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

Chapter 244 has likely met with misfortune.

Thinking of this, Lu Lan felt a surge of schadenfreude, but when she thought of Lu Jinglan's fate, her heart trembled.

Although rumors were circulating in the manor that Lu Jinglan had eloped with someone, she knew that Lu Jinglan loved her elder brother and would never elope with another man. This sudden disappearance must have been done by Madam Wei and her elder brother.

Because Lu Jinglan offended Zhiwan, she ended up like this.

Aunt and elder brother are really good to that orphan girl, Zhiwan!

Thinking of the warning Zhiwan had given her that day, she clenched her fist tightly.

No, she has to get married as soon as possible while she still has a choice.

She absolutely cannot end up like Lu Jinglan.

She wants to take control of her own destiny and never again be at the mercy of others!

Upon returning to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, she went to the kitchen to stew a pot of chicken soup, and then personally delivered it to Fushou Hall.

For the past few days, there had been no news of Lu Jinglan. Old Madam Lu was very worried and listless. When she saw Lu Lan arrive, she had no interest in paying attention to her at all.

“Grandmother, I noticed you haven’t been in good spirits these past few days, so I specially went to the kitchen to stew a bowl of chicken soup. Would you like a bowl?” Lu Lan asked cautiously.

Old Madam Lu initially didn't want to pay her any attention, but upon hearing this, she lifted her eyelids and glanced at her, "You cooked this yourself?"

"Your granddaughter is dull-witted. Grandmother is so worried about Aunt Jinglan, but I can't help her at all. I can only stew some chicken soup in the hope that Grandmother's health will improve." Lu Lan lowered her head and wrung out her handkerchief, feeling very guilty.

Madam Lu's expression softened slightly. "You're very kind. Tang Sheng, please."

"Yes." Lu Lan's face lit up with joy. She quickly ladled out a bowl of chicken soup and placed it in front of her, showing great care. "I simmered this chicken soup for an hour. The broth is rich and the chicken is tender. Grandmother, please don't just drink the soup; eat some chicken too."

Madam Lu took the soup, scooped some out with a spoon, tasted it, and found it to be quite good. She praised Lan'er, saying, "Lan'er's cooking is excellent."

Lu Lan smiled contentedly, "I'm glad Grandmother doesn't mind."

Old Madam Lu couldn't help but glance at her again.

Seeing her standing there, graceful and beautiful, with a gentle nature, I felt a little sorry for her.

If only this girl hadn't gone through that ordeal! Although she was born out of wedlock, with her family's social standing, marrying into a good family wouldn't have been difficult for her.

What a pity.

Lu Lan noticed the fleeting regret on the old lady's face, and her fingers clenched tightly into her palms beneath her sleeves.

Even her grandmother looked down on her...

She suppressed her resentment and grievances, stepped forward, knelt down in front of Madam Lu, and sobbed softly, "Grandmother, I'm so scared..."

Old Madam Lu frowned, put down her bowl, and tried to help her up. "What are you afraid of?"

Lu Lan refused to get up, sobbing uncontrollably against her knees. "Aunt Jinglan suddenly disappeared. These past few days, I've been very uneasy, always feeling that I'll be next..."

Mentioning Lu Jinglan, Old Madam Lu's heart tightened, and she scolded, "Don't talk nonsense! Your aunt's matter was just an accident."

Lu Lan shook her head and said, "How could it be an accident? Our Duke Dingguo's mansion is heavily guarded. Even a commoner like Xiao Xiao can't get in. My little aunt Jinglan's sudden disappearance is clearly the work of someone."

Madam Lu paused. "You mean, Jinglan's disappearance was caused by someone?"

"I don't know the specifics, but I always felt that Aunt Jinglan wouldn't leave on her own for no reason. But to say that a thief entered is even more unlikely, unless there was... an inside thief." Lu Lan said cryptically.

"It's Zhiwan, it must be Zhiwan who did this!" Old Madam Lu said angrily. "I've long suspected that she had Jinglan kidnapped, but no one believes me." Lu Lan's eyes flickered, and she said in a low voice, "Sister Zhiwan is so gentle and obedient, she shouldn't be capable of doing such a thing."

"Hmph, her docile and weak demeanor is all an act. You didn't see how shrewd she was that day at Yaoguang Pavilion." Old Madam Lu was furious when she thought about what happened that day. "Jinglan's disappearance is definitely related to her!"

Lu Lan paused, then suddenly said, "My aunt and elder brother have always sided with Sister Zhiwan and can't stand seeing her suffer. That day, when you and my aunt went to Yaoguang Pavilion and put pressure on Sister Zhiwan, my aunt and elder brother found out, and they certainly wouldn't stand idly by..."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Lu suddenly understood what was going on and gritted her teeth, saying, "It must have been Wei Minghui who did it!"

"Is that your aunt?" Lu Lan trembled with fear. "I... I've had some disagreements with Sister Zhiwan. Will you take me away from the manor too, Aunt? Grandmother, please save me!"

Seeing that she was trembling with fear, Madam Lu quickly hugged her and comforted her, saying, "Don't be afraid. The Wei family isn't that arrogant. Your grandmother will protect you."

Lu Lan shook her head, her face streaked with tears. "Even Aunt Jinglan had Grandmother's protection, but in the end... Grandmother, please help me find a family to marry into. I don't want to stay in the Lu family and die for no reason..."

Madam Lu's heart sank upon hearing this.

Yes, now no one in the manor takes her seriously anymore, so who can she protect?
"Grandmother, please have pity on your granddaughter and do justice for her..." Lu Lan cried uncontrollably.

"Alright, I will find you a family to marry into as soon as possible," said Old Madam Lu in a deep voice.

Lu Lan looked relieved. "Grandmother, I don't care what kind of family I come from, as long as I can get away from this place of trouble as soon as possible."

Madam Lu felt very uncomfortable hearing this.

If she weren't afraid, why would Lu Lan be in such a hurry to leave the Lu family? She's not even picky about her future husband's family anymore?

The Lu family had become a place of trouble, a place that children avoided at all costs.

Madam Lu said solemnly, "Don't worry, I will find you a good family as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Grandmother." Lu Lan wiped away her tears, stood up and said, "Grandmother, please drink the chicken soup quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

Zhiwan was unaware of what had happened at Fushoutang. She received a reply from her cousin that afternoon.

However, the letter contained only a few words: Cousin, don't worry, I will be back soon.

Zhiwan was somewhat surprised. Her cousin was coming back?
Has he finished dealing with everything in Jiangning?

And her uncle...

Zhiwan's heart sank; she had a feeling that her uncle had met with some misfortune.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Although she was mentally prepared, she still felt a little uneasy when it actually came to this.

I didn't know I had relatives in this world before. Now that I know, and this is the result, I can't help but feel sad.

"Miss, Miss Ouyang has arrived." At this moment, Shuang'er came in to report.

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan quickly composed herself and said, "Please invite her in."

Shuang'er quickly brought Ouyang Zhenzhu in.

"Wanwan, what have you been busy with lately? I came to see you twice, but the servants said you went to Yangzhou. Why did you go to Yangzhou again? Is something wrong?" As soon as she entered the room, Ouyang Zhenzhu asked repeatedly.

(End of this chapter)