Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

However, he was on leave at home and had nothing to do, so it was normal to see him at the old lady's place.

Zong Xian sat in a round-backed chair, dressed in a silver-white casual robe, which made his face look like jade.

This casual look makes him appear less aloof than usual.

Mingyi curtsied to him, then quickly glanced at him.

Zong Xian sat there with an air of composure, looking perfectly normal. He seemed to have plenty of energy and vitality, not at all like someone who was seriously injured.

Mingyi thought to himself that he was indeed faking it.

I just don't know how he managed to hide it from the imperial physician.

Or did the emperor know he was faking illness and cooperate with him?

"Mingyi is here, come and sit down."

Madam Zong's complexion was indeed not good. She leaned against the daybed with a sickly look on her face, and a dark blue jade headband was wrapped around her forehead.

Mingyi composed herself, lowered her eyes, and obediently carried the medicinal meal over.

The windows inside were tightly closed, not a breath of wind could get in.

Mingyi held the spoon and served it to Madam Zong.

A warm current spread through her body. After drinking the medicinal meal prepared by Mingyi, the old lady felt much better, and her complexion became rosier.

"I feel much better now. Your medicinal diet really works. Thank you for your hard work." Madam Zong patted Mingyi's hand gently and said kindly.

Mingyi smiled and said sweetly, "As long as it makes the old lady more comfortable, it's all worth the hard work."

The old lady looked at her with even more affection, "Good girl, the Zong family will not mistreat you."

Regardless of whether you treat her unfairly or not, she's leaving.

As Mingyi was thinking this, she was surprised when Old Madam Zong's next words made her expression change!

"I heard that Xie Huaiyu is doing very well in his post in Lixian County. His Majesty has issued an edict appointing him as the magistrate of Qingzhou County. This is a good thing."

"However, Qingzhou is a remote and impoverished place, even worse than your hometown Jiangzhou. If a beautiful girl like you goes there, you'll likely suffer a lot. So don't go and suffer there. Just stay in the Zong family mansion and live peacefully."

She doesn't want to!

Mingyi forced a smile: "I am an outsider, with no relation to the Zong family. I am only able to stay at the Zong family thanks to my cousin and the kindness of the Second Master. I have been a bother for half a year now, and I am both grateful and apprehensive. I dare not stay any longer."

Madam Zong comforted her, saying, "What's there to be afraid of? Since you are Huaiyu's fiancée, you are practically family to the Zong family. What's wrong with staying a few more days?"

She picked up her teacup and took a sip: "Conditions in Qingzhou are harsh, and the journey is long. It's already difficult enough for a woman to travel thousands of miles. Staying in the manor, with everyone taking care of her needs, is much more comfortable and secure than following along on this arduous journey."

Zong Xian sat opposite, silently watching Ji Mingyi's cold and stubborn profile, slowly stroking the thumb ring.

Mingyi's heart tightened with anxiety, but she maintained a gentle demeanor and replied softly, "I am deeply grateful for the old lady's kindness. However, I have already made up my mind to go with my cousin. With family by my side, even the hardest days are worthwhile. I feel uneasy staying here alone."

A cold glint fell on her back, and Mingyi's scalp tingled. She immediately knelt down, pleading, "I beg the old madam to grant my request!"

Old Madam Zong was surprised by her strong reaction and said, "Why are you kneeling? Get up quickly."

Mingyi pressed her forehead to the ground, as if she would remain kneeling until the old lady of the clan agreed.

"I'm just letting you stay a little longer, I'm not going to lock you up for life, am I? Wouldn't it be better if you went there after Xie Huaiyu has settled down in Qingzhou?" Old Madam Zong said considerately.

Mingyi insisted, "Madam, Mingyi is not afraid of hardship. I have already told my cousin that I will go with him."

When Madam Zong saw that she was determined to leave, she finally understood that she was not deliberately being coy, and she couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed.

She had ulterior motives in wanting Mingyi to stay.

Firstly, she was somewhat reliant on the medicinal meals prepared by Mingyi. Ever since Mingyi entered the manor, she had been taking care of her health every day. Even with the same recipe, the dishes made by others were always a bit lacking in the skill and precision.

Secondly, she couldn't bear to part with her. Ji Mingyi was the same age as her youngest daughter, Zongying. After Zongying got married, she couldn't come back often, and the mansion was cold and quiet. If she had her company, it would alleviate some of the loneliness.

I thought that if she asked the girl to stay, she would definitely agree.

Unexpectedly, she insisted on abandoning her comfortable life and willingly followed others to a remote and impoverished area to endure hardship. I really don't know whether to call her foolish or too sentimental.

Madam Zong's tone carried a hint of helplessness: "I think everything in the capital is wonderful, but you're so eager to leave. Fine, if you want to leave, then go ahead."

"Thank you, Madam Xie!"

Mingyi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled with genuine emotion: "Qingzhou isn't too far from the capital, I'll come back to visit the old lady often."

Madam Zong's good mood was ruined. She waved her hand and said, "You've had a hard day. It's nothing. You can go back now."

Mingyi couldn't wait to leave. "Then, Madam, please rest well and take good care of yourself. I won't disturb you any longer."

Madam Zong did not respond.

-

After Mingyi took his leave, Zongxian stayed in Madam Zong's room.

For some reason, his aura grew even colder, his face darkened, and he remained silent.

After looking him over for a few moments, Madam Zong asked, "Is there some trouble at court that's troubling you?"

"Or did His Majesty discover that you were faking illness?" At this point, Madam Zong became somewhat worried.

Zong Xian's cold face betrayed no emotion. He shook his head. "That's not the case."

That means there is indeed something to be distressed about.

Madam Zong breathed a sigh of relief, then tentatively asked, "So, that's a private matter?"

Observing her son's expression, she knew she had guessed correctly. Her eyes lit up as if she had thought of something, and she asked, "Is it related to the Shen family?"

Seeing the turmoil in Zong Xian's expression, the old lady Zong assumed that he still missed the eldest daughter of the Shen family, and sighed: "That Lady Hou is a woman of principle, and she resolutely refuses to let her eldest daughter become a concubine. If you change your mind and want to marry Shen Mingzhu as your principal wife, perhaps we can still talk about it."

This matter put Old Madam Zong in a difficult position. After all, the marriage negotiations between the two families had fallen apart. Even if they changed their minds now, the Shen family might not agree, and might even let them in through the gate.

She had told Zong Xian about this before, and seeing that his reaction didn't seem to be regretful, she originally thought that he didn't like Shen Mingzhu that much. She didn't expect that he would still miss her now.

Thinking of this, she also felt some resentment towards Erlang.

Fine, for Erlang's important marriage, she'll just have to go to the Shen family herself and make one last effort.

Madam Zong made up her mind with great difficulty and was about to speak when Zong Xian said, "It's not Shen Mingzhu."

"Um?"

Old Madam Zong paused, her cloudy eyes brightening slightly. "If it's not her, then whose daughter is it?"

If the Shen family isn't the best, then she doesn't need to lower herself to save face.

Upon hearing this, Chuntao, who was serving tea, had a bold guess in her mind and pricked up her ears.

Zong Xian curled his lips into a smile: "The person I saw that day was not Shen Mingzhu."

"That day?" Old Madam Zong asked, slightly puzzled. "When?"

"On the day my son returned home, at the pavilion by the lotus pond, he mistook Ji Mingyi for Shen Mingzhu and developed feelings for her."