Du Peilan.
But now, a sudden thought struck, inexplicably thinking it’s not impossible.
According to past patterns, Du Peilan shouldn’t return to the capital so early.
The course of events had already changed; she couldn’t view things with an old perspective.
Ji Mingzhu’s tone was subtly melancholic, "Then you should apologize, let everyone witness it, to avoid you repeatedly going to the Duke Mansion later."
"Everyone knows, I’m merely a guest in the Duke Mansion, and I’ve already disturbed them. It’s inappropriate to call upon a crowd; that’s too repulsive."
Xie Yunling almost laughed out loud, suddenly feeling delighted.
This person just wants to visit the mansion to find her brother, under the pretense of checking on a patient.
Auntie originally had issues with Sister Mingzhu; if Du Peilan uses Sister Mingzhu as an excuse to enter the mansion and becomes entangled with her brother, in the end, the one punished would definitely be Sister Mingzhu.
This woman is a troublemaker, always targeting Sister Mingzhu!
Seeing Du Peilan’s embarrassed expression, Xie Yunling asked, "Madam Zheng, aren’t you going to apologize?"
Du Peilan was feeling indignant inside; what she mentioned was visiting a patient, when did she say she would apologize to Ji Mingzhu?
So aggressive, no wonder she’s unpopular!
Ji Mingzhu also watched her leisurely, not speaking, just quietly waiting.
Someone whispered, "Seems Madam Zheng isn’t sincerely apologizing, otherwise why wouldn’t she speak up?"
"Probably visiting a patient is fake, using the opportunity to get close to the Duke Mansion is real."
"Her husband is dead, and the Grand Tutor Mansion is under the control of a stepmother, she has to seek another path."
"It’s not right; marrying a chicken follows a chicken, marrying a dog follows a dog. If her husband is dead, she should remain a widow in the Zheng family. As she ages, either adopt a child or live a secluded life, so why suddenly return to the capital and try to connect with the Duke Mansion? Could there be another agenda?"
The murmurs reached her ears, giving Du Peilan a feeling of being seen through.
The matter must not be escalated; the elders of the Xie family were dissatisfied with her; while they might turn a blind eye now...
If it became a public scandal, the Princess Commandery wouldn’t spare her.
Also, the Du Family wanted to send Du Peifang into the Duke Mansion.
If she ruined their plans, they’d surely target her.
Only by acting discreetly could she have a chance with Ah Zhen.
Du Peilan took a deep breath, reaching to pull Ji Mingzhu’s hand, but she evaded her.
She awkwardly withdrew her hand, "It was my fault for causing you injury, but I definitely didn’t mean to hurt anyone. Miss Ji, please don’t misunderstand me."
Ji Mingzhu looked generously at her, "I believe Madam you didn’t do it on purpose. After all, horse-riding with the intent to harm is murder, and that’s quite shocking."
Xie Yunling added, "Only someone worse than a pig or a dog would do such a thing."
Ji Mingzhu smiled, "Children speak straightforwardly, Madam Zheng, don’t go to her level."
The duet between the two fell repulsive in Du Peilan’s view.
Tears glistened in her eyes, "All this talk circles back to my fault, causing Miss Ji harm, no matter how you say it, it’s what I deserve."
Xie Yunling wobbled Ji Mingzhu’s wrist, wanting to ask what drama this person was trying to pull, why did she look like she was about to cry?
Ji Mingzhu hadn’t replied when she spotted Xie Yunzhen across the street.
He walked casually with Tianshui, as if strolling in a courtyard.
His gaze fixed tightly on Ji Mingzhu, his tone unfathomable, "Bullying again."
Previously in the garden, clearly he was the one being hit, yet Ji Mingzhu went to check on Xie Yunxuan’s hand.
To Xie Yunzhen, it appeared that Ji Mingzhu was bullying him.
Now seeing Du Peilan’s eyes reddened, and Yunling looking arrogant, he naturally assumed they were bullying.
Though young, their ability to provoke was strong.
Even he had been annoyed to sleeplessness, let alone someone as fragile as Du Peilan.
Xie Yunzhen glanced at Ji Mingzhu and Xie Yunling, drawing this conclusion.
"Ah Zhen, how did you come?"
Du Peilan stepped forward, her tone familiar, "Don’t misunderstand Miss Ji, no one is bullying me."
"Is it?"
Xie Yunzhen questioned, his tone fully certain.
Looking at the two standing side by side, Ji Mingzhu suddenly laughed.
Her face full of relief.
And a hint of a ’let it be’ attitude.
"If you weren’t bullied, why are your eyes red? Madam Zheng, if you have an eye condition, there’s a clinic ahead."
She coldly glanced at Xie Yunzhen, "Young Master might as well check too."
Without waiting for Xie Yunzhen to react, Ji Mingzhu already pulled Xie Yunling into the nearby shop.
Saying one more word to them was a waste of life.
Xie Yunzhen favored his sweetheart, passing judgment without asking reason.
She didn’t need to explain.
It was too superfluous.
