Chapter 279 - 278: Fight for What You Want
"Go back and wait for news."
Xie Yunzhen said this.
Lan Ci felt uneasy, but he also knew that this matter couldn’t be rushed.
He cupped his hands and left the Duke Mansion.
Xie Yunzhen led Ji Mingzhu into the mansion, "Wife, what do you think of him?"
Ji Mingzhu didn’t give a definite answer, "First, let’s investigate his child bride before we talk."
Concerning Xie Yunling’s lifelong matter, Xie Yunzhen had already sent people to investigate.
At present, nothing particularly notable has been uncovered.
"The Wei Family had contact with him."
Ji Mingzhu felt a bit of a headache, "This person is really like a lingering ghost. Now that he’s already engaged and seems not to plan on breaking the engagement, why can’t he just settle down?"
Xie Yunzhen reached out to wrap Mingzhu’s shoulder, knocking her forehead lightly with the other hand, "Don’t worry."
"People are watching, don’t ruin my image."
The man glanced around, the nearby servants all lowered their heads, with only Gold struggling hard to suppress laughter.
"Your servant isn’t laughing."
Ji Mingzhu: "..."
Isn’t this like the expression ’no Silver here, three hundred taels missing’?
Returning to the East Courtyard.
Ji Mingzhu inquired about the matter of selecting a consort.
"Could you find out the list to see if Yun Ling’s name is on it? If it is, I’ll exchange the imperial decree for her."
If she hadn’t mentioned it, Xie Yunzhen nearly forgot the existence of that imperial decree.
Now that he holds military power, that decree might become a worry for the Emperor.
Since the Emperor ascended to the throne, he has grown suspicious.
Xie Yunzhen cannot view their relationship with old perspectives anymore.
It’s good to make use of that decree this time around.
In any case, for the rest of his life, no matter where he goes, he will take Mingzhu with him.
The worries from before — as long as he stays alive — cannot be allowed to happen a second time.
"I will bring the decree into the palace tomorrow."
Ji Mingzhu felt a bit worried, "Although a ruler’s words are gold, the imperial intent is unpredictable; could that person employ a roundabout tactic, using other methods to achieve their aim?"
"Hmm, it’s possible."
"What to do then?"
Ji Mingzhu got anxious and wrapped her slender arm around Xie Yunzhen’s neck, shaking him endlessly.
"Quickly think of the perfect strategy to ease Aunt’s and Yun Ling’s minds."
Xie Yunzhen smiled at the corner of his mouth and directly pulled her onto his lap.
One hand wrapped around her, the other circled her waist.
Even with a child on the way, Ji Mingzhu’s figure was still slender.
Anyone unaware would never be able to tell she’s already pregnant.
"The Emperor still relies on me to secure the border, and in the last rebellion quelling, we are credited ministers of merit. Even if he wants to unload the mill and slaughter the donkey, he wouldn’t act so quickly. Otherwise, it’ll chill the hearts of meritorious ministers; how else will he have people who devote themselves wholeheartedly to the court?"
Ji Mingzhu leaned on Xie Yunzhen’s shoulder, "That’s true."
Maybe it’s because the power over life and death lies in the hands of others.
Or perhaps after experiencing the villa incident, she couldn’t trust the Emperor.
She understood the logic but just couldn’t find complete peace.
Xie Yunzhen lowered his head to kiss her cheek, "If Yun Ling and Lan Ci truly end up together, worst case scenario, I will take them away."
"Would that work?"
"It will."
Ji Mingzhu knew Yun Ling’s temper; although raised as a noble lady and taught to be gentle, humble, and adhere to virtues, she was inherently free-spirited.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have such many unconventional thoughts.
Taking her to the border is indeed a good option.
With Xie Yunzhen there, Yun Ling surely wouldn’t be wronged.
But in doing so, Aunt and Yun Ling would be separated by miles.
Ji Mingzhu patted her belly.
If, in the future, she was separated from her child, she’d definitely feel terrible.
She couldn’t help but sigh, "True that the world is hard to balance."
Carrying a child, she still had so many worries, which made Xie Yunzhen feel guilty.
Once they leave the capital, far from heaven and Emperor.
By then, Mingzhu might truly relax.
He kissed Ji Mingzhu’s hand, looking guilty, "Sorry for making you worried again."
Ji Mingzhu shook her head, "Enjoying wealth and glory must bear risk, which is fair."
Even those at the pinnacle, holding the power over life and death, aren’t free of risk.
Ji Mingzhu had an open mind and wouldn’t dwell on the impossible.
She quietly leaned in Xie Yunzhen’s arms, not thinking of those troublesome things anymore.
Do your best and leave the rest to fate.
She didn’t want to worry about things that hadn’t occurred.
Regardless of what happens, Xie Yunzhen would support her.
She wrapped her arms around the man’s neck and suddenly kissed his handsome face.
With soft red lips pressed against him, Xie Yunzhen’s heart felt a sudden tingling.
The arm hugging her tightened.
Smiling faintly, "Why are you so spontaneous suddenly?"
"You don’t like it?"
Of course, Xie Yunzhen liked it.
His wife rarely takes the initiative, and if it weren’t for the little fetus making things inconvenient, he’d want to take her back to the room immediately.
Bring on the storm and passion, journey to Mount Wu.
Offering the other cheek to Ji Mingzhu, "Fairer now."
The man gazed at her expectantly.
No longer the dignified and distant demeanor seen in front of others?
Ji Mingzhu couldn’t help but laugh.
She held his clean-cut chin and kissed his other cheek.
Xie Yunzhen, taking advantage of the situation, moved his lips, with intentions clearly expressed in his eyes.
Ji Mingzhu pushed his shoulder, "Don’t take an inch and ask for a mile."
Unable to indulge completely in intimacy, Xie Yunzhen was already quite restrained.
Now, even kisses were restricted, and he couldn’t stand it anymore.
While Ji Mingzhu was about to escape, he held her head.
...
Shortly after Lan Ci left the Duke Mansion, someone came looking for him.
"The Young General has feelings, please, Mr. Lan, come with us."
Lan Ci had just reached adulthood this year, neither too old nor too young, but had experienced much and was very composed.
Without much entanglement with them, "Lead the way."
Then he was taken to Ruyi Residence.
Lan Ci’s eyes flickered slightly; everyone said this Young General Wei acted recklessly.
But now it seems, not as reckless as imagined.
Liu Xu happened to be at the restaurant tallying accounts; seeing Lan Ci, she wanted to ask him about the success of his matchmaking.
When she first arrived at the Lan Family, this man was just a little bean.
Towards this nominally child husband, she had no romantic feelings whatsoever.
Having pulled him up akin to a younger brother, and she’s amassed quite the fortune.
These days, Liu Xu only hoped to marry off Lan Ci into a wealthy family.
Afterwards, she could freely and leisurely enjoy a well-off life.
After years of business, she understood its challenges.
If she could latch onto the Duke Mansion, anyone wanting trouble in the future would have to reconsider.
Immediately she approached and inquired softly, "How did it go, did Miss Xie have her eyes on you?"
Lan Ci felt slightly embarrassed.
"I don’t know either."
With a sigh, Liu Xu said earnestly, "If one person makes it, everyone benefits. Remember, you have me supporting you, and even if you break your leg, you have to climb this high branch."
Lan Ci: "..."
Saying such things, if Miss Xie heard them, she’d think him a bootlicker aiming to climb up.
Clearing his throat, "I’ll go meet the guest first."
Liu Xu hurriedly gripped his sleeve, "No pies fall from the sky, a man must fight. I will send Miss Xie an invitation, inviting her to Ruyi Residence in two days to taste new dishes. How about that?"
"You can decide for yourself."
Young General Wei stood behind the railing, eyes filled with disdain.
Daring such frivolity outside.
Truly shameless!