The abstinent and powerful minister is cold and aloof during the day, but he adores her in his dream

Will Chapter 193 scare Zhiwan away?
Qingyun Residence, Study.

Lu Zhan also woke up at this time.

He knew perfectly well what had happened to the girl in his dream.

The reason I woke up so quickly from tonight's dream was probably because my cousin saw the jade pendant on his waist and scared me awake.
Thinking of this, he pursed his lips, got up and left the study, called Chen Jiu over, and instructed him: "Keep a close eye on Miss Biao's movements these days. If there is anything unusual, report it immediately."

Chen Jiu was very puzzled.

What is the Crown Prince trying to do?
Preventing my cousin from getting married wasn't enough; now they even have to keep an eye on her every move?

Won't the Crown Prince's actions scare Miss Cousin away?
Chen Jiu felt worried for his young master, but still agreed, "Yes."

The following day, at Yaoguang Pavilion.

After waking up in the middle of the night last night, Zhiwan didn't go back to sleep.

She had already made up her mind to leave, so at daybreak, after instructing Shuang'er to pack her things as soon as possible, she took the paintings she had made during this period and went to He Xu Bookstore.

Since we were leaving the capital, the more silver we had, the better.

"Are you going on another long trip?" Manager Jin looked surprised when he heard Zhiwan say that she was leaving the capital.

Zhiwan nodded. "I probably won't be coming back, but don't worry, once I find a place to stay, I'll continue painting. I'll have someone bring you some paintings then."

Upon hearing this, Manager Jin felt somewhat relieved. "But you've made a promise that you must continue to supply paintings to our bookstore. As for the compensation, we won't treat you unfairly."

"I know," Zhiwan nodded.

She was in a hurry to leave, so she didn't chat with Manager Jin for long. She gave him the painting, settled the payment, and then went to Zhiweizhai.

Due to time constraints, the shop could not be sold immediately, so Zhao Dong and his wife had to continue managing it.

"...Once I find a place to stay, I will write to you. After you sell the shop, come find me there," Zhiwan instructed the two.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhao were also surprised, but as servants, they were not allowed to pry into their master's private affairs and could only follow orders.

"Don't worry, Miss, we will sell the shop as soon as possible." The couple nodded in agreement.

"Hmm." Zhiwan didn't say much. She took most of the shop's profits, leaving only a little for the couple. After that, she gave Zhao Dong some instructions and left.

She had just returned to the manor and hadn't even had a chance to speak with Shuang'er when Madam Wei sent Granny Fang over.

"Miss, Madam sent me to tell you that she has invited Young Master Chen to watch a play at Qingyin Pavilion this afternoon. Please prepare yourself so we can go together this afternoon."

Zhiwan was stunned for a moment; she had almost forgotten about Chen Junyu.

But now, she has no time to think about finding a husband to marry into her family.

She had already asked Zhao Dong to go to the dock to inquire if there were any ships going to Yangzhou that afternoon; if so, she would have to leave that afternoon.

Thinking about leaving the capital and perhaps never returning, she felt very reluctant to part with her aunt.

At the same time, I also feel very guilty towards my aunt.

Her aunt was so good to her, and if she could, she wouldn't want to leave her aunt. But if she stayed, she would have to face her cousin, which would be too embarrassing, and she would feel ashamed.

After thinking about it, she nodded. "I understand."

She had no desire to see Chen Junyu again, but she wanted to accompany her aunt to the theater one more time.

……

Lu Zhan didn't return to the mansion until the afternoon.

Having been away from the capital for so long, his return now not only requires him to report on official business in Jiangnan to the Emperor, but also to handle the backlog of affairs at the Dali Temple.

I've been busy until now, and only now have I finally had some free time.

He declined Ouyang Lei's offer to host a banquet for him at the restaurant and returned directly to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

"Summon Chen Jiu to see me," he instructed his servants as soon as he returned to the mansion.

"Guard Chen has gone out and hasn't returned yet," the servant replied.

Lu Zhan paused. He had instructed Chen Jiu to keep an eye on his cousin's movements. Since she wasn't in the manor, it meant she had left.

Thinking of this, he immediately asked, "Have Madam and Miss Cousin left the manor?"

"I overheard something, it seems they went to Qingyin Pavilion to watch a play," the servant replied.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhan pursed his thin lips, and without even changing out of his official robes, he went to Qingyin Pavilion. Qingyin Pavilion.

When she learned that the opera house was performing The Peony Pavilion today, Zhiwan's eyelids twitched.

This opera tells the story of a young lady from an official family who meets and falls in love with a scholar in her dream.

She really can't stand hearing anything about dreams right now, because it reminds her of all the ridiculous things she did to her cousin in those dreams.

The more Zhiwan thought about it, the more agitated she became, and she couldn't sit still.

"Wan'er, are you feeling unwell? Why are you so distracted?"

Sitting next to her, Madam Wei noticed her unusual behavior and asked with concern.

Zhiwan snapped out of her daze and hurriedly shook her head, "No."

"That's good. The play hasn't started yet, so you can have a good chat with Young Master Chen." Madam Wei patted her hand and whispered a reminder in her ear.

Today's gathering was set up specifically for Zhiwan and Chen Junyu, so Chen Junyu sat to Zhiwan's right, separated only by a small table.

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan turned to look at Chen Junyu.

Chen Junyu noticed her gaze and nodded slightly to her.

Seeing this, Zhiwan nodded to him as well.

She had no time to deal with Chen Junyu, but she still had to show basic courtesy.

"What are Miss Zhi's hobbies?" Chen Junyu asked politely.

"I don't have any particular hobbies. I usually read some books to pass the time," Zhiwan said casually.

Chen Junyu nodded and asked with interest, "Then, Miss Zhi, what kind of books do you like to read?"

Zhiwan twisted the handkerchief in her hand and casually replied, "Just some storybooks and the like."

Upon hearing this, Chen Junyu did not ask any further questions.

Zhiwan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She has no interest in dealing with others right now, but luckily Chen Junyu is sensible.

Not long after, Chen Junyu suddenly pushed a plate in front of her and said, "Miss Zhi, these melon seeds have been shelled. Please try them."

Zhiwan was taken aback. She looked down and saw a plate piled high with glistening, white melon seeds.

She looked at Chen Junyu in surprise, "You peeled it?"

Chen Junyu nodded, and said somewhat awkwardly, "How can we watch a play without melon seeds? I just hope Miss Zhi won't find them too much."

A complex feeling arose in Zhiwan's heart.

This person is so meticulous and considerate. It would be quite comfortable to live together.

Unfortunately, she was leaving the capital, while he was staying to prepare for next year's imperial examination.

She paused for a moment, then picked up the plate. "Thank you, Mr. Chen."

Chen Junyu breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she didn't mind. Seeing that she had already lowered her head to eat the melon seeds, he was afraid that the melon seeds were too dry and she would choke, so he poured her a cup of tea and fanned it to cool it down.

"Miss Zhi, have some tea to soothe your throat." He pushed the cup towards Zhi Wan only after the tea had reached a suitable temperature.

"Young Master Chen, thank you." Zhiwan accepted the cup, and besides expressing her gratitude, she didn't know what else to say.

She could tell that he was satisfied with her, but she was about to let him down.

Thinking of this, she stopped talking to him, lest she disappoint him later.

"The young master has arrived." At this moment, Shuang'er suddenly spoke up.

Zhiwan's hand trembled, and the cup slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground.

Just as the cup of tea was about to fall onto her lap, a slender hand reached out at the right moment and caught it steadily.

"Be careful!" The man's deep voice rang out above Zhiwan's head.

(End of this chapter)