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

Chapter 256 Just as he was about to flirt, he was caught red-handed.
When Zhiwan was brought to the interrogation room, there were several people sitting inside, namely the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, the Chief Justice, the Judge, the Registrar, and the Director.

The men were quite polite to her, asking her a few routine questions, which were recorded by the clerk.

After the questioning, she was taken out and led to a room to rest.

The room was very clean, with a bed and bedding.

"This is where the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices rests when he is handling official business. You don't need to worry, young lady."

The constable who brought her here noticed her hesitation and offered an explanation.

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan was indeed somewhat relieved. "Thank you for your trouble."

The constable shook his head. "If you need anything, young lady, please give the order. I will be waiting outside."

"Thank you," Zhiwan said sincerely.

"You're too kind, young lady." After pouring her a cup of tea, the constable left and closed the door behind him.

Zhiwan looked around the room.

Knowing that this was where her cousin usually worked and rested made her feel a little more at ease.

After drinking some tea, she sat down on the edge of the bed.

She was exhausted from all the commotion this morning and leaned against the bedpost to rest for a while.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, there was a sudden knock on the door.

She suddenly woke up with a start.

Looking at the unfamiliar house, it took me a long time to react before I got up and went to open the door.

"Why did it take you so long to open the door?" The woman outside the door sounded somewhat dissatisfied.

"Princess Chang Le?" Zhi Wan exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the newcomer.

"Why are you making such a loud noise? I'm not deaf." Princess Chang Le rolled her eyes at her.

Zhiwan said awkwardly, "I was just too surprised."

“What’s so surprising? It’s Shen Longjin who was worried about you and insisted on coming to see you.” Princess Chang Le crossed her arms and glanced to the side with a half-smile.

Zhiwan was taken aback, and then she noticed Shen Longjin standing to the side.

Shen Longjin's expression was somewhat strange.

He glanced at Princess Chang Le, but did not refute her.

"You two chat, I'll wait for Your Highness outside." After saying this, Shen Longjin handed the food box in his hand to Princess Chang Le, and then turned and left.

"Shen Longjin, did I say you could leave?" Princess Chang Le called out unhappily.

Whether Shen Longjin didn't hear them or did it on purpose, he didn't turn his head and quickly disappeared from their sight.

"Thank you for coming to see me, Your Highness." Zhiwan said, her face full of gratitude.

"I told you, it was Shen Longjin who was worried about you." Princess Chang Le looked a little uncomfortable.

Zhiwan smiled, not exposing her, and took her hand, saying, "Your Highness, would you like to come in and sit for a while?"

Princess Chang Le said, "Since I'm here, I should sit for a while." After saying that, she followed her inside.

"I was worried you wouldn't like the food here, so Shen Longjin specially had the servants prepare some dishes for me to bring to you." Princess Chang Le placed the food box on the table and then took out the dishes one by one and arranged them on the table.

Looking at the hot food on the table, Zhiwan's eyes became a little moist.

She hadn't expected that Princess Chang Le would come to see her after the incident, even bringing her food. Although His Highness said it was because Shen Longjin was worried about her, she knew that she and Shen Longjin had no relationship, so why would Shen Longjin be worried about her?
It was clearly His Highness who was worried about her, but he used Shen Longjin's name as a cover.

"Why are you crying?" Princess Chang Le frowned.

"I didn't cry, I'm just so happy." Zhiwan wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, picked up her chopsticks, and stuffed large mouthfuls of rice into her mouth.

"You've been imprisoned in the Dali Temple, and you're still happy? I truly admire you." Princess Chang Le scolded, but then picked up another pair of clean chopsticks and put some food on her plate. "Don't just focus on eating, try these dishes."

"I understand," Zhiwan mumbled, trying to hide the sob in her voice.

Princess Chang Le pretended not to hear, took a bowl, ladled some soup in it, and placed it in front of her.

She then stood up and looked around the room. "By the way, when I came here, I saw Ouyang Zhenzhu being blocked at the door by the Dali Temple yamen runners. She was very concerned about you and even brought you some snacks. She begged me to bring her in, but I found her annoying and didn't. She asked me to bring her some snacks, but I thought they were too coarse and didn't bring them in either. She's probably crying outside right now."

Hearing Princess Chang Le's somewhat rambling voice, Zhi Wan's eyes reddened.

"Your Highness, when you go out later, please tell Pearl not to worry about me, that I am fine."

Upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le glanced at her, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself.

Upon seeing this, Zhiwan's heart skipped a beat, and she asked, "Has something happened outside?"

Princess Chang Le was reluctant to tell her, fearing she would overthink things, so she said, "Do you think your cousin is just here for nothing? He will definitely protect you. Don't worry, just eat and drink here. I will have someone deliver your three meals a day on time."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan knew that something might have happened outside that she was unaware of, and that it was detrimental to her. Otherwise, given Pearl's connection with Ouyang Lei, she wouldn't have been prevented from even coming in to see her.

It must be because the case has become complicated, and Ouyang Lei has to avoid suspicion.

She nodded. "I understand, thank you, Your Highness."

"In addition, the Dali Temple will hold a trial tomorrow, and you will be interrogated," Princess Chang Le paused and reminded her.

Zhiwan already knew what to do. "Yes, I will handle it well."

"Alright, it's getting late. You should get some sleep so you'll be well-rested tomorrow. I'll be here to support you." Princess Chang Le saw that she had almost finished eating, so she didn't linger. She left a bottle of ointment, picked up the food box, and left.

Zhiwan picked up the medicine bottle, opened it, and looked inside. There were signs of use; it was the same bottle her cousin had used to apply medicine to her neck during the day.

This must have been given to her by her cousin through Princess Chang Le.

Not long after, the constables brought her hot water for her to wash up.

It's unclear whether the constables forgot, but they didn't prepare a cloth for her.

Looking at the cloth her cousin used on the washstand, she paused, took it down, soaked it in water, wrung it out, wiped her face and neck, and finally applied some medicine to the wound on her neck.

Thinking about what Princess Chang Le had said, she felt a little uneasy, but she still went to bed to rest.

The scent of cedar wood lingered in the bedding, which brought her some peace of mind. Perhaps she was tired, for she soon fell asleep.

As soon as Princess Chang Le left Dali Temple, she was stopped by Ouyang Zhenzhu, who was waiting there.

"Your Highness, is Wanwan alright?"

Seeing her teary-eyed appearance, Princess Chang Le found it somewhat amusing. "That Zhi Wan is much stronger than you. She, the person involved, didn't even cry, but you're here crying your eyes out. You're really something."

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Zhenzhu hastily wiped away her tears, saying, "I wasn't crying, I just got sand in my eyes."

"Really? So it was sand in your eyes. No wonder." Princess Chang Le deliberately drew out her words.

Ouyang Zhenzhu realized that she was being mocked, so she pouted but didn't say anything back.

Seeing her like this, Princess Chang Le stopped teasing her and turned to get into her own carriage.

Seeing Shen Longjin leaning against the wall reading a book, she deliberately snuggled closer, intending to tease him. However, just as her hand touched Shen Longjin's face, the curtain was suddenly lifted, and Ouyang Zhenzhu slipped in.