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 na without reason?

She glanced at the Imperial Concubine with a chilling gaze.

It seed almost tangible, as if cutting soone into a thousand pieces.

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

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

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

"Just separated by palace walls, later we lost contact. The Crown Prince is a filial child; knowing the friendship between and your mother, he wanted to find a way for you to co to the palace to chat with , 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 et often."

There was once a Won’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 ca to study.

Gaining cultivation internally and forging connections externally.

So 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 claid she eloped with a man.

When the truth ca 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 Won’s Academy crumbled.

When Mingzhu needed to study, there wasn’t another Won’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 Won’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 ntion 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.

"Co 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 ntioned 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 embarrassnt had long spread widely.

As a result, Madam Du hadn’t attended a banquet for quite so ti, 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 tis in her heart, just ntioning 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 ?"

Compared to her earlier cheerful deanor, Empress Zheng’s voice now felt much calr.

Mingzhu affird.

Her mother had no lasting affection with the Empress.

Slightly lowering her head, Mingzhu respectfully replied, "It’s my first ti in the palace, fortunately summoned by you, naturally there’s so 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 ans fewer mistakes, Mingzhu didn’t speak, waiting for the Empress’s next words.

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

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

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

What ought to co 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 mont.

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 sowhat worried, if Ah Zhen considers useless and becos angry at , those people in the mansion might seize the opportunity to make things worse, cutting off my livelihood."

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

Empress Zheng, having lived most of her life, never witnessed soone 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 aning.

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 sowhat knowledgeable but lacked full understanding.

She didn’t desire involvent.

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 perford 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 supre 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 seed frozen.

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

"You and he indeed share so similarities."