The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control

Xie Yunzhen hosted a banquet, and everyone arrived as promised.

During the banquet, a young nobleman brought up the topic of selecting a consort.

"I heard the Empress suggested expanding the Emperor’s harem, and the Emperor has already agreed."

"I wonder if anyone here has sisters of age. They should be taught proper etiquette in advance, so as not to offend the nobles once in the palace."

Upon hearing this, someone couldn’t help but express their opinion.

"The Wei Family truly produced a virtuous Empress, quite the opposite in temperament compared to that Young General Wei."

"Young General Wei is also quite a character. A few days ago, he took his fiancée to court, but nothing came of it in the end."

"What kind of character is that? If you’re really going to court, you should have solid evidence. At the very least, a reasonable cause is needed. Making a fuss out of nowhere just frightens the girl and bothers the court."

"..."

This banquet, to put it bluntly, was to find a husband for Xie Yunling.

The young man they inspected outside the city the day before was dismissed by Xie Yunling as a pedantic bookworm, not to her liking.

Now, in the pavilion sat Mrs. Guan, Ji Mingzhu, and Xie Yunling.

While warming themselves with tea, they observed the young men at the banquet.

Xie Yunzhen, being broad-minded, insisted that drinking tea while enjoying the snow was a refined pastime, and thus set the banquet in the garden.

This facilitated things for Ji Mingzhu and the others.

Sitting in a high place, they could clearly see every move of the people below and hear their lofty discussions.

Upon hearing that the Emperor was selecting consorts, Ji Mingzhu was not surprised.

A lifelong pairing is rare even among ordinary people.

In the Royal Family, it is even more uncommon.

Xie Yunling lazily leaned against the beauty couch, feeling that this matter had nothing to do with her.

She didn’t even need an arranged marriage; sending her to the palace... that was even more out of the question.

"I heard rumors that eligible official daughters will be sent to the palace for selection first. If not chosen, they will be sent home to discuss marriage."

With a clap, the teacup in Mrs. Guan’s hand fell onto the table, spun around, and was caught by a maid before it hit the ground.

Thinking the tea was too hot, the maid quickly knelt down to apologize.

Mrs. Guan then came to her senses.

Raising her hand, she signaled them to withdraw.

Then she asked Ji Mingzhu, "Did you hear anything from Ah Zhen about the selection?"

During breakfast, Ji Mingzhu had a poor appetite. Xie Yunzhen thought she was unwell, so he took a leave of absence rather than attend court.

He was afraid that Ji Mingzhu and the child might suddenly have an accident, and he wouldn’t make it back in time.

If not for the doctor taking Ji Mingzhu’s pulse and saying she was merely experiencing mild morning sickness, making her appetite less than usual, Xie Yunzhen wouldn’t have allowed her out of the courtyard.

Upon hearing this, Ji Mingzhu shook her head, "He’s always right behind me, so he probably hasn’t had the chance to see any news that came into the mansion."

"Will Yunling’s marriage prospects be affected?" Mrs. Guan looked worried.

Xie Yunling hadn’t thought so deeply before, but now she was starting to feel anxious.

"What if the Emperor chooses me as a hostage against my brother?"

Mrs. Guan softly scolded, "Childish talk, don’t speak nonsense."

The term hostage is not something to be said openly.

With so many eyes and ears in the mansion today, if word got out, both Ah Zhen and Brother Xuan would be affected.

Xie Yunling covered her mouth and mumbled, "I don’t want to enter that man-eating place."

Parents who truly love their children wouldn’t bear to send their daughter there.

The dangers of the harem are incomparable to the struggles in the inner courtyard of households.

Mrs. Guan didn’t want her daughter fighting bloody battles, much less risk her life.

Though nothing was certain, Mrs. Guan was growing anxious.

Clutching Ji Mingzhu’s hand, she asked, "Can you and Ah Zhen think of a foolproof way to spare Yunling from this calamity?"

Now that her daughter’s marriage wasn’t settled, the news of the selection would certainly affect it.

Ah Zhen and Mingzhu would be leaving the capital in a few days; distant help won’t address immediate concerns, so they needed to solve this early.

Xie Yunling also looked at Ji Mingzhu pleadingly.

The only ones who could help her were her brother and Sister Mingzhu.

Even though her father had connections to mediate for her, in his eyes, daughters should be used for strategic marriages to gain benefits for the family.

If her brother hadn’t made his stance clear, she wouldn’t have been so fortunate to sit here, choosing a husband to her liking.

Ji Mingzhu held Mrs. Guan’s hand tightly, "Don’t worry yet, let’s find out more about the situation first."

To ease their concerns, Ji Mingzhu gave them a reassurance.

"Even if the news is true, I have a way to resolve this for Yunling."

Before, Xie Yunzhen had requested an imperial decree for her.

Now she understood that as long as Xie Yunzhen was by her side, it didn’t matter whether there was an imperial decree or not.

Using the decree for Yunling, Ji Mingzhu was willing.

"Sister Mingzhu, do you really have a way?"

Ji Mingzhu nodded firmly, "Yes, just focus on selecting a husband, and the rest, Ah Zhen and I will handle for you."

Xie Yunling felt a wave of emotion that made her want to cry.

A crystalline sheen shimmered in her eyes, and she rested her head on Ji Mingzhu’s lap, "Am I causing trouble for you again?"

Ji Mingzhu gently stroked her hair, "We’re family, we’re supposed to share joys and sorrows, stand together regardless of circumstances."

The better they treated her, the more guilty Xie Yunling felt.

She only thought of living an easy life, not realizing how much effort her family put into her well-being.

Raising her hand to hold Ji Mingzhu’s waist, "Please choose a capable husband for me. It’s okay if the home isn’t calm; I can handle it, as long as he doesn’t hold us back and can help you when necessary."

The feeling of being protected by family was very fulfilling.

But she also wanted to do something for her family; she couldn’t always rely on her elders and brothers to support her.

Ji Mingzhu held Xie Yunling’s face, directing her gaze toward the garden.

"Look, the young men sitting below either have personal potential or their families have strong roots. See if any catch your eye, and once you choose, have your brother conduct a thorough investigation."

Ji Mingzhu’s tone was serious, "Before we leave the capital, we’ll surely clear all obstacles for you. Don’t be afraid or burdened, just follow your heart."

Xie Yunling was touched to the point of tears.

"Why are you all so kind to me?"

Previously, someone had told her that Sister Mingzhu came to the Duke Mansion and took away her mother and brother.

Thankfully, she hadn’t believed it.

In her youth, she thought having an additional sister meant gaining a playmate, and she was immensely happy.

Now she was incredibly grateful.

Thank goodness she hadn’t been stubborn or done anything unworthy of Sister Mingzhu.

Otherwise, how would she have faced receiving their affection?

Ji Mingzhu was amused and touched, "Is it really so easy to please you with just this small matter?"

Mrs. Guan also wiped the corners of her eyes.

Though Yunling was of the Xie Family bloodline, without Mingzhu, Ah Zhen wouldn’t have been so invested in his sister’s marriage.

Back then, she helped Mingzhu by providing a place of shelter.

Now Mingzhu’s return was many times over what she had given.

Mrs. Guan found it hard not to be moved.

Clutching Ji Mingzhu’s hand tightly, "Mingzhu, Auntie thanks you."

Her daughter was flesh of her flesh, anyone who treated Yunling well she would remember deeply.

Ji Mingzhu felt a flicker of emotion.

"Auntie, we are family."