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

Chapter 202 Zhiwan seduced Lu Zhan

After the meal, Zhiwan went to the deck for some fresh air.

She was initially worried about running into her cousin, but after walking around the boat, she didn't see him at all.

She felt relieved and leaned against the railing to enjoy the breeze.

It's cloudy today, no sun, but the weather is very muggy.

Looking at the rolling dark clouds on the horizon, Zhiwan felt that it was probably going to rain.

"Miss, this watermelon is chilled, it's so refreshing, please try it." At this moment, Chen Jiu brought over a fruit plate and eagerly approached.

Zhiwan was a little thirsty, and seeing the sweet and refreshing watermelon on the plate, she reached out and took a piece. "Thank you, Ajiu."

"You're too kind, Miss." Chen Jiu's smile stretched almost to his ears. "It is my honor to serve you, Miss."

Just as Zhiwan was about to take a bite of the watermelon, she heard this and looked at him in surprise.

Why is Chen Jiu being so polite today?

Noticing her scrutiny, Chen Jiu paused, then touched his face. "Is there something dirty on my face?"

"No." Zhiwan shook her head, thought for a moment, and asked, "Ajiu, where did my cousin go?"

“The young master didn’t go anywhere; he’s sleeping in the cabin,” Chen Jiu replied.

Zhiwan was surprised.

It's still morning, and my cousin, who's always so busy with official duties, is actually sleeping?
Remembering the exhaustion her cousin had shown when he entered her cabin, she paused and asked, "What have you been busy with these past two days, cousin? You look so tired."

Chen Jiu hesitated for a moment before replying, "It's like this, when the young master learned yesterday that Miss was leaving the capital, he was so anxious that he didn't even attend court. Although he made an excuse, he was still reprimanded by the emperor. Afterwards, he investigated a case overnight and only just had a break."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan thought of how her cousin had surrounded the dock yesterday under the pretext of investigating a case, and a complex feeling crossed her mind.

Since my cousin had already guessed that she would go to Yangzhou, and he himself had to go to Jiangnan on business, why was he in such a hurry to catch her yesterday?

My cousin has always been steady and always puts official business first. How could he have made such a mistake this time?

He didn't attend court and was even reprimanded by the emperor!
"In addition, the matter of Miss Biao leaving the capital has already been informed to Madam and the others. We were unable to intercept the letter you left for Madam, which caused some commotion in the manor yesterday, but the young master has already quelled it." After thinking for a moment, Chen Jiu felt that it was still necessary to let Miss Biao know about the situation in the manor, so that no one would speak ill of her in the future and affect her mood.

Furthermore, the things the Crown Prince did for Miss Biao should also be known to her.

Zhiwan's heart sank upon hearing this. Had some trouble arisen in the manor because of her?
"What trouble?" she asked anxiously. "Did I cause trouble for my aunt?"

Chen Jiu paused for a moment before speaking, "Yesterday, after Madam saw the letter you left, she was frantic and wanted to summon all the servants in the manor to look for you. I don't know who spread the word, but they said that you... that you actually eloped with someone..."

"What?" Zhiwan swayed and clenched her fingers.

"But don't worry, those who spread the message have all been dealt with by the young master, and now no one dares to gossip anymore." Chen Jiu quickly reassured her when he saw her pale face.

In fact, yesterday's events in the mansion were nothing short of bloody and violent.

When the rumors started, the Crown Prince ordered a swift investigation to identify and punish those who spread them. In addition, he also dealt with all those who criticized Miss Biao.

Now, no one in the household dares to speak ill of Miss Biao anymore.

The Crown Prince really cares about Miss Cousin.

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan's heart remained heavy, and she asked, "Did Aunt... say anything about this?"

What she cared about most was Wei's opinion of her.

She left the capital for two reasons: first, to avoid her cousin; and second, because she didn't want her aunt to find out about her affair with her cousin, which would disappoint her and make her look at her differently, thinking that she was immoral and seducing her cousin.

But she never expected that her departure would be spread as a rumor that she had eloped.

Her aunt would surely be disappointed in her after hearing this.

“Of course Madam doesn’t believe it, and besides, the young master has already told Madam that you are with him, so Madam is very relieved,” Chen Jiu quickly said.

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan was not relieved at all; on the contrary, she became somewhat nervous.

My cousin actually told my aunt that he was with her. How could my aunt not overthink it? This happened at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

As Madam Wei was enjoying the cool air in the pavilion in the courtyard, Lu Lan suddenly requested an audience.

"What is she doing here?" Although puzzled, Madam Wei still had someone invite Lu Lan in.

"Greetings, Auntie." As soon as Lu Lan entered, she bowed to Madam Wei.

Madam Wei nodded. "Did you call me here because of something?"

Lu Lan hesitated for a moment and said, "I... I have something I've kept from your mother."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wei looked at her with surprise. "What have you been hiding from me?"

Lu Lan lowered her eyes and said, "Yesterday I heard that Sister Zhiwan left without saying goodbye, and after hearing those rumors in the manor, I became a little worried about Sister Zhiwan..."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wei frowned. "Is this matter related to Wan'er?"

Lu Lan nodded gently. "I thought about it all night and decided that I should tell Auntie about it so that Sister Zhiwan won't make a big mistake."

"What did Wan'er do to make such a grave mistake?" Madam Wei frowned, looking at her suspiciously.

Lu Lan clenched the handkerchief in her hand and whispered, "It's related to my older brother."

"Why are you bringing Jinzhi into this?" Madam Wei's expression darkened slightly.

Lu Lan's eyes flickered, and she looked troubled. Then she said softly, "Actually, when my aunt Jinglan and I went to Yangzhou last time, we saw my elder brother enter Sister Zhiwan's courtyard. Their relationship... seemed unusual. Many people thought they were... husband and wife."

"What?" Wei asked in astonishment.

Lu Lan hurriedly knelt down. "I should have kept this matter to myself, but after what happened yesterday, I was really worried about Sister Zhiwan. I was afraid that she would suffer a loss, so I told Auntie about it, hoping that Auntie could persuade Sister Zhiwan to get back on the right path."

After hearing what she said, Wei was shocked.

A Zhan and Wan'er?
How can this be?

"You're talking nonsense!" Realizing what was happening, Madam Wei slammed her hand on the table and shouted angrily.

Lu Lan shrank back, lowered her head, and sobbed softly, "I hope I'm just overthinking things. I hesitated for a long time before daring to tell Auntie. I was afraid of Auntie's anger and scolding, but Sister Zhiwan has been good to me. I really can't bear to watch her go astray. That's why I mustered up the courage to come and tell Auntie..."

He paused, then continued, "Sister Zhiwan is so beautiful that anyone who sees her would be attracted to her. My brother... he is a man too."

Wei's face was gloomy.

Lu Lan's words implied that Wan'er had seduced A Zhan.

Wan'er is the girl she raised herself, how could she be so despicable?
Madam Wei was furious and shouted, "Guards, give him a good slap!"

Immediately, servants stepped forward and held Lu Lan down.

"Clap clap clap..."

The sound of slaps was incessant.

After calming down, Madam Wei waved her hand and said, "That's enough!"

The servants stepped aside.

Lu Lan collapsed to the ground, her cheeks swollen and blood trickling from the corners of her mouth.

A flash of resentment crossed her eyes.

Why does everyone have to torment and humiliate her like this?

She was just telling the truth.

The relationship between Zhiwan and her elder brother was never clear.

Instead of investigating the two men, the aunt took her anger out on herself.

(End of this chapter)