Xie Yunzhen took the initiative to talk to her, which was so unusual.
With his temperament, he should have treated her like air.
Ji Mingzhu felt a stifling in her heart, her voice calm and steady, "Young Master, you must be joking."
Xie Yunzhen stepped forward half a step, "Do you dislike me very much?"
"No."
She answered quickly.
The mouth can lie, but subtle body movements cannot deceive people.
She was clearly resistant, avoiding eye contact, and even taking a slight step back.
Evil intent brewed in Xie Yunzhen's heart, suddenly wanting to see her reaction if he pierced through the surface façade.
"If you don't dislike me, then why are you avoiding me?"
"Young Master is noble, and I fear offending you."
"Is that really the reason?"
Xie Yunzhen pressed closer, a hint of sharpness in his tone.
Ji Mingzhu forced a smile, "I am not acquainted with the Young Master. Before you returned to the capital, I had never even seen your face. Under such circumstances, how could I dislike you?"
This was also something Xie Yunzhen couldn't understand.
With a good memory, he was sure that before the family banquet, he had no interaction with Ji Mingzhu.
Then where did her emotions stem from?
Realizing what he was pondering, Xie Yunzhen's expression grew indifferent.
Whether Ji Mingzhu likes him or hates him, what does it have to do with him?
His interrogating Ji Mingzhu now only made him look ridiculous.
He frowned, thinking to himself: It's all Xi Yu's nonsense, influencing him.
Having the experience from a past life, Ji Mingzhu was very perceptive of his emotions.
Seeing a hint of coldness on his face, she hurriedly curtsied, "Young Master, the old lady is still waiting for me, I must excuse myself."
With that, she stepped into the courtyard gate.
She only hoped for one thing now, for the New Year to come quickly.
Once the New Year has passed, she would be able to go to Yangzhou with her second brother.
…
Hearing the maid's report that Xie Yunzhen was outside Crane Dance Hall, the old lady quickly sent someone to invite him in.
"It's so cold outside, and he's seriously injured, how could he be left in the snow? Quickly, invite him in!"
The old lady, anxious, raised her voice.
Ji Mingzhu's steps hesitated slightly.
With Xie Yunzhen's behavior just now, he wouldn't come into Crane Dance Hall and meet her again.
But with the elders speaking, the situation changed.
Ji Mingzhu felt a bit of despair, was she really unable to avoid Xie Yunzhen?
Mrs. Wang muttered to herself, the Young Master actually took the initiative to speak to Miss!
What does this mean?
Could it be love at first sight for Miss?
There are so many girls in the world, besides that eldest daughter from the Du Family who married far away, there's been no one who could speak to the Young Master.
And the words just now were quite strange too.
All that talk about liking and disliking sounded very ambiguous.
Mrs. Wang discreetly glanced at Ji Mingzhu.
With snow-white skin and peach-like cheeks, cherry lips, a delicate nose, eyebrows like new moons, and beautiful big eyes as clear as water, her face was smaller than a palm, with not a single flaw to pick out.
Her waist and limbs were slender, yet her figure was voluptuous and graceful.
Not to mention men, even women couldn't look away upon seeing her.
Mrs. Wang's heart skipped a beat, had the Young Master taken a liking to Miss?
Otherwise, it couldn't be explained why the Young Master spoke those words to Miss.
If the General Mansion had not fallen, they would have been well-matched.
But now Miss is just an orphan, living under someone else's roof, how could she possibly match with the powerful Young Master?
To be the Young Master's concubine is more likely!
Mrs. Wang was filled with urgency; she must report to the old lady and Commandery Princess, not to spoil the Young Master's good marriage.
"Miss, I'll go in and report, please wait a moment."
Ji Mingzhu looked meaningfully at Mrs. Wang, who rushed inside in a hurry.
The cold wind blew on her face, clearing Ji Mingzhu's mind considerably.
She had come of age, perhaps it was time to consider marriage.
First, to dispel the old lady and Commandery Princess's vigilance.
Second, without marriage, her aunt probably wouldn't agree to her leaving the Xie Family.
Third, she could completely distance herself from Xie Yunzhen.
Having gone through a failed marriage in her past life, Ji Mingzhu now only wanted to find a gentle and considerate husband.
He didn't have to be talented in both literature and martial arts, or look like an immortal, just needed to be upright and kind, treating her with full devotion.
They say marriage is decided by the decree of parents and the words of matchmakers.
Her marriage will definitely be considered by her aunt.
Not only choosing family background and character but also likely unwilling to let her marry far away.
Ji Mingzhu was somewhat weary of the capital.
To be trapped in a deep mansion like her past life again, unloved by elders and ignored by her husband, ridiculed by servants behind her back, would surely drive her insane.
Even now, thinking back, Ji Mingzhu still felt cold all over.
She did not wish to live through such a despairing life a second time.
If she went on a trip and happened to meet someone suitable, she wouldn't return to the capital.
Such were Ji Mingzhu's thoughts.
When Xie Yunzhen arrived, he saw Ji Mingzhu standing at the door, being buffeted by the cold wind.
Her skin was probably too tender, making her nose turn red, and her eyes were a bit red too.
She looked so pitiful, incredibly fragile.
Realizing that once again he was focusing on Ji Mingzhu, Xie Yunzhen's aura grew colder.
More than ten years ago, when his father took a concubine, his mother's hysterical appearance was still vivid in his memory.
Love between men and women was like poison; Xie Yunzhen would never let himself be caught in it.
Otherwise, he might be the next one to go insane.
With big strides, he walked past Ji Mingzhu, bringing a gust of cold wind with him.
Ji Mingzhu hugged her hand warmer tightly, this man really was unpredictable.
She hadn't provoked him, so why was he letting out cold air to freeze her?
He always had that cold expression, as if everyone owed him thousands of taels of gold.
Could there truly be an illness in his mind?
The man suddenly turned back, his sharp gaze landing directly on Ji Mingzhu, carrying a scrutinizing look.
Ji Mingzhu's heart skipped, and she quickly lowered her eyes.
Xie Yunzhen was very sensitive to gazes; in the past, he could always spot her in a crowd.
Back then, she thought she was special, feeling pleased for a long time.
Later she realized that no matter who it was, as long as they looked at him intently, he could perceive it.
"Miss, please!"
Ji Mingzhu composed her emotions, following Mrs. Wang inside.
By this time, Xie Yunzhen was already seated, and a maid was serving him tea.
Ji Mingzhu curtsied, "Wishing good health to the old lady and Commandery Princess."
Then turned slightly and saluted Xie Yunzhen, "Young Master, good health."
He kept his eyes down, playing with the jade pendant in his palm, as if oblivious to her existence.
This kind of scene had happened countless times in her past life.
Ji Mingzhu was already numb, feeling not even the slightest ripple in her heart.
Certainly wouldn't be heartbroken over him.
After all, she was a guest, and it wasn't suitable to embarrass her.
Otherwise, if word spread, outsiders would think the Xie Family were petty, unable to tolerate a lonely and destitute orphan.
The old lady lifted her eyelids slightly, saying indifferently, "Sit down."
"Shao Yao, serve Miss some tea."
Ji Mingzhu nodded, sitting at the lower seat.
The gaze of Princess An He wandered between the two of them.
Ah Zhen was quite indifferent towards Ji Mingzhu, seemingly without any interest.
But without any reason, why would he engage in conversation with Ji Mingzhu?
Could it be that something else occurred, unknown to her?
The smile on the Commandery Princess's face faded.
The lower one's status, the more unscrupulous their climb upwards could be.
Ji Mingzhu was born with a beauty capable of causing calamities, and it wouldn't be impossible for her to use seduction to lure Ah Zhen!