The sharp gaze fell upon her like needles pricking her skin.
Ji Mingzhu lowered her eyes and did not look up to meet the Junzhu’s stare.
When one dislikes a person, even their breathing seems wrong.
In the past, Junzhu Niangniang had merely ignored her.
But now that Xie Yunzheng had taken the initiative to speak with her, in Junzhu Niangniang’s eyes, it must be because she had schemed to seduce Xie Yunzheng.
When that incident occurred in her previous life, Junzhu Niangniang had similarly believed that she had used something unclean on Xie Yunzheng.
She had even planned to send her to a nunnery for cultivation.
If not for her aunt stepping forward to protect her, Ji Mingzhu dared not imagine how miserable her fate would have been.
Although she still suffered greatly afterward, it was far better than being sent to a nunnery.
Her own son remained pure and upright; the fault always lay with others.
This was Junzhu Niangniang’s attitude.
Knowing the temperaments of the three people present, Ji Mingzhu refrained from speaking rashly.
She sat upright in her seat, quietly observing the situation.
The calmer she remained, the more hostile Princess Anhe’s gaze became.
It seemed this one was not easily dealt with.
If she truly became entangled with A Zheng, it would likely be difficult to dismiss her.
Her eyes icy to the extreme, yet the corners of her lips curled into a faint smile as she beckoned to Ji Mingzhu.
“Mingzhu, you’ve come at just the right time. Come help your auntie look over this list. Which family’s young lady do you think would be suitable to become A Zheng’s wife?”
Three years ago, when she first came to the Xie family, in front of everyone, the Junzhu had her follow the children of the second branch and address her as “auntie.”
At that time, Ji Mingzhu had been both fearful and flattered, believing she had received affection from an elder.
Later, when they happened to meet in the garden and she called her “auntie” again, Junzhu Niangniang did not respond.
Ji Mingzhu then realized she had been presuming too much.
Now, hearing this form of address brought up again, Ji Mingzhu felt an inexplicable urge to laugh.
How much genuine affection existed in this world? It was all merely acting.
To have her aunt’s sincere care was already a great blessing; she should not have hoped for anything more.
Ji Mingzhu rose and moved gracefully to stand beside the Junzhu.
Every movement exuded the demeanor of a refined lady.
Dignified and elegant.
Coupled with her exquisite beauty, even among a gathering of noble young ladies, she would likely be the most eye-catching.
The Old Matriarch was observing Ji Mingzhu.
She felt a slight surprise in her heart. Unnoticed by her, Ji Mingzhu had already blossomed into a graceful and elegant young woman.
No wonder Xuan-ge’er was so taken with her—perhaps he harbored such intentions.
The Old Matriarch did not wish to be ruthless, nor did she want to put her second daughter-in-law in a difficult position.
But some matters could not be allowed to develop unchecked.
Rotating the jade bracelet on her wrist, she thought that if Ji Mingzhu knew her place well enough, she could remain in the Guogongfu and become Xuan-ge’er’s concubine.
It was not that she intended to mistreat the descendant of a military family; the blame lay solely with Ji Mingzhu’s father, who had passed away too early.
With the shifts in power, what voice did the Ji family still have in Jingcheng?
If Ji Mingzhu wished to become a proper wife, only impoverished families or those of low status would accept her.
The Xie family had a century-old foundation; even the several illegitimate sons were striving for their futures.
Noble families were not without illegitimate daughters. Even when arranging marriages for illegitimate sons, someone like Ji Mingzhu, who had nothing, would not be considered.
The Old Matriarch tilted her head, wearing a kindly smile.
“Mingzhu, you’ve reached Ji-ji this year, haven’t you? Once the marriages for A Zheng and his brother are settled, your grandmother will help you choose a good family for you, add a few more dowry chests, and see you married off with great honor.”
Princess Anhe smiled, “It might not take that long. If Mingzhu is eager to marry, I can invite all the suitable young gentlemen tomorrow and let Mingzhu choose at her leisure.”
“That would be wonderful. It would save your sister-in-law from indecision, unable to come up with a plan. A girl’s best years must not be wasted by her. Otherwise, when I meet Mingzhu’s parents in the afterlife a hundred years from now, I would feel ashamed.”
Princess Anhe’s smile deepened. With the Old Matriarch on her side, things would be easier.
She glanced at Ji Mingzhu. It would be best if she harbored no improper intentions, or else…
She could look forward to marrying a wastrel and suffering for the rest of her life.
Affectionately taking Ji Mingzhu’s hand, she had the maid place the list before her.
“All the fine young ladies of Jingcheng are listed here. They are either renowned for their talents or known for their virtue and grace—each one an excellent match. I’ve been so torn, unsure whom to choose as my daughter-in-law. Give me your opinion—who do you think is best? Tomorrow, I’ll send out invitations and arrange meetings.”
The Old Matriarch added, “Pick one for Xuan-ge’er as well. If the two brothers marry one after the other, it would be a double blessing.”
Xie Yunzheng frowned slightly. “Grandmother, Mother, there’s no hurry regarding marriage.”
Princess Anhe chided, “Are you truly in no hurry, or are you leaving an opportunity for someone else?”
“What opportunity?”
The Junzhu exclaimed with a mix of reproach and complaint, “Mother-in-law, look at this foolish boy. How many times has he been thrown into someone’s arms, yet he still doesn’t understand?”
The Old Matriarch agreed, “Your mother is right. Only marriage can put an end to some people’s schemes.”
Ji Mingzhu clenched her handkerchief, a wave of humiliation washing over her.
She had expected the Old Matriarch and Junzhu Niangniang to admonish her, but she never imagined they would speak so bluntly.
In this lifetime, she had not revealed her feelings.
Nor had she been schemed against and ended up in Xie Yunzheng’s bed.
Why must they humiliate her like this?
Xie Yunzheng was about to retort when he looked up and froze.
Ji Mingzhu’s eyes were lowered, and from his angle, he could see the glistening moisture in them.
Was she… crying?
His heart inexplicably tightened, as if pricked by a needle.
It didn’t hurt, but Xie Yunzheng knew it wasn’t his imagination.
He didn’t understand why he felt this way, especially since he and Ji Mingzhu were not close.
Touching his chest, he decided it must be due to his unhealed wound.
Unwilling to be further affected by Ji Mingzhu, Xie Yunzheng stood up and left. “I have my own plans regarding marriage. There’s no need to worry on my behalf.”
With that, Xie Yunzheng strode away.
As he turned the corner, his gaze once again fell on Ji Mingzhu.
She had suffered an undeserved misfortune, publicly ridiculed in front of everyone.
So desolate.
So helpless.
She did seem rather pitiful.
Xie Yunzheng curled his fingers. He was no good man to begin with, so why pretend to be one and rescue her?
As he left, Princess Anhe angrily set down her teacup.
“Mother-in-law, look at him—unyielding to both soft and hard approaches, completely stubborn. Must he remain a bachelor for life?”
The Old Matriarch was also troubled. “Had we known it would come to this, we should have proposed to the Taifufu back then. He wouldn’t have turned out like this.”
At this, Princess Anhe felt a pang of guilt.
Back then, she had looked down on Du Peilan, wanting to choose a daughter-in-law from among the imperial relatives…
Her tone softened, “Du Peilan is two years older than A Zheng. By the time A Zheng is old enough to marry, she’ll already be considered an old maid. Not proposing marriage is actually for her own good.”
“Besides, A Zheng has never said he likes her. Those are just baseless rumors.”
No one was paying attention to her, so Ji Mingzhu took the chance to wipe the corners of her eyes.
Hearing Du Peilan’s name again, she felt a momentary daze.
It wouldn’t be long before that person returned to the capital.
Xie Yunzheng was powerful and influential. Without her as an obstacle in this lifetime, he would surely succeed in winning the beauty he desired.
Not wanting to give Ji Mingzhu a chance to mock her, and having already achieved her goal of admonishing her, Princess Anhe allowed her to leave first.
Ji Mingzhu had no desire to endure humiliation and left without hesitation.
Princess Anhe clicked her tongue.
This girl had quite a temper—just a few words of admonishment, and she had already shed tears.
She didn’t dwell on the matter.
Pointing at the list, she said, “Mother-in-law, this is also a young lady from the Du Family. She bears some resemblance to Du Peilan. What do you think about arranging a meeting between her and A Zheng?”
If A Zheng truly admired Du Peilan, seeing someone who resembled her would surely catch his eye.
The Old Matriarch’s tone was hesitant, “You’ve seen A Zheng’s attitude. Will he agree to meet her?”
Princess Anhe’s eyes flickered with thought, “The plum blossoms outside the city are in full bloom. Let A Zheng and Xuan-ge’er take a few of their younger sisters out of the city to enjoy the scenery.”