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

Chapter 243 It's impossible for me to marry her again.
"I won't force you." Shen Longjin shook his head, his voice calm, but a hint of determination lingered in his eyes.

Princess Chang Le opened her mouth and finally said, "Alright, I'll write you a letter of recommendation to the Ministry of Rites."

"Thank you, Your Highness." A smile appeared on Shen Longjin's handsome face.

Princess Chang Le was stunned.

"Your Highness, please rest well. This humble servant will take his leave." After saying this, Shen Longjin left directly.

Princess Chang Le took a long time to come to her senses.

After reviewing what had happened that night, she suddenly realized that she was on the defensive in her power struggle with Shen Longjin.

Realizing this, a look of annoyance flashed across her face.

When did she start being led by the nose by Shen Longjin?

It's all Shen Longjin's fault for having such a flamboyant face!

Dingguo Gongfu.

As Zhiwan soaked in the bathtub, she pondered the words of Princess Chang Le.

It turns out that the portrait in Xuanyuan Jing's hand was a gift from someone else.

She thought that Xuan Yuanjing had commissioned the painting.

Who exactly was the person who presented the painting?

Who wants to harm her?
Zhiwan considered all the possible candidates and finally settled on Lu Lan.

Right now, the person most likely to harm her is Lu Lan.

Thinking of Lu Lan, she felt a chill run down her spine and was filled with anger.

It seems that Lu Lan didn't listen to what she said to Lu Lan last time.

And just as Princess Chang Le said, she only managed to capture the painting today by chance, but what about next time, or the time after that? Princess Chang Le can't possibly be so lucky every time.

Once Lu Lan harbors the intention to harm her, she certainly won't stop there.

If she could get through to Xuan Yuanjing, she could certainly find someone else to help deliver the painting.

However, although she suspected that Lu Lan was responsible, she had no evidence to prove it. Even if she went to Lu Lan, Lu Lan would definitely deny it.

After thinking about it for a while, Zhiwan felt that she should tell her aunt and cousin about this.

The next day, Zhiwan found Jiang Shi and handed him a folded letter, saying, "Send this letter to my cousin by carrier pigeon."

"Yes." Jiang Shi didn't ask any further questions and took the letter.

"Also, have someone keep an eye on Lu Lan and see who she's been in contact with lately," Zhiwan added.

"Yes." Jiang Shi didn't ask any further questions.

After giving her instructions, Zhiwan went to the Orchid Courtyard to tell her aunt about the matter.

Unexpectedly, she ran into Tong Da as soon as she stepped outside the courtyard gate.

Tong Da stood in front of the door, presumably waiting to be summoned by his aunt.

She knew that her aunt was looking for Tong Da because of what had happened with Wang Shuya and her son.

She was hesitating whether to leave first when Granny Fang came out. She was taken aback when she saw her and said, "Miss, please wait a moment. This old servant will go and ask the madam first."

Having said that, he quickly entered the courtyard before Zhiwan could speak.

A moment later, she returned with a smile, "Miss, Madam said that since you're here, she would like you to come in and listen."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan's worries vanished, and she entered the courtyard.

Tong Da walked in from behind.

Zhiwan and Weishi sat behind the screen, listening to Tong Da report what he had found out some time ago.

"...I went to the border and found Granny Lin, who delivered Wang Shuya's baby. Granny Lin said that Wang Shuya's baby was full-term."

However, Wang Shuya clearly stated publicly that she gave birth prematurely, two months earlier than expected.

The subordinates sensed something amiss and went to great lengths to investigate Wang Shuya. It turned out that before she was with the Duke, Wang Shuya had already secretly pledged her life to a scholar surnamed Xu.

But the scholar abandoned Wang Shuya. Later, Wang Shuya discovered she was pregnant and set her sights on the Duke, scheming against him.

Upon hearing this, both Zhiwan and Lady Wei understood.

After a long pause, Madam Wei frowned and asked, "Is what you said true?"

“Everything I have said is true,” Tong Da affirmed.

After a moment of silence, Madam Wei said, "Thank you for your hard work. You can go now."

Tong Da bowed slightly and then withdrew.

Seeing that her aunt's expression had relaxed a little, Zhiwan felt relieved and said, "Aunt, it seems that Uncle really was framed."

Wei came to her senses and sneered, "If he hadn't given them the opportunity, how could they have outmaneuvered him?"

Seeing that she was scolding her uncle but had a smile on her face, Zhiwan said something for her uncle, "But Wang Shuya's brother was your deputy general, someone you trusted. That's why you took better care of Wang Shuya after he died on the battlefield. But you never expected that Wang Shuya would harbor such evil intentions and scheme against him like this."

Madam Wei sighed, "Well, now that the matter has been investigated, I have a better understanding of the situation."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan said nothing more.

This is a matter between my aunt and uncle; she's a junior and shouldn't say too much.

She then brought up the matter of the portrait.

Upon hearing this, Madam Wei was furious. "That wretched girl Lu Lan, how dare she harm you like this?"

Zhiwan nodded. "Although I have no evidence to prove that she did it, Lu Jinglan has already disappeared. The only person I can think of is her."

“No doubt about it, it’s definitely her!” Madam Wei said with certainty. “Last time you left without saying goodbye, Lu Lan said a lot of ambiguous things to me, intending to smear you.”

"Such a thing is true?" Zhiwan exclaimed in astonishment.

“Yes.” Madam Wei nodded. “I used to pity her for what she had gone through and took care of her in every way. I never expected her to be so vicious.”

They actually thought of sending Wan'er's portrait to the palace. If the emperor really saw it and had the idea of ​​taking Wan'er into the palace, wouldn't Wan'er's life be ruined? What should A-Zhan do?
Fortunately, Princess Chang Le intercepted it this time; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Thinking of this, Madam Wei's face darkened. "Lu Lan is so vicious, the Lu family can no longer keep her."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan remained silent.

Lu Lan felt disgusted with her, and naturally she didn't want Lu Lan to stay in the Lu family anymore.

As for what will happen to Lu Lan, she neither cares nor sympathizes with her.

Because all of this was Lu Lan's own fault.

……

Lu Lan, who was doing needlework in the room, was suddenly pricked by a needle and cried out in pain.

"What's wrong?" Aunt Xu immediately put down her work, grabbed her finger to check, and saw a needle mark on her finger with a bead of blood. She quickly wiped it away with a handkerchief, scolding, "Why are you so absent-minded? You even pricked your finger?"

Lu Lan withdrew her finger in annoyance. "I just accidentally pricked myself."

"Is something on your mind?" Aunt Xu asked with concern.

"What could possibly be on my mind?" Lu Lan said impatiently, not wanting to stay in the room. "I'm going out for a bit."

After leaving the second branch of the family, she went straight out of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

She originally intended to go to the Prince of Gaoyang's residence to inquire about news, but then she changed her mind and went in a different direction.

She shouldn't be in such a hurry.

The portrait has already been given to Xuanyuan Jing. When Xuanyuan Jing learns that her elder brother will marry Zhiwan, she will definitely not be able to accept it and will surely present the painting to the palace. The old emperor will definitely be able to see the portrait.

Zhiwan is beautiful, isn't she? If the old emperor took a liking to her and brought her into the palace, that would be interesting.

Thinking of that scene, she felt a wave of joy wash over her, her gloom lifted.

Once Zhiwan is taken into the palace, no matter how much her elder brother likes her, he will never be able to marry her again.

Being slept with by an old man, Zhiwan's fate wasn't much better than hers!