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

Chapter 23 restrained
Zhiwan's beautiful eyes dimmed.

Upon seeing this, Duan Ling felt deeply that Lu Zhan was truly heartless.

If he had a cousin like that, he wouldn't care about rules or regulations; he would only dote on her.

Not wanting to put her mistress in a difficult position, Shuang'er said, "Miss, the young master is right. I was indeed derelict in my duty today, and it is only right that I be punished. When we get back, I will go to the punishment room with my two madams to receive our punishment."

“But…” Zhiwan still hesitated.

Shuang'er immediately tugged at her sleeve, stopping her from continuing.

She knew that her mistress was worried about her and didn't want her to be punished, but since both old women were going to be punished, it didn't make sense for her not to be.

If that's the case, even if the order comes from the young master, the two old women will definitely feel resentful and will inevitably hold a grudge against the young lady.

The young lady's situation in the Duke's mansion was already difficult; we mustn't make things worse for her.

Zhiwan understood this as well, and seeing Shuang'er's pleading eyes, she finally shut her mouth.

"Wanwan... Oh, Lord Lu is here too?" Just then, Ouyang Pearl, carrying a large bunch of peach blossoms in her arms, skipped over and was very surprised to see Lu Zhan.

Duan Ling chuckled, "You brat, are your eyes on the top of your head? Can't you see a grown man like me at all?"

Upon hearing the voice, Ouyang Zhenzhu turned her gaze to him, blinked, and said honestly, "With Zhuyu by my side, I really didn't see you. I'm sorry."

Duan Ling: "..."

Are pearls and jade beside you?

If Lu Zhan is a pearl, then what is he?
This little girl practically said that he was too inconspicuous.

Duan Ling was amused and moved her fingers, imagining pinching her cheek like she did when she was little, but ultimately restrained herself.

"Let's go," Lu Zhan said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Duan Ling advised, "Since we're already here, let's stay a little longer. There are still many beautiful sights to see."

"Then you can stay and read it at your leisure." Lu Zhan glanced at him indifferently.

Duan Ling choked on his words, then said sullenly, "Fine, I'll go then."

"Miss Zhiwan!"

Just as the two were about to leave, a joyful voice rang out. Turning around, they saw Fu Hongyi leading a group of people over.

Seeing that he was looking at Zhiwan as if no one else was around, Lu Zhan frowned slightly.

Duan Ling raised an eyebrow.

Is Fu Hongyi after Lu Zhan's little cousin?
What audacity! To be so presumptuous in front of someone's cousin.

He glanced at Lu Zhan's handsome face, which revealed neither his emotions nor his anger, and then, feigning concern, said, "My little cousin is so attractive. What if she runs into a bunch of suitors? I heard that your aunt dotes on this girl. If she finds out that you met your little cousin at the flower viewing party but didn't take good care of her, do you think your aunt will hold a grudge against you?"

Lu Zhan glanced at him coolly but said nothing, though a hint of annoyance flickered between his brows.

Duan Ling was very relieved to see that he had finally decided not to leave.

Sure enough, even the seemingly heartless Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices had to be wary of bringing up Aunt Lu.

Seeing Fu Hongyi made Zhiwan feel a little annoyed.

Putting aside the fact that Wang Yanran and Zhang Linglong had become hostile towards her because of him, her buttocks were still sore, and all she wanted to do was find a secluded place to sit down and rest for a while; she really didn't want to deal with him.

But she couldn't be impolite at the moment, so she could only nod perfunctorily, "Young Master Fu."

Fu Hongyi didn't care about her attitude at all; on the contrary, he felt that she was different from other young ladies.

He suppressed his joy and finally saw Lu Zhan and Duan Ling standing to the side.

He asked politely, "Have you two just come down from the mountain?"

Duan Ling patted him on the shoulder and praised, "Hongyi, the scenery of your villa is indeed very nice. We've almost finished touring it."

"I hope you two don't mind." Fu Hongyi said, and then extended a warm invitation, "The servants at the villa have prepared a lunch. If you two have nothing urgent to attend to, please stay and have a couple of drinks with us." Duan Ling was more than happy to agree, but then he heard Lu Zhan say in a low voice, "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Young Master Fu. My cousin just fell and I need to take her back to the city for medical treatment."

Duan Ling was taken aback.

Zhiwan was also taken aback.

Fu Hongyi became anxious, "Miss Zhiwan, where are you injured?"

Zhi Wan was somewhat embarrassed and didn't know how to answer when the man's cool voice suddenly rang out, "Young Master Fu, thank you for your hospitality today. We'll take our leave now. Cousin, let's go."

Zhiwan realized what was happening and quickly nodded, "Okay."

Duan Ling was somewhat disgruntled. He had been thinking of playing a little longer at the flower-viewing banquet, but he never expected that Lu Zhan would use Zhi Wan as an excuse to take the little girl away as well.

Seeing that Zhiwan was about to leave, Ouyang Pearl didn't want to stay either, so she and Shuang'er helped Zhiwan up on either side and followed the two of them away.

Fu Hongyi stared longingly at Zhiwan, but had no right to ask her to stay.

The young ladies who had come along also looked at Lu Zhan expectantly.

They never expected to run into Lu Zhan at the Fu family's flower viewing banquet today, but before they could even feel happy, he was gone.

For a moment, everyone felt a deep sense of loss.

When Lu Xin learned that Lu Zhan had appeared in the peach blossom forest, she rushed over, only to see Lu Zhan leaving with Zhi Wan.

"Why did you come to the flower viewing banquet today, elder brother?" Lu Lan asked, quite surprised.

Lu Xin stared at Zhi Wan's retreating figure, her heart filled with jealousy.

The eldest brother was aloof and never warmed up to his cousins, but he was exceptionally kind to Zhiwan, an orphan.

This made her jealous and resentful.

But then I thought, it's good that Zhiwan is gone, that way no one will steal her thunder.

That vixen, Zhiwan, immediately captured Fu Hongyi's entire attention upon her arrival.

Now that Zhiwan is no longer around, Fu Hongyi can see her.

Lu Xin felt much more at ease.

Zhiwan was unaware of Lu Xin's thoughts.

She had already left the Fu family's villa with Lu Zhan and the others.

The medical visit was just an excuse; once he was out of the public eye, Lu Zhan had no intention of paying any more attention to Zhiwan.

"Cousin, thank you for today." Seeing Lu Zhan about to mount his horse and leave, Zhi Wan hurriedly expressed her gratitude.

Lu Zhan glanced at her, and seeing the girl's sincere expression, he paused and gently reminded her, "When you're out and about, bring more people with you. Don't go out alone anymore. You won't be so lucky every time."

"I understand," Zhiwan replied obediently.

She was indeed careless today.

But she never expected to run into Wang Zeren.

Fortunately, she met her cousin, otherwise she would have died at Wang Zeren's hands.

Ouyang Zhenzhu was still unaware of Zhiwan's predicament. After getting into the carriage, she couldn't help but ask, "Lord Lu said you fell. Isn't that just an excuse? What happened while I was away?"

Zhiwan was worried that Wang Zeren's matter would cause trouble for Lu Zhan, so she didn't plan to tell Ouyang Zhenzhu. She only said, "I really fell, and it hurt quite a bit."

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Zhenzhu immediately became anxious, "Where did you fall? Let me see!"

Zhiwan blushed and pointed to her buttocks, "I fell here, but luckily it's not serious. I'll feel better after lying down at home."

(End of this chapter)